2025 Winter Issue

Winter 2025

Volume 32, No. 4

www.montevistasa.org

The Quarterly Newsletter of the

Support Monte Vista. Join Today.

2025 President’s Letter

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 Suhk Kaur City Council District 1 Contact person: La Juana Chambers Field Office 210-207-0903 SAPD SAFFE Officer Rob Henderson 210-207-7413 Email robert.henderson@sanantonio.gov

MISSION STATEMENT “To encourage the preservation of

the

distinctive

heritage

of

the Monte Vista area; to keep the

physical

late

nineteenth-early

century

district

identity

of

this

twentieth

intact;

and

to

educate the public, especially the youth, with knowledge of our inherited

neighborhood

values

which contribute to a wholesome urban environment.”

Contributors Tom Archer Victoria German Rick Wilson Katharine Martin Toni Van Buren Thomas Gage Tom Seerden Images David Smith Lydia McAfee Victoria German Linda Daniels Editor-in-Chief Lydia McAfee

Happy Holidays & Thank you!

Hello Monte Vista Neighbors. Happy Holidays to everyone!

As we head into this holiday season, I wanted to pause for a brief moment of gratitude. I’m feeling very appreciative for so many things and am looking toward 2026 and beyond with great optimism.

Beyond my gratitude for my family and our health, I’m thankful for this amazing neighborhood we live in (as well as our authentic city of San Antonio) as well as the neighbors who bring it to life. I’m thankful for the Monte Vista Historical Association and all the board members, neighborhood volunteers, and financial sponsors who serve us today and who have served us over the past 53 years.

Said more directly… I am thankful for all of you in 2026!

Indeed, your MVHA board is building something important right now and their actions should help better position our neighborhood, both tactically and strategically, in order to handle the challenges we will surely face in the coming years.

Cheers to our 5k Runners, Walkers, and Holiday Market Artisans!

Thanks to so many of you, our now annual 5k Fun Run/ Walk & Holiday Market was a huge success this year. We had more runners & walkers (150) and local artisans (30) this year than we did in our inaugural year and as an added bonus, our runners and walkers all traversed the same (and full) 5k course! I don’t know about you, but I call that winning!

Special thanks, of course, go to our event sponsors (see page 8) without whose support, the event would not be possible. And special shout-out to our favorite local band Arachnophobia for the great music and entertainment.

Thank you all!

A Request: Please Familiarize Yourself with “Land Use” Ok, so I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record but I really want to encourage everyone to begin familiarizing themselves with the topic of “Land Use” as it applies to the City’s Near North Planning efforts (visit nearnorth.sacompplan.com) really no need for further action at this time (your MVHA board has you covered for now), it will serve you well in the future to have a working familiarity with this critical topic.

Continue Reading on Page 7

MONTE VISTA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 2025 OFFICERS President Tom Archer President-Elect David Dickie Past President Lynn Boyd Treasurer Fred Suchy Recording Secretary Melody Hull

BOARD MEMBERS Mallory Baird Sally Bullock Art Campsey Pat DiGiovanni Tony Garcia Victoria German Mike Goos Peter Hugill Trudy Kinnison Ryan Reed Keith Sanford Chris Scruggs Tom Seerden Lobie Stone Lyndsay Varner-Goodwin Judy Warren Rick Wilson

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Toni Van Buren David Smith

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

Land Use Designations

By Rick Wilson

small-scale, pedestrian-friendly businesses rather than the more aggressive Community Commercial which City Planners and Updated Land Use Designations: introduces incompatible development.

An Important Planning Topic for the Monte Vista Historic District What This Means Monte Vista residents should begin familiarizing Monte Vista supports the city’s goal of increased themselves with an important planning issue that housing growth and attainability, but in ways that respect will shape our neighborhood’s future: the City of San existing historic areas, resident walkability, and diverse Antonio’s new Land Use designation categories. This will housing mix. Our vision is pro-smart growth: expanding be a year or more process, and the Monte Vista Planning San Antonio’s housing supply while preserving the Committee is actively working with city planners on this unique qualities that make Monte Vista a thriving, issue. We also have a Monte Vista representative serving walkable, and inclusive neighborhood. As this process on the city’s planning group. Early discussions have been continues, the Planning Committee will keep residents promising, with city planners appearing aligned with informed of developments and opportunities for input.

