One of the most charming things about San Antonio Street is the sheer variety of historic architectural styles that it contains. But among the Queen Annes, the Greek Revivals, the cottages, the prairie styles, and the mission styles, Pat Armatta’s vernacular farmhouse at 1212 San Antonio truly stands out.

While originally it may have been a Sears kit home, the 2008 version is far from plain. It is eye-catching for its asymmetrical placement on a spreading pecan-shaded lawn, cheery persimmon/aqua color scheme, white picket fence, and pretty glass sunroom. Inside, several of its original features are still intact, including built-in bookshelves, historic light fixtures, wainscoting, fireplace, and longleaf pine floors.

A sturdy staircase leads from its front parlor to three upstairs bedrooms and a bathroom. The downstairs master bedroom and bath, products of a 1980’s renovation, feature French doors opening to the beautiful back yard. Fluted wood molding and 8-inch baseboards complement the parlor, formal dining room, and spacious breakfast area just off the kitchen. The place is in beautiful repair, thanks to Pat Armatta’s ongoing attention to detail.

When she bought it 23 years ago, the house was in need of serious new directions. “It was so drab”, she says of the home still clinging to its farm-style beginnings. “We had to totally remodel it. It still had chicken coops in the back!” While the chicken coops are long gone, the Armattas retained the historic carriage house and converted it most effectively into a side-entry 2-car garage.

West San Antonio Street is one of those priceless places where families tend to live their entire lives, with homes changing hands only when longtime homeowners die or move into end-of-life placements. The family of longtime San Marcos attorney Lee Swift was one such family. His grandfather Merton Swift, now over 90, remembers planting the magnificent pecan tree in the backyard when he was 11 years old. Later, he and his family were instrumental in establishing the town’s original phone company in 1910. Among the things to be displayed during the home tour, Pat Armatta is most proud of some treasured antique telephone artifacts that she uncovered during renovations.