[English] Francisco Ignacio Madero, a Mexican revolutionary and president known as the “Apostle of Democracy," was born in 1873 to an affluent family with long Texas connections. He ran against Mexican ruler Porfirio Díaz in the 1910 . . . — — Map (db m235037) HM
Throughout History San Pedro Creek has flowed through an ever changing landscape. The creek had always flooded, but as residential and commercial development along the stream increased property and lives were at greater risk. Projects to control . . . — — Map (db m214649) HM
A puzzling structure is discovered during excavation of the creek channel.
Before the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project began, the San Antonio River Authority commissioned a cultural resources survey to identify archaeological and . . . — — Map (db m225337) HM
Houston Street, known from the 1700s until the middle 1800s as Paseo (passageway) or Paseo Hondo (deep passageway), was sloped to the San Antonio River. Nearby land drained to the river, and the usually dusty street became a muddy . . . — — Map (db m119149) HM
Here he entertained Robert E. Lee and other famous men. He was known for his Christianity, hospitality, and charity to the poor and orphans. He blew up his store to keep the powder and shot from the enemy during Vasquez's Raid March 1842. He was . . . — — Map (db m30600) HM
Constructed in 1928, at a cost of $3,000,000 this structure was designed by John Eberson for Karl Hoblitzelle, owner of the interstate theatre chain. Chiefly Spanish Colonial Revival in design, its eclectic features include paired columns supporting . . . — — Map (db m30605) HM
The three-story limestone Maverick-Carter house was constructed on the north side of San Antonio’s central business district in 1893 for real estate developer William Harvey Maverick, son of Texas Declaration of Independence signer Samuel Augustus . . . — — Map (db m235155) HM
Artisans of Mexican Arts and Crafts, founded by San Antonio entrepreneur Ethel Wilson Harris in 1931, created this mural for Mayor Maury Maverick as a private work for a family home.
From 1939 to 1941, Harris also supervised the WPA Arts and . . . — — Map (db m119066) HM
Spain, which ruled Mexico for 300 years ending in 1821, paid little attention to its northeastern frontier until French settlers built outposts near the Red River in Louisiana. The Spanish responded by establishing missions in East Texas in the . . . — — Map (db m119601) HM
Spain, which ruled Mexico for 300 years ending in 1821, paid little attention to its northeastern frontier until French settlers built outposts near the Red River in Louisiana. The Spanish responded by establishing missions in East Texas in the . . . — — Map (db m119618) HM
This plaque is placed
in memory of
Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Beyer
Founders of Casa Rio Mexican Restaurant
A true pioneer with the vision
to make our river a better and
more beautiful people's place,
Mr. Beyer opened the first
River . . . — — Map (db m30712) HM
This marker commemorates the 275th anniversary of the naming of the site that became the city of San Antonio.
On the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, June 13, 1691, Padre Damian Massanet, Franciscan missionary and Governor Don Domingo Teran, . . . — — Map (db m82890) HM
The river in the downtown area is kept at a constant level by floodgates located just below the Nueva Street Bridge. The gates open during heavy rains, allowing water to pass safely from the upper to the lower channel. When this occurs, other . . . — — Map (db m119028) HM
In a 2-story stone building, afterwards a hotel, Vance House.
Established as administrative offices for U.S. Army during the Mexican War, 1846-1847.
At this site on Feb. 16, 1861, Gen. David E. Twiggs surrendered $1,600,000 in Federal . . . — — Map (db m132554) HM
This structure was built to house the San Antonio National Bank, organized by George W. Brackenridge and others in 1866 as the first federally chartered banking institution in the city. Cyrus L.W. Eidlitz, a New York architect, designed the building . . . — — Map (db m30346) HM
Established in 1852 in frontier San Antonio by 4 members of the Society of Mary: Brothers Andrew Edel, John Baptist Laignoux, Nicholas Koenig, and Xavier Mauclerc - all natives of France.
