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

Tejada House

(The Caxias House)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 2, 2015

1. Tejada House Marker

Inscription. This house appears on the 1873 city map and was probably built by José and Refugia Durán Tejada, who bought the land in 1855 from Concepción Ruiz. Ernest Hessler, who already owned the two houses to the west on Presa Street, bought the property in 1880, and the small alley in front became known as Hessler Street. Leon Foutrel bought the three houses from Hessler in 1891. The residence was rented for many years, and was owned by the City Public Service Company prior to acquisition by the City of San Antonio in 1940. As part of the La Villita restoration, the street was renamed Calle Hidalgo in honor of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla (sic, Costilla), who proclaimed Mexico's independence from Spain in 1810. The house is dedicated to Luis Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias, Brazil's most famous soldier in the national fight for independence.

This house is one of only three structures in La Villita built of adobe bricks, and this is the only building whose walls are supported by buttresses. These features suggest that it was built by Hispanic craftsmen.

Erected by La Villita Tenants Association and the San Antonio Conservation Society. (Marker Number O.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans

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• Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 29° 25.294′ N, 98° 29.366′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in La Villita. Marker can be reached from King Philip Alley south of Villita Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. The Weaving Building And Kiln (here, next to this marker); Hessler House (a few steps from this marker); Bolivar Hall (a few steps from this marker); Caxias House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Hessler House (a few steps from this marker); San Martin House (a few steps from this marker); Herrera House (a few steps from this marker); Benito Juarez (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 2, 2015

2. Tejada House Marker

Caxias House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 2, 2015

3. Caxias House

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 2, 2015

4. Caxias House

Marshal Luis Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias, was born at Rio de Janiero, August 25, 1803, he died in his seventy-seventh year at Santa Monica, May 7, 1880. The Duke of Caxias, the only holder of that title in the history of Brazil, was that nation's most famous soldier. Courage and enduring effort in the cause of Brazilian independence lifted him to the pinnacle of military greatness. He tempered valor with prudence, and patriotism with far-sighted wisdom. This house is named in his honor as a gesture of peace and friendship towards the Portuguese speaking people of South America.
Peace Forever
Biasa Rodriguez

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 469 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 4, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.