Millions of people visit the River Walk each year to enjoy this unusual urban sanctuary that winds along the San Antonio River in central San Antonio, one story below the bustling street level. Restaurants, galleries and shops line the banks of the downtown River Walk while the north and south banks of the River are less commercial. The River Walk’s new Museum Reach opened in May 2009 and stretches north along the San Antonio River, and connects the existing River Walk to the San Antonio Museum of Art and the 125-year-old Pearl Brewery, a vibrant urban village. New public art installations, by local, national and international artists, line the banks. A lock and dam system, the only one in Texas, overcomes a 9-ft. rise in elevation. Take a river taxi and navigate right through the lock and dam. The Museum Reach is the first phase of a concerted community effort to revitalize the San Antonio River begun in 1998. A comprehensive, multi-year project is underway to restore and enhance 13 miles of the San Antonio River both north and south of downtown. Take a Sunset River Cruise One of the best ways to see the new art installations along the River Walk Museum Reach is a sunset taxi ride. You'll see the full charm and beauty of the art lit up in the darkness. Pick up a river taxi at convenient stops along the River Walk. The Rio Taxi drivers have tickets on board that you may purchase, or you may purchase them in advance at a ticket location. Find boarding points and get tickets Guided River Tour Explore the River Walk's downtown section aboard a river cruiser. You'll learn about San Antonio's rich history from a professional storyteller who is also the boat captain. It's a great way to learn more about San Antonio and its famous River Walk.
Established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, for over 300 years, the former mission now known as the Alamo has been a crossroads of history. Having existed under six flags of independent nations and served as a garrison for five different armies, the Alamo has a rich history and a heritage to inspire all Texans. Although the site is best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, all 300 years of Alamo history are vital to our story.
The Alamo Mission in San Antonio, commonly called the Alamo and originally known as Misión San Antonio de Valero, is part of the San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Founded in the 18th century as a Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound, it was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. The Alamo is now a museum in the Alamo Plaza Historic District.The compound was one of the early Spanish missions in Texas, built for the education of area Native Americans after their conversion to Christianity. In 1793, the mission was secularized and then abandoned. Ten years later, it became a fortress housing a military unit, the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras, who likely gave the mission the name Alamo. During the Texas Revolution, Mexican General Martin Perfecto de Cos surrendered the fort to the Texian Army in December 1835, following the Siege of Béxar. A relatively small number of Texian soldiers then occupied the compound for several months. They were wiped out at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. When the Mexican army retreated from Texas several months later, they tore down many of the Alamo walls and burned some of the buildings.
The Magik Theatre was created as a voice for young people and families throughout the region, producing live stage versions of children's classic and contemporary literature. Since opening its doors in 1994, The Magik Theatre has played to over 1.5 million children and their families. Discover the place where books come to life - The Magik Theatre.
The Aztec Theatre is a historic theater in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA.HistoryBuilt in 1926, the Aztec Theatre is a notable example of the impressive exotic-theme motion picture palaces constructed in the United States during the economic boom of the 1920s. The Kellwood Corporation, owned by Robert Bertrum Kelly (the architect on record) and H.C. Woods, constructed the theater in 1926 with the financial backing of Commerce Reality at a cost of $1.75 million.The Aztec Theatre was part of the Theater district that included the Empire (1914), the Texas (1926), the Majestic (1929), and the Alameda (1949).Though the theater remained highly popular for many decades, by the 1970s, it was in decline. It was cut into three auditoriums as the Aztec Triplex, but this only slowed the eventual. In 1989, the Aztec closed. Since October 1992, the theatre is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which helped save it from demolition. Based on San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the second most popular tourist attraction in Texas, the new Aztec Theatre re-opened in August 2009 as a concert venue.San Antonio Rose Live was a two-hour live show featuring traditional country, western swing, and gospel music. Featuring the San Antonio Rose Live Band composed of 9 world-class musicians from Nashville, Branson, Austin and San Antonio. http://www.sanantonioroselive.com/ This show closed in February 2012 due to "the current and future economic circumstances".The Aztec Theatre was leased in September 2013. The new leaseholders are turning the theatre into a multi-purpose event center, which will host public and private functions, as well as provide a venue for musical acts. The website is located at http://www.theaztectheatre.com.
