Maurice Place was a tavern that operated on the south side city limits of San Antonio, Texas from 1963 to 1984. This news article will explain and explore the history behind Maurice Place.
On November 1, 1960, Efraim Palacios purchased a parcels of land located at 5307 Roosevelt Avenue from Sara C Gutierrez on a deed of trust for the price of $556.50 in one promissory note, payable in monhly installments of $30.00 each month. This amount of money would be used to pay off the monthly mortgage. Efraim Palacios paid off the mortgage in a timely manner. (Ref: Bexar County Official Public Records - Real Estate, Document No. 99990586279)
Efraim Palacios would use a single story rectangular building this property to run a tavern called Maurice Place beginning in 1963. He was part of the ownership and management. Many locals would drink at this tavern after hours during night time.
Now Maurice Place was no stranger to violence. This tavern had a penchant for attracting the wrong types of customers to their establishment. Shootings and looting were types of violence that were commonplace at Maurice Place. The tavern was often trashed by rowdy drunk customers and gunslingers. Police were often called when bar fights would take place. This was usually afterwards when the bar fights had calmed down.
Below are some examples of some of the violence that occurred at Maurice Place from over the years.
One example of a shooting that took place at Maurice Place was a shooting that took place on a Friday night during October 1965. An old feud between Andy Custer and a gunman is what instigated a violence shooting inside the tavern of Maurice Place. News of shooting at Maurice Place made the front page of San Antonio Express on the date of Saturday, October 9, 1965. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40847125/san-antonio-express/)
“Four persons were shot Friday night in a wild shooting at Maurice Place, 5307 Roosevelt Ave., a tavern near the south city limits. The accused gunman, a 40-year-old ex-convict, was arrested at a tavern on Espada Road about an hour after the 8 p.m. shooting. Most seriously wounded was Andy Custer, 41, of 3715 Roosevelt Ave., who was in fair condition at Santa Rosa Hospital with bullet wounds in the chest and left hand. Being treated at Baptist Hospital were Roy Garza, 52, of 1018 Sams Ave., wounded in the right shoulder and right hand; his wife, Marie Garza, 45, wounded in the right forearm, and Marvin H. Appling, 64, of 143 Roosevelt Ave., wounded in the right shoulder. None of the three was believed in serious condition. Police said the shooting was the result of an old feud between Custer and the gunman. The three other victims were sitting at Custer’s table. Witnesses said the gunman walked into the tavern shortly before 8 p.m. and sat by himself after ordering a beer. They said he then walked up to Custer, and, after an exchange of words, Custer slapped the gunman, “He (the gunman) pulled a pistol and started shooting right off the bat.” said Tom Dillon, 58, of 5200 Roosevelt Ave. who was at Custer’s table.”
Andy Custer was charged with felony possession of a firearm after police arrested him an hour later at a tavern on Espada Road. He spent a few weeks in jail for the shooting. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/56004281/)
One other example of violence that took place at Maurice Place was when the tavern was randomly looted and burglarized in 1968. Twenty cases of beer were included in the looting taken during the burglary. The burglars, apparently wearing gloves, entered by breaking a lock. $175 worth of money was taken.
Maurice Place would close down in 1984. Whatever the reasons may have been for closing down and dissolving are unknown.
Efraim Palacios sold his property to Eraldo G Martinez and Diana Martinez, WE Roosevelt LP, and HEB Grocery on a warranty deed in May 19, 2015. HEB Grocery planned on building a grocery store and supermarket at this location for a very long time. (Ref: Bexar County Official Public Records - Real Estate, Document No. 20170098052)
The single story rectangular building which formerly operated as a tavern, bar, and hotel inn was demolished to make way for an HEB Grocery store in the summer of 2016. Only a long sheet metal fence remained of what was once the boundary line and fence for Maurice Place right after demolition was complete. The concrete sidewalks and parking lots were the only remnants left also.
Eraldo G Martinez and Diana Martinez sold more of the property to WE Roosevelt LP and HEB Grocery on a warranty deed in May 19, 2017. HEB Grocery plans on building a grocery store and supermarket at this location. (Ref: Bexar County Official Public Records - Real Estate, Document No. 20170098053)
Maurice Place was located at 5307 Roosevelt Avenue, San Antonio, Texas, US 78214.
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