In a country where every city seems to look more and more like all the others, San Antonio can be a nice breath of fresh air. 306 years old and a centerpiece in Texan and American history, San Antonio’s Spanish architectural roots have been well-preserved, giving the modern generations a timelapse in which to view this city, in a culture that seems to have thrown out architecture’s value and its ability to be a historical record.
Take the Monte Vista district as an example of architectural preservation. These buildings from the Gilded Age have a unique blend of several styles of architecture, including but not limited to Tudor, Classical Revival and Craftsman styles. This neighborhood is protected by a city ordinance that requires homeowners to follow a strict set of guidelines to preserve the time capsule of this neighborhood’s architecture.
Oakmont Court runs through this district. The homes on this street have belonged to Trinity University since the 1950s when they were purchased to house campus officials, such as the president of the university or various other executives who are crucial to the running of the school. These homes were built throughout the early 20th century by various architects, including architect O’Neil Ford, who also designed most of the buildings on Trinity’s campus and the Tower of the Americas in downtown San Antonio.
Ford designed the house on 139 Oakmont, which immediately stands out among its more classic and European-inspired peers. Built in 1950 by O’Neil Ford for San Antonio mayor Sam Bells Steve, the home is a mid-century modern brick home with large windows and a bold, large presence, disrupting the posh, old-world theme of the rest of the street. These days, the brownish-tan of the walls and the boxy look of the whole house might feel a little dated, but the fact remains that this house is a part of the city’s and our school’s history. Ford was a long-time resident of San Antonio and has been credited as one of the nation’s best unknown architects.
If you’re looking for something more classical, look no further than just across the street at 138 Oakmont. Built in 1929 by architect Atlee Ayres, the house draws inspiration from Classic Italian architecture. The walls are made of Texan native stone, mixing the overall Italian theme with a touch of Central Texas limestone. In an interview with the San Antonio Express-News, the current occupant of 138 Oakmont shared some inside details of the house, which included some luxuries from a bygone era, like a laundry chute or a box in the kitchen wall that allowed a milkman to deliver milk without entering the home.
Not all of the houses on this street were reviewed in this article. There are many more styles and quirks to the other houses that are just as unique as the ones I’ve discussed. Such as 151 Oakmont, which includes a turret on the front, or 146 Oakmont, which exudes the Spanish style that is so well known across the rest of the Southwest.
The Trinity University area of San Antonio is gorgeous, as it borders right on Monte Vista. While I encourage everyone to take a quick walk on Oakmont, don’t forget that there’s an entire district of Oakmonts that you could take a walk in, with designs and architecture that are just as beautiful. Don’t stop there either. As mentioned before, America is a nation of new, cutting-edge architecture waiting to be found. It’s worth exploring.
