Giraud's French Gothic

François Giraud, born in South Carolina of French parents, studied engineering in Paris, then decided on Texas as a home. In 1848 he became the first surveyor for the city of San Antonio. In 1854 he convinced city officials to set aside San Pedro Springs as a park, now the second-oldest city park in the United States.

San Antonio's Ursuline Academy designed by Giraud,
now the Southwest Craft Center

Giraud redefined the boundaries and structures of the Spanish missions and established his name as an architect by designing the buildings for the old Ursuline Academy (today's Southwest Craft Center) and the main buildings of St. Mary's University.

One of his most interesting design accomplishments is the French Gothic cathedral of San Fernando, a building enclosing the old walls of the original Spanish parish church. The cathedral opened formally in 1873, while Giraud was serving as mayor of San Antonio.