Author Archives: sanantonioriverwalker

95 years ago today, the San Antonio Department Store “Joske’s” held a Field Day for kids at the Lion’s Playground on Broadway. Here’s an advertisement promoting the huge occasion, and detailing the array of prizes on offer for all the events that day. All kids were invited. Photo: San Antonio Light The Field Day wasContinue reading “It was a BIG day in the park”

Photo: Entrance to the Witte Museum……Author San Antonio’s Witte Museum opened on this day, October 8th in 1926, and celebrates it’s 95th birthday today. In late September 1925, with $25,000 of approved funds, the city had already begun initial work on a museum in San Pedro Park, when it received notification that businessman Alfred G.Continue reading “The Witte Museum is 95 today !”

Photo: Hippostcard.com Photo: Author Alfred Frederick Beyer was born in 1891 in San Antonio, and his early career was as a typewriter mechanic. However, the repairman’s bench did not satisfy him, or appeal to him as a long-term career, because he had a determination and passion for business. He had little money, but he possessedContinue reading “Happy Birthday Casa Rio. San Antonio’s iconic Riverwalk restaurant is 75 years old today.”

One hundred years ago today, in early September, 1921, “Hurricane 2”, the 2nd named hurricane of the season, roared ashore in Mexico, just north of Tampico, packing 95 mph winds. It passed over the Rio Grande Valley, but lost a lot of wind power in the meantime. However, it headed straight to the San AntonioContinue reading “Remembering The Flood Of 1921”

Today, August 11th, we remember author Alex Haley, who was born on this day in 1921….and the time he spent in the Alamo City Photo: Courtesy Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images Alex Haley was born in Ithaca, New York, the eldest of 3 brothers and a half-sister, and at the age of 18, heContinue reading “REMEMBERING SAN ANTONIO RESIDENT ALEX HALEY”

330 years ago today, on June 13th, 1691, a Spanish expedition led by Domingo Teran de los Rios, reached the banks of a slow-moving river and set up camp. The region was inhabited by the Payaya Indians, a hunting and gathering nomadic peoples. They called the river Yanaguana (place of refreshing waters).  Father Damian Massanet,Continue reading “The day San Antonio got its name.”

Photo: San Antonio Light / digital.utsa.edu On June 8th 1926, San Antonio Mayor John Tobin, released details of his plan to beautify the San Antonio River through the business area of the city. His dream was inspired by the canals of Venice, with the river banks to be adorned with strings of colored lights creatingContinue reading “1926 plans to beautify the San Antonio Riverwalk released by Mayor Tobin.”

Photo: Wikipedia Located on the corner of St Mary’s Street and Commerce Street, this architectural marvel has been part of the San Antonio entertainment scene for decades…first as a movie theater, and now as a concert venue. A large-capacity theater, it held 3,000 seats, and was built in the “Roaring 20’s”. The six story buildingContinue reading “The Aztec Theater turns 95 years old”

It was on this day in 1991 that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip made a whirlwind visit to the Alamo City. At 10:40am on May 21st, the British Royal couple descended the stairs from their Aerospace jet at Kelly Air Force Base to begin their 1 hour 45 minute tour of San Antonio. Photo: CourtesyContinue reading “30 years ago today Queen Elizabeth came to San Antonio for 105 minutes”

Today we are celebrating the birthday of a true trail-blazer. Born in San Antonio in 1926, Marcia Nasatir shattered the glass ceiling of Hollywood when she became the first female Vice President of United Artists in 1974. Today, the inspirational Marcia Nasatir celebrates her 95th birthday. Photo: Rotten Tomatoes While growing up in San Antonio,Continue reading “Happy Birthday Marcia Nasatir !”