The San Antonio Conservation Society purchased the historic Jose
Antonio Navarro complex in February of 1960. Restoration of the
site’s three limestone buildings, built c. 1850 for the famed Texas
patriot and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, was
started in 1962 under the direction of Brooks Martin, A.I.A. The
buildings’ appearance had been previously documented in 1936 by the
Historic American Buildings Survey.
The main house, a one-story, limestone structure with an attic,
serves as a fine example of Texas domestic architecture. The
two-story store and law office building features bold quoins. The
detached kitchen typifies early Texas architecture with its front
and rear porches.
In 1972, the restored Navarro complex was listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The San Antonio Conservation Society
deeded the property to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on
November 19, 1975. On January 1, 2008, operational control of this
site was transferred from Texas Parks & Wildlife to the Texas
Historical Commission. |
