Maverick--Carter House
historic place
The Maverick-Carter House, a historic place in Bexar County, was constructed in 1893. Real estate developer William Harvey Maverick, son of Texas Declaration of Independence signer Samuel Augustus Maverick, built this three-story limestone home. Prominent San Antonio architect Alfred Giles designed the house in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. When originally built, the home was situated on the banks of the San Antonio River, which was rechanneled for flood control purposes in 1920. William Maverick resided here until 1910, then sold the house to his son, Robert. In 1914, attorney H.C. Carter purchased the property. His second wife, Aline Carter, converted the first-floor library into a chapel and added an observatory to the roof around 1925. Aline Carter, a noted poet, artist, astronomer, musician, and humanitarian, served as poet laureate of Texas from 1947 to 1949. She also taught astronomy to children and hosted annual Christmas parties for San Antonio orphans in the home. Aline Carter lived here until her death in 1972, and the home remains with the Carter family. A historical marker was erected in 2010. This site reflects the architectural trends and civic engagement of early San Antonio residents.