2023 Winter Issue Vistas

Photo by Brittany Escott Hill

Photos by Mark McClendon

CONTACT US

Monte Vista Historical Association

P.O. Box 12386

San Antonio, TX 78212 210-737-8212

Visit us at our website montevistasa.org

E-mail mail@montevista-sa.org

City of San Antonio Customer Service

(7 am to 11 pm, 7 days a week) Dial 311

Councilperson Sukh Kaur

City Council District 1

Contact person: Andrew Solano Field Office 210-207-0907

SAPD SAFFE Officer

Jesse Armendariz 210-207-7413

Email Jesse.Armendariz@sanantonio.gov

MISSION STATEMENT

“To encourage the preservation of the distinctive heritage of the Monte Vista area; to keep the physical identity of this late nineteenth-early twentieth century district intact; and to educate the public, especially the youth, with knowledge of our inherited neighborhood values which contribute to a wholesome urban environment.”

Dear Monte Vista Residents,

As I write this final letter for Vistas 2023 I am filled with gratitude and a huge sense of achievement for what our organization has accomplished during this year. The advent of our 50th year brought together our residents and members to make 2023 a stellar year for MVHA. The talent, devotion, and monetary support that went into this successful year was the most amazing!

From the beginning of the year we have had tremendous support from our members who engaged in planning and executing all of our events, raising money for our office refresh, delivering educational opportunities, and supporting our 50th Jubilee Fund Raising Event.

This year has presented many opportunities for our Zoning Committee to spring into action to resist the erosion of housing stock and to prevent commercial creep on the boundaries of our district. The ground swell of support from our residents to the challenges our neighborhood has seen has been incredible and will remain an important component of our future mission. Monte Vista is uniquely positioned to feel the pressure from the growing urban development that the City of San Antonio is experiencing and we must be prepared to maintain our distinctive heritage and architecture for future generations to enjoy.

MONTE VISTA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

2023 OFFICERS

President

Lynn Boyd

President-Elect

Tom Archer

Past President

Toni Van Buren

Treasurer

Amanda Holmes

Corresponding Secretary

Mary Allen-Martin

BOARD MEMBERS

Art Campsey

David Smith

Judy Warren

Kathy Kennedy

Kristin Kellum

Mallory Baird

Michele Giddens

Peter Hugill

Rick Wilson

Robin Teague

Sally Bullock

Ann Van Pelt

Fred Suchy

Tony Garcia

Chris Scruggs

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Contributors

Lynn Boyd

Toni Van Buren

Lydia McAfee

Jill Torbert

Ann Van Pelt

Images

David Smith

Lydia McAfee

Trudy Kinnison

Mark McClendon

For Advertising Info: mail@montevista-sa.org

Vistas is the newsletter of the Monte Vista Historical Association

In closing, I would like to engage and challenge all of our residents to become more involved in promoting and participating in the events we offer to the community each year. I can promise you that being part of the annual Easter Egg Hunt or participating in the Fourth of July Parade and Picnic will leave you smiling and happy to be a part of this special community that we call home.

I look forward to a wonderful Holiday Season and I hope that 2024 finds you happy, healthy, and engaged in your community.

All my best,

Lynn Boyd III, President Monte Vista Historical Association, 2023

Vistas is made possible by The John and Florence Newman Family Foundation.

Ryan Reed

Melody Hull

Trudy Kinnison

OFFICE ADMIN

Lydia McAfee

Have questions about the MVHA Board? Call 210737-8212 or email mail@ montevista-sa.org for more information.

Monte Vista shows their 50th Anniversary pride! Over 100 homes purchased yard signs. Thank you for showing your support.

by David Smith.

Photos

50 Years of Perseverance, 50 Years of Preservation

A panel of past presidents and neighbors presented 50 Years of Perseverance, 50 Years of Preservation on Sunday, November 5. The discussion was an opportunity to review the momentous efforts it has taken from the Association’s leaders and army of volunteers to preserve Monte Vista as a neighborhood, a place we call “home.”

Among the pressures that weaken the fabric of Monte Vista are institutional expansion, desire for increased housing density, and commercial creep. The speakers, Wade Caldwell, Antonio Garcia, Paul Kinnison, Jane Lewis and Ryan Reed expounded on these topics with vivid examples from archival photographs and headlines.

These pressures are not new and are not unique, but that they were successfully navigated in the past allows us to proudly celebrate MVHA’s 50th Anniversary. How we face these pressures in the future will determine what our neighborhood looks and feels like in 2073, when the 100th anniversary is celebrated.

Trudy Kinnison concluded the program by imploring all of us to become active in the Association and advocate for the preservation of Monte Vista.

