Portfolio of Stilwell House Images

In 1885, the War Department purchased land east of the Quadrangle on Government Hill and began to build barracks and family quarters for the garrison of the Post at San Antonio.   England-born architect, Alfred Giles, designed the buildings.  This view shows the Upper Post as seen from the clock tower before construction of the quarters for the garrison commander.

Quarters for the commanding officer were built in 1888 at the northwest corner of the parade ground at a cost of 1$11,476.98.  It was second only in size and ornamentation to the commanding general's quarters on the Lower or Staff Post.    Seen here in about 1895.

View from the second story of the barracks across the parade ground to the west.  The commanding officers  quarters can been seen just to the right of the tower on the skyline.  Another circa 1895 image.

View from the clock tower circa 1895.  The commanding officer quarters is at the far left.  In the background is the 1084-foot Long Barracks.

The commanding officers quarters around the turn of the century.  At this time, Fort Sam Houston was the second largest post in the country.

View from the tower in 1918.  By this time, flush toilets had been installed for the occupants and electricity powered the lights and appliances.

After the First World War, one of the Infantry regiments of the 2nd Division occupied the Infantry Post, with the Regiment Commander living here.

In 1938, Colonel Thomas Musgrave lived in these quarters.  He was the commander of the 23rd Infantry Regiment.

View of the central hall and the front entrance of Colonel Musgrave's quarters.  The regimental colors are displayed to the right of the doors.  To the left are the formal parlor and dining room.  To the right are another parlor and the library.

The Musggrave's dining room.  Through the doorway in a pantry and a short hallway leading to the kitchen.

Brigadier General Joseph W. Stillwell lived here 1939-40 as the commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 2nd Division and as the Assistand Division Commander of the 2nd Division.  In 1957, his quarters were designated as "The Stilwell House."

The furnishings in General Stilwell's library reflect his long service and interest in the Orient.  A Chinese linguist, Stilwell would serve as Chief of Staff to Gereralissimo Chiang Kai Shek and commander of the American forces in the China-Burma-India theatre during the Second World War.

Known as "Vinegar Joe" due to his acerbic personality, Stilwell had a softer side at home.  Here, he relaxwes with his family in the back yard.

In 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Houston S. Roby, Provost Marshal at Fort Sam Houston, was the last resident of the house.  The Fort Sam Houston Military Museum moved in and opened for visitors.  With cannons in the front yard, the Stilwell House would serve in this role for eight years.

The Fort Sam Houston Military Museum told the history of Fort Sam Houston with additional exhibits focusing on the 2nd Division and the defenders of Bataan in the Philippines.

With house unoccupied for nine years, deterioration set in.

After fourteen years of intense fund raising and renovation, Stilwell House held a grand reopening.  This is the same view as the photo above.

In June 2015, high winds and massive hail damaged the roof and collapsed the roof over the back porch deck.  The only interior damage was caused by water as the airconditioner malfunctioned.

Preservation Fort Sam Houston hired Guy Chipman Construction to effect the repairs which included rebuilding the porch roof, replacing the standing seam metal roof and its integral gutters, and refinishing/repainting the areas water-damaged,  The grand reopening was held on 29 Sept 2017.  Symbolically cutting the ribbon are Maj Gen Brian Lein, CG, AMEDDC&S, Woody Chipman, III, the contractor and Joan Gaither, President PFSH.  The AMEDDC&S really supported our activities while the work was in progress.