Tuesday, March 1, 2022

History behind the Ezell Mansion in San Antonio, Texas revealed.

The Ezell Mansion belonged on land that once was owned by one immigrant, Clara Newnam, who was a former slave who moved to San Antonio in 1807 and began acquiring land on San Antonio’s African American East Side. The Ezell Mansion belonged on land that once was home to the East Terrace Apartments which was operated by San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) from 1953 to 1997.  (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=MiNYnO-EH34C&pg=SA4-PA5)



Clara Newnam sold the land to Charles S Newnam (Chas S Newnam) and Clara S. Newnam around 1886. Other land was deeded in 1896.

Charles S Newnam (Chas S Newnam) sold the land to a man named Charles Ezell by a warranty deed on the date of August 14, 1923 for just $500 dollars. (Ref: Bexar County Land Records, Document Number 58435)


Now the Ezell Mansion was not built when Clara Newnam purchased the land in 1807. The Ezell Mansion was built in 1925 on a lot size of 6,155 square feet and had 1,476 square feet of livable area in size. The Ezell Mansion was a 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom house. The Ezell Mansion had an asphalt roof. All of the Ezell Mansion was originally located on more than 5 acres of land before Charles Ezell subdivided lots from his property sold them to various owners over the years. (Ref: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2407-Ezell-St-San-Antonio-TX-78203/102518847_zpid/)

Charles Ezell sold the Ezell Mansion and surrounding property to B. L. Bracken on a warranty deed for a price of $1,700 dollars on the date of July 18, 1928. (Ref: Bexar County Land Records, Document Number 249843)






In 1998, San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) acquired the Ezell Mansion on a notice of lis pendens through eminent domain as the whereabouts of of B. L. Bracken were unknown during the eminent domain proceeding. San Antonio Housing Authority condemned the title to property that same year and had the Ezell Mansion demolished since the dwelling was not occupied at the time of eminent domain proceeding. This was around the same time San Antonio Housing Authority demolished East Terrace Apartments and renovated the entire apartment complex into what is known Spring View Apartments today. (Ref: Bexar County Land Records, Document Number 178868)



San Antonio Housing Authority sold the property to SAN ANTONIO HOUSING FACILITY CORPORATION in 2006 on a warranty deed. SAN ANTONIO HOUSING FACILITY CORPORATION currently owns the (Ref: https://bexar.trueautomation.com/clientdb/Property.aspx?cid=110&prop_id=115582)



Today the Ezell Mansion is now a vacant residential lot where only grass remains. No trace of the Ezell Mansion can be found, excavated, or uncovered. Ezell Street was named after Charles Ezell and the Ezell Mansion. (Ref: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/SanAntonioFY19Plan.pdf)


The Ezell Mansion was located at 2407 Ezell Street, San Antonio, Texas, US 78203.

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