One of the many cartoons published in the local papers during Monte Vista’s campaign to save houses from demolition. The homes along East Mulberry were torn down for Trinity Baptist Church’s parking lot.

Plans for a San Pedro Manor that were modified due to the efforts of the Association.

Home of Joe & Angela Escoto at 318 E. Mulberry. This home and others were torn down in 1986 for the parking lot that Trinity Baptist Church built on East Mulberry. Thank you for the home photos from current Monte Vista members, Joe and Diane Escoto. Joe is one of the Escoto children reared in the home on Mulberry.

The soccer fields were built at Trinity University after removing homes on Ancona, Mulberry and Kings Court in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Photo source unknown. Newspaper clipping from the San Antonio Light.

San Pedro Manor as built on the corner of San Pedro and Ashby. Photo by David Smith.

Monte Vista Annual Appeal

MVHA focuses on important issues that impact our neighborhood, our families, and our local businesses. We stay informed of city ordinances, current laws and ongoing development affecting residents of Monte Vista and work together to preserve, maintain and improve our neighborhood.

We ask you to consider a year-end contribution to our 4th Annual Year End Appeal for your Monte Vista Historical Association. Please consider a gift today on the website www. montevistasa.org/support or by mailing a check to PO Box 12386, San Antonio, TX 78212.

Please support the Association - as a 501(c)3 your donation is fully tax deductible.

Thank you in advance for your support. Warmest wishes for a healthy and bright 2024!

With much appreciation, Your MVHA Board of Directors

2023 Accomplishments

• The ARC reviewed 35 projects, ranging from minor landscaping to the design of new homes within the Monte Vista Historic District.

• Welcomed several new members to the Architecture Review Committee.

• Formed Task Force currently working to understand potential impact of new zoning and land use classifications related to the VIA Transit Oriented Development.

• Completed the first Monte Vista directory in five years.

• Hosted several educational events throughout the year including three architecture walking tours & a panel discussion on preserving Monte Vista.

• Honored the Past Presidents and Founders with a reception hosted by the Caldwells.

• Created a signature 50th Anniversary Fiesta Medal.

• Organized a Golden Jubilee to celebrate our 50th Anniversary that raised needed funds for the organzation.

• Continued our annual traditions with the 4th of July Parade & Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt.

• Worked to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood as zoning cases arise.

• Refreshed the MV Office at Landa Library.

• Contributions to our endowment fund known as the Founders Fund will help the Assocation’s future expenses.

Celebrating

50 YEARS of Preservation

Golden Jubilee Celebration

The Golden Jubilee was an amazing event, celebrating 50 years of the Monte Vista Historical Association! The weather was great, the venue was spectacular, and we held a party that would make all our founders quite proud. Our sponsors, neighbors, residents of the 100 block of West Agarita, friends of our community, and the Jubilee committee all came together to hold a smashing success of a celebration.

We are grateful to all the wonderful underwriters and sponsors; we owe them a great debt of gratitude; please see the adjacent list. Without their support we would not have been able to make this event not only beautiful but a financial success. The funds that this event raised will ensure the financial health of our organization and allow us to do the ever-important work of preserving the neighborhood we call home.

We especially want to thank Ann Van Pelt, the fearless leader & planner extraordinaire of this event along with her planning committee: Mallory Baird, Jean Brady, Robert Brown, Lynn Boyd, Melody Hull, Kristin Kellum, Lydia McAfee, Janet Molak, Lobie Stone, Jill Torbert, Toni-Marie Van Buren and Ryan Reed, who not only served on the committee but with his wife Elizabeth hosted the VIP party Thank you to photographers Mark McClendon, Robert Shaw and Lee Young for taking photos of the event & printing portraits for guests to take home.

our Sponsors

Elizabeth & Ryan Reed, Dennis Karbach & Robert K. Brown, Mallory & Micheal Baird & Melody & Andy Hull

Will & Marianne Hileman & Catharine & Jeff Vexler

Ann Van Pelt, Realtor & John McCusker

The Van Steenberg Family

Office of Historic Preservation - City of San Antonio Italian Revival ($25,000) Thank you

Jill Tobert & Vincent Johnson, Tasha & Lane Riggs & Erin & Dale Hicks

Supporters! Victorian ($8,000) Classical Revival ($5,000) Queen Anne ($3,000)

Lynn Boyd III, Realtor & Jon Baumgarter & Toni-Marie Van Buren

Trudy & Paul Kinnison & Diane Abdo & Rick Noll

Laura & Don McDonald

Gayle & Tom Seerden & Janet & Mike Molak

Lobie Stone & Clarence Wyatt

Pam & David Thomas

Rick Wilson & Rod Keith, Highland Trails Ranch

Whitestone Wealth Management

Blair Young Construction

Independence Title

Trinity University

Frost Bank

Morningside at The Chandler Estate Phyllis Browning Co. Craftsman ($2,000)