The Menger Hotel is a historic hotel located in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA.The Menger FamilyWilliam and Mary Menger opened the Menger hotel in 1859 in San Antonio’s Alamo Plaza. The plans for the hotel arose through the popularity of William Menger’s brewery. The Mengers sold the property in 1881 to the Kampmann family. William Menger had emigrated from Germany to America in 1847. Menger settled in San Antonio and resumed his previous trade as a cooper and brewer. With his German roots Menger brought beer to San Antonio. He opened the Menger Brewery in 1855 on the battle-grounds of the Alamo (now known as the Alamo Plaza). In 1858 the Mengers hired an architect, John M. Fries, who would complete the two-story fifty-room hotel. Up until this point most businesses in San Antonio were boarding houses and there were few breweries. The Menger hotel opened in February 1859 and became an overnight success.The Construction of The Menger HotelThe Menger Hotel was built in 1859. William Menger hired John M. Fries to be the architect of the hotel and J.H Kampmann to be the contractor of the hotel.The Menger Hotel During the Civil WarThe hotel also withstood the trials and tribulations brought on throughout the time of the family’s ownership. The Mengers witnessed the exciting events that led up to the Civil War and also experienced the turmoil of the Reconstruction in the South. As the Civil War began gaining steam in southern Texas it brought many Army soldiers to San Antonio. The large amount of soldiers stationed in San Antonio during this time created a large need for boarding houses, which the Menger’s happily provided rooms to the soldiers. It is known that famous Army men such as Sam Houston and Robert E. Lee stayed as guests in the hotel. Once the Civil War began the Menger hotel did very little business and it was a struggle to maintain the business during this time. Given the charitable nature of the Menger family they decided to put the hotel to use to aid in the war effort. Due to the slow service and hard to come by help the hotel shut down its guestrooms during the war, however they maintained their meal service in order to feed the officers and soldiers of the war. The hotel also offered space for medical care of wounded soldiers. Once the war ended in the south the hotel was quickly back in business. Once again proving that the Menger’s hotel had made a name for itself in San Antonio.
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Travis Park is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. The park was once part of the original Alamo Mission in San Antonio at its current location, and is situated across the street from the Saint Anthony Hotel. Francisco Garcia purchased the land in 1819. In 1851, the land was acquired by Samuel Augustus Maverick. Upon his deathin 1870, Maverick deeded the property to the city of San Antonio, which originally named it Travis Plaza, in honor of Alamo commandant William Barret Travis. In 1953, Maverick's granddaughter Rena Maverick Green spearheaded the San Antonio Conservation Society's successful campaign to save the facility from having an underground parking lot built beneath it. Many improvements have been made to the park over the years, through the generous donations of time and money from public entities and private individuals. The site currently hosts an annual outdoor jazz festival.
Travis Park is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. The park was once part of the original Alamo Mission in San Antonio at its current location, and is situated across the street from the Saint Anthony Hotel. Francisco Garcia purchased the land in 1819. In 1851, the land was acquired by Samuel Augustus Maverick. Upon his deathin 1870, Maverick deeded the property to the city of San Antonio, which originally named it Travis Plaza, in honor of Alamo commandant William Barret Travis. In 1953, Maverick's granddaughter Rena Maverick Green spearheaded the San Antonio Conservation Society's successful campaign to save the facility from having an underground parking lot built beneath it. Many improvements have been made to the park over the years, through the generous donations of time and money from public entities and private individuals. The site currently hosts an annual outdoor jazz festival.