Monte Vista’s goals of preserving our neighborhood’s For now, understanding these land use categories and character while supporting thoughtful growth. their implications is a good first step in staying engaged with decisions that will shape our neighborhood’s future.

What Are Land Use Designations?

Land use designations guide what types of development are appropriate for each individual property in Monte Vista. Four categories are most relevant to our Historic District: Low Density Residential (LDR), Urban Low Density Residential (ULDR), Neighborhood Commercial, and Community Commercial. Each has different implications for housing density, commercial development, and neighborhood character.

Monte Vista’s Perspective Our neighborhood has long been a vibrant, diverse community that successfully combines single-family homes, small multi-unit rentals in historic structures, walkable businesses, schools, churches, and social service agencies. This mix ensures housing opportunities for residents at various income levels while maintaining the historic character and walkability that define Monte Vista.

The Planning Committee believes Low Density Residential (LDR) is most appropriate for the bulk of our historic district’s residential properties. LDR allows no more than four units per acre (with appropriate zoning changes). We have concerns about the alternative Urban Low Density Residential (ULDR) - which allows significantly higher-density multifamily development that may not align with our historic context and pedestrian-oriented character. For commercial areas, we favor Neighborhood Commercial as it encourage

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What’s in a Name? History of Hildebrand

By Katharine Martin In 1914, both the postmaster and the fire chief warned City officials that San Antonio had too many streets with similar names. City Council then appoined a fivemember street renaming committee.

Just inside San Antonio’s northern city limit, a long rough road stretched from city property that will eventually become Trinity University west to Fredericksburg Road. This was North North in 1914, but an older, more populated North was in town where Hemisfair is now. Likely in a nod to Canary Islands settlers, the street renaming committee proposed Canary for North North. Instead, Council renamed North North after H. E. Hildebrand, a member of the renaming committee.

Who was Hildebrand? Real estate investor and civic leader, Henry Elbert Hildebrand (H.E, as he was known) was almost 50 and living at 1215 (now 2419) McCullough in 1914 with wife Sue, son Rollin, and Sue’s widowed mother, Annie Hamilton. The address of the grand house in the block between Craig and Woodlawn across from the Laurel Heights post office was once home to many Hildebrand’s and Hamilton’s still stands, now vacant behind a temporary fence and property of Keystone School since 2016.

Donald Everett’s book, Monte Vista/Architecture and Society in a Gilded Age, recounts how Denver investors turned “dry and barren wilderness” in the Laurel Heights area into a thriving residential neighborhood. H.E.’s path to 1215 McCullough is the same story, only

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in this one four local men buy a smaller piece of Laurel Heights and populate it with mostly familiar faces. Their three-block project might not have happened had a Medina County sheriff not killed H.E.’s older brother in 1887.

J. William Hildebrand was law partners with Leroy Denman of 109 W French Pl. and Thomas Franklin of 105 E French Pl. Younger brother H.E. is listed in the 1887 city directory as a law student with the firm and living with William on Soledad Street in town. According to a dramatic—but minimally substantiated—account in the Light newspaper, William and the sheriff had had a long-standing feud.

Denman and the older Hildebrand were in the Castroville courthouse when Sheriff Thumm struck Hildebrand with a pistol three shots were fired, and Hildebrand died. Witnesses said Hildebrand fired at least one of the shots.

Thumm eventually was sentenced to 25 years for murder and Medina County got a new sheriff.

After William’s death, Denman and Franklin, while continuing

Photo found in Donald Everett’s book of 117 W Craig, previously H.E. Hildebrand’s house.

Photo from the November 14, 1931 issue of the San Antonio Evening News.

to practice law together, put their names—and surely some money— behind H.E.’s land title abstracting business. Soon, the company was Hildebrand & Stribling.

Ben Stribling was also living on French Place with his widowed mother, Eleanor, a local business powerhouse and heir to the large tract of land that would become the Monte Vista subdivision in another 25-plus years.

