Carl Wilhelm August Groos House, San Antonio

The Carl Wilhelm August Groos House in San Antonio is a striking example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, designed in 1880 by renowned architect Alfred Giles and constructed by builder John H. Kampmann. This cream-colored limestone mansion, situated on 0.7 acres along the San Antonio River, was commissioned by Carl Wilhelm August Groos, a German immigrant who moved to Texas in 1848. Groos and his brothers initially established a successful freighting firm in New Braunfels before he relocated to San Antonio in 1872, where he became a founding member of the Groos National Bank.

Distinguished by its elegant blue-green columns, intricate iron detailing, and Corinthian capitals, the two-story home boasts covered porches that reflect the ornate charm of the era. The property is surrounded by a four-foot limestone wall crowned with decorative iron fencing, accessible through an iron gate flanked by limestone piers on King William Street.

The meticulously landscaped grounds adhere to Victorian principles of symmetry and order, featuring a central stone-paved walkway that divides the lawn into four quadrants. The lush greenery includes live oaks, Texas sabal palms, and decorative crape myrtles. The northern cul-de-sac of the lawn hosts a circular pool with a fountain centerpiece depicting a cherub surrounded by ferns, adding to the property's stately appeal.

After serving as the Groos family residence until 1948, the house transitioned into various private ownerships, including its acquisition by the San Antonio Council of the Girl Scouts in 1957. It was later restored and remains privately owned. The Carl Wilhelm August Groos House, recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1977, is a contributing structure within the King William Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Its rich history and architectural splendor make it a treasured landmark in San Antonio.