Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cos, brother-in-law of Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna, decided to … The San Antonio Zoo, which includes an aquarium, is a popular attraction. It preserves much of its historical atmosphere and embraces its cultural diversity. The mission, later called the Alamo (Spanish: “Cottonwood”), was one of five founded in the area and was named for St. Anthony of Padua. The site, on the river’s west bank, was a stopping place on the trail through the Texas wilderness between missions on the Rio Grande and those in East Texas. In 1891 a group of citizens decided to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto with a Battle of Flowers. The city also has dozens of music, dance, and theatre organizations, including a professional symphony. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). See what restaurants & attractions are open. San Fernando Cathedral (completed 1873) is the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishopric. As the first civilian settlement in Texas, San Antonio de Béxar was founded in 1718. Since 1995, Tom Jackson, a 5 th generation Texan and internationally-known living historian, has taken his audiences from all over the world on fun, entertaining, and inspirational journeys through San Antonio's unique history while dressed in historic attire. Thank you for reporting this station. San Antonio was founded May 1, 1718, when a Spanish expedition from Mexico established the Mission San Antonio de Valero. The city’s rich culture offers an authentic glimpse of early Spanish colonial life in the Southwest. As the first civilian settlement in Texas, San Antonio de Béxar was founded in 1718. San Antonio was the most important town in Texas and the rebels wanted to capture it. The History Of The San Antonio River Walk In 1 Minute. The Alamodome (1993) is the site of conventions, concerts, and sporting events. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. By 1837, when it became a county seat of the Republic of Texas, it had been renamed San Antonio. It is situated at the headwaters of the San Antonio River on the Balcones Escarpment, about 80 miles (130 km) southwest of Austin. Last Updated: Dec 17, 2020 See Article History San Antonio Spurs, American professional basketball team established in 1967 that is based in San Antonio, Texas. The city’s rich culture offers an authentic glimpse of early Spanish colonial life in the Southwest. Our brave old world is your next, new adventure. San Antonio was permanently settled on May 1, 1718, when the Spanish governor of Coahuila and Texas, Martin de Alarcón, founded the presidio (a fort) of San Antonio de Bejar (Bexar) and the mission of San Antonio de Valero (later called the Alamo) on the site of a Coahuiltecan Indian village. Then, 18 years later, what is now known as San Antonio was founded on May 1, 1718. Historic San Antonio: Brave Old World Come and breathe in the life of historic San Antonio. The city quickly became the commercial hub of the Southwest. Top San Antonio History Museums: See reviews and photos of history museums in San Antonio, Texas on Tripadvisor. A health science centre of the University of Texas is also there. Spanish explorers first visited the site, then a camp of the Payaya Indians, in 1691. Capturing the spirit of Texas, San Antonio is a Mecca for history buffs.From its Native American occupation, discovery by Spanish explorers, old missions, the Battle of the Alamo, and the Old West, the history and attractions of this beautiful city can entertain its visitors for days. In 1691, San Antonio was discovered by Spanish explorers who first visited the site, then by a camp of the Payaya Indians. The mission is renamed Mission San Antonio de Valero. According to the 2015 Tourism Report , 34.4 million visitors came to the San Antonio metropolitan area. In 2001 Ed Garza was elected the city’s second modern-era Hispanic mayor and was in office until 2005. On May 5 a presidio (military garrison) known as San Antonio de Béxar was established nearby. Physical Address Development and Business Services Center 1901 S. Alamo San Antonio, TX 78204 Phone: 210.207.0035 Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:45am - … The River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is San Antonio’s outdoor centrepiece. The History Shop, San Antonio: Address, Phone Number, The History Shop Reviews: 4.5/5 Stay … Take comfort in knowing you have a great place to stay. Nearby are three U.S. Air Force bases: Lackland, Randolph, and Brooks. The St. Anthony (from USD 183) historic hotels in san antonio | the st. anthony. San Fernando de Béxar functioned as provincial capital from 1773 to 1824, but in subsequent years its political authority waned. In 1731 settlers from the Canary Islands laid out the town of San Fernando de Béxar near the presidio, where a civilian community had been planned when the presidio and mission were established. A large portion of trade between Mexico and the United States passes through the San Antonio area’s interstate highway system. "The Iceman" And "The Admiral" Stand Tall In Spurs' Past And Future 1966-69: In The Beginning 1969-73: A Change Of Names, A Change Of Cities 1973: Franchise Relocates To San Antonio It grew rapidly after independence, led by large numbers of German immigrants. San Antonio, also known by such titles as the Alamo City, the Mission City, the River City, and Military City, U.S.A. (which the city trademarked in 2017), has a 300-year history that stretches back to Spanish Texas with the establishment of a presidio, town, and five Franciscan missions along the San Antonio River. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. © 2020 Visit San Antonio. The arrival of the first railroad in 1877 brought migrants from the American South, and Mexican immigrants settled there after the start of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. HemisFair Park, the site of the world’s fair, is linked to the central city by the River Walk and is used for conventions and exhibitions; the park’s Institute of Texan Cultures traces nationalities of Texas, and its Tower of the Americas, 750 feet (229 metres) tall, is a city landmark. Historical Events. It is 150 miles (240 km) from the Mexican border at Laredo, on one of the most-traveled routes to Mexico. The mission, later called the Alamo (Spanish: “Cottonwood”), was one of five founded in the area and was named for St. Anthony of Padua . Mission San Francisco de la Espada: This mission is established in 1690 by Spain.In 1731, it was relocated to present-day San Antonio, Texas, inwhat was then known as northern New Spain. Stephen F. Austin was named commander of the Texian army and immediately marched on San Antonio: he arrived there with some 300 men in mid-October. San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the country. "The history of the missions and the lives of the native Americans who lived with the Franciscans who open the missions before the Texas Revolution." SeaWorld San Antonio includes amusement rides and animal shows as well as marine animal exhibits. In 1968 a world’s exposition, known as HemisFair, was held there to commemorate the city’s 250th anniversary and to celebrate its cultural ties with Latin America. The San Antonio River Walk has been a must-visit location in Texas for years, and there is no questioning why. The mission was secularized in 1793 and became a military post. Come and breathe in the life of historic San Antonio. If you’re from San Antonio, Fiesta isn’t just a large parade with parties; it’s a ten-day holiday where the whole city comes alive with color, and through the streets filled with people, you regularly hear ‘Happy Fiesta!’ Here’s the history behind the city’s beloved event, which has transformed tremendously since its inception in 1891. Keep “San Antonio 365: On This Day in History,” by David Martin Davies and Yvette D. Benavides on your desk or in your work tote for quick, daily comparisons between then — … Come enjoy an engaging program or other services while you enjoy learning just why the historic “Alamo City” is so special. During its early years the settlement suffered from raids by Apache and Comanche tribes. 9 February 2017. Remains of 18th-century Spanish structures dot the city, contrasting with modern office buildings. We will review the data in question. Updates? In December 1835, at the outset of the Texas Revolution, Texan forces occupied the Alamo. Casa Navarro State Historic Site preserves the home (c. 1848) of José Antonio Navarro, a Mexican statesman who supported the independence of Texas. By 1890, San Antonio, Texas, was a thriving trade center with population of 38,000. The San Antonio Museum of Art has a collection of Latin American art, and the Museo Alameda, which is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, is dedicated to Latin American culture.