Meerscheidt, Otto, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1903 at 322 Adams Street in San Antonio, this two-story brick-veneer house is a monumental example of Classical Greek Revival design. Its west facade has a double-height gallery with six fluted wood columns topped by terracotta Corinthian capitals, a semicircular central bay, and hipped and gabled dormers. Inside, the first floor retains carved oak woodwork, coffered ceilings, and brass, bronze and stained glass fixtures. The house was built for Otto Meerscheidt, born in 1871, who started as a teller at Alamo National Bank in 1891 and became its president in 1919. He also helped establish the San Antonio Clearing House Association. The house is reportedly the design of his wife, Nettie. After his death in 1939 the Masonic Lodge bought it and converted the second floor into a meeting hall, using it for nearly forty years. Despite that change, the structure's integrity remains largely intact, and it was recognized as a leading local example of early twentieth century residential architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the most stately and well-proportioned early 20th century Neo-Classical houses in San Antonio, noted for its monumental two-story portico and carved woodwork. It is also tied to Otto Meerscheidt, a leading figure in San Antonio banking, and reflects the early suburban expansion he promoted. The exterior and first floor remain close to original condition.
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 80004488, listed July 4, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 322 Adams St., San Antonio |
|---|---|
| County | Bexar County |
| Listed | July 4, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004488 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Unknown; reportedly designed by Meerscheidt's wife, Nettie |
| Architectural style | Classical Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; partial restoration planned, with woodwork on the first floor porch and entablature needing repair. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | South Alamo Street-South Mary's Street Historic District |
| Coordinates | 29.40859, -98.49069 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 80004488.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000431
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.