The King William Historic District Tour

Nestled just south of downtown San Antonio, the King William Historic District is bordered by Durango, South St. Mary’s, Eagleland Drive, and the San Antonio River. This area was originally farmland belonging to Mission San Antonio de Valero—the Alamo—and was known as the Labor de Abajo (Lower Farm). After the mission was secularized in 1793, the land was distributed to Indigenous families or auctioned off. Over time, it was gradually subdivided into residential lots, with the present street layout emerging in the 1860s.

By the mid-19th century, the area became home to a thriving German immigrant community. Known affectionately as “Sauerkraut Bend,” King William blossomed into one of San Antonio’s most elegant neighborhoods, with stately homes built in Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian styles. The district’s main thoroughfare, King William Street, was named in honor of Prussian King Wilhelm I. During World War I, anti-German sentiment briefly changed the street’s name to Pershing Avenue, but the original name was soon restored. Notable architects like Alfred Giles and Albert Beckmann designed many of the grand homes and charming cottages you’ll see along the way.

By the early 20th century, the neighborhood declined as original families moved away and many homes were converted into apartments. But beginning in the 1950s, King William attracted preservation-minded residents who valued its historic charm and close proximity to downtown. Restoration efforts led to a community revival, and in 1968 King William was designated San Antonio’s first historic district. Today, as you explore its shaded streets and diverse architecture—from limestone cottages to ornate mansions—you’ll experience the layered history and enduring character that make this neighborhood truly special.