City of Waters

It only makes sense that San Antonio would be most famous for – after the Alamo – for the Riverwalk. The downtown landscaped banks of the San Antonio River are a tourