Cutting Deals
1971-1983

1971
City settles property tax issue with Conservation Society.

Conservation Society holds its first historic preservation seminar.

Vivian Hamlin (Terrett) elected Conservation Society president for the second time.

Rivas House abruptly leveled by Urban Renewal Agency. Conservation Society gets injunction to prevent agency from doing same to endangered Menger Soap Works, later restored by developer.

1972
Yturri-Edmunds Mill reconstruction completed.

1973
Beverly Blount (-Hemphill) elected Conservation Society president.

1974
City revises historic districts and landmarks ordinances, hires former Conservation Society Historic Buildings Chairman, Pat Osborne, as city’s first Historic Preservation Officer.

Nation’s first federal grant for historic preservation given for Ursuline Academy restoration.

Conservation Society moves headquarters from La Villita into newly restored Wulff House on King William Street.

1975
Nancy Negley (Wellin) elected Conservation Society president.

Conservation Society sells its Ursuline Academy property to former minority owner, Southwest Craft Center, which begins restoration.

Conservation Society transfers Acequia Park to city, deeds Navarro House complex to Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

1976
Attendance first reaches 100,000 during four-night A Night in Old San Antonio, nation’s largest single historic preservation fund-raising event.

National landmark status attained for 500 acres of Fort Sam Houston.

Conservation Society purchases Gresser House in La Villita Historic District.

Conservation Society transfers Espada Aqueduct property to city.

Second San Antonio Missions National Park bill introduced in Congress by Congressman Abraham “Chick” Kazen.

1977
National Trust for Historic Preservation presents Crowninshield Award to San Antonio Conservation Society for national impact on historic preservation activities.

Mary Ann Blocker Castleberry elected Conservation Society president.

1978
Reuter Building façade is first façade donated to Conservation Society foundation and restored.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park bill passed by Congress following last-minute lobbying by Conservation Society members.

1979
Purchase and preservation of Staacke and Stevens buildings on Commerce Street is negotiated.

Joanna Parrish elected Conservation Society president.

1981
Conservation Society hires an advertising agency to help promote $9.1 million bond issue for restoration of fire-damaged Municipal Auditorium, which passes by two to one margin.

Peggy Penshorn elected Conservation Society president.

Conservation Society negotiates Rand Building purchase and resale for preservation. As part of agreement, Steumke Barn is relocated to Wulff House grounds and ten-story Stowers Building is dynamited.

1982
Hertzberg Clock at Houston and St. Mary’s streets donated to Conservation Society.

Lynn Osborne Bobbitt elected Conservation Society president.

Only façade of Texas Theater remains in RepublicBank building project, despite preservationists’ pleas.

1983
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park opened.

Albert Maverick Building, oldest on Houston Street downtown, saved.

First Night in Old San Antonio poster commissioned from artist Caroline Shelton.

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