San Antonio’s downtown historical district has one of the most well known landmarks in America.
The Alamo is probably the most recognizable site in the downtown district. It’s positioned among many other iconic monuments like the San Fernando Cathedral, HemisFair Park and the Tower of the America’s to mention a few.
The La Antorcha de la Amistad - The Torch of Friendship, was created by the Mexican artist & sculptor Sabastian. This two ton contemporary orange structure stands poised at an intersection where four of San Antonio’s main thoroughfares meet, and represents the roots many Texans share with Mexico.
The Alamo Cenotaph monument honors the men who died defending the mission and America’s future. Imagine standing in the same place where over 200 brave souls fought their last battle. The odds against them were overwhelming. The 60 foot structure was erected on the same spot where the slain bodies were cremated.
After General Santa Anna and his soldiers had left the Alamo, the locals gathered the charred remains and entombed them inside The San Fernando Cathedral. This is their final resting place.
The original structure was a cathedral for the Roman Catholic church. It was built somewhere between 1738 and 1750. The church claims to be the oldest cathedral in the state of Texas.
The red sandstone brick structure broke ground in 1891 and was finally completed in 1896. The Bexar County Courthouse is the oldest and largest continuing operational courthouse in all of Texas.
J. Riely Gordon’s Romanesque style was common with courthouses throughout the United States. His architectural designs flourished during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The 430′ Smith-Young Tower - currently the Tower Life Building, was completed in 1929. The tower was the first component of a planned development with several skyscrapers. It once housed San Antonio’s first Sears, Roebuck and Company.
Any additional structures planned were halted with the 1929 stock market crash and the beginning of the Great Depression. The majestic tower still stands today just as it did in 1929. It is a part of San Antonio’s beautiful skyline.
Here is a far off glimpse of the Tower of the Americas. It sits within the HemisFair Park. The 579′ tower was completed in 1968. It was specifically built to be the focal point of the 1968 World’s Fair.
The towering structure has an observation deck and restaurant that provides astonishing views. In comparison to its sister like structure - Seattle’s Space Needle, the Tower of the Americas is approximately seventy feet taller. But both iconic towers provide amazing 360 degree views.
The next several photos were taken in areas that occupy the blocks in between the historical landmarks that are scattered throughout downtown.
The significances of these less important pictures shows what San Antonio’s inner-city was like in the early to mid 1900’s.
San Antonio has so many sites to see with multiple ways to see them. You can walk it, bike it or drive around, and if you are feeling romantic with the one your with, take a horse drawn carriage and enjoy the views.
You, Me and The Dock has one final episode in the series regarding downtown San Antonio and it’s sites. We will provide a look into a few of San Antonio’s past luxurious hotels. These grand accommodations hosted some of Hollywood’s royalty like Richard Widmark, John Wayne, Clara Bow and Lawrence Harvey to mention just a few. There is much more to come in the following . Stay tuned!
Author: Anthony Scopel
Photography: Anthony & Maureen Scopel
Videography: Anthony Scopel & Crew
Article Formatting: Anthony Scopel
Video Production: Anthony Scopel & Matt Kemper
Associate Editor: Maureen Scopel
Technical Mastering & Web Support: Matt Kemper
Publisher: You, Me and The Dock
