Mahncke Park in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Ruiz House
The house is built of plaster over rubble, a method and style typical of the Spanish-Colonial period. An outstanding feature of this structure is the quoining, or placement, of well-cut and dressed limestone blocks at each corner. The reconstruction of the house on the museum grounds was completed in July 1943. Although much of the house required new material, reputedly the doors are original - heavy enough to withstand Indian attacks.
Erected by Witte Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Hispanic Americans • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1943.
Location. 29° 27.703′ N, 98° 28.074′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Mahncke Park. Marker is at the intersection of Broadway and Tuleta Drive on Broadway. The marker and building are located at the grounds of the Witte Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3801 Broadway, San Antonio TX 78209, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Francisco Ruiz (here, next to this marker); The Twohig House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Celso Navarro House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancient Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); The Utility Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Onderdonk Artist Studio (within shouting distance of this marker); Brackenridge Park Since 1899 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brackenridge Park Before 1899 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
More about this marker. The marker is located on the grounds of the Witte Museum and there is an entrance fee to visit the Witte Museum and grounds.
Also see . . . Ruiz, José Francisco (1783–1840). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
José Francisco Ruiz, military officer and public official, was born about January 28, 1783, to Juan Manuel Ruiz and María Manuela de la Peña and baptized eight days later in the parish church of San Fernando de Béxar (now San Antonio). It is said that he went to Spain for his final years of schooling. In 1803 he was appointed San Antonio's schoolmaster. The designated site for the school was a house on Military Plaza acquired earlier by Juan Manuel Ruiz and passed on to his son. This same house, suffering from the ravages of time and business encroachment, was removed from its original location in 1943 and carefully reconstructed on the grounds of the Witte Museum, where it is still used for educational purposes.(Submitted on January 9, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 80 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.