Originally founded as a Spanish mission in 1718, San Antonio became a city in 1731. Today it is the second largest city in Texas with a population of 1.5 million. Only Houston is larger with 2.3 million. However, San Antonio is the most visited Texas city. Best known for the Alamo, there are still numerous other sites worth visiting.
The Alamo
The Alamo was constructed as a mission in 1758 and is best known for the 13-day siege by the Mexican Army in 1836. Annually, there are about 1.6 million visitors. The first photo is dated 1868. The second shows Teddy Roosevelt in 1905 while in town for a Rough Riders reunion. The third photo is dated 1910.
Menger Hotel
The Menger Hotel was built in 1859 on the site of the Battle of the Alamo. It is the oldest, continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi River. In 1889, the Menger bar was where Teddy Roosevelt recruited men who would later be known as The Rough Riders. The first photo is dated 1865.
City Hall
San Antonio’s city hall opened in 1891 and is one of the country’s oldest public buildings still in use. This ca.1915 photo shows a clock at the top of the building. It needed to be cranked 160 times once a week.
Uptown Theater
The Uptown Theater opened in 1928. It cost one million dollars to build and boasted a lavish indoor garden. Time has not been kind. It was briefly occupied by St Ann’s Parish, and is now awaiting renovation and sale. The first photo is dated 1945.
Kalteyer House
The Kalteyer House was built in 1891. It is 6,500 sq. ft., and has six bedrooms and ten fireplaces, all on a 1/3 acre lot! The sale price has recently been reduced from 2.7 million to 2 million dollars. The first photo is dated ca. 1891.
Mission San Jose
The Mission San Jose was built in 1768 and closed in 1824. Over the years, it declined steadily due to its being occupied by soldiers quartered there. In addition, in 1868 significant storm damage occurred. In the 1930s, the WPA conducted a major restoration. The Mission is now part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park administered by the National Park Service. The first photo is dated ca. 1880 and the third (showing the Rose Window) is dated ca. 1905.
