The Oldest House in Texas Still Stands Strong After 274 Years

The oldest house in Texas dates back to a time when the Spanish ruled the state. A National Historic Landmark, the Spanish Governor’s Palace was the residence of the Spanish captains of the military fort known as the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar.

Today, visitors can tour the house’s ten rooms full of Spanish colonial furniture and stroll through the landscaped gardens to get a glimpse of Texas’s past.

How Old is the Oldest House in Texas?

The Spanish Governor’s Palace, the oldest house in Texas, was built in 1749 in San Antonio, TX. Plans to build a residence and working office for the local presidio captain began in 1722 as part of the Presidio complex. Of all the buildings of the Spanish fort located along the San Antonio River, the Spanish Governor’s Palace is the only one still standing.

History of the Spanish Governor’s Palace

In 1722, the governor of Texas decided to move the Presidio to its present site. He sent a request to the King of Spain for 40 laborers and 25,000 adobe bricks to begin construction. In 1731, sixteen families from the Spanish Canary Islands arrived to settle in what is the city of San Antonio today. The descendants of those original families still live in the area.

When completed, the historic adobe house was a one-story, U-shaped structure covered in stucco. The building surrounds traditional Spanish gardens and a patio. The keystone above the front entrance depicts a carving of the Spanish coat-of-arms with the date 1749.

Beginning with the Marquis de San Miguel de Aguayo, a long line of Spanish captains resided in the home. The last one was Ignatio Perez, a former Spanish captain and the governor of Texas from 1815 to 1817. He purchased the home, and his descendants owned the property until they sold it to the City of San Antonio in 1928.

Before the city bought the home, it housed a variety of different businesses. These included a bar that sold nickel beer, a pawn shop, a grocery store, a tailor shop, and a school.

The Spanish Governor’s Palace Today

Today, the palace is a National Historic Landmark and is located at 105 Plaza de Armas in San Antonio, TX. In 1931, the city restored the building, furnished it with authentic Spanish Colonial pieces, and began operating it as a museum.

The city did more than just restore the building. They added to the original structure and embedded plaques in each of the walls. The plaques tell a romanticized story, however, the city later added text panels which depicted more accurate and researched information.

Today, visitors can tour the palace and the gardens and see a slice of Spanish Colonial life in the 1800s.

The Myth: Is the Palace Haunted?

The palace is one of the highlights of a local ghost tour company. Rumor has it that the spirits of Native Americans, Spanish Colonialists, and children have been spotted haunting the house. Another allegedly haunted spot is the Tree of Sorrow in the back courtyard. It is said this location is haunted by the ghosts of the prisoners who were tried and hung at the tree. And finally, the Lady in Grey, a woman who died in the house, reportedly gazes out the window at people passing by.

Other Points of Interest Near the Palace

The Governor’s Palace is located along the famous San Antonio River Walk. The River Walk is a 15-mile pedestrian walkway along the river that has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas. Lined with bars, restaurants, shops, museums, and historic sites, it’s a must-see attraction in San Antonio.

The Alamo

Also located along the River Walk area and not far from the palace is the iconic landmark, the Alamo. The historic Spanish mission and fortress compound is the site of the Battle of the Alamo, a critical battle fought during the war for Texas independence from Mexico. Visitors can tour the Alamo today.

San Fernando Cathedral

The oldest church in Texas and one of the most beautiful, the San Fernando Cathedral, is less than a five-minute walk from the Spanish Governor’s Palace. Founded in 1731, today it’s the scene of a sound and light show held four nights a week.

Kayak the San Antonio Riverwalk

Take a stroll along the river, or see it from a different viewpoint. You can hop in a kayak to witness the sites from the water. You can rent a kayak or bring your own and take a ride on the river right through the downtown business district.