Judy Warren & Peter Hugill

Mike Molak - Plains Capital Bank

Underwriters

$10,000 M.R.S. Foundation

$5,000 Ruth &John Agather

$2,000 Judy & Tucker Barnes

$1,200 Troy & Rachel Jesse

$1,200 George & Polly Spencer

$1,000 Cynthia & Forrest Miller

$1,000 Tito’s Vodka

$550 Veronica & Ruben Escobedo

$500 Tim Seeliger & Brad Parman

$500 Howard Newton

$500 Colleen Casey

$500 Jean Brady

Reaching Neighbors

HEB

November Third Thursday

Big thanks to Mike and Suzie Bacon for hosting our Third Thursday on the 2nd Wednesday at their beautiful O’Neil Ford home on Oakmont November 8th. We had alot of new faces and we were delighted to host new President Vanessa Beasley and her husband Trey, as well as many other Trinity faculty members that joined us. Photos by David Smith.

MONTE VISTA FARM HOUSE EST. 1906

Monte Vista Annual Meeting

Thank you to everyone that attended the Monte Vista Historical Association Annual Meeting on October 1st at Laurel Heights UMC.

County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez and State Senator Jose Menendez were in attendance and Rep. Bernal and Councilwoman Kaur sent representatives. Commissioner Rodriguez presented MVHA with a Hidalgo Proclamation for the 50th Anniversary.

Lynn Boyd III, MVHA President, provided a Year in Review. Action items at the Annual Business Meeting included: Finance Report by Amanda Holmes, Treasurer and Nominations Committee Reports by Toni-Marie Van Buren that included a By-laws change, 2023 Slate of Officers and New Board Members.

Please join us in welcoming our new board members!

David Dicke

Pat DiGiovanni

Parker Dixon

Angela Gallegos

Trudy Kinnison

Tom Seerdan

Upcoming Events

I Love Monte Vista Party Feb 11 1502 Howard

March Third Thursday March 21 Bushnell Rooftop

April Third Thursday April 18 123 W Hollywood Ave

May Third Thursday May 16 Landa Gardens

Board Meetings, every second Tuesday of the Month @ 6pm MVHA Office at Landa Library & over Zoom

Architectural Review Committee, every first Monday of the Month @ 6pm MVHA Office at Landa Library

Sign up for our Monte Vista Monday Newsletter! Email mail@montevista-sa.org or visit the home page of our website to sign up.

Save the Date

I Love Monte Vista Party

Sunday, February 11 from 2-4pm

The Chandler House 1502 Howard

Monte Vista Book for sale

Trinity University Press recently reprinted “San Antonio’s Monte Vista Architecture and Society in a Gilded Age” by Donald E. Everett. Books can be purchased for $20 at montevisasa.org. It’s an excellent source of information on the history of the neighborhood.

Sept Third Thursday

The September 21st Third Thursday was held at the home of Bill and Laura Leighner at 142 E Summit. It was a beautiful evening in one of the oldest homes in Monte Vista and well attended by neighbors. Photos by Trudy Kinnison.

History of 142 East Summit

“Probably the oldest house on Summit, and indeed of the entire area north of Mulberry, is that at the southwest corner of McCullough (142 E Summit). The Frank J. Doyle family lived there from about 1906 and may not have been the first residents. Summit at the time marked the northern boundary of the San Antonio city limits. For a time, Doyle kept a small diary herd, which he pasured across from his home between Summit and Kings Highway. Dr. G. N. Keeling, who previously lived two doors to the west, purchased the home and in 1929 had architects J. Clyde and Percy W. Williams draw plans for additions and remodeling.”

- San Antono’s Monte Vista Architecture and Society in a Golded Age by Donald E. Everett

Photo taken for the National Registry in 1998.

CALENDAR

Architectural Review Committee

Send questions or requests for assistance to mail@montevista-sa.org. Consultation is online and by phone.

MVHA Board Meetings

In person and Zoom Meeting 2nd Tuesday of the month. 6:00 p.m. Contact Lynn Boyd, President, to put an item on the agenda. Leave a message at 210-737-8212 or mail@montevista-sa.org.

Vistas is made possible by The John and Florence Newman Family Foundation.

Thank you to HEB for their donation to our Easter Egg Hunt & 4th of July events.

List a topic or activity for the MVHA board to pursue:

2023 Membership Form

is valid for 365 days from date of payment. Questions? Call 210-737-8212 or Email mail@montevista-sa.org Website: www.montevistasa.org

mail check payable to the Monte Vista