Monticello Park

Monticello Park

Why You Should Join Your Neighborhood Association

There is growing evidence that organized neighborhood associations are having a direct impact on the direction our government is going. Neighborhood leaders are witnessing an open mindedness and willingness from the city to take on neighborhood issues with creative approaches and partnerships. The invitation to neighborhood representatives to be a part of the city budget and planning processes is making a notable difference on how our tax dollars are spent, especially in older neighborhoods like ours. Communications with elected and appointed officials have improved dramatically - gone are the days of waiting weeks for a return phone call. Present council representatives are much more in tune with their constituents’ needs. Of course, with the recent elections of our neighbors, Ed Garza, as Mayor, and another fellow Jefferson High School alum, Julian Castro, as District 7 Councilman, our area is poised to be an example of how successful neighborhood revitalization can impact an areas’ quality of life. That’s the good news.

Now it’s up to us to seize opportunities created by city agencies and local non-profit organizations. Because if we fail to utilize their services now, future council members will say neighborhood empowerment does not work and the fate of our neighborhoods will not be determined by us, but by others. That’s the bad news.

There are hundreds of neighborhood associations in our city and Monticello Park, while not a mandatory association, is regarded as a strong, innovative and well-run organization and a model for other associations.

MPNA’s dedicated leaders have won many hard battles working for its members since its inception in 1983. No neighborhood board, however, could function without its neighbors’ support. Membership is the key. It is of utmost importance that we continue to maintain a strong membership. There are 700 households in our neighborhood and each of them receives this newsletter and reaps the benefits of this organization. It is time to do your part in keeping the momentum going, time for you to get involved, time for you to say you support the work of this association. There is no greater reassurance that you appreciate the work this association is doing than with the acknowledgement of your membership. $15.00 dues per year is all that is asked of you to contribute and only $10.00 for seniors (65+). Business dues are $25.00 and include one ad in this newsletter.

Jewel of the Neighborhood by Andrea Terrell

There’s a diamond in the rough on Fredericksburg Road with the potential to be the jewel of the neighborhood. All it needs is attention. As one of city’s few remaining examples of turn-of-the-century South Texas limestone country houses, it is large but not lavish, graceful rather than grandiose, somewhat primitive – yet superbly proportional and symmetrical. Now vacant and vandalized, this two-story Texas limestone structure still stands tall as testimony to the fact that our inner city was, not so long ago, indeed a beautiful oak-filled country landscape -- a destination for our predecessors who also wanted to “get out of Dodge” and be close to nature.

Little is known of this house except that in 1923 a stockman by the name of George Bihl moved his family there from their Tobin Hill residence. According to Joanne “Jody” Williams, former Vice President of Historic Structures for the San Antonio Conservation Society, it may have been built as early as 1900 (she is fairly certain that the first commercial structure in the area was not built until 1926).

Mr. DeWeese whose Tip Top Café opened in 1936 told me he still remembers the open spaces and recalls stories of “the dude ranch” behind the Bihl House where the city folk would come to ride horses on the edge of town that is now our neighborhood. He also reminisced about the fairly large creek that formed across “Fred” Road every time it rained, flowing into Kampmann Road which was a creek even when it didn’t rain!

The Bihl House architecture is a hybrid not easily classifiable, but similar to the kind of construction you would find in Boerne or Fredericksburg. It is pleasantly plain but somehow commanding, its most salient features being the decorative lintels, believed to be cast rather than hand-cut, located above the front door and windows. The roof beams reveal that it once had a hipped roof, now non-existent thus leaving it precariously open to the elements.

So where is this wonderful place? Some of you older residents remember; some of you newer folk should know. It’s behind Van’s Restaurant (across the road from Jefferson State Bank). You may recall that it was buried inside superimposed commercial structures on what was commonly called the auto auction lot. To get a good look at it, pull into Van’s parking lot (try their great food, too) and peer through the fence. Look but don’t touch.

The story is in the stones . . .

Look closely and you will see the limestones are different in form, color and surface. This surely means they were taken from other pre-existing stone structures, walls or fences in the area – some possibly from the mid-1800’s or even earlier according to Ron Bauml, staff architect for the Conservation Society.

The house has been empty for years. It was once scheduled for demolition by the current owners but amazingly got a reprieve. Now demolition-by-neglect is a real possibility (witness the recent red spray-paint graffiti in just the last few weeks), and so is another try at demolition by the present or future owners. Since the structure is outside the Monticello Park Historic District, it is not protected unless it could be preserved by designation as one of the City’s Historic Significant Landmarks.

As you are probably aware, great plans are in the making to revitalize the entire lower Fredericksburg Road area, starting with the Travis building renovation that is soon to begin. We hope this will spawn shops and restaurants that do more than just serve our needs – we want to create an urban village, a “streetscape with a spirit.” Wouldn’t the Bihl House be a great element to that spirit? Imagine it as a neighborhood restaurant, a bookstore, or even a branch library! And if only stones could talk . . .

Do you want more information about conserving the Bihl House? Do you have any early memories or photos of this or any other structures on lower Fredericksburg Road?
Please contact Andrea Terrell at 732-7311 or Paul Stahl at 736-4887.

Helping to Keep the Alleys Clean

Rains and rising temperatures can create monstrous forms of vegetation in our alleys. Take a look at what’s on the other side of your back fence and then commit your time to getting it under control. Most of our neighborhood is fortunate enough to have trash pick-up in the alleys. However, we must be diligent in keeping our alleys clear of brush and obstructions to ensure that this service will continue without interruption. Here are some tips on what you can do to help keep up your alley and win the admiration of your neighbors:

1. Clear branches and scratchy vines that can harm city workers as they pick up your garbage or work on utilities. Especially dangerous are branches at eye level.

2. Pick up alley trash and put it in trash cans where local varmints can’t get access to the free buffet.

3. Show off your weed-whacking skills on high grasses and weeds, remembering that others may not have the same nifty tools you do!

4. Refrain from planting anything near your property line that may inadvertently become huge and overgrown creating a nuisance to all.

5. Show respect to your neighbors and city workers and keep your alley clean. They appreciate it!

Anyone needing help with cleaning your alley please call Paul Stahl at 736-4887. We would like to get a group of motivated volunteers together for a concentrated Alley Clean-Up day in the coming weeks. We have a few areas that are in need of special attention and a little hard work. Please let Paul know if you are interested in helping!!

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Monticello Park

About our association

Monticello Park Historic District Guidelines

The Monticello Park Neighborhood Association falls entirely within the Monticello Park Historic District. The city of San Antonio preserves its unique cultural heritage by setting aside certain areas as historic districts. By ordinance, every resident or business within an historic district must have approval from the San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission before any building or renovation of a property including painting, landscaping, fences and signs. To go to the Historic Design & Review Commission's website of the Planning Department of the City: www.sanantonio.gov/planning/historic.asp