HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF SAN MARCOS
Two recently-restored historic houses will be featured on the 50th anniversary Golden Legacy Tour of Homes for the first time on Saturday, May 3. They are at 1025 West Hopkins Street and 1203 Belvin Street, both lovingly restored by the same family, offering a rare opportunity to step inside and learn about the unique histories of their previous owners.
1025 W. HOPKINS STREET – AN ORIENTAL CRAFTSMAN KIT HOME Built between 1910 and 1912 and relocated to its current site around 1920, this unique Oriental Craftsman kit home is a true gem. Owned by the same family since the 1920s, it remained untouched for over a century before Andrew and Shannon James became only the second family to own it.
One of its most intriguing stories is its connection to San Marcos’ firefighting history. Scott, the home’s previous owner, was the city’s Fire Chief, along with being a commercial welder and a welding instructor at the high school. His commercial welding shop was located on the property for decades in the large shop that sits adjacent to the main house. A hardwired phone line was installed in the home that connected directly to the fire department, allowing him to be reached in emergencies — a unique feature that remained intact when the James family purchased the home.
Despite an elegant design with ornate original woodwork and long leaf pine floors, the home never had central HVAC. It still had its original cast iron and lead pipes, all of which had to be replaced. Inside, 100-yearold wallpaper and drapes remained untouched until the new owners carefully removed them, revealing the original shiplap walls, which now serve as a striking design feature.
The restoration has been a labor of love, with every detail — from the painstakingly refinished floors to the exposed woodwork — carefully preserved. Visitors will get an up-close look at the craftsmanship and many unique features that make this home a standout piece of San Marcos history.
1203 BELVIN STREET – A HISTORIC DOCTOR’S RESIDENCE WITH MODERN CHARM Located in San Marcos’ beloved historic district, 1203 Belvin Street was built in 1930 and holds a unique place in the city’s medical history. Like several other homes on this street, it is said to have originally housed doctors who worked at the former San Marcos hospital, which stood directly across the street where the McCoy Mansion is now located.
After the hospital closed and was repurposed a few times — including as a fraternity house — before ultimately burning down, many of the surrounding homes fell into disrepair. 1203 Belvin Street has been lovingly restored. In 2009, a local pastor and his wife purchased the home, spending years bringing it back to life. A decade later, in 2019, Shannon James and her mother, Sharon Nelson, fell so in love with the home that they purchased it sight unseen — the inside anyway — after spotting a For Sale sign in the yard.
With soaring 12-foot ceilings and original shiplap walls, the home seamlessly blends history with modern comfort. A custom cedar fence now encloses the front and backyards, while raised garden beds and a newly added screened-in back porch create a warm and inviting outdoor space. Inside, original wood floors remain throughout, except for the fully remodeled kitchen, which offers a fresh update while maintaining the home’s historic integrity.
Other standout features include: a library with the original wood shiplap ceiling, beautifully refinished and sealed; a primary bedroom with original shiplap wood walls and a vintage-inspired tin tile ceiling; an original clawfoot tub in the primary bathroom, a stunning nod to the home’s history. The guest bathroom had a small clawfoot tub in it, but it now resides at 1025 W. Hopkins. A new screened-in back porch has become the heart of the home, where countless evenings have been spent making new memories.
STEP INSIDE SAN MARCOS HISTORY ON THIS HOME TOUR The Heritage Association of San Marcos invites you to experience these two newly featured homes, along with several other architectural gems on this year’s Golden Legacy Tour of Homes.
“The Home Tour is a wonderful way to support historic preservation in San Marcos,” HASM President Renee Graham said. “Each home tells a story, and thanks to dedicated homeowners, we’re able to share these stories with the public.”
2025 Home Tour Chair and homeowner Shannon James said the inclusion of these two homes offers a rare glimpse into two unique pieces of San Marcos History.
“We are so excited to showcase our two homes for the first time and highlight their unique stories and restoration journeys,” James said.
EVENT DETAILS & TICKET INFORMATION
This year’s Golden Legacy Tour of Homes offers a rare opportunity to step inside seven of the city’s most treasured homes plus Crookwood Gardens. Proceeds from the tour support HASM’s mission to preserve the historic districts of San Marcos for future generations.
The Home Tour begins at the Charles S. Cock House Museum in Veramendi Plaza, located at 400 East Hopkins Street. There will be a bake sale, 50th-Anniversary display and books signed by author Rodney van Ouderkerke.
Purchase tickets online at HeritageSanMarcos. org. Tickets are $25 in advance, and $30 day of the tour. Follow the Heritage Association of San Marcos on Facebook for more previews and photos of featured homes.
