The Twohig House

The Twohig House. . In 1841 John Twohig – a San Antonio pioneer, Texas patriot and prosperous merchant - erected this house on a site which was part of the garden of the Veramendi Palace within a curving bend on the San Antonio River at St. Mary's and Commerce Streets. Mr Twohig's house was unique in the community since few buildings in this area at that time could boast a second floor. In 1853, John Twohig surrounded his home with a beautiful garden for his bride, Elizabeth Priscilla Calvert, and later with smaller guest houses for his important friends. The Twohigs were famous for their hospitality!, The property eventually passed into the ownership of the San Antonio Public Service Company and finally, in 1941, was moved to the grounds of the Witte Museum. The building as it now stands was restored as authentically as possible to John Twohig's original home. Built entirely of local limestone, each stone was carefully numbered and replaced in its proper position. The original fireplace mantles and doors were installed, the outside stairway replaced, and details, such as lamps, were reproduced. Even the bend in the river is strongly reminiscent of the landscape which surrounded the house downtown.