San Angelo in Tom Green County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Schwartz & Raas and San Angelo National Bank Building

Schwartz & Raas Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gregory Walker, August 14, 2010

1. Schwartz & Raas Building Marker

Inscription. These three Victorian commercial structures were built during the local economic boom of the 1880s. Among the earliest permanent buildings in San Angelo, they represent the early development of the city as the leading commercial center of the area. In 1884 the San Angelo National Bank purchased an existing building in the middle of the block. A new facade was added, under the supervision of contractor J. C. Lillis, which features sandstone from two local quarries and an ornate cornice and pediment. After the bank moved to a new site in 1902, the building housed a variety of businesses.

In 1885 Louis Schwartz and Joseph Raas, owners of a grocery in this block, built a commercial structure adjacent to the bank building. Designed by the noted San Angelo architect Oscar Ruffini, it features a facade of stone, cast iron, and sheet iron. The building was first rented to the firm of Johnson & Taylor, Fancy Grocers, competitors of Schwartz & Raas.

The third structure here, built in 1886, replaced the earlier Schwartz and Raas grocery and dry goods store. In 1888 the business was expanded to include their adjacent building. Later the site of the Roxy Theatre, the 1886 structure was damaged by fire in 1973. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1981

Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker

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Number 4611.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 31° 27.618′ N, 100° 26.072′ W. Marker is in San Angelo, Texas, in Tom Green County. Marker is on E Concho Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Between S. Chadbourne & S. Oakes Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Angelo TX 76903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blacksmith (within shouting distance of this marker); Goodfellow Air Force Base (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); San Angelo Army Air Field (about 400 feet away); Fort Concho (about 400 feet away); South Chadbourne 200 Block Early 1900's (about 400 feet away); O.C. Fisher Federal Building and United States Courthouse (about 500 feet away); 1 East Twohig Avenue (about 500 feet away); San Angelo National Bank Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Angelo.

Additional Markers on Schwartz & Raas Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gregory Walker, August 14, 2010

2. Additional Markers on Schwartz & Raas Building

Schwartz & Raas Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gregory Walker, August 14, 2010

3. Schwartz & Raas Building

Schwartz & Raas and San Angelo National Bank Building Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 9, 2014

4. Schwartz & Raas and San Angelo National Bank Building Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 958 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 4. submitted on February 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.