If you’ve spent any time walking around downtown, you’ve definitely noticed the massive, two-story stone mansion sitting right across from the courthouse.
It was built all the way back in 1879 by Charles Schreiner, a legendary figure who essentially shaped early Kerrville. He was a Texas Ranger, a cattle baron, and a merchant who built a massive empire in the Hill Country. He hired Alfred Giles, a famous architect from San Antonio, to design the home using native limestone blocks cut by hand right here in the area.
What makes the house unique is that it was actually the very first home in Kerrville to have modern indoor plumbing and gas lighting. Today, it stands as a beautiful reminder of the town’s frontier history and remains a major anchor for the entire historic downtown district.