Guenther House (San Antonio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Carl Hilmar Guenther House
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Guenther House in 2012
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 Carl Hilmar Guenther House
Location in Texas
Carl Hilmar Guenther House
Location in the United States
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| Location | 205 E. Guenther St., San Antonio, Texas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1880 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Arts & Crafts |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001539 |
| Added to NRHP | October 11, 1990 |
The Guenther House is a special place in San Antonio, Texas. It's a restaurant, a museum, and a store all in one! You can find it on E. Guenther Street in the King William neighborhood.
This historic building was first built in 1859. It was the home of Carl Hilmar Guenther, who started the famous Pioneer Flour Mills. Today, his company, C. H. Guenther and Son, Inc., still runs the Guenther House. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 11, 1990.
Contents
Carl Hilmar Guenther: A Pioneer Story
Carl Hilmar Guenther was a very important person in San Antonio's history. He was born in Germany in 1826 and became a skilled craftsman. His journey to America led him to build a successful business.
Who Was Carl Hilmar Guenther?
Carl Hilmar Guenther (1826–1902) was one of eight children. He was born in Weißenfels, Germany, on March 19, 1826. His father was a millwright, someone who builds and repairs mills. Carl followed in his father's footsteps.
Early Life and Skills
By 1844, Carl became a master millwright in Europe. This meant he was very good at building mills. He also learned other useful skills. He was a talented cabinet maker and a stonemason.
Moving to America
In 1848, Guenther first visited the United States. He arrived in New York and spent some time in Wisconsin. After a short trip back to Germany, he returned to the U.S. in 1851. This time, he came through Indianola, Texas. This port was a main entry point for German immigrants. He officially became a U.S. citizen in 1854. In 1855, he married Dorothea Pape, and they had seven children together.
Building a Flour Mill Empire
Carl Guenther had a big dream: to build his own gristmill. A gristmill grinds grain into flour. He started his business in Texas and later moved it to San Antonio.
First Mill in Gillespie County
Carl first settled near Fredericksburg, Texas. There, he began building his dream gristmill. It was a steam-powered mill and used special French millstones. He worked hard to complete it, even after a flood almost washed it away. This mill became known as Pioneer Flour Mills. It ground wheat and corn for the local people in Gillespie County.
Moving to San Antonio
Carl faced challenges with floods and dry spells. In 1859, he decided to move his business. He saw that San Antonio's population was growing. There was a great need for more flour mills there. He chose a spot right next to what is now the King William Historic District.
The Guenther House Today
The Guenther House is more than just a building. It's a piece of history that you can visit and enjoy today. It shows how people lived and worked long ago.
A Home with a History
Carl Guenther's home was one of the first built in the King William neighborhood. He built it using native limestone from the area. The wood came from East Texas pine trees. The house was expanded in 1915. Its main entrance was moved to face the San Antonio River. The old entrance is now a hallway. The top floor, called the Roof Garden, used to host dances. Now, it's used for meetings and luncheons. You can also enjoy outdoor dining on the patio.
What You Can See and Do
What was once the family library is now a museum. Here, you can see family treasures and items from the history of milling, dining, and baking in San Antonio. There are also souvenirs from around the world. The museum, store, and restaurant are open to everyone seven days a week. It's a great place to learn about San Antonio's past and enjoy some delicious food!
See also