The Pearl Brewing Company was an American brewery, established in 1883 in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA. In 1985, Pearl's parent company purchased the Pabst Brewing Company and assumed the Pabst name. In 1999, the Pabst Brewing Company began transferring its production to Miller Brewing, on a contract basis, and closing all of its breweries. Pearl beer is still in production at Miller's Ft. Worth, Texas facility, but the Pearl Brewery in San Antonio was closed in 2001. Since then, the former brewery was purchased by Silver Ventures, Inc., which has made the property the crown jewel in revitalization efforts of southern Midtown and northern Downtown San Antonio.History1881–1920: Origin to ProhibitionThe site owned and operated by the Pearl Brewing Company was originally known as both the J. B. Behloradsky Brewery (1881–1883) and the City Brewery. Privately held and poorly run for two years, the City Brewery was purchased by an investment group in 1883. The investment group was composed of local businessmen and several moguls already involved in brewing at San Antonio's other major brewery, the Lone Star Brewing Company. Together they formed the San Antonio Brewing Company (1883–1888), and began to raise capital to fully restart and improve operations at the brewery. In 1886, after three years, the company had secured the necessary capital and began full-time operations at the brewery again. The name San Antonio Brewing Association was used as a parent to the brewing company, since it also managed some of the founding members' other business interests. Functionally, the business structure worked, but it caused confusion with city officials, customers, and business partners; therefore, in the end, the investment group dissolved the San Antonio Brewing Company and used the San Antonio Brewing Association (1888–1918) name for all operations and business transactions. Thus, in seven years, the same brewery had three different names. In addition, the name City Brewery was frequently used. The first logos used for the San Antonio Brewing Company/Association even featured the name City Brewery in the logo. City Brewery was carried over from the Behloradsky days and was used until the beginning of Prohibition in 1918.
The Weston Centre is a 32-story modern-styled skyscraper in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA. Standing at a structural height of 444 feet (135 m), it is the third tallest skyscraper in San Antonio and the city's tallest office building.HistoryThe building was originally called NBC Bank Plaza, and is faced with precast concrete containing Texas granite and limestone. The city's riverwalk passes directly to the east of the building. The building and adjacent garages were completed at a cost of $80.9 million, at the time the most expensive commercial project San Antonio had ever seen.In popular cultureFilm The 1991 film Knight Rider 2000 shows the exterior of the building in a few shots and scenes were filmed inside the lobby. Television That '70s show season seven episode eight (titled "Angie") shows the Weston Centre and Downtown San Antonio out of a window despite the scene being set in Wisconsin.
The Tower Life Building is a landmark and historic building in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA.Construction of the tower began in 1927 and the building rises 403 feet (123 meters) and has 30 floors. The building, which opened in 1929, was originally named the Smith-Young Tower and is the central component of a partially completed development called the Bowen Island Skyscrapers. The eight sided, neo-gothic brick and terra-cotta tower (complete with gargoyles) was designed by noted local architectural firm Ayres & Ayres (Atlee & Robert M. Ayres). The building also housed San Antonio's first Sears, Roebuck and Company store in its lowest 6 levels.The other completed building in the development is the former Plaza Hotel (also designed by Ayres & Ayres), which opened in 1927. The property became the local outlet of Hilton Hotels in 1956 and was converted into the Granada Apartments in 1966. Subsequent structures in the development were never built as a direct result of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression.In the 1940s the building was renamed the Transit Tower for the San Antonio Transit Company, which the Smith Brothers purchased in 1943. In 1953 a television transmission tower was added to the structure. Renovations in 2010 removed the obsolete television mast in favor of the tower's original design, a copper tophouse with a 100 ft tall flagpole.The building is now named for its current owner, Tower Life Insurance Company.In 1991 the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Aztec Theatre is a historic theater in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA.HistoryBuilt in 1926, the Aztec Theatre is a notable example of the impressive exotic-theme motion picture palaces constructed in the United States during the economic boom of the 1920s. The Kellwood Corporation, owned by Robert Bertrum Kelly (the architect on record) and H.C. Woods, constructed the theater in 1926 with the financial backing of Commerce Reality at a cost of $1.75 million.The Aztec Theatre was part of the Theater district that included the Empire (1914), the Texas (1926), the Majestic (1929), and the Alameda (1949).Though the theater remained highly popular for many decades, by the 1970s, it was in decline. It was cut into three auditoriums as the Aztec Triplex, but this only slowed the eventual. In 1989, the Aztec closed. Since October 1992, the theatre is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which helped save it from demolition. Based on San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the second most popular tourist attraction in Texas, the new Aztec Theatre re-opened in August 2009 as a concert venue.San Antonio Rose Live was a two-hour live show featuring traditional country, western swing, and gospel music. Featuring the San Antonio Rose Live Band composed of 9 world-class musicians from Nashville, Branson, Austin and San Antonio. http://www.sanantonioroselive.com/ This show closed in February 2012 due to "the current and future economic circumstances".The Aztec Theatre was leased in September 2013. The new leaseholders are turning the theatre into a multi-purpose event center, which will host public and private functions, as well as provide a venue for musical acts. The website is located at http://www.theaztectheatre.com.
