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

Norton-Polk-Mathis House

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2018

1. Norton-Polk-Mathis House Marker

Inscription.
This site, from lower lands of Mission San Antonio de Valero, later part of the Vicente Amador Spanish Grant, was bought 1869 by merchant Russel C. Norton, who began building in 1876. House grew with additions of a second story, Victorian Gingerbread rear gallery, and Italian Renaissance Revival tower. Later owners were rancher Edwin Polk and renowned trail boss and cattleman Ike T. Pryor. Business leader Walter N. Mathis restored mansion in 1968.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 1971

Erected 1971 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3615.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 29° 24.824′ N, 98° 29.644′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Arsenal. Marker is on King William Street south of East Sheridan Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 King William St, San Antonio TX 78204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Elias and Lucy Edmonds House (within shouting distance of this marker); King William Neighborhood (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); J.M. and Birdie Nix House

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(about 300 feet away); Chabot House (about 400 feet away); Oscar and Rachel Berman House (about 500 feet away); Charles F.A. and Emilie Hummel House (about 500 feet away); Alfred Giles House (about 500 feet away); Old Edward Steves House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Regarding Norton-Polk-Mathis House. A prominent example of Italianate style, the Norton-Polk-Mathis House, also known as Villa Finale, currently operates as a house museum and is open to the public. It is a contributing property to the King William Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a National Trust Historic Site.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. King William Historic District

Also see . . . Norton/Polk/Mathis House. Original house built by hardware merchant Russell Norton and enlarged by rancher Edward Polk. Later, the celebrated trail boss and cattleman, Ike T. Prior, added the front porches, a brick wing and the Beaux Arts third story tower. The bold opulence of design suggests something of the prosperity which accompanied the arrival of the railroad in San Antonio.

Norton-Polk-Mathis House Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2018

2. Norton-Polk-Mathis House Marker (tall view)

This Italianate Victorian house has five types of columns, an intricate frieze, and is crowned by a square of wrought iron cresting over metal shingles. (Submitted on June 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Historic American Buildings Survey plaque (<i>mounted just below historical marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2018

3. Historic American Buildings Survey plaque (mounted just below historical marker)

Norton-Polk-Mathis House Marker (<i>wide view; house in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2018

4. Norton-Polk-Mathis House Marker (wide view; house in background)

Norton-Polk-Mathis House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2018

5. Norton-Polk-Mathis House

Norton-Polk-Mathis House (<i>corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2018

6. Norton-Polk-Mathis House (corner view)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.