Capt. Charles Schreiner Mansion
castle, chateau
553m
Kerr County, Texas

The Capt

https://media.whitetown.sk/pictures/us/captcharlesschreinermansion/captcharlesschreinermansion.jpg
Previous names
Capt. Charles Schreiner Mansion
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Description

The Capt. Charles Schreiner Mansion is located in Kerrville in the U.S. state of Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Kerr County, Texas in 1975. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1962. The mansion is currently the home of the Hill Country Museum. In 1984, Mrs. E. C. Parker was awarded a Jefferson Davis Certificate of Meritorious Service for Preservation and Restoration, in honor of her work in converting the mansion into a museum.

The mansion is now home to the Hill Country Museum, which is operated by Schreiner University.

Design

Texas Ranger and Confederate States Army veteran Charles Schreiner, Sr., was descended from French nobility. His father Gustav had been born in a castle in Alsace. The Schreiner family moved to San Antonio in 1852. Schreiner became a wealthy rancher, merchant and philanthropist in Kerrville. Schreiner commissioned San Antonio architect Alfred Giles to design the mansion in 1879. The original six-bedroom, two-story house was the first limestone building in Kerr County. In 1895, Schreiner had Giles add a more elaborate porch. The combined styles of Romanesque Revival and Chateauesque were a result in part of the labor force being brought from Germany, and pink granite columns imported from Italy. In 1927, the Schreiner heirs transferred ownership of the mansion to the Kerrville Masonic Lodge, which sold it in 1972 to a private owner.

https://en.wikipedia.org/

After serving in the Confederate Army in the Civil War for three and a half years, Captain Charles Schreiner returned to his family ranch on Turtle Creek. A few years later, the family moved to town. The original Schreiner home was a frame building where the mansion now sits.

In 1879, he commissioned San Antonino architect Alfred Giles, to design his home. The mansion was constructed in three phases. Reaching completion in 1897. The original six- bedroom, two-story home, constructed by expert German masons, was the first limestone home in Kerrville. It was also the first home in Kerrville to have electric lights. The light fixtures that began as candles and kerosene were later converted to gas which was pumped form the basement, and then to electric fixtures.

Although the mansion has changed ownership through the years, the Schreiners were the only family that ever resided there. After Charles’ death on February 9, 1927, his heirs transferred ownership to the Kerrville Masonic-Lodge. In 1972 Mrs. Roland Walters of Camp Verde, Texas, purchased the structure and sold it to the Hill Country Preservation Society, Inc. in 1975. The Preservation Society made extensive repairs to the home. Unique features include several original gas fixtures, mantles, and parquet floor on the first floor.

In the fall of 2009 the Preservation Society donated the mansion and its contents to Schreiner University. During that time, Schreiner’s programming brought exhibits, lectures and musical events to the venue for the community’s benefit.

In 2015 Schreiner University transferred ownership of the Mansion to The Cailloux Foundation, which is dedicated to charitable causes in Kerrville and surrounding communities. The Foundation continues to repair and improve the historic building including making the second floor accessible to those unable to use the stairs.

The Schreiner Mansion became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1962 and in 1975 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

http://www.caillouxfoundation.org/

Useful information

7.00 USD

Student: 5.00 USD

Children 8 and under: free

8+ pers: 5.00 USD

Virtual tour

- It is used as a museum

- Guided tours are offered