Ursuline in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old Ursuline Academy

Photographed By James Hulse, December 30, 2022

1. Old Ursuline Academy Marker

Inscription. The original complex of eight buildings was erected 1851-1882. Main building is largest known Texas structure in French "Pise de Terre" (Rammed Earth) method. Upon their arrival here in 1851 the Ursuline Nuns found the abandoned, decaying building in disrepair; but with hard work they managed to open a girls' school six weeks later. The academy moved in 1965. San Antonio Conservation Society now owns principal structures. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962

Erected 1962 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3828.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 29° 25.865′ N, 98° 29.556′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Ursuline. Marker is at the intersection of Augusta Street and Giraud Street, on the left when traveling south on Augusta Street. The marker is located on the west section of the college campus and on the right side of the entrance to the chapel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1851 Augusta Street, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ursuline Academy/Augusta Street Bridge (about 300 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Site of Rincon/Douglass School (about 400 feet away); Navarro Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); San Antonio High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); The San Antonio River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fallen Heroes of the Vietnam War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central Christian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Goad Motor Company Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

More about this marker. The round Texas State medallion that is suppose to be above the text plaque is missing.

Also see . . . Ursuline Academy, San Antonio. Texas State Historical Association

Seven Ursuline Sisters from New Orleans and Galveston, headed by Sister St. Marie Trouard, arrived in San Antonio on September 14, 1851, to start a girls' school at Bishop Jean M. Odin's request. On November 3 Ursuline Academy opened classes. It was then the second oldest school in Texas. The original convent, built in 1851 on the San Antonio River at Augusta Street, is believed
Photographed By James Hulse, December 30, 2022

2. The Old Ursuline Academy Marker on the chapel
to be the oldest surviving example of pisé de terre work in Texas and is attributed to architect Jules Poinsard. The first native of San Antonio to become a professed member of the Ursuline community was Sister Magdalen de la Garza, descendant of original Canary Islanders who settled in San Antonio and daughter of José Antonio de la Garza. Sister Magdalen became an early director of the school. According to a nineteenth-century history, by 1887 Ursuline Academy drew students "from all parts of western Texas and Mexico" to its "accommodations for seventy to eighty boarders . . . with the unqualified endorsement of the parents and guardians," who found "the facilities, equipment, site, buildings and instruction first class."

(Submitted on January 6, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Old Ursuline Academy Marker and the chapel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, December 30, 2022

3. The view of the Old Ursuline Academy Marker and the chapel

The marker is located on the chapel just to the left of the gate.

<i>Ursuline Academy, San Antonio, Texas, ca. 1877</i> image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of University of Texas San Antonio Libraries Special Collections, circa 1877

4. Ursuline Academy, San Antonio, Texas, ca. 1877

“ Photograph shows looking east on dirt street (later Giraud Street) towards chapel at Ursuline Academy on Second Street (later Augusta Street)…. Unmounted print made for stereograph.” - UTSA Libraries Special Collections

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 6, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on January 7, 2023.