The San Antonio River flowing through the city has always been its life blood. Spanish Explorers came here on St. Anthony’s day in 1691 and named the river after the saint. The city was founded in 1718 when Misión San Antonio de Valero was established. The mission moved to its present site in 1724, and is now better known as the Alamo. The river continues to play an important part in the life of the city with a lively Riverwalk that attracts tourists to its restaurants, shops and tour boats and we love the place!
Arneson River Theatre
Flooding was a persistent problem for the city and in the early part of the 20th century many options were considered including diverting or covering over the river. Fortunately it was decided to build a flood relief channel and make a feature of the river by constructing the Riverwalk along it. Completed in 1941, the Arneson River Theatre forms part of the original development and sits alongside La Villita, an early downtown area which is now and Arts & Crafts village. The theatre seating is on the grass banks at the bottom of the picture and the stage the other side of the river, an unique layout for a theatre!
Market Square
Out on West Commerce Street, the Market Square can be a rather long, hot walk from the Riverwalk area but it is worth the effort if you like shopping. The area has been built in a way reminiscent of a Mexican Market and there are plenty of shops for targeted on tourists. There is also a Farmers Market Plaza full of speciality shops.
San Antonio
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Dining Hall, Spanish Governor's Palace
Dating from 1722, this 10 room house was originally built as a residence for the local Spanish military commander responsible for safeguarding Misión San Antonio de Valero. It later became the seat of government for the Spanish Province of Texas, although it was the Presidio Captain and not the Governor who lived here. ‘Palace’ is a rather over optimistic title for this relatively simple house. At the back of the Palace is a beautiful shaded courtyard with a fountain. When purchased by the City in 1929, only the exterior walls were intact, but the building has reconstructed to show how it would have looked in colonial times. Click on Tab 2 to see the exterior of the Palace.
The Alamo
The Alamo story is part of Texas legend. In 1793 the missions in San Antonio were closed and Misión San Antonio de Valero was used for stationing troops, who named it the Alamo. In the 1830’s deteriorating relations with the Mexican authorities triggered battles between Texan independence fighters and Mexican troops, and on March 2, 1836 Texas declared independence. Four days later, Mexican General Santa Anna’s forces surrounded a band of independence fighters in the Alamo. The defenders lead by William B Travers held out for 13 days before they were overwhelmed. Famous casualties included Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett but legend and historians differ on their fate. Did Crockett go down guns blazing as in the legend or was he captured and executed by Santa Anna?
© Mike Elsden 1981 - 2023
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