The Aztec Theatre is a historic theater in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA.HistoryBuilt in 1926, the Aztec Theatre is a notable example of the impressive exotic-theme motion picture palaces constructed in the United States during the economic boom of the 1920s. The Kellwood Corporation, owned by Robert Bertrum Kelly (the architect on record) and H.C. Woods, constructed the theater in 1926 with the financial backing of Commerce Reality at a cost of $1.75 million.The Aztec Theatre was part of the Theater district that included the Empire (1914), the Texas (1926), the Majestic (1929), and the Alameda (1949).Though the theater remained highly popular for many decades, by the 1970s, it was in decline. It was cut into three auditoriums as the Aztec Triplex, but this only slowed the eventual. In 1989, the Aztec closed. Since October 1992, the theatre is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which helped save it from demolition. Based on San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the second most popular tourist attraction in Texas, the new Aztec Theatre re-opened in August 2009 as a concert venue.San Antonio Rose Live was a two-hour live show featuring traditional country, western swing, and gospel music. Featuring the San Antonio Rose Live Band composed of 9 world-class musicians from Nashville, Branson, Austin and San Antonio. http://www.sanantonioroselive.com/ This show closed in February 2012 due to "the current and future economic circumstances".The Aztec Theatre was leased in September 2013. The new leaseholders are turning the theatre into a multi-purpose event center, which will host public and private functions, as well as provide a venue for musical acts. The website is located at http://www.theaztectheatre.com.
The Majestic Theatre is San Antonio's oldest and largest atmospheric theatre. The theatre seats 2,311 people and was designed by architect John Eberson, for Karl Hoblitzelle's Interstate Theatres in 1929.In 1975, the theatre was listed on the National Register of Historical Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993. The theatre was home to the San Antonio Symphony from 1989 to 2014. For many years, it remained the largest theatre in Texas and the second largest movie theatre in the United States. It was also the first theatre in the state to be totally air-conditioned.
San Antonio is an Amtrak railroad station located on the eastern portion of Downtown San Antonio, in San Antonio, Texas.ServiceSan Antonio Station serves two Amtrak lines; the Sunset Limited and the Texas Eagle. The two lines are actually part of the same train from Los Angeles, California, but splits at this station with the Sunset Limited continuing onto New Orleans, Louisiana and the Texas Eagle to Chicago, Illinois.San Antonio Station provides an Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach route serving Harlingen, Brownsville, and McAllen, Texas.HistoryAmtrak previously utilized the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Station, that was also known as the Sunset Station. It was designed by SP's architect Daniel J. Patterson in the Spanish Mission Revival style, and built in 1902 by the SP. The train station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, for over 300 years, the former mission now known as the Alamo has been a crossroads of history. Having existed under six flags of independent nations and served as a garrison for five different armies, the Alamo has a rich history and a heritage to inspire all Texans. Although the site is best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, all 300 years of Alamo history are vital to our story.
The Alamo Cenotaph, also known as the Spirit of Sacrifice, is a monument in San Antonio, Texas, United States, commemorating the Battle of the Alamo, which was fought at the adjacent Alamo Mission. The monument was erected in celebration of the centenary of the battle, and bears the names of those known to have fought there on the Texas side.HistoryAlthough there had been previous plans for Alamo monuments, starting in the late 1800s, the Alamo Cenotaph was the first such erected in San Antonio. (There had been one previous monument in Austin, but it was lost in a Capitol fire.) During the 1936 Texas Centennial celebration, the state of Texas provided $100,000 for the monument, commissioned from local sculptor Pompeo Coppini. San Antonio mayor Maury Maverick held a dedication ceremony on November 11, 1940.The shaft rises sixty feet from its base and is forty feet long and twelve feet wide. The monument was erected in grey Georgia marble and pink Texas granite. It was entitled The Spirit of Sacrifice and incorporates images of the Alamo garrison leaders and 187 names of known Alamo defenders, derived from the research of historian Amelia Williams. Later research has shown some listed on the cenotaph were not there, and the total of Alamo combatants has risen with newer research.InscriptionThe marker on the cenotaph reads:Erected in memory of the heroes who sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836, in the defense of Texas. They chose never to surrender nor retreat; these brave hearts, with flag still proudly waving, perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding of this Texas.
