Builder A. Y. Hayes Major Investor in Early Neighborhood

In May 2021, we learned about H.J. Shearer, a major developer of our neighborhood, but what about the home builders who actually built the houses we live in today?  In November, I wrote about the beautiful Mediterranean house at 315 Club Drive and decided to research more about its builder. I was fascinated to find that he was among the earliest and most prolific builders during the early years of North Woodlawn Terrace. Recall that North Woodlawn Terrace was the first development in the neighborhood we now call Monticello Park.

A. Y. Hayes was a well-known home builder in numerous neighborhoods across San Antonio, including Woodlawn Terrace, City View Gardens, and Monte Vista. In 1924, he was advertising “Homes Built to Order” in the San Antonio Express and was living at 706 East Woodlawn in today’s River Road neighborhood.  He was also selling a spec home on Huisache in Woodlawn Terrace at the same time.

San Antonio Express, 9/21/1924

He must have been successful, because by 1925, he had moved to a larger home at 1917 West Summit and had invested in 11 lots in the newly platted North Woodlawn Terrace, the largest builder investment in that new community.  His plans were to build homes on each lot and sell them for a profit.  Mr. Hayes was also a strong promoter and made certain the builder profession knew of his San Antonio building investments by publicizing them in the October 3, 1925 edition of Domestic Engineering, a national builders’ trade magazine. 

He quickly had four houses under construction on Furr Drive and Club Drive, which were among the earliest houses completed in our neighborhood.  Two of those, at 226 and 227 Furr Drive, were advertised for sale in the San Antonio Express on November 15, 1925, as “new modern bungalows.” Each featured six rooms, tile baths, and concrete porches. These houses still stand today and are contributing to the Monticello Park Historic District.

San Antonio Express, 11/25/1925

Astute historians may recall that John T. Wilson built the first home in North Woodlawn Terrace nearby at 232 Furr.  As it turns out, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Hayes were also friends, whose wives were often noted in the society pages for hosting joint social events.

We should all be thankful for A. Y. Hayes, and other pioneer builders in our neighborhood, who helped drive the massive development which would occur over the next few years throughout North Woodlawn Terrace.