About Terrell Heights

Terrell Heights' location lauded

Web Posted: 03/02/2005 12:00 AM CST

Rachel L. Toalson
Express-News Staff Writer

Almost 60 years have passed since the first homes were built in Terrell Heights — a fact noticed in its tall, mature trees and old-fashioned architecture. The homes resemble each other, though not nearly enough to identify them as tract homes — just enough to lend Terrell Heights its own individual character.

Though some of the houses are a bit small by today's mega-tract standards, residents say the hardwood floors, large picture windows and roomy porches are some of the neighborhood's most striking features. "This is a quaint little 'Leave it to Beaver' neighborhood," said Stella Kemp, a resident of four years who moved with her family from Bulverde. "Everyone watches over the homes."

"It's stable," said Karen Williams, a native '09-er and a resident of 19 years. Williams first rented in Terrell Heights and, when faced with the decision to buy, opted to stay there after researching several other neighborhoods. "Nothing compared to it, and I looked a lot of places. This neighborhood has trees, roots, family."

Many of those who moved into this neighborhood never leave. Such is the case with Albert Lambrecht, who has lived in Terrell Heights for longer than most of his neighbors: 57 years. His in-laws resided in the neighborhood and, despite his friends' warnings not to move near them, Lambrecht and his wife settled in the house next door.

"Once we were here, we thought, 'Why move?'" Lambrecht said.

"We moved here as newlyweds," said Susan Lanford, a resident of almost 17 years. "It was an affordable neighborhood with a great school district. We originally thought it was a good starter home, but we've decided it will finish us."

"I think what people enjoy about it is that the style of the home is quite malleable," said her husband, Michael. "People can adjust it to their preferences. It's suitable to modern living, if that's what you want." The neighborhood's location is one of the reason residents stay for so long, they say.

Bounded by Eisenhauer Road on the north, North Vandiver Road on the east, Rittiman Road and Austin Highway on the south and North New Braunfels Avenue on the west, Terrell Heights sits in North Central San Antonio, just next to the cities of Terrell Hills and Alamo Heights.

"The location is convenient," said Bobbie McGregor, another resident who moved to the area in 1976. "It's convenient to everything we like."

"It has a central location," said Mark Deeds, another resident. "That issue really bodes well."

The neighborhood has alley garbage pickup, a luxury the city of San Antonio has considered changing — to the objections of many community members. Currently, residents simply walk out their back doors and drop their refuse in a trash can. Mail comes right inside the house, Williams said — directly through the mail slots built into the exterior of the homes.

Tom and Polly Frazier moved in 1984 to Terrell Heights, where his mom lived. She still lives in the area. "All the houses have hardwood floors that are supported by beams," Tom Frazier said. "That's the reason I came. You can't crawl under a concrete slab."

Residents send their children to schools in the Alamo Heights School District — another draw to the popular area, Deeds said. He fears that, somewhere down the road, developers will begin moving into Terrell Heights to tear down homes, since nearby Alamo Heights has imposed a demolition moratorium that affects the developers. Residents, Deeds said, have a huge concern about what people might put in place of the homes torn down.

While property values continue to increase, houses are affordable right now, residents say, ranging in price from $100,000 to $200,000. Ann Deeds, president of the neighborhood association, said the homes all have distinct characteristics — which is really what sold her on the residence she shares with Mark and their family.

"It takes a certain type of person to enjoy this neighborhood," Ann Deeds said. "Tract homes do not appeal to me. You have garages in front of the homes, people click their little garage door opener and pull their cars in. They never meet their neighbors. "It's not like that here. We have porches. We get to know each other."

The neighborhood association, which is not mandatory, has an annual yard sale and periodic cleanups and tree plantings. Members also lobby the city of San Antonio to mow the grass in their many pocket parks, to place speed humps on the busier streets and to construct medians on Austin Highway so they can safely cross the roadway.

Over the years, many of the homes in Terrell Heights have become noteworthy. McGregor's home was written about in Southern Living. The Deeds' residence was pictured in a commercial. The Lanford home will soon be featured on cable network HGTV as a successfully renovated home.

McGregor's dog even made it into the movie "Selena."

The neighborhood has its quirks, residents say. Sometimes they can hear planes flying overhead on the way to land at San Antonio International Airport, and many times they'll hear the Fort Sam Houston helicopters — because they're right on the Army's flight path, Deeds said.

At 9 every morning, they'll hear the bells of a neighboring Lutheran church. On Friday mornings, they can listen to the Alamo Heights High School band practicing. But at night, it's quiet. So quiet, Lambrecht said, it almost keeps them awake.

rtoalson@express-news.net

Reprinted with permission.