Esquida/ Downs/ Dietrich House
Built in 1846, this adobe structure known as the Esquida/ Downs/ Dietrich house has had several additions and renovations. The house is currently the home of the Little Studio Gallery in La Villita , an art village in San Antonio, Texas. La Villita lies just off of San Antonio's famous Riverwalk on the south bank of the San Antonio River . The village was one of San Antonio's first neighborhoods. Originally a settlement of primitive huts for the Spanish soldiers stationed at the Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo). The village became more permanent after the Flood of 1819 when brick, stone and adobe houses replaced the earlier structures. By 1836, La Villita was a village of considerable size. That year it was the site of General Santa Ana's cannon line during the Battle of the Alamo. Santa Ana and the federal Mexican Forces defeated the Texan rebels at the Alamo but went on to lose the war at the Battle of San Jacinto near Houston and San Antonio became one of the prominent cities in then independent Texas. In December, 1845 Texas joined the United States. By late in the 19th century, European immigrants from Germany and France moved into San Antonio and the LaVillita neighborhood.. These pioneers became San Antonio's business leaders, bankers, educators, and craftsmen. The cultural mix that occurred is best illustrated by the variety of architectural styles reflected in La Villita's buildings. The architecture portrays the evolution of buildings from palisado to Victorian Houses.The first part of the 20th century saw La Villita decline into a slum area. But in 1939 the city broke ground on the San Antonio River Walk development. As part of that development, city fathers led by Mayor Maury Maverick acted to preserve LaVillita. Today La Villita is a thriving art community and a little piece of San Antonio history preserved for all to enjoy.La Villita is listed on the National Register of Historic Districts.
Esquida/ Downs/ Dietrich House
Built in 1846, this adobe structure known as the Esquida/ Downs/ Dietrich house has had several additions and renovations. The house is currently the home of the Little Studio Gallery in La Villita , an art village in San Antonio, Texas. La Villita lies just off of San Antonio's famous Riverwalk on the south bank of the San Antonio River . The village was one of San Antonio's first neighborhoods. Originally a settlement of primitive huts for the Spanish soldiers stationed at the Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo). The village became more permanent after the Flood of 1819 when brick, stone and adobe houses replaced the earlier structures. By 1836, La Villita was a village of considerable size. That year it was the site of General Santa Ana's cannon line during the Battle of the Alamo. Santa Ana and the federal Mexican Forces defeated the Texan rebels at the Alamo but went on to lose the war at the Battle of San Jacinto near Houston and San Antonio became one of the prominent cities in then independent Texas. In December, 1845 Texas joined the United States. By late in the 19th century, European immigrants from Germany and France moved into San Antonio and the LaVillita neighborhood.. These pioneers became San Antonio's business leaders, bankers, educators, and craftsmen. The cultural mix that occurred is best illustrated by the variety of architectural styles reflected in La Villita's buildings. The architecture portrays the evolution of buildings from palisado to Victorian Houses.The first part of the 20th century saw La Villita decline into a slum area. But in 1939 the city broke ground on the San Antonio River Walk development. As part of that development, city fathers led by Mayor Maury Maverick acted to preserve LaVillita. Today La Villita is a thriving art community and a little piece of San Antonio history preserved for all to enjoy.La Villita is listed on the National Register of Historic Districts.