Site of de la Garza House, Gardens and Mint
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Erected on this site in 1734 for prominent Bexar citizens Geronimo and Javiera Cantu de la Garza, the de la Garza family home was designed by Geronimo's brother-in-law Pedro Flores Valdez. The complex occupied an entire city block and was crafted with limestone and plaster walls three feet thick. Extensive gardens included cottonwood, pecan, fig and peach trees. The Spanish government granted the property to Javiera de la Garza in 1736 after her husband's death. Two generations later, Jose Antonio de la Garza used the home's vault to safeguard the valuables of local merchants. In 1818 the Spanish crown granted him permission to mint coins which became known as jolas, a Spanish slang term for small currency of local issue used in the northeastern provinces of New Spain. The jolas replaced scarce Spanish silver in the value of a half real, making the de la Garza home what was probably the first mint in Texas. During the Siege of Bexar in 1835, Ben Milam's troops engaged in a two-day battle to commandeer the fortress-like compound as their headquarters. Milam died in the struggle to take the city. After the siege possession of the home returned to the family, in whose control it remained for the rest of the century. Six months of demolition were required to bring down the de la Garza home in 1912. At that time a large sum of money was found hidden in the house and a sixteen-pound cannonball was discovered embedded in the walls, inscribing another page in the de la Garza chapter of San Antonio history. (1999)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1734 for prominent Bexar citizens Geronimo and Javiera Cantu de la Garza, this block-long Spanish colonial compound had limestone walls three feet thick and lush gardens. Generations later, José Antonio de la Garza used its vault to safeguard merchants' valuables and, granted royal permission in 1818, minted the small coins called 'jolas'—making the home likely the first mint in Texas. During the 1835 Siege of Bexar, Ben Milam's troops battled two days to seize the fortress-like compound as their headquarters, and Milam died taking the city.
Why it matters
The site knits together Spanish colonial San Antonio, the birth of Texas coinage, and the revolution that would sever Texas from Mexico.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Spanish Governor's Palace0.2 mi away
- Artpace0.3 mi away · 445 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum0.3 mi away
- Centro de Artes0.3 mi away
- Visitor's Center Museum0.3 mi away
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.4 mi away
Attractions
- River boat boarding0.2 mi away
- Casa Navarro State Historical Site0.3 mi away
- River boat boarding0.4 mi away
- La Villita0.4 mi away
- Sea Life Aquarium0.5 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- River boat boarding0.6 mi away
Food & drink
- Texas de Brazil0.3 mi away · 313 East Houston Street, San Antonio
- Landry's Seafood House0.3 mi away · 517 North Presa Street, San Antonio, TX
- Paesanos Riverwalk0.3 mi away · 111 Crockett Way, San Antonio, TX
- The Local Bar0.3 mi away
- Playland Pizza0.3 mi away
- Voodoo Donut0.3 mi away
Places to stay
- Holiday Inn Riverwalknearby · 217 North Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX
- Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio0.1 mi away · 205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- Omni La Mansión del Rio0.2 mi away · 112 College Street, San Antonio
- Mokara Hotel and Spa0.2 mi away · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
- Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Downtown - Riverwalk, TX0.2 mi away · 603 Navarro Street, San Antonio, TX
- The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio0.2 mi away · 420 West Market Street, San Antonio
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · José Antonio de la Garza
- · Ben Milam
Related events
- · Siege of Bexar
Themes & tags
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