Theis-Smith House
Ferdinand Theis built the house in 1887 on hi plantation of 396-1/3 acres. The location in those days was described as being 6 miles southeast of San Antonio, Texas, on the old Sulphur Springs Road which today is Roland Avenue. It was built by local carpenters and Mexican -Americans who cut the limestone blocks from limestone on the property. Ferdinand's daughter, the late Clara Theis Amanda, described how her father developed a system whereby the stones were lifted by turning a wagon wheel. The house is constructed of stone and plaster, hard, wide heart-of pine floors, oak woodwork and a steep tin roof. The woodwork has its original finish and is in the beading stage. It has a beautiful luster. A one story house of its quality was seldom found in the country. The house sits away from the road approximately 300 feet.
Beginning October 12, 1912, Theis was instrumental in providing 400 farmers along the Salado Creek with water for many things, excluding personal consumption. This was vital to the economy of farming and ranching in Southeast Bexar County. For this, Theis was highly praised.
According to Clara, her father was 5 years old when he came to America from Germany in 1859 with his parents, George (11/1/1816-8/4/1881) and Anna Maria Baldus (8/24/1821-1/23/1907) Theis. Ferdinand married Clara S. Sultenfuss in 1887. They raised six boys and three girls.
The house is unique in that it has nine exterior doors; four are walnut. Seven of the doors open onto the porch and one may exit ont o the porch without going through another room. The ceilings are 12'8" in height. All doors have transoms in good working condition which allows for effective ventilation. Ceiling fans have also been installed in all rooms by its present owner. The walls a re fourteen inches thick with inset windows and workable sliding screen. The shutters are constructed with wooden pegs. The 125 foot porch is 8-1/2 feet wide and has 14 matching columns. The main entrance is walnut with deep beveled oval glass. It also has two walnut side panels with beveled oval glass. It opens into a reception hall (25' x 8-1/2') which has matching beveled oval glass doors at the opposite end leading onto the south side porch. All are original and in good condition. Two other walnut door s have etched glass scenes. The only addition to the house was a bathroom in the 1920's. This was added by taking in 10 feet of the porch which was originally 135', on the backside of the house. The addition did not alter the appearance and did not change the shape of the house in any way. The architecture does not conform to a particular style but seems to be nearer to French Colonial. The house contains two entrance halls, living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms (with closets) and one bathroom. Two rooms are located on the basement level of the house and originally used as bedrooms.
There is an underground rain water cistern in good condition. The property originally had a stone milk house, huge barn, a stone smokehouse, a frame (20' x 30') gara ge and storeroom and a blacksmith shop. The storm cellar, which was built in 1928 is now in ruins. The garage was built after automobiles came into being and is weathered with a tin roof. The barn , smokehouse and blacksmith shops were torn down but the hi storical milk house still stands and is in dire need of restoration. This is presently being considered. The house is surrounded by Anaqua trees which are rare. The Indians believed they had great healing power and would sit under them for hours.
Ferdinand Theis spent all but five years of his life on the plantation. After the death of his wife, twin daughters, Mathilda and Mary inherited the house. The house remained in the family until August 8, 1974 when it was purchased from the surviving twin, Mathilda and her administrator.