“What stories could these walls tell?” That’s the question that comes to mind as we stand before the Caile House Plaque. It marks a place of significant history. This caliche block home was built by Robert Caile soon after he purchased the property in 1857.
Robert Caile was an Englishman who came to Texas. The Caile House Plaque commemorates his legacy. The home he built stands as a testament to his life.
Caile later enlarged the residence. This addition happened during the post-Civil War period. The site was part of a Spanish land grant. Dolores Alderete received that grant in 1812.
The Caile family owned the house until 1894. After that, Jacob Hotz bought it as rental property. Hotz was a farmer.
Following Jacob Hotz’s death in 1928, relatives owned the house. This lasted until the 1940s. In 1966, the Caile House was recognized. It became a Texas Historic Landmark. The Caile House Plaque was placed here.
Additional recognition came later. In 1977, Carol Lee Klose, Gary Mark Klose, and Randall Mark Klose purchased the Aldrete and Caile houses. Archeological investigations were conducted by UTSA.
The Caile House is a rare surviving example of a specific house type. It has no interior hall. This type was common in the city in the nineteenth century. You can also see it at La Villita.
The house is built directly on the front property line. This follows the Mexican tradition. The stuccoed limestone house features three doorways. They are at the center of the facade. Single windows are placed at either end. This is considered an atypical fenestration pattern.
The rear shed addition holds the main chimney stack. This may have been the original kitchen hearth. The Caile House Plaque reminds us of the people who lived here. It connects us to the past. Consider the lives lived within those walls. Think about the changes they witnessed. The Caile House Plaque is more than just a marker. It is a gateway to understanding San Antonio’s history.