Construction of this building began in fall, 1852, and . . . — — Map (db m132557) HM
This sculpture symbolizes the first Mass celebrated in San Antonio on June 13, 1691. The day before, the first Spanish expedition to march across Texas to the Louisiana border reached a stream the Indians called Yanaguana -- “Place of Restful . . . — — Map (db m30861) HM
The Waters of San Pedro Creek nourished Native Americans for thousands of years before a permanent Spanish settlement was established here in the early 1700s. Canary Islanders who arrived in 1731 and Adaesans who came from East Texas in 1772 . . . — — Map (db m214598) HM
Spanish missionaries, soldiers, and families who settled San Antonio in the 1700s relied on the San Antonio River and irrigation ditches (acequias) to provide water for household and agricultural use. One of the earliest ditches, the Pajalache . . . — — Map (db m128817) HM
Quanah was the son of Peta Nocona, a Quahadi chief, and Cynthia Ann Parker, a white woman who had been captured as a child by the Indians. In the Comanches' fierce campaigns to save the plains for the buffalo and the Indian, young Quanah soon became . . . — — Map (db m227495) HM
The isolated Spanish outpost established a short distance northwest of here in 1718 was soon relocated to a more protected area between the river and San Pedro Creek in today's center city. The mission and its religious community were placed east of . . . — — Map (db m119599) HM
Established on what was a part of the Alamo lands, Saint Mark's Espicopal Church traces its history to Trinity Church, a mission established in 1850 and disbanded in 1858. Saint Mark's church was organized in 1858 with the Rev. Lucius H. Jones as . . . — — Map (db m132556) HM
St. Mary's Catholic Church founded in 1852 is the second-oldest parish in San Antonio; it opened in 1857 for two different congregations: the Germans and English. It was known as the Church for the English-speaking people of the city. The Spanish, . . . — — Map (db m238393) HM
The first public secondary school in the city, San Antonio High School opened in September 1879 with one teacher, F.M. Halbedl. Classes were initially held in the Fireman's Hall on Broadway. Following several moves, a school building was . . . — — Map (db m179564) HM
Scottish Rite Masonry in San Antonio dates to 1912, when a charter was granted by the sovereign grand inspector general of Texas. The organization grew slowly until World War I, when many soldiers stationed in San Antonio became members. This site . . . — — Map (db m30609) HM
After the Texas War for Independence, numerous immigrants, notably from Ireland, Germany, and the Eastern United States, arrived in San Antonio. The need to minister to these non-Hispanic Catholics prompted the Rt. Rev. John M. Odin, first Bishop of . . . — — Map (db m237177) HM
In the aftermath of the Civil War, the resolution of issues associated with education of newly freed slaves influenced the nature of Southern education well into the 20th century. The federal government established the Bureau of Refugees, . . . — — Map (db m118163) HM
Following the Civil War and the Emancipation of American slaves, the Federal Government established the Freedman's Bureau to oversee programs aimed at educating and assisting blacks with their newly-granted citizenship. One of the most visible of . . . — — Map (db m118166) HM
Ferdinand Ludwig Von Herff (1820-1912) was the son of Christian and Eleanora (Von Meusebach) Herff, prominent citizens of Darmstadt, Germany. The younger Von Herff studied in Giessen, Bonn and Berlin, graduating with a medical degree in 1843. He . . . — — Map (db m30554) HM
First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio.
