It all began in 1925

This area was once a dairy farm owned by George Calvert.  He sold the farm to the Woodlawn Park Development Company which divided it into subdivisions and home sites. What we call Monticello Park today is comprised of two original subdivisions: North Woodlawn Terrace, platted in 1925, and Monticello Park, platted 1931-43.

The neighborhood grew rapidly, reflecting the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, and finally, World War ll, and attracted a growing class of merchants and professionals.  Many homes were designed by noted San Antonio architects, such as Adams & Adams, Ayres & Ayres, Frost Carvel, and Nathan Straus Nayfach.

You will see a wide variety of architectural styles within Monticello Park, including Tudor Revival, Spanish Revival, Colonial Revival, and even Mid-Century Modern. Notice the masonry, plasterwork, Mission tiles, arches, built-ins, and towers—all touches which make these homes truly unique.

One of the developers, Leo S. Karen, sold a portion of land to the San Antonio Independent School District for $94,588.  The developers had originally planned for a country club and golf resort hotel on that site, but the impending Great Depression ended that dream.  However, Club Drive kept its name despite the club never being built. Click for full story.

Thomas Jefferson High School, the crown jewel of our neighborhood, was eventually built on the site of the proposed country club. This architectural gem was designed by Max Frederick, of Adams & Adams, and built in 1932, much to the dismay of those who believed the site to be too far out in the country.

In 1978, several residents of the area started discussions about creating a neighborhood association. These early pioneers included Linda Hardberger, Ana and Joe Deosdade, and Katrina Scoggings Meredith. They were soon joined by many others, and in 1983, they established Monticello Park Neighborhood Association which is now a registered neighborhood association with the City of San Antonio.  Efforts within MPNA drove the creation of the Monticello Park Historic District in 1995.