T e x a s H i s t o r y T r a i l P a s s p o r t
Texas History Trail Passport
San Antonio’s Role in Texas History The area was explored by Spanish expeditions in 1691 and 1709, which named the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek. The town grew out of San Antonio de Béxar Presidio, founded 1718, and the villa of San Fernando de Béxar, chartered by Canary Islanders in 1731. Beginning in 1718, five Spanish missions were located along the river. The presidial captain’s house (later the Spanish Governor’s Palace) was completed on Military Plaza in 1749, and San Fernando de Béxar Church was built by 1758. In 1773 San Antonio de Béxar became the capital of Spanish Texas. In 1778 the settlement had a population of 2,060, including mission Indians. Its circumstances were described as “miserable” by visitors. The population was poor and heterogeneous, made up of Europeans, mestizos, and a few black slaves. The missions were all secularized by 1795, and San Antonio de Valero Mission (later, the Alamo) became a military barracks. San Antonio declared for Mexican independence in 1813; it was recaptured by Royalist forces after the battles of Alazán Creek and Medina, and the population was decimated by purges. During the Texas Revolution, San Antonio was the site of several battles, including the siege of Bexar (December 1835) and the battle of the Alamo (March 6, 1836), which made it one of the most fought-over cities in North America. After the evacuation of Mexican forces, Bexar County was organized by the Republic of Texas in December 1836, and San Antonio was chartered in January 1837 as its seat. A failed attempt to negotiate the release of captives held by Comanche Indians resulted in yet another battle in the streets of the town, the Council House Fight of 1840. San Antonio was seized twice in the Mexican invasions of 1842, and the population was reduced to about 800 in 1846. After Texas entered the Union, growth became rapid, as the city became a servicing and distribution center for the western movement of the United States. The census showed 3,488 in 1850 and 8,235 in 1860, when San Antonio had become for the time the largest town in Texas (ahead of Galveston). Germans made up a large part of this growth; German speakers outnumbered both Hispanics and Anglos until after 1877. In 1861 local militia forced the surrender of the federal arsenal at San Antonio even before the state seceded 2
2015 San Antonio Edition
San Antonio’s Role in Texas History on March 2. Subsequently, San Antonio served as a Confederate depot. Several units such as John S. Ford’s Cavalry of the West were formed there, though the city was removed from the fighting. After the Civil War, San Antonio prospered as a cattle, distribution, mercantile, and military center serving the border region and the Southwest. The city was the southern hub and supplier of the cattle trail drives. An important wool market developed with the importation of merino sheep to the adjacent Hill Country. With the coming of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway in 1877, San Antonio, formerly without a transportation system, entered a new era of economic growth. The population reached 20,550 in 1880. The new immigration was overwhelmingly native-born Anglos, mostly from Southern states. In 1881 a second railroad, the International– Great Northern, reached the city from the northeast, and five railroads had built into the city by 1900. Modernization was explosive in the 1880s, comparable to growth patterns across the United States. Civic government, utilities, street paving and maintenance, water supply, telephones, hospitals, and a power plant were all established or planned. San Antonio was once again the largest city in the state in 1900, with a population of 53,321; it remained the largest city in 1910, with 96,614 inhabitants, and 1920, with 161,379. After 1910 Mexican immigration greatly increased due to the Mexican Revolution and the development of local service industries. The confluence of Hispanic, German, and Southern Anglo-American cultures in San Antonio made it into one of America’s “four unique cities” (along with Boston, New Orleans, and San Francisco). Each successive group of immigrants put its stamp upon the city, its culture, and architecture; all mingled, none quite submerging the others. Each period of growth produced characteristic and often distinguished architecture. Peculiarly, San Antonio succeeded in merging its past into the new in each generation. Old Spanish walls remain beside modern glass towers, with rows of Victorian mansions a block away, a combination that lends the city a charm sought out by millions of visitors. source: www.tshaonline.org 3
Texas History Trail Passport
