San Antonio · River Walk
Omni La Mansión del Rio
An 1852 limestone school, later a law school, turned into a hotel only in 1968 with a six-story addition over the river for HemisFair '68.
- Built
- 1852Original limestone building begun fall 1852 for St. Mary's Institute (opened March 1, 1853; later St. Mary's College and St. Mary's University law school until 1966); converted and expanded with a six-story Spanish Colonial Revival addition to open as a hotel for HemisFair '68. The NRHP district inventory dates the hotel resource to 1968.
- Style
- Spanish Colonial Revival
- Type
- Grand hotel
- Rooms
- 338
- Area
- River Walk
- Credentials
- Inside a National Register historic district; Local landmark; Historic Hotels of America member
The story
Four Brothers of the Society of Mary began the limestone St. Mary’s Institute on College Street in 1852, and its doors opened March 1, 1853. The school became St. Mary’s College in 1924 and St. Mary’s University’s downtown campus in 1931, housing the law school until December 1966. Former law student Patrick J. Kennedy then bought the property and developed it into a hotel with a six-story addition overlooking the river, opening for HemisFair ’68.
The ghost story
Hotel management told KSAT that staff blame "Little Jimmy," said to be a young student from the building's St. Mary's College days, for haunting the old school gymnasium, now an event space, and for repeatedly cracking one of its windows.
Source: www.ksat.com
Good to know
- Parking: on-site paid
- Elevator
- Address: 112 College St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Things to do
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Sources (3)
Last verified October 2026. Details change; confirm with the inn before you book.