San Antonio Favorites

Favorite thing: It was a clear, sunny day as we walked along Main Plaza. The Bexar County Courthouse stood as a silent sentinel framed against the cool, blue sky.

San Antonio has seen four courthouses throughout the years: 1837, 1850, 1882 and the present structure built in 1892. The courthouse was constructed of red sandstone in the Romanesque Revival style by architect J. Riely Gordon. It was designed with a tall, picturesque tower and stately columns, which are hidden by the large tree on the grounds.

Favorite thing: I think San Antonio's City Hall is an impressive structure! I guess it should be since the city is the 7th largest in the United States as of 2005. It's population has doubled in 35 years and has a 58% Hispanic population.

Twenty million tourists come to San Antonio every year...most popular sight: THE ALAMO! This city also has the distinction of having been awarded the All-America City Award: Hall of Fame. It joins many other U.S. cities to have received this title.

The population is nearly 281,000 and the city has elected a democratic mayor.

Favorite thing: I always recommend you visit these centers. You never know what you may miss if you don't go inside. Always filled with lots of information and the people are always so helpful and friendly. So please check them out.

602 E. Commerce Street
Corner of Alamo & East Commerce Streets
Phone: (210) 229-2100 / Fax: (210) 229-1600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m
Visitor Center

Fondest memory: *It was enjoyable to see this city better, since I was not able to so many years ago. I really enjoyed my travels here!

Favorite thing: One of the beautiful things about San Antonio’s Riverwalk area are the various murals that can be found on a lot of the trails. A lot of time and effort has clearly gone into these beautiful artistic representations of the city, and the historical events of this town are recorded here. In this particular mural, you can see the six flags over Texas, the modern look of the city, its history with the Alamo and other missions, and of course the Riverwalk itself which binds most of these elements together.

Favorite thing: Bill Miller is a local institution and a lifesaver when you're jones-in for some bar-b-que in the middle of the week and don't have the time it takes for the real stuff from your backyard grill. Don't hesitate to stop in for a meal, or just a quick snack. Good stuff.

Fondest memory: I miss the Tea and Brownies. Best mid afternoon pick-me up. I never leave San Antonio without stopping for take out for my plane ride. Tons better than the peanuts and complimentary soft drinks that the airlines provide!

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Favorite thing: One of the things that is interesting to me about the San Antonio Missions, is that these locations were more than just missions. These were communities that were built in hostile lands at the time, with many different people fighting over the land and the mission itself. Between the actual Spanish missionaries, Native Americans that were remaining native as well as those who had been converted, Mexicans moving north, and Americans moving south, there were always people fighting over these missions.

The interesting part about these gun positions to me were how small the holes were. It seems like there would be just enough room to stick a rifle out the slot, but then there would be not much room to see what you were shooting at. I guess the main point of these positions were to maintain an amount of safety from people shooting inward, so I assume this was a good give and take.

If you are interested in looking at these up close, the best place is in Mission San Jose.

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Favorite thing: In 1921, the san Antonio River overflew and the flood destroyed the downtown. So the authorities decided to build a dam and a canal, called the Oxbow.
Some San Antonio inhabitants appreciated the banks of the canal and asked for the preservation of them.
The canal kept during a long time a bad fame : some residents used the water like a trash can.
Progressively, the image of the Riverwalk changed. The Hemisphere nearby was built in 1968 and restaurants set up along the canal.
Now it is a marvellous place for strolling and yo listen life music especially when the weather is hot.

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Favorite thing: “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.”

True Patriots in every sense of the word, the people who gave their lives at the Alamo are beautifully remembered outside the Alamo grounds with a wonderful statue presented 100 years after the battle that founded Texas occurred. The statue contains the names of each person who died in the battle, 189 in all. Some of the well known figures are also immortalized in full body portraits surrounding the statue. I definitely recommend spending 10-15 minutes reading every name, and you will get an appreciation of just how important these 189 men were to the state.