Built by Rev. John McCollough (1805-1870). Used by all Protestant faiths. Plastered rock construction. — — Map (db m61238) HM
Records for this site date back to February 25, 1793, when the Spanish government granted the land to settler Matias del Rio. He planted six pecks of corn. The land was good, and his harvests are reported to have been excellent. In 1919, this . . . — — Map (db m225228) HM
San Antonio is named for the Catholic saint, Anthony (San Antonio) of Padua. Born in Portugal in 1195, he joined the Franciscan order and became a celebrated teacher of scripture. Anthony was declared a saint in 1232, less than a year after his . . . — — Map (db m119600) HM
Many immigrants from both the United States and Europe were attracted to the Republic of Texas after it became independent from Mexico in 1836. Among the new Texans were missionaries of various faiths, including the French Catholic priest Jean . . . — — Map (db m118178) HM
Designed by prominent Texas Architect James Riely Gordon (1864-1937), this structure was built in 1894 to house the successful carriage business of German immigrant August Frederick Staacke (d.1909). An excellent example of the architecture of a . . . — — Map (db m61239) HM
One of the finest remaining structures in San Antonio's late 19th-century commercial district, this building was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style by James Riely Gordon (1864-1937) and was completed in 1891. Over the years the first . . . — — Map (db m30593) HM
San Antonio's original water system, started in 1718, consisted of eight acequias or canals taking water from the San Antonio River and San Pedro Crek. These acequias extended 15 miles from the headwaters of the San Antonio River to the five . . . — — Map (db m30711) HM
The Community Grew Slowly in the years after its founding in 1718. In the earliest years of this community of New Spain, military and civilian residents intermingled, and there was no organized civilian settlement. By royal decree, municipal . . . — — Map (db m225449) HM
This house, one of the few
remaining indigenous limestone
houses in the area of San Antonio
formerly known as Irish Flats,
was built by Heinrich Beversdorff,
a Prussian immigrant. It was probably
finished sometime in 1854 and served
as a . . . — — Map (db m235114) HM
Founded by George W. Church the first Church's Fried Chicken-To-Go opened in April 1952. The walk-up stand was located one block south of the Alamo and initially sold two pieces of chicken and a roll for 49 cents. The stand's large windows allowed . . . — — Map (db m227342) HM
Erected in 1899 by Thomas Flannery, the front portion of this building was originally used as a tourist boarding house. It was sold to the Catholic Women's Association in 1936. The rear half of the structure was added in 1940, and the building . . . — — Map (db m235112) HM
Has been the "Official" timepiece for generations of San Antonians since it was installed in front of Eli Hertzberg Jewelry Company on Commerce Street in 1878.
Cast in iron by E. Howard Company of Boston and operating through a system of . . . — — Map (db m239137) HM
Beautification of the San Antonio River was a long-time dream of local residents who urged city officials to improve the river through the downtown area. These efforts were just beginning when devastating floods caused widespread damage in 1913 . . . — — Map (db m119898) HM
Suddenly, in the midst of an arid landscape of dire challenges, here was an unexpected oasis - brimming with life.
The First Spanish Explorers to arrive in the environs of San Pedro Creek and the nearby San Antonio River attested to a . . . — — Map (db m225326) HM
Constructed early in the 18th century by the Pajalache Indians as a part of their irrigation system, began here in La Villita and ended at Mission Concepción. The Padres and the Indians travelled in canoes between these places, as the acequia was . . . — — Map (db m237181) HM
San Antonio grew from a small Spanish colonial town to a bustling American city between 1800 and 1900. Years of fighting for independence - first from Spain and then from Mexico - left San Antonio in ruins.
Rebuilding began during the Republic . . . — — Map (db m119619) HM
The San Antonio River became a muddy, trash filled eyesore in the early 1900s. Alarmed city leaders rallied to save the beloved waterway by clearing away mud and debris, planting grass, and pumping water into the empty channel. Civic organizations, . . . — — Map (db m119598) HM
The San Antonio River begins four miles north of here, fed by springs that rise from the Edwards Aquifer deep below the Texas Hill Country. The river is also fed by tributaries along its winding, southeasterly course to join the Guadalupe River . . . — — Map (db m119617) HM
The original blessing of San Antonio-its abundant waters- would eventually have to be controlled to allow the city to grow and flourish.