El Cenotafio de El Álamo también conocido como el Espíritu de sacrificio, es un monumento en el distrito histórico de la Plaza del Álamo del centro de San Antonio, en el estado de Texas al sur de los Estados Unidos. El escultor principal fue el italiano Pompeo Luigi Coppini. Allí se conmemora la batalla de El Álamo, que se luchó en la adyacente Misión de El Álamo. El monumento fue erigido en conmemoración del centenario de la batalla, y lleva los nombres de los que se conocen para haber luchado allí por el lado de Texas. En el cenotafio se lee: Erigido en memoria de los héroes que sacrificaron sus vidas en el Álamo, el 6 de marzo de 1836 en la «defensa de Texas», "Eligieron nunca rendirse ni retroceder, estos valientes corazones con la bandera aún ondeando con orgullo perecieron en las llamas de la inmortalidad que con su gran sacrificio dieron lugar a la fundación de esta Texas".Véase también Cenotafio Monumento funerario Monumento conmemorativo
The St. Joseph Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio, located at 623 East Commerce Street in downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. The Gothic Revival house of worship was the fourth Catholic parish in the city.The church is an example of what the Chinese describe as a nail house; when the church refused to sell to a property developer a large shopping mall was constructed around it.Parish historyThe church occupies the probable second site of the Missión San Antonio de Valero, before it was moved in 1724 to its present location. The cornerstone of the church was laid in 1868, and it was finally completed in 1871. It served a large and growing community of German immigrants. In the 1870s, Friar Henry Pfefferkorn, founder of the Liederkranz, painted the Annunciation and Assumption murals on the side altars. A steeple was added in 1898. Stained glass windows, imported from the Emil Frei Art Glass Factory in Munich, Germany, were installed in 1902.In 1944, Joske's department store offered to buy the church grounds in order to develop it commercially. Parishioners unanimously refused the offer to move from the site and so instead Joske's built around the three sides of the church, earning the church from locals the moniker "St. Joske's". A restoration was commenced in 1981. Today, the parish serves as home to a multicultural community and as a popular attraction for tourists. Spanish-language masses are held with mariachi music and the San Antonio Liederkranz sings once a month.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, is an historic church in San Antonio, Texas, United States, founded as a parish in 1858 that was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 12, 1998. Lady Bird Johnson and Lyndon B. Johnson were married at St. Mark's on November 17, 1934. The church is located at 315 East Pecan Street in Travis Park, in the heart of the River Walk District and is only four blocks from the Alamo. The rector is the Reverend Beth Knowlton (called to be rector on May 20, 2014).National Register listingSt. Mark's Episcopal Church(added 1998 - Building - #98000103)315 E. Pecan St., San AntonioFounded: 1858Built (completion): 1877Historic Significance: Architecture/EngineeringArchitect, builder, or engineer: et al., Upjohn, RichardArchitectural Style: Gothic Revival, Late 19th And 20th Century RevivalsArea of Significance: ArchitecturePeriod of Significance: 1850-1874, 1875–1899, 1925–1949, 1950–1974Owner: PrivateHistoric Function: ReligionHistoric Sub-function: Religious StructureCurrent Function: ReligionCurrent Sub-function: Religious Structure
The Magik Theatre was created as a voice for young people and families throughout the region, producing live stage versions of children's classic and contemporary literature. Since opening its doors in 1994, The Magik Theatre has played to over 1.5 million children and their families. Discover the place where books come to life - The Magik Theatre.
Travis Park is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. The park was once part of the original Alamo Mission in San Antonio at its current location, and is situated across the street from the Saint Anthony Hotel. Francisco Garcia purchased the land in 1819. In 1851, the land was acquired by Samuel Augustus Maverick. Upon his deathin 1870, Maverick deeded the property to the city of San Antonio, which originally named it Travis Plaza, in honor of Alamo commandant William Barret Travis. In 1953, Maverick's granddaughter Rena Maverick Green spearheaded the San Antonio Conservation Society's successful campaign to save the facility from having an underground parking lot built beneath it. Many improvements have been made to the park over the years, through the generous donations of time and money from public entities and private individuals. The site currently hosts an annual outdoor jazz festival.