About SCOUTSA
ScoutSA is the name given to heritage programs administered by the City of San Antonio's Office of Historic Preservation. ScoutSA goes beyond a traditional architectural building survey. The program invites you to explore, discover, and celebrate the places, people, and traditions that make San Antonio unique.
Purpose of ScoutSA
Preserve the authenticity of San Antonio's diverse neighborhoods
Plan for the future and identify resources that may someday be eligible for landmark designation.
Engage the public and connect people to the places that make San Antonio unique.
Promote the benefits of San Antonio's intangible and tangible heritage
Build awareness of the economic opportunities and positive impact of historic reservation.
Provide resources that encourage development while protecting our resources.
San Antonio’s Built Environment
The preservation of sites as districts is a uniquely American tradition that can be traced back to the rise of the automobile in the 20th century. People travelled further away from their own communities with more freedom. As Americans explored the country, towns and cities focused on the preservation and beautification of neighborhoods. The unique charm of individual, preserved districts provided travelers with a region’s distinct culture and heritage.
In 1968, San Antonio became the first Texas city with a residential historic district with the designation of the King William neighborhood. The district’s Greek Revival, Victorian, and Italianate-styled homes trace back to the arrival of German immigrants in the 1840’s. After falling into disrepair in the 1930’s and ‘40’s, a push to revive the neighborhood began in the ‘50’s when new residents were attracted to the area due to its proximity to the downtown business district. San Antonio currently has 32 historic districts with another pending designation.
The following video provides an overview of San Antonio’s Architectural History.
Historic Designation in San Antonio
Historic designation protects the City of San Antonio’s unique historic resources that range from residential homes, archeological sites, and the Spanish Missions. These landmarks are recognized by San Antonio for their outstanding historical, cultural, architectural, and/or archeological significance. Historic Landmark designation protects sites from demolition without approval from the Historic Design and Review Commission. There are currently over 1,500 historic landmarks in the city with designations continuously granted. The Unified Development Code provides sixteen criteria for evaluation to determine if a site is eligible for designation. Sites must meet at least three of the criteria. The following links provide further information on the application and process.
A full description of the designation process and guidelines can be found in Article VI- Historic Preservation and Urban Design under the Code of Ordinances City of San Antonio, Texas [LINK]. The city council of the City of San Antonio designates historic districts through a zoning ordinance that conforms to the federal and state constitution. Once designated, the district will bear “Historic” (H) or “Historic/Landmark” (HL) in their zoning designation.
How can I designate a landmark?
Great question! Contact our ScoutSA staff at the Office of Historic Preservation. They can help walk you through the process of designating a property as a historic landmark.
Intangible heritage
Our built environment is only part or our story. Our local heritage is influenced by cultural traditions, collective experiences, and personal stories. ScoutSA’s cultural heritage initiatives aim to close the gap between this intangible heritage and place.
Property Research
Interested in researching a property? Click here to learn how to get started!