Table of Contents 2. San Antonio’s Role in Texas History 5. About the Alamo 6. The Republic of Texas Restaurant® 8. The Briscoe Western Art Museum 10. Map 12. The Texas Star Trail 14. Spanish Governor’s Palace 16. Historic Market Square 18. Republic of Texas Interesting Facts 19. Buckhorn Saloon & Museum/Texas Ranger Museum 20. CitySightseeing San Antonio
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2015 San Antonio Edition
About the Alamo Many visitors to San Antonio recognize the old church of Mission San Antonio de Valero as the Alamo. In reality, “The Alamo” includes the historic mission compound that today makes up the area called Alamo Plaza. This means that you do not actually have to be inside the church to be in the Alamo. While the mixture of historic and modern buildings that surround Alamo Plaza can be confusing, keep in mind the area around the church has been a religious, political, and commercial center for nearly three hundred years. Construction on Mission San Antonio de Valero began on this site in 1724. More than a religious center, the mission served as a school that transformed Native American converts into Spanish subjects. Mission activities ended in 1793 when Valero closed. It was during these years that the church and convento as well as the south, west, and east walls took shape. Sadly, only the church and Long Barrack (convento) remain. By 1803 the old mission compound had a new use as a military outpost, a role it filled for several nations: Spain (1803-1821), Mexico (18211835), Republic of Texas (1835-1845), the Unites States (1847-1861), the Confederacy (1861-1865), and the United States (1865-1877). The area became commercialized in the late nineteenth century after the U.S. Army relocated its operations to Fort Sam Houston. The Alamo is famous for the thirteen-day long siege that occurred during the Texas Revolution. On March 6, 1836, the final epic battle cemented the Alamo’s place as a sacred memorial and made its defenders Texas heroes. How can you “Remember the Alamo” without remembering James Bowie, William B. Travis, David Crockett, and nearly two hundred other martyrs to the cause of Texas’ independence from Mexico? The Alamo is open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours are 9 am to 5:30 pm. Hours of operation are extended until 7:00 pm during the summer. For more information, please visit /www.thealamo.org. 5
Texas History Trail Passport
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2015 San Antonio Edition
The Republic of Texas Restaurant ®, Inc. What Makes Texas Unique? What most people call bragging, we call “Pure Texas Pride”. Here are some fun facts: Texas was an independent, sovereign nation from 1836 to 1845. It is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of territorial annexation. By that same treaty, Texas is the only state that can fly its’ state flag at the same height as the United States Flag. Texas is the only state that has had the flags of six nations fly over it – Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The Confederate State of America and the United States. They say everything in Texas is bigger…The capital in Austin opened May 16, 1888, the dome stands seven feet higher than the dome of the Nation’s Capital. The King Ranch in Kingsville is bigger than the state of Rhode Island. With over 267,000 square miles, Texas is as large as all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois combined. No Braggin’, Just the facts. All this being said, The Republic of Texas Restaurant, Inc. has remained independent and sovereign since 1975. The restaurant embodies the spirit of our ancestors, by honoring the great state of Texas with pride, loyalty and some good old fashioned “Texas Friendly”. Come view our 2’ to 3’ foot deep partial foundation wall which came from the outer walls of the Alamo in the late 1800’s. Every aspect of the restaurant and the décor has been deliberate in honoring the Great State of Texas. The restaurant is nestled in the Clifford building (circa. 1892) where the architect of the River Walk, H. H. Hugman, once had his office. It is now our kitchen where we embrace the culture of this singular state and pay homage by creating larger than life meals. Southwest Texas cuisine is served up with Texas brewed beer, liquor and colossal margaritas. Our menu draws from this culture as seen in our Six Flags over Texas breakfast menu and daily menu where we showcase the “Everything is Bigger in Texas” size portions. We wouldn’t be Texan if we didn’t offer Dinin’, Drinkin’ and Dancin’. Come on by and ask for your free Texas Citizenship Certificate and enjoy being a Texan as you continue on the Texas History Trail. 7
