Northwest Side in Leon Valley in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Huebner-Onion Homestead and Stagecoach Stop
This site was home to two important area families, as well as a stagecoach stop in the 1800s. Development here began in 1858 when Joseph Huebner and his family who arrived from Austria five years earlier, bought acreage surrounding what is now Huebner Creek and Huebner Road. A successful San Antonio businessman, he soon erected three limestone buildings here and began to acquire herds of horses, mules and cattle. He also opened a stagecoach stop at the family's homestead ranch on the San Antonio to Bandera stage line route. The stop included blacksmith services, change of stock and overnight accommodations if travelers were unable to pass over the flooded creek. Joseph Huebner died in 1882 and was buried on the homestead property.
After Huebner's death, and well into the early 20th century, the family continued to operate the ranch, watering hole and livery service on this land. In 1930, Judge John F. Onion and his wife Harriet acquired a section of the Huebner property that included the homestead site. John (d. 1955) began a family legal tradition, working as a lawyer and later serving as a San Antonio municipal judge, Bexar County Justice of the Peace and Bexar County District Judge. Harriet (d. 1983) was a schoolteacher in Leon Valley.
Due to metropolitan growth, the homestead was in danger of disappearing, but grassroots efforts led by the Historical Society of Leon Valley, along with corporate donations and the purchase of land, helped save this historic property. Today, it serves as a natural area and educational site.
Erected 2007 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14818.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 29° 29.642′ N, 98° 36.996′ W. Marker is in Leon Valley, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in the Northwest Side. Marker is on Bandera Road (State Highway 16) 0.1 miles south of Grissom Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located along Hwy 16 in the Huebner-Onion Natural Area Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6613 Bandera Road, San Antonio TX 78238, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Leon Valley Meeting Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Evers Family Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Audie Leon Murphy (approx. 2.4 miles away); Limestone Lintel from Old St. Mary's College (approx. 4.2 miles away); Sunshine Ranch (approx. 4.3 miles away); Rattler (approx. 4.4 miles away); St. Mary's University (approx. 4.4 miles away); Zion Lutheran Church and Cemetery (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leon Valley.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 832 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.