Woodward, David J. and May Bock, House
Also known as: Woman's Club of San Antonio Clubhouse
Why it's listed
Built in 1904-1905 at 1717 San Pedro Avenue, this Classical Revival brick mansion was designed by San Antonio architect Atlee B. Ayres for businessman and contractor David J. Woodward and his wife May Bock Woodward. Four colossal Corinthian columns dominate the front facade, and the buff pressed brick came from St. Louis. Inside, imported oak woodwork, European tapestries, beveled glass and painted ceilings reflect May Woodward's ideas for entertaining. A third-floor ballroom topped the house. The Woman's Club of San Antonio bought the house in 1926 and added a one-story dining room and a large second-floor meeting room, with Ayres and his son Robert designing the changes. The club has used it as its clubhouse ever since. The house is recognized for its association with the club, with Woodward, and as a fine example of early twentieth century Classical Revival architecture in the Alta Vista neighborhood.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance under Criterion A for its long association with the Woman's Club of San Antonio as a social and cultural center. It qualifies under Criterion B for its link to businessman and builder David J. Woodward. Under Criterion C it is an excellent example of early 20th century Classical Revival domestic architecture in San Antonio, designed by a prominent local architect.
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 96000069, listed February 16, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1717 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio |
|---|---|
| County | Bexar County |
| Listed | February 16, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000069 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1904 - 1946 |
| Architect / builder | Ayres, Atlee B. (architect); Woodward, David J. (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as the Woman's Club of San Antonio clubhouse and described as in remarkable condition, with only two owners since it was built. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.45014, -98.49936 (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 96000069.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5235516
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.