Brackenridge Villa

What is known today as the Brackenridge Villa was first the Sweet Homestead, built near the headwaters of the San Antonio River by James R. Sweet, a city alderman whose purchase of the headwaters land effectively gave him control of the city’s water supply and triggered a long-term controversy. The raised one-story cottage with Greek Revival symmetry and detailing was purchased along with the headwaters land by George W. Brackenridge, who in 1886 added a high Victorian three-story wing that included a dining room with walls covered by tooled elephant hide. Brackenridge, who became San Antonio’s leading philanthropist, sold his estate in 1897 to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

Mother Madeleine, then Superior General of the Congregation, had begun searching for a location for a motherhouse and novitiate, and in1896 she found it in the 40 acres of the Brackenridge estate that included his home, "Fernridge." Brackenridge agreed to negotiate with the Sisters, but Brackenridge conditioned the sale to include all 283 acres of his estate. Mother Madeleine agreed, and the Congregation purchased the property, along with his home.

Almost immediately after purchasing the property and occupying the house, the Sisters set to building a house (Motherhouse) large enough to serve as residence for women in formation, and for the administration of the growing congregation. When the Motherhouse was completed in 1900, the Sisters moved their residence, and Brackenridge Villa began to serve its longest-lived purpose: providing a home for chaplains and for visiting clergy and dignitaries. During the Mexican Revolution, members of the clergy were forced into exile to escape rampant persecution. Many found sanctuary at Brackenridge Villa.

After serving many years as offices for the University of the Incarnate Word, Brackenridge Villa now houses offices and meeting rooms for the Congregation's General Leadership Team.