Max Bettin House

602 East Santa Rosa Street

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Max Bettin was born December 20, 1865, in Kovno, Russia. When he was nineteen years old he decided to seek his fortune in America. Just a year after his arrival in New York City in 1883, he was living in Victoria, Texas.

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On September 6, 1892, Max married Regina Weil in Houston and brought her to Victoria. His grocery business was located at 601 East Constitution Street (the southeast corner of Navarro and Constitution Streets), and he and his wife lived above the store.

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The Bettin family grew, the business prospered, and soon a new house was in order. Accordingly, Max Bettin contracted with Jules C. Leffland to design a two-story residence, which was completed in 1908. Skillfully combining architectural elements from many styles, Jules Leffland delivered up an imposing structure, free of fussy Victorian details, which has remained one of Santa Rosa Street’s most prized architectural treasures. It stands, majestically, at the corner of Santa Rosa and Navarro Streets.

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Learn more about this beautiful home in Volume I of Historic Homes of Victoria, available here online through our SHOP or at the Victoria Preservation, Inc. office.