Navarro, Jose Antonio, House Complex
No coordinates published for this listing.
Why it's listed
Three stuccoed limestone buildings arranged around a gravel and flagstone patio make up the Jose Antonio Navarro House Complex at 228-232 South Laredo Street in San Antonio. A two-story office, or despacho, stands at the southwest corner, a one-story house with a wide front gallery sits just north of it, and a kitchen building with fireplaces lies toward the rear. The buildings date to the 1850s and served as Navarro's home and business place. Navarro, born in San Antonio in 1795, was one of two native Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. He served in legislative bodies, took part in the 1841 Santa Fe Expedition, practiced law, and died in San Antonio in 1871. The complex is also recognized as an example of San Antonio architecture of the 1850s. The San Antonio Conservation Society bought it in 1960 and restored it in 1962, and it now operates as a museum furnished with period antiques.
Significance in brief: It was the residence and law office of Jose Antonio Navarro, a native Texan who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and held many public offices. It is also significant architecturally as an example of San Antonio buildings of the 1850s. The San Antonio Conservation Society bought it in 1960 and restored it in 1962.
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). NRHP reference 100000830. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 228--232 S. Loredo St., San Antonio |
|---|---|
| County | Bexar County |
| Listed | — |
| Reference number | 100000830 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century; specific date 1850s |
| Architect / builder | Brooks Martin (architect for the 1962 restoration); original builder not named |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 23, 2016 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition and altered; restored in 1962 and open as a museum with furnishings, an exhibit in the office, and a kitchen used for Conservation Society social functions. |
| Acreage | 1 |
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 100000830.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.