Rechel-Stumpf House
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built about 1880 by Ernst Rechel, pioneer music teacher. Restored by Dr. and Mrs. Franz Stumpf. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This modest San Antonio house was built around 1880 by Ernst Rechel, remembered as a pioneer music teacher in a city then growing into a cultural hub of Texas. Generations later it was restored by Dr. and Mrs. Franz Stumpf, and it was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1965. Homes like this preserve the texture of everyday urban life in the late 19th century, when teachers, tradesmen, and immigrants gave a frontier town its character.
Why it matters
The Rechel-Stumpf House preserves a piece of San Antonio's Gilded-Age domestic and cultural life, and the mid-century restoration reflects the growth of local historic preservation.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Visitor's Center Museum0.6 mi away
- Artpace0.6 mi away · 445 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX
- San Antonio Museum of Art0.8 mi away · 200 West Jones Avenue, San Antonio
- Centro de Artes1.0 mi away
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum1.0 mi away
- Spanish Governor's Palace1.0 mi away
Attractions
- Terror Mansion0.3 mi away
- Scobee Planetarium0.5 mi away
- boat ride boarding0.8 mi away
- River boat boarding0.9 mi away
- River boat boarding1.0 mi away
- Casa Navarro State Historical Site1.1 mi away
Food & drink
- Texas de Brazil0.9 mi away · 313 East Houston Street, San Antonio
- La Vida Coffee & Drinks0.9 mi away · 106 Jefferson Street
- Voodoo Donut1.0 mi away
- Playland Pizza1.0 mi away
- The Local Bar1.0 mi away
- Maddy McMurphy's Irish Sports Bar1.0 mi away · 420 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
Places to stay
- Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio0.9 mi away · 205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio0.9 mi away · 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX
- Best Western Premier Historic Travelers Hotel Alamo/Riverwalk0.9 mi away
- Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Downtown - Riverwalk, TX0.9 mi away · 603 Navarro Street, San Antonio, TX
- Holiday Inn Riverwalk0.9 mi away · 217 North Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX
- Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk1.0 mi away · 408 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
Own a business near here? Add it to the map.
Related people
- · Ernst Rechel
- · Franz Stumpf
Themes & tags
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