Menger Soap Works
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Johann Nicholas Menger (1807-1892), a native of Germany, came to Texas with the Castro Colony and moved to San Antonio in 1847. In 1850 he started a factory that supplied soap for much of the city and southwest Texas. By 1873, Menger had built this limestone structure, an important example of an early industial building, to house his soap works. Utilizing the waters of San Pedro Creek, the factory operated until the early part of the twentieth century.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Johann Nicholas Menger, a German immigrant who came to Texas with the Castro Colony, settled in San Antonio in 1847 and by 1850 had started a factory supplying soap to much of the city and southwest Texas. By 1873 he had built this limestone structure to house the soap works, drawing on the waters of San Pedro Creek to power the operation. The factory ran into the early twentieth century.
Why it matters
The Menger Soap Works is a rare surviving example of early Texas industry, showing how immigrant entrepreneurs and local waterways drove manufacturing in a frontier city.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Artpace0.2 mi away · 445 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX
- Centro de Artes0.3 mi away
- Spanish Governor's Palace0.3 mi away
- Visitor's Center Museum0.3 mi away
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum0.5 mi away
- Alamo Vistor Center and Museum (coming 2027)0.6 mi away
Attractions
- Casa Navarro State Historical Site0.4 mi away
- River boat boarding0.5 mi away
- River boat boarding0.7 mi away
- La Villita0.7 mi away
- Sea Life Aquarium0.7 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- boat ride boarding0.8 mi away
Food & drink
- Texas de Brazil0.5 mi away · 313 East Houston Street, San Antonio
- La Vida Coffee & Drinks0.5 mi away · 106 Jefferson Street
- Landry's Seafood House0.5 mi away · 517 North Presa Street, San Antonio, TX
- Playland Pizza0.5 mi away
- Voodoo Donut0.5 mi away
- The Local Bar0.5 mi away
Places to stay
- Holiday Inn Riverwalk0.4 mi away · 217 North Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX
- Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio0.4 mi away · 205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Downtown - Riverwalk, TX0.4 mi away · 603 Navarro Street, San Antonio, TX
- Omni La Mansión del Rio0.5 mi away · 112 College Street, San Antonio
- The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio0.5 mi away · 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX
- Mokara Hotel and Spa0.5 mi away · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · Johann Nicholas Menger
Themes & tags
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