'V . ^I*'*J~S'. Jm 'iMi -j-'>ira-«t-; SAN ANTONIO «« ;t"3'^' 7^ 526S. COPYRIGHTED 1913 H, H TAMMEN COMPANY DENVER A Descriptive View Book in Colors h '/^ DC JP The City of the Alamo HE many attractions of this beautiful and historic city are too well known to the trav- eling public to require a detailed descrip- tion. It is not too much to say, however, that no city in America holds greater inter- est to the tourist, has more romance, his- toric association and picturesque surrounding than the city of San Antonio. In addition to all of these, San An- tonio is possessed of a climate so mild and equable that it has become one of the greatest winter resorts in America. This fact has led to the building of a group of hotels in her midst that equal in the splendor of their appointments and service the finest hotels in the coun- try. The '.wonderful curative properties of the Hot Sul- phur 'waters of San Antonio are fast acquiring a reputa- tion Second only to Carlsbad in Germany. The waters come from a volcanic geyser, two thousand feet deep, and have a natural temperature of 104 degrees Fahren- heit. San Antonio is pre-eminently a city of beautiful parks and innumerable plazas with their bowers of palms and pomegranates. The San Antonio river, wind- DD JAN 0CI. ing through the heart of the city, its banks lined with pecan and huge live oaks, presents a picture of sylvan beauty that is ever a source of delight to the visitor. Brackenridge Park almost rivals the far-famed Golden Gate Park of San Francisco in size. It lies along the banks of the San Antonio river, and, with its winding roads, its flowering shrubs and sing.ng birds, is a place of rare beauty and charm. The park is named in honor of George Brackenridge, who founded and en- dowed it. In the heart of the resident' section of the city Is found San Pedro Park. A century and a half ago this tract was ceded to the people by the King of Spain to be a pleasure park forever, and, while in re- cent years a fine museum, aviary and a populous zoolog- ical collection have been adaed, it has been the aim of those in charge to preserve the native characteristics and historic landmarks of which the park is so full. It was in this beautiful spot that the ancient Indian vil- lages were situated, for whose possession a savage struggle was carried on through the dark centuries he- fore history began. In the shade of her matchless groves the battalions of Spain first pitched camp. The Mexicans under Santa Anna, the soldiers of the Confed- 20 1914 A:i60S63 eracy and the Texas Rangers all made it their rendez- vous and rallying ground. Fort Sam Houston, the second largest military post in the United States and one of the most beautifully lo- cated, is situated on a plateau overlooking the city. At Leon Springs, a few miles distant, is the government reserve noted as maneuvering grounds, where problems of war are worked out and practiced. The city has al- ways been an army town. San Antonio maintains and boasts of her clean and beautiful homes. She has many miles of paved streets. The miles of splendid boulevards and drives surround- ing her make an ideal place for motoring. The city is recognized as the headquarters and distributing point for the enormous cattle business of Central and South- western Texas. The amount of wool, cotton, hides and other raw materials, the aggregate of wholesale and retail traffic is of such proportions that it is said they would be adequate to support a city of twice San An- tonio's population. Many churches of all denominations are scattered throughout the city, and her school equip- ment is exceptionally complete and effective. Settled in 16S9 by the Spaniards, under a charter from the King of Spain, San Antonio has a historic past of more interest than any of the early Spanish settle- ments in this country. The city can boast that the French, the Spanish, the Mexican, the Confederate, the Republic of Te.xas and the Union flags have waved over her doors In her midst stands the Alamo, the center of historic memories of all Texas. The story of how a band of one hundred and eighty-three Texans held at bay an army of four thousand Mexicans and how they died to a man is a story of heroism that kindles anew the fire of patriotism in the hearts of every American whenever the tale is told or a visit is paid to this an- cient shrine. The old Spanish missions located within easy dis- tance of the city are still standing telling their mute but eloquent stories of the early Franciscan fathers who gave their lives in a fruitless effort to christianize the savages. After the days of this missionary effort came the Texan wars, and nearly every one of the missions now commemorates some bloody skirmish and stands as a monument to a regiment of heroic Texan soldiers. These missions are in various stages of preservation and are the finest types of architecture of old Spain to be found in America. The ancient cathedral, San Fer- nando, situated on the main plaza, was built in the early part of the eighteenth century, and is in use at the pres- ent time. The San Fernando Cathedral and Bexar County Court House face Main Plaza. The Cathedral was built in 1734. and is especially remem- bered in history as the headquarters of Santa Anna. The Alamo Chapel Is a part of the Mission San Antonio de Valero, built In 1718. The bloody tragedy of the Alamo, where a small band of Texans held at bay an army of Mexicans, is well known to all. I. & G. N. Depot is built on the Mission style. With its beautiful grounds and commodious train sheds, it is a pleasing front door to a city whose interior more than meets the visitor's expectations. b<' J The Sunset Depot of the Southern Pacific is finished in IVIission arch) tecture. The Giant Sohura Cactus shown on the grounds is 50 years old and Is 18 feet 10 Inches in height. The Hot Wells Hotel and Bath House is situated in the midst of a great pecan grove. Its sulphur baths have made San Antonio famous throughout America. Commerce Street is one of the main business thoroughfares of San Antonio. It was formerly known as Alameda. Brackenridge Park Is more than two miles long and a mile in width. It contains a noble forest, and, within its broad confines, roam herds of buffalo, antelope, elk and deer of many varieties. Hi ^'m The Postoffice and Federal Building is a fine type of Romanesque ar- chitecture, and is a building of which the city is justly proud. St. Anthony Hotel, facing Travis Square, is one of the palatial new hotels of the city that attests the city's popularity as a resort. San Pedro Park has an everlasting charm, not only because of its great natural beauty, but on account of its early history, which runs bacl< to days of the Spanish settlement. Mission San Jose, built in 1720, is the second of the four Missions. This Mission is the only one of the Missions about San Antonio that is beautiful as a ruin. The Alamo Plaza is in the heart of the city. To the Northeast stands the Alamo. The Plaza originally was part of the gardens surrounding the Mission. Mission Conception, the first mission, was built in 1713. and is the best preserved of all the missions. Cactus, palms, maguay, ligustrum, crepe myrtle and other flowering shrubs make Alamo Plaza a beautiful spot. Mission San Juan de Capistrano. built in 1731, is known as the third mission. All of the Missions about San Antonio are of Franciscan origin. The Ostrich Farm adjoining the Hot Wells Hotel is a very attractive place for the visitor. ^.p-. "^^^^s^ w -■ , , ^ll^^ ■■■'^v;--v;::' ^ San Antonio is in the midst of a great cotton country. The picture shows cotton workers at work, one of the familiar views of the sunny South. Fourth Mission, San Francisco de la Espada, was built in 1731. Trans lated the name of the mission means St. Francis of the Sword. The City Market is a municipal market abreast of modern progress. The upper part is used for a convention hall. The Texas Long Horn Steer that once roamed the plains of this great state is fast passing into history. k'4jfc.4»?'^|^*h«!;-«;3f*i(f v^r^^ / ^v Fort Sam Houston is the second largest and most important military reservation and headquarters in the United States. Inside of the Quadrangle of Fort Sam Houston stands the old clock tower and the great water tanks. Here tame deer graze and peacocks strut. A LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 012 608 787 1 % m