In 1998, the Monte Vista Historical District was
placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Association

During the burst of prosperity that made San Antonio the largest city in Texas, cattle barons and oilmen were drawn in this "Guilded Age" to the heights on the city's northern edge to build their elegant homes and raise their families.

These 100 city blocks escaped the sort of destruction that decimated similar neighborhoods in other Texas cities during the mid- twentieth century. The area, home to some 3,000 San Antonians, is preserved as the Monte Vista National Historic District.

Monte Vista is a showcase of architectural diversity, thanks to the work of more than two dozen talented architects ranging from Alfred Giles and J. Reily Gordon to Carleton Adams, Atlee Ayres and Robert Kelly. Local adaptations of national architectural trends are reflected in the intriguing mix of distinctive homes built both for the wealthy and for those of more modest means.

From the flyleaf of "San Antonio's Monte Vista -- Architecture and Society in a Gilded Age" by Donald E. Everett, professor of history emeritus at Trinity University and long time resident of Monte Vista.

History of the Association

The Monte Vista Historic District is the largest and one of the oldest historical districts in the United States.

The MVHA came into existence in an attempt to halt loss of structures to demolition and decay. Homes in this district were built in a prosperous era between 1890 and 1930. More than 1600 petitioners, in 1975, asked the city to view the area as a historic asset because of its diversity of architecture. Homes represent Georgian, Moorish, Antebellum, Victorian, Queen Anne, Spanish and Hollywood bungalow styles. Many of the builders and shapers of downtown San Antonio lived in these homes and have descendants living in the area today.

Each structure in the district is under the protection of the Historic District and Landmarks Zoning Ordinance, which was enacted February, 12, 1987. Historic zoning does not affect any uses of the property,whether residential or commercial, but all external changes must be approved by the San Antonio Historic Review Commission.

To date, MVHA has been responsible for saving numerous houses from destruction, encroachment by retail and commercial developers and protection of home values.

In 1998, the Monte Vista Historical District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Homeowners whose homes qualify, can purchase bronze plaque and list their home in this register.