The Pristine and Lush natural setting of the primordial creek, with its riparian abundance of flora . . . — — Map (db m225295) HM
Symbol that stands for the unity and friendship that exists between Mexico, the United States and Canada
When designing the sculpture, I thought of creating a symbol of light and I came up with the idea of a torch that stands tall to evoke . . . — — Map (db m31848) HM
Designed by Ernest P. Behles and built by the Gordon-Jones construction company, the three-story concrete and masonry Toltec apartment house was constructed in 1913 for Dr. Augustus Maverick, who was tragically murdered before its completion. The . . . — — Map (db m235163) HM
Founded by the Rev. John Wesley DeVilbiss (1818-83), missionary to Republic of Texas, who in 1844 preached first Protestant sermon ever heard in San Antonio and in June 1846 organized his congregation in the courthouse. Villagers called him "the . . . — — Map (db m132555) HM
County leaders purchased land on the west bank of the San Antonio River in 1859, intending to build a new courthouse and jail. Their plans changed and the property was sold in 1866 to a miller, Jacob Laux, who dammed the river and built a . . . — — Map (db m119162) HM
An old legend describes this twin cypress as a lookout of a Mexican sniper who picked off the Texans as they came to the river for water. — — Map (db m119152) HM
Irish immigrant John Twohig built his house here on the San Antonio River in the late 1840s. A suspended footbridge connected the house with his business on the opposite side of the river.
Twohig became known as the “breadline . . . — — Map (db m119550) HM
San Antonians had few places to educate their children before 1851 when Catholic Bishop Jean Marie Odin recruited members of the Order of St. Ursula to start a school for girls on the river at the northern edge of town.
The school grew quickly, . . . — — Map (db m118168) HM
Originally the unpaved El Paseo or Paseo Hondo, Houston Street had developed into San Antonio's premier retail and theater district by the early 20th century. Many spectacular commercial buildings from this era have been preserved. Follow the . . . — — Map (db m227696) HM
Originally the unpaved El Paseo or Paseo Hondo, Houston Street had developed into San Antonio's premier retail and theater district by the early 20th century. Many spectacular commercial buildings from this era have been preserved. Follow the . . . — — Map (db m227704) HM
Fine example of late Victorian architecture. Built 1888-1889 as residence by a leading post-Civil War San Antonio merchant, Saul Wolfson (1830-1923). Constructed of brick with quoined stone corners, ornate carved stone pediments. Lavish interiors . . . — — Map (db m235151) HM
A descendant of early Texas colonists, including a veteran of San Jacinto, Clara Driscoll was born in Refugio County and grew up as a wealthy rancher's daughter. In 1903, soon after returning from school in Europe, she learned that the Long . . . — — Map (db m30130) HM
In 1899, John Lang Sinclair became a student at the University of Texas (UT) in Austin. The first UT band was formed in 1900 and Sinclair, possessing an aptitude for music, joined it as well as the Glee Club. The student head of the Glee Club, . . . — — Map (db m30131) HM
The Cameo Theater, located at 1123 East Commerce, originally served as one of several segregated film facilities for Black people in San Antonio. The theater was built in 1940, but the Leon, the Ritz, and the Keyhole theaters preceded the Cameo. The . . . — — Map (db m245210) HM
230 N. Center Street, commonly referred to as "The Spire" today, was built in 1884 and was the first home of St. Paul Colored Methodist Church, as it was called during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War. It is the oldest African American . . . — — Map (db m245209) HM
Founded in 1905, Rotary International is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois and is the world’s oldest service organization. This plaque is erected on the occasion of the 92nd Annual Convention in which more than 20,000 Rotarians from over 120 . . . — — Map (db m30193) HM
One in a network of ditches begun by the Spanish and their Indian charges at the founding of San Antonio in 1718. Hand-dug and made of dressed limestone, the acequia diverted water from San Antonio River through fields belonging to San Antonio de . . . — — Map (db m195103) HM
Native San Antonian Henry B. Gonzalez spent 45 years in elective public office (city, state, federal) doing what he liked most - serving the people of San Antonio. As his seniority in Congress grew, he developed a greater role in serving the entire . . . — — Map (db m31890) HM
Mayer Halff (1836-1905) immigrated to Texas from Lauterborg, Alsace Lorraine, France, in 1850. In partnership with his brother Solomon, he opened a mercantile business in Liberty and began a cattle ranching enterprise. They moved to San Antonio in . . . — — Map (db m82808) HM
There is something in the nature of man that will not tolerate the unexplored. Always he finds his perimeter of ground too small, and restless stirrings prod his feet until he has gazed from every peak.
