Downtown in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old St. Mary's College
(1852 – 1966)
Established in 1852 in frontier San Antonio by 4 members of the Society of Mary: Brothers Andrew Edel, John Baptist Laignoux, Nicholas Koenig, and Xavier Mauclerc - all natives of France.
Construction of this building began in fall, 1852, and its doors opened March 1, 1853, to more than 100 students of all creeds. Structure then had 4 rooms.
Late in 1854 Brothers Eligius Beyrer and Charles Francis joined the faculty. Francis, known as "The Great Builder", devoted 54 years of his life to San Antonio and finished the building of the college. By 1870 it was a well-proportioned structure of rough limestone, typically European in style.
Once the largest building complex in San Antonio, St. Mary's College educated many prominent south Texans, including 8 mayors of San Antonio.
From 1934 to 1966 the buildings housed St. Mary's University School of Law, which, under Dean Ernest A. Raba, became a leading legal institution of the southwest. St. Mary's is the only college to have served the city for 113 consecutive years.
After 1966, when the building was acquired by La Mansión Motor Hotel, a 6-story addition was built at the rear and the exterior made Spanish in style.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1969
Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3819.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is March 1, 1853.
Location. 29° 25.546′ N, 98° 29.425′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on College Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located near the valet parking pick-up/drop-off area, at the entrance to the parking garage. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 College 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. Majestic Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Historic Houston Street (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Mary's Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Old St. Mary's (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Mary's Church (about 300 feet away); South Texas Building (about 300 feet away); Old Military Headquarters (about 400 feet away); Site of the Home of Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig Herff (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Also see . . . St. Mary's University, San Antonio - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 23, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.