William H. Jackson House

Address: 8910 Callaghan Rd, San Antonio, TX 78230

This property, originally part of a 160 acre grant to Manuel Leal was patented by Francois Giraud on May 6, 1853 ( Patent No: 229, Vol 2, Certificate #255.

In 1853, W.H. Jackson and John M. Bennett purchased the160 acres from Giraud for the sum of $300.00, said land on the Olmos Creek, 7-½ miles north of the City of San Antonio.  Bennett subsequently sold out his share to Jackson who stated in 1855 that he was the sole owner of the property. The house was probably built about this time.

Jackson, born in Kentucky, emigrated to Texas in 1853. It has been reported that William H. Jackson was a Brigadier General during the Civil War and saw much action. However, this has not been confirmed. William H. Jackson was a Justice of the Peace, an office which he resigned on Oct. 24, 1871

On Dec. 16, 1872, a reporter from The Herald, visited the Jackson ranch on the Olmos. He commented that the complex had 15 acres of farm land that were irrigated from a well 150 yards southwest of the residence. The following crops were being grown: hybrid corn, oats, sorghum and small grains and additionally included a peach orchard, a crop not normally grown in this area of Texas. This property was reported to have been a horse changing station for a stagecoach line. One stone structure on the property appears to be the remains of the stagecoach stop. Visible are the remains of a road that may have run in front of the stage stop.

W.H. Jackson died at his ranch of a heart disease. Jackson was initially buried on the property; however family members later had his remains reinterred elsewhere. Upon the death of W.H. Jackson, Sue M. Jackson acquired the land by court decree on June 4, 1890. On Sept 30, 180x, she partitioned the land between herself and her three children, S.G. Jackson, Addie G. Jackson Rawlings and Alvin G. Jackson.

Source: City of San Antonio Historic Designation Resolution