Following this elusive music hundreds of . . . — — Map (db m30215) HM
This house was built before 1855 on a Spanish land grant made to Dionicio Martínez and María de Luna. It was sold to the Travieso family in 1865, and to A.H. Shafer in 1888. Shafer listed his address in the 1889 and 1891 City Directories here on . . . — — Map (db m227393) HM
El Presidente Benito Juárez encabezó la Reforma que consolidó el México moderno, defendió la soberanía nacional contra la intervención extranjera e impulsó el desarrollo económico del país.
As one of the creators of modern Mexico, President . . . — — Map (db m82940) HM
Construction of Bolivar Hall was begun in 1940 and completed in 1941. The combination library, museum, and community center was dedicated to the promotion of inter-American peace, and was named in honor of South American patriot, Simon Bolivar. . . . — — Map (db m82915) HM
Otto Bombach, a carpenter, built this combination house and store in 1856 before moving to Mexico. His wife lived here and managed the property until it was sold in 1869. Victor Bracht, author of Texas in 1848, lived here briefly, and in . . . — — Map (db m82888) HM
Margarita Pérez de Rodríguez, consort of Compañía de Béxar soldier Jose Antonio Rodríguez, was given this land "in satisfaction of her constitutional allowance." She sold the property in 1851 to San Antonio postmaster John Bowen, who conveyed it to . . . — — Map (db m82896) HM
Marshal Luis Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias, was born at Rio de Janeiro, August 25, 1803, he died in his seventy-seventh year at Santa Monica, May 7, 1880, the Duke of Caxias, the only holder of that title in the history of Brazil, was that . . . — — Map (db m243255) HM
The 20th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) signing ceremony which occurred in this place on October 7, 1992 between the countries of Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America. From left to right (standing) . . . — — Map (db m82883) HM
Dolores Alderete (d. 1852) had this adobe and cedar post residence constructed about 1818. The widow of Ygnacio Gil, she had earlier received the site as a grant from the Spanish government for the military service of her husband. Originally the . . . — — Map (db m213447) HM
In 1810, Don Jose Miguel de Arciniega (1793- 1849), a maker of Texas, entered the Spanish military at the age of 17. After the Mexican War for Independence in 1821, Arciniega held many municipal posts, including San Antonio Alcalde in 1830 and . . . — — Map (db m213308) HM
Ernest Dosch and Ulrich Rische, proprietors of the Deer Horn Saloon, built this house sometime in the early 1880's. The family of Simon Gans, a dealer in cotton, wool, and hides, lived here until Dosch sold the home in 1906 to the Clauss Family. . . . — — Map (db m227386) HM
Built in 1810. On Jan. 22, 1811, Captain Juan Bautista de las Casas recruited forces here for first overthrow of Spanish rule in Texas by arresting governor, and other high officials.