Located on the picturesque San Antonio River Walk, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is housed in the City’s original 1930’s art deco/neoclassical central library building which has been lovingly restored to its former splendor. Named in honor of late Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey, the museum opened in October 2013 offering a permanent collection of Western art and artifacts, displayed in nine galleries reflecting themes of movement, work, conflict and opportunity — key elements in the rich history of the American West. Through painting, sculpture, photography and historical relics, the Briscoe weaves together stories of the American Indian, Vaquero, American Cowboy, pioneering women and others that defined the American West. Highlights of the museum include Pancho Villa’s last known saddle, an interactive diorama of the Alamo conflict, a restored chuck wagon, and Santa Anna’s ceremonial sword. Outside, the Briscoe Museum showcases an impressive collection of historical figures and images captured in bronze in the McNutt Courtyard and Sculpture Garden. The newest addition to the Briscoe campus is T.D. Kelsey’s monumental “Coming Home to the Briscoe” -- a 3-ton bronze sculpture depicting a Vaquero (Mexican cowboy) driving majestic longhorns along a historic cattle drive right on the banks of the famous river.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum 210 W. Market St., San Antonio, TX 78205 210.299.1166 BriscoeMuseum.org
Texas History Trail Passport
The Briscoe Western Art Museum 1 210 W. Market Street San Antonio, TX 78205
W. MARTIN ST210-299-4499
briscoemuseum.org
2 The Republic of Texas Restaurant
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526 River Walk Street San Antonio, TX 78205 210-226-6256 therepublicoftexasrestaurant.com
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5 Historic Market Square S. FRIO ST
514 W. Commerce San Antonio, TX 78207 210-207-8600 getcreativesanantonio.com/marketsquare
San Antonio, TX 78205 210-247-4000 buckhornmuseum.com
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Ranger Museum 6 Buckhorn/Texas 318 E. Houston Street
San Antonio 7 CitySightseeing 216 E. Alamo Plaza 10
San Antonio, TX 78205 210-224-8687 citysightseeingsanantonio.com
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San Antonio, TX 78205 210-224-0601 getcreativesanantonio.com
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Texas History Trail Passport
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2015 San Antonio Edition
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Texas History Trail Passport
Interesting Facts about the Republic of Texas A Once Independent and Sovereign Nation Texans are proud of their state, heritage and history, for good reason.
Texas and the United States •
Texas was an independent country called the Republic of Texas before it was a state. Texas declared its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. Its first President was Sam Houston.
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If Texas was still a Nation today it would rank as the 12th largest economy in the World, right behind Canada.
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Mount Rushmore was planned and modeled in San Antonio by sculptor Gutzon Borgum
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Theodore Roosevelt recruited his “Rough Riders” in the bar of the Menger Hotel right next to the Alamo
San Antonio in Texas History •
The Battle of the Alamo took place over 13 days. The final battle lasted about 90 minutes.
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The Defenders of the Alamo were commanded by William Barrett Travis at the age of 26.
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Until recently the largest private collection of Alamo memorabilia was owned by Phil Collins the musician.
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2015 San Antonio Edition
Buckhorn Saloon & Museum Texas Ranger Museum In 1881, seventeen-year-old Albert Friedrich, a bartender and bellhop at San Antonio’s Southern Hotel on Main Plaza, decided to open his own saloon across the street. Friedrich called his business The Buckhorn Saloon. Shortly after opening, Albert learned that many folks traveling the old dusty trail didn’t have much money in their pockets. An avid hunter and collector, he began to accept horns and antlers in exchange for a beer or whiskey from his saloon. From then on, the Buckhorn collection grew to become one of the world’s most unique and largest collections of horns and antlers. To date, the Buckhorn collection contains over 520 unique animal species. Also located on site is the Texas Ranger Museum complete with guns, badges and uniforms of famous Texas Rangers. Experience this Texas sized adventure, just two blocks from The Alamo!
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