In 1890, a prominent figure in San Antonio’s history, Mayer Halff, purchased the land where we now stand. Three years later, the Halff House arose. The Halff House Plaque commemorates this grand Victorian-era home. Mayer Halff, originally from France, immigrated to Texas in 1850. With his brother Solomon, he built a business empire. They started with a mercantile store and cattle ranching in Liberty. In 1864, they moved their operations to San Antonio. They established M. Halff & Brother, a wholesale dry goods company. Their ranching interests expanded to over a million acres across several states. The Halff brothers even ventured into banking. The Halff House, built for Mayer, his wife Rachel, and their family, showcased Eastlake and Richardsonian Romanesque influences. Imagine a prominent round arch entry and a two-story crenellated bay window. Picture a full-length, two-story side porch adorned with intricate Eastlake detailing. Originally located on Goliad Street, the Halff House miraculously remained on its original site when the street was removed for HemisFair in the 1960s. The Halff family significantly impacted San Antonio’s development and the Texas cattle industry. Their legacy lives on through descendants, some of whom married into the pioneer Oppenheimer family, still residing in the city. The Halff House stands as a testament to their enduring influence.
Army Medical Museum
What secrets do these walls hold? Here at the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum, also known as the AMEDD Museum,