When H.E. joined with Denman, Franklin and Stribling in 1890 to purchase the tract of land just north of French Place east of McCullough, H.E. signed promissory notes. The fellows of French Place paid cash.

A year later, H. E. married Sue, daughter of Confederate Colonel William B. Hamilton, a successful insurance agent whose lineage— according to the Light—went all the way back to Alexander Hamilton.

Moving in with his bride’s family at

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2224 Monterrey on the city’s west side, H. E. took a day job as clerk of the 4th District Court of Civil Appeals.

Once H.E. and his French Place friends had divvied up the individual lots they’d platted on Craig and Woodlawn, H.E. built a house on two of his Craig lots. H.E., Sue, Rollin and Sue’s parents and several of Sue’s siblings all moved up to Laurel Heights and into 117 W Craig. Over time, Colonel Hamilton purchased multiple lots in the subdivision—including the lots destined to be La Fonda. As they married, the Colonel’s children acquired addresses on Craig, Woodlawn, and McCullough. The H.E. Hildebrand’s and the Senior Hamilton’s moved together down the street to a new house, 119 E Craig, around 1905.

Keen on politics and city development, H.E. was an early member of an early iteration of the Chamber of Commerce and served as the group’s president in 1903 and 1904. News reports give him much credit for the arrival of the Katy Railroad and for securing funding for the expansion of Ft. Sam Houston.

Charles Mullaly, another president of the early Chamber, owned a delivery company. He also did some real estate and purchased two lots from H. E. at the corner of Main and W Craig in early 1906. Almost simultaneously, H.E. and investors acquired Mullaly’s business and H.E. took over operations. Mullaly soon sold his Main/W Craig lots to Judge Winchester Kelso. You can see the impressively restored shell of the home the judge built at 107 W Craig today.

Around this time, H.E. deeded to his father-in-law an undivided half-

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Current photo of 2419 McCullough, previously H.E. Hildebrand’s house.

interest in the three McCullough lots where the 1215 house would soon stand. (“Executed in the Classical Revival style, the residence features a full width porch with Corinthian columns, a classically detailed entablature and similarly ornamented gabled dormers,” wrote Sue Ann Pemberton in the 1998 nomination of the Monta Vista Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places.) Nine people were living at 1215 by the time of the 1910 census: the Colonel and Annie, along with their recently widowed daughter, Katie, and her son; plus, H. E., Sue, Rollin, and two live-in employees.

July 10, 1913, was a sad day at 1215 McCullough: Colonel Hamilton, 82, died in the early afternoon; his youngest daughter, Lizette, 33 and visiting from Tennessee, died two hours later.

By the time City Council named an unpaved road for him, H.E. was out of the delivery/transfer business and likely somewhat involved in his son’s creamery. Continuing to own property around the city, H. E. helped organize the local Real Estate Board. He chaired

the local WW I draft exemption board and was involved in raising funds for new railway lines south of San Antonio. Then, in 1924, H.E. purchased the first available unrestricted lots north of his house on McCullough, lots just across his namesake road.

Katie Magruder, Sue Hildebrand’s widowed sister, had inherited the Colonel’s undivided interest in the house at 1215. Perhaps with an eye toward what we’d call “aging in place,” Katie, Sue, and H.E. mortgaged the house, likely to finance renovations and possibly an addition. They advertised an apartment for rent in 1926, and the 1930 census shows 1215 McCullough with three separate apartments and a total of 17 residents: Hamilton’s, Hildebrand’s, lodgers, and live-in employees.

H.E. died at 64 in November 1931, less than a year after the city finally finished paving the road named for him. Katie and Sue would remain at 1215 for the rest of their lives, renting their apartments both to family members and to other San Antonians. Katie and Sue died within months of one another in 1949.

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Fall Third Thursdays

We a great turnout at our Fall Third Thursdays! Thank you so much for everyone that attended and most importantly to our hosts for generiously opening up their homes for the evening.

Oct Third Thursday 231 W Lynwood Ave Hosts Dr. Keith Sanford & Dr. Chris Hammet

October photos by David Smith.

