Victoria architect designed San Diego's most iconic buildings

 By Robert Moncada, Guest Blogger

South Texas communities are historically known for their vibrant architecture, including banks, libraries, churches, courthouses, and many other buildings. These structures serve as landmarks for many rural towns. For example, in San Diego, St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church, the A. L. Muil Building and the Hoffman Bank have stood the test for over 100 years.

Although different in their purpose, all the buildings share one thing in common: their architect.

Jules Leffland was an architect from Denmark who gained fame and fortune throughout Texas. He was heavily involved in South Texas development from 1886 until the 1910s. Many of his works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and have earned historical markers from the Texas Historical Commission.

Jules Leffland

After beginning his career as an architect in Denmark, Leffland emigrated to Victoria, Texas, in 1886. In Victoria, 15 buildings bear the Leffland design. In time, he became the most prolific and respected architect in South Texas.

As his reputation grew, many communities, including Cuero, Wharton, Beeville, Kingsville, and San Diego, commissioned Leffland to design buildings. At the time, he was the area’s most active architect. By 1910, Leffland had designed 80 structures, including churches, banks, city halls, hotels, and residences across South Texas.

In San Diego, three Leffland buildings have storied histories. All three were designed and built within two years, 1909-1910, and still stand today. Although two of three no longer serve their original purpose, these structures have stood the test for over a century.

The St. Francis de Paula church still serves the congregation of San Diego and has earned a Texas historical marker. (Victoria Regional History Center, University of Houston-Victoria.)

The Muil Building has undergone several manifestations, starting as a hardware and department store and then as a pharmacy. Today, the Muil building is in private ownership; its unlit neon “Chris Modern Drugs” sign reminds locals of the olden days. (Victoria Regional History Center, University of Houston-Victoria.)

While an architectural drawing of the Hoffman Bank was unavailable, the Charles Hoffman Block building, named for its original owner, now serves as the Duval County-San Diego Public Library. Interior of San Diego State Bank, San Diego, Texas. This photograph shows Norman Alfred (Norrie) Hoffman at the cashier's window, Ignacio Palacios behind him, and unidentified customers on left. ([100-0730], General Photographs Collection, UTSA Special Collections.)

In 1999, an exhibition at The Nave Museum in Victoria featuring Leffland’s architectural drawings opened under the title, “Architectural Drawings or Jules Carl Leffland.” In addition, the Victoria Regional History Center on campus at the University of Houston-Victoria houses many of Leffland’s original blueprints and architectural drawings.

History enthusiasts are encouraged to view his Neoclassical Revival style drawings, including that of the Muil Building and the St. Francis de Paula.

While today, Leffland may be but a name on the cornerstones of buildings throughout Texas, his structures have stood the test of time. They are unique and remarkable landmarks that genuinely capture the essence of South Texas history.

Jules Leffland died in his home in Victoria in October 1924.

(Robert Moncada, a native of Duval County, is a 2018 San Diego High School graduate with a BA in Political Science from St. Mary’s University. Today he is a graduate student at The University of Texas at San Antonio.)