On March 2, 1811, Juan Zambrano led counter revolutionary . . . — — Map (db m213309) HM
Built about 1890, this home was constructed on land bordering the Mission Concepcion Acequia (Canal). In 1896 the site was purchased by Prussian native William Ernst (1830-1904), a former mail carrier between Fredericksburg and San Antonio. Ernst . . . — — Map (db m61089) HM
The site of this house was granted to Eduardo Hernández - by the Mexican Government in 1831. Justo Esquida purchased the land in 1839, and in 1846, sold "one house and lot" to James M. Downs. In early 1850, shortly after Texas became a state, many . . . — — Map (db m227391) HM
Samuel McAllister bought land near his store in 1854, and contracted with Franklin D. Faville for construction of this house at a cost of $660. In 1855, Faville acquired the house from McAllister in satisfaction of an unpaid debt. Erasmus A. . . . — — Map (db m227349) HM
José Amador was given this property by the Spanish Government in 1817. His heirs sold it to P.L. Buquor in 1847. Later that year, James Gray bought the land and built this house, which he sold to French consul Francois Guilbeau in 1853. Another . . . — — Map (db m82893) HM
The Curbier Family, which was granted land in La Villita after the 1819 flood, sold this property in 1854 to Rafael Herrera, husband of their daughter Vicenta. Herrera built this house and owned it until 1897. The property, which extended back to . . . — — Map (db m82900) HM
Juana Francisca Montes de Flores inherited this property from her husband, Jose Leonardo de la Garza, and sold it to Ernest Hessler in 1869. Hessler built this house before 1873, when it appears on the city map. He never lived here, and in 1891 sold . . . — — Map (db m82912) HM
Like 208 South Presa, which it resembles, this house was probably built shortly after 1869 on land purchased by Ernest Hessler from Juana Francisca Montes de Flores. The structure, which appears on the 1873 city map, was rented when Louis Foutrel . . . — — Map (db m82913) HM
Great early San Antonio leader, a native of North Carolina. Moved to Illinois, then to Missouri, where he was sheriff of Rawls County in 1824. Came to Texas with Green DeWitt in 1826 and settled at Gonzales.
Smith moved to San Antonio in 1828 . . . — — Map (db m82880) HM
Benito Juarez, a simple Indian peasant with a sublime understanding of constitutional government, deposed and eliminated Emperor Maximilian, the European interloper, and thereby saved constitutional government for the American continent as well as . . . — — Map (db m243253) HM
As early as 1877, this land was the site of an adobe residence where Mrs. Kate Womble operated a boarding house popular among travelers to San Antonio. The house appeared on the 1873 city map. The Sanborn Insurance maps show it as late as 1904. The . . . — — Map (db m82910) HM
La Villita, “The Little Village”, settled about 1722 as “The Town of the Alamo". Here General Martin de Perfecto Cos signed the Articles of Capitulation to Texians December 11, 1835 and General Santa Anna's artillery battery . . . — — Map (db m82886) HM
La Villita, located on the south bank of the San Antonio River a short distance south of Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo), was settled in the 1700s. Situated on the river’s high bank near the mission, villa, and presidio, the area was . . . — — Map (db m128808) HM
In 1846, the Rev. J.W. De Vilbiss bought a Methodist Church site (across street) in this block. He set up a bell, to denote worship site, but did not build when lot title proved defective. In 1879, German Methodists erected this Gothic Revival . . . — — Map (db m61253) HM
Mariano Romano Losana bought this land in 1859, and probably built this house soon afterward. It was purchased by Rafael Lopez in l866 and sold again in 1871, when the deed referred to “the house, out houses, fences and all other . . . — — Map (db m82894) HM
In 1911, Leon and Anna Peters contracted for construction of a two-story brick building and one-story workshop costing $8,000. The structures replaced two small adobe houses which stood on the site. The Peters operated New York Star Cleaning and Dye . . . — — Map (db m227389) HM
Opening at this site in 1898 as "St. Philip's Saturday evening sewing class for black girls", this college was found by the Rt. Rev. James Steptoe Johnston (1843-1924), Episcopal Bishop of western Texas, who considered education a tool toward . . . — — Map (db m82879) HM
Don Jose de San Martin was born at Yapeyu, on the river Uruaguay Febuary 25, 1778; he died in his seventy-seventh year at Boulogne, France August 7, 1850. A vigorous, able clear sighted soldier and statesman San Martin did more than any other man . . . — — Map (db m243279) HM
