Cuban Style Home One of Neighborhood’s Earliest

402 Mary Louise is a beautiful example of the neighborhood’s revival architecture

This gorgeous house is one of the oldest homes in our neighborhood.  The Cuban style home at 402 Mary Louise Drive was featured in a San Antonio Express advertisement on November 22, 1925, just four months after the first house in North Woodlawn Park Addition was sold.  As a reminder, North Woodlawn Park was the original name for the main section of what is now called Monticello Park.

The home was built as a speculative (spec) home and its gorgeous architecture was featured in several newspaper ads for the neighborhood over the next few months.  On February 7, 1926, the house was announced as sold to Mr. E. C. Diggans.  Earl C. Diggans was the proprietor of the Diggans Music Company, which apparently was one of the largest musical instrument retailers in Texas, specializing in selling pianos.  His store was on Main Avenue downtown, near the current site of The Alamo Music Center.

This beautiful home has been expertly maintained over the years and still features the original porch tiles, barrel tile roof, and decorative ironwork.  The entryway is particularly impressive, with a grand double staircase leading to the second floor. 

Wayne Ehrisman is the current steward of this stucco beauty and has served as host for several Monticello Park Holiday Parties.  If you have attended one of these spectacular events, I hope you took the time to marvel at the spectacular architectural details of one of our oldest homes. You will also see that the living room features a grand piano, a fitting link to the home’s first owner.