Heidemann Ranch
Why it's listed
Heidemann Ranch is a nine-acre remnant of a 320-acre tract bought in 1856 by William Heidemann and William Hausmann in what is now northwest San Antonio. The surviving complex includes a dogtrot log house from about 1861, a limestone barn with frame additions, a stone smokehouse, a well, a family cemetery, rock walls, and a 1937 stone-veneer ranch house. A 1950s workshop built from stacked ammunition crates reflects Emil Heidemann's work at the nearby Camp Stanley supply depot. Heidemann descendants lived on and ranched the land for 137 years, until 1993. The property was recognized for its connection to German immigrant settlement of the Texas Hill Country and for its livestock and farming history. It was also recognized for its largely intact collection of rural vernacular buildings spanning the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries, built mostly of local limestone and cedar. Most buildings remain in use by the current owners.
Significance in brief: The ranch is nominated under Criterion A for its link to German immigrant settlement of the Texas Hill Country and to ranching and agriculture there. It is nominated under Criterion C as an intact ranch complex that includes a dogtrot log house, stone barn and smokehouse, and later buildings. Heidemann descendants occupied and ranched the property into the late 20th century.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 11000423, listed July 6, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 26090 Toutant Beauregard Rd., San Antonio |
|---|---|
| County | Bexar County |
| Listed | July 6, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000423 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1861-1961 |
| Architect / builder | Heidemann, William; Heidemann, Emil |
| Architectural style | Other: Dogtrot Log House, No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a private residence with some agricultural storage and processing; the cemetery remains in use as a family cemetery, and the well is in use. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 29.69081, -98.70251 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 11000423.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q109999843
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.