San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Dignowity Hill:
Close-knit community has rich history
Dignowity Hill, a historic community on San Antonio’s East Side, often sparks discussions about neighborhood revitalization and preservation.
The area, about five minutes from downtown, has experienced a lot of change in recent years. Many of the old houses that had been abandoned over the years have been renovated and put on the market. Longtime residents have seen an influx of homebuyers and businesses.
Dignowity Hill was San Antonio’s first exclusive residential suburb. According to the Office of Historic Preservation archives, the area was named for Czech immigrant Dr. Anthony Michael Dignowity (1810
– 1875). Dignowity’s family home, Harmony House, was built on a hill to the east of town. After many decades, the house was demolished, and the land eventually became what is now Dignowity Park. Today, the neighborhood is among the city’s many historic districts.
The area’s rich history and proximity to downtown continue to
appeal to many homebuyers. Nearby attractions and landmarks include The Alamo, River Walk, St. Paul’s Square, The Pearl, Hays Street Bridge, and the Tower of the Americas.
Homes currently on the market include an 1,800 square-foot home with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, built in 1920. The asking price is $282,500. There’s also a two-bedroom, two-bath house with 2547 square feet. It was built in 1874 and is listed for $750,000.
REALTOR® Debra Maltz with
Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty said homebuyers like the quality and architectural detail found in houses in Dignowity. Currently, the neighborhood has 34 active listings, 12 pending sales, and in the past six months, there have been 47 closings.
Maltz, who has sold many historic homes in San Antonio, has an active listing in Dignowity at 1119 Burnet Street. The 1662 square-foot house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and was built in 1917. The asking price is $319,000.
“Generally, a lot of young professionals are buying in the neighborhood because there is a sense of community and the architecture is amazing,” she said. “It’s close to downtown, they can bicycle, they can walk and they’re close to the park.”
Elena Martinez and her husband have lived in their Craftsman-style house since 2018. She recently became the president of the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association. When she and her husband were house hunting, they were looking for a place downtown that was diverse, walkable and community oriented. Dignowity Hill fits that description. “There are beautiful homes with very diverse families and amazing small businesses,” she said.
The couple’s house was built in 1940 and had been remodeled by the previous owners, so they didn’t need to renovate it. “When we saw this house, it was the right amount of space for us, it had an amazing beautiful porch,” Martinez said. “We love to sit outside and just hang out and wave to people as they walk by.”
Among the things she plans to do as president of the neighborhood association is survey residents to find out their biggest concerns and make sure they are addressed.
Students in Dignowity Hill attend schools in the San Antonio Independent School District. SAISD is San Antonio’s oldest school district.
Ella Austin Community Center, on North Pine Street, has programs and services for low-income individuals and families. The nonprofit was named for
Ella Austin. The center’s website states that Austin was a revered African American who was committed to serving her community. She founded the Ella Austin Orphans Home in 1897.
The community has quite a few locally owned businesses and a variety of places to shop, dine in, or grab takeout. On East Houston, you’ll find Dignowity Meats which serves classic barbecue, The Magpie, a small Korean-inspired restaurant, and Con Huevos Tacos, which has curbside pickup and outdoor dining only.
Sweet Yams on North Cherry Street is billed as the first organic takeout restaurant in San Antonio. The eatery serves organic, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. Customers can order by phone or online. Panchos & Gringos on Nolan Street is open for breakfast and lunch and serves traditional American fare as well as Mexican dishes. Customers can dine in or place an order to go.
If you need some unique pottery and garden décor, stop by Abel’s Concrete Art on North Hackberry. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Whether it’s the historic homes, central location or variety of shops and restaurants, Dignowity Hill has a lot to offer.