San Antonio home built by cattleman Herbert Kokernot slashes asking price by $650K

A history-steeped 1928 mansion designed by architect Russell Brown has undergone $650,000 in price cuts since it went on the market last summer, property records show. Originally listed at just under $3 million, the asking price for the palatial 5,286-square-foot home has since dropped to $2.45 million.

Whatever the price, the four-bedroom, four-and-half-bath property comes packed with history.

Renowned cattleman Herbert l. Kokernot had the Monte Vista residence built for his debutante daughter, Elizabeth Hardie, and modeled it after a 16th Century Spanish villa. Hardie was crowned Fiesta's Queen of the Court of the Butterflies in April 1917, the same month the U. S. joined World War I. She has the distinction of being the last Queen before the excess of San Antonio's annual citywide party disappeared during the conflict's austerity.

History aside, the house is stunning. A spiral staircase brings sheer drama, complemented by a giant window and chandeliers. Temperate spring nights can be enjoyed either from the large, arched veranda, the pool or an upstairs deck. And what could be more desirable than a reading nook by your bedroom window? Maybe the four-car garage, depending on who you ask.

This house is listed by Mallory Baird with Kuper Sotheby's International Realty.

All photos and listing info via Realtor.com.