Nov Third Thursday 355 E Huisache Ave Host Wendy Hetzell

Sept Third Thursday 234 W Woodlawn Ave Host Naz & Nick Caporale

President’s Letter

FROM PAGE 2

To that end, board member Rick Wilson has put together a short primer on the topic and it can be found on page 3. It’s a 5 minute read and will help you quickly get started on your Land Use journey.

Mark your calendars for April 9, 2026!

I hope by now you have seen one of our “Save The Date” notecards or announcements in our electronic newsletters. Next year, on April 9, we will hold our first ever Preservation Celebration and we couldn’t be more excited to share details as the next few months unfold. For now, you can think of it as a celebration of Monte Vista’s rich history as well as its importance to the greater San Antonio community.

Additionally, it will serve as an important fundraising opportunity to help us more effectively protect and preserve the cultural, social and architectural elements that we all love and cherish. The challenges ahead of us will likely be more formidable than ever and we, as the stewards of our historical neighborhood, must adapt and become more resolved and intentional if we are to thrive in the years to come.

We’ll, that’s all I have for 2025!

See you next year!

Regards,

Tom Archer, President Monte Vista Historical Association, 2025 We promise to be better at taking photos of events when the great David Smith is not around.

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Annual MVHA 5K & Holiday Market We a had a great turnout for our 2nd Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk & Holiday Market on November 8th!

We had over 150 participants in the Fun Run/Walk.

Congratulations to our medal winners: 1st Overall Male - Anderson Fox 1st Overall Female - Ashly Riley 1st Adult Male - West Holt 1st Adult Female - Summer Greathouse 1st Youth Male - Max Flores 1st Youth Female - Lily Whitehead 1st Senior Male - Robert Duran 1st Senior Female - Vonnie Jackson 1st Stroller - Josiah Duke 1st Dog - Blake Gerke 1st Elected Offical - Comissioner Justin Rodriguez Thank you to the wonderful vendors that participated in the Holiday Market! We love working with all the local artists and craftspeople.

Thank you to our Sponsors - Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, PlainsCapital Bank, District 1 Councilperson Sukh Kaur, the Spencer-Summers Family, Lynn Boyd, rawarcher.com, Toni Van Buren, Rick Noll & Diane Abdo, and Lawton Family Restaurants.

And finally a huge thank you to the many volunteers it takes to put on this event! We couldn’t do it without you.

Check out all the photos from the event at Facebook. com/montevistasanantonio Photos by David Smith.

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Staying Healthy This Respiratory Season

By Thomas Gage, Pharm.D Now that winter is upon us, I just wanted to share some quick information about treating respiratory illnesses-the common cold, the flu, and COVID-that show up this time of year.

The common cold, influenza, and COVID-19 are all viral illnesses that share many similar symptoms, including a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, cough, fever, body aches, fatigue, and headaches. While there is no cure for any of these, proper care can ease discomfort, shorten recovery time, and help prevent complications.

Rest: Giving your body time to recover allows your immune system to fight off the infection more effectively. Staying well hydrated is equally important.

Drinking plenty of water, herbal teas, broths, and electrolyte fluids helps loosen mucus, prevent dehydration, and soothe a sore throat.

Medications: Pain relievers and fever reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help ease body aches, headaches, and fever. Decongestants (those behind the pharmacy counter are the best) and saline nasal sprays

can reduce nasal congestion, while lozenges, honey, and warm saltwater gargles may soothe a sore throat.

Cough suppressants or expectorants (guaifenesin/ dextromethorphan) can be used depending on whether a dry or productive cough is present. Always consult a healthcare provider for children, pregnant individuals, or those with chronic conditions (like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease).

Simple home remedies can also offer comfort. Using a humidifier adds moisture to dry air and helps ease congestion and coughing. Warm showers and steam inhalation may help open nasal passages.

Most cold, flu, and COVID-19 symptoms improve within a week to ten days. See a provider if symptoms are severe, worsen suddenly, include difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, chest pain, or if the person is very young, elderly, pregnant, or has a weakened immune system. Remember that frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and annual vaccinations remain the best defenses against future infections.

Have a safe and healthy holiday season and a wonderful new year!

SOLD

6061 Broadway San Antonio, Texas 78209 O (210) 824-7878 C (210) 863-5758 lboyd@phyllisbrowning.com

www.montevistasa.org

Lynn A. Boyd III GRI, REALTOR®

BRINGING HOME RESULTS

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Upcoming Events Seeking hosts for 2026!

Please reach out to mail@montevista-sa.org if you are interested in hosting a neighborhood social event.

I Love MV Party Feb 15, 2-4pm LOOKING FOR HOST Third Thursday Mar 19, 6:30-8:30pm Art of Cellaring

Holiday Word Search

By Victoria German Where is Elsmere? Was the question I asked myself as I looked for my 5K run assignment without the benefit of coffee... It made me wonder if there is a way to remember all the streets in Monte Vista in order. I worked hard on this. I did not come up with a mnemonic that made any sense. It turned out to be harder than I thought. I came up with some really awful mnemonics that I won’t share because they are that bad.

But I know there is someone out there, with a puzzler’s mind and hidden talent, who will or has figured out this challenge. In the meantime, we created a word search puzzle that has many of the Monte Vista streets, landmarks, wildlife, people, and environ to get us started. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee and know the first MV street added to the puzzle was Elsmere. I did find it; it is a beautiful street and the 5K race was absolutely fabulous. I’ll keep working on the mnemonic over the holiday break because, well, hope springs eternal. If you come up with a solution or know a really smart person who likes puzzles, please email us at mvha. org. We would love to share your breakthrough.

Preservation Celebration April 9, 6-10pm Women’s Club of SA Third Thursday April 16, 6:30-8:30pm 151 E Lullwood Ave 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.

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Winter Pet Spotlight: Freeway

It was almost 9 years ago that a rescued labrador mix named Freeway was matched with congestive heart failure patient Tom Seerden. Freeway had been found on a dark rainy night lying in the middle of a highway. He had been shot, had stage three heart worms, a severe case of Demadex mange and was infested with Freeway Seerden, Age 13. fleas and parasitic worms.

Tom had been under treatment after a common flu virus had migrated to his heart, causing severe damage to his left ventricle.

It’s been debatable who rescued who, but together they beat the odds and have survived.

Today you’ll find this pair, enjoying retired life in Monte Vista along with wife and mom, Gayle. If you see them out on their porch or on one of their many walks give a wave and hello. Freeway is an excellent good will ambassador.

We want to feature your dog in the next issue of Vistas!

Submit photo & paragraph to mail@montevista-sa.org.

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Thank you to the John & Florence Newman Foundation for underwriting Vistas and your continued support of the Monte Vista Historical Association.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, TX Permit No. 2614

P.O. Box 12386 San Antonio, Texas 78212

2025 Membership Form

Monte Vista Historical Association

Membership is valid for 365 days from date of payment.

Questions? Call 210-737-8212 or Email mail@montevista-sa.org Website: www.montevistasa.org

Pay online at www.montevista-sa.org or complete this form and mail check payable to the Monte Vista Historical Association, P.O. Box 12386, San Antonio, Texas 78212. Please print!

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Indicate:__Renewing Member or __New Member 2nd Member's Name________________________________ 2nd Member's Phone_______________________________ 2nd Member's Email________________________________ Mailing Address (if different) ________________________ ____________________________________________________

Membership and Sponsorship Categories Annual Member $50 per household $_______________ 5 Year Member $200 (2025-2030) $ ________________ Lifetime Member $1,000 per household $________________ Annual Business Membership $100 $________________ 5 Year Business Membership $500 (2025-2030)

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LIST YOUR VOLUNTEER INTEREST __ Serve on the MVHA board __Host a Third Thursday Social at your home.

COMMITTEES __ Architectural Review __ Historic Preservation __ Social __Code Compliance __Membership __Home Tour __ Communications __ Neighborhood Safety and Services List a topic or activity for the MVHA board to pursue: ___________________________________________________