Steves Homestead Museum

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Joined 10 years ago

A tour of this luxurious King William Street residence is a must.. A Texas Family
German immigrant Edward Steves met and married his bride in New Braunfels. He began his new family and new business--Edward Steves & Son Lumber Inc., which still exists today--in San Antonio. Grandaughter Edna Steves Vaughan donated the family home to the San Antonio Conservation Society in 1952.

Tour Through Time
The Conservation Society has restored the interior to what it looked like when first built in 1876. The half-hour guided tour highlights the history behind the furniture and objects which actually belonged to the family--including three generations of family photographs.

Take Note
Though it was built in the French Second Empire style popular at the time, the house had every modern convenience of the day. A cistern on the third floor collected rainwater, which ran directly to faucets (although indoor bathrooms didn't come until much later). An unusual ventilation system on the second floor cooled the house. Now air conditioning keeps visitors comfortable, even in summer.