Spanish Governor's Palace facts for kids
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Spanish Governor's Palace
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 Spanish Governor's Palace
Location in Texas
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| Location | San Antonio, Texas, USA |
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| Built | 1749 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000741 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
The Spanish Governor's Palace is a really old and important building in Downtown San Antonio, Texas. It's made of adobe, which is a type of brick made from earth. This palace was built a long, long time ago when Texas was part of Spanish Texas.
It's the last remaining part of a big fort complex from the 1700s called the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar. It's also the only example in Texas of a fancy Spanish home from that time. The National Geographic Society even called it "the most beautiful building in San Antonio"! Because of its history, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Today, the city owns it, and you can visit it as a museum.
The Palace's Story
This special building was planned around 1722 and finished in 1749. Above the front door, you can see a stone with the symbol of Spanish King Ferdinand VI and the year 1749.
At first, the palace was the home and office for the captain of the local fort, the presidio. Later, it became the home for the Spanish governors who lived in San Antonio. In 1772, it even became the main government building for the Texas region of Spanish Texas.
The Spanish built the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar to keep the area's missions safe. These missions included the San Antonio de Valero Mission (which you might know as The Alamo) and other missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The fort also protected the growing Spanish community.
What Does It Look Like?
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The palace is a one-story building made of stone and stucco, which is a type of plaster. It has ten rooms, a large open courtyard, and a pretty fountain. Some people even say that the palace is haunted!
You can find the palace in San Antonio between Market Square and the famous San Antonio River Walk. It's also close to the current city hall. The address is 105 Plaza de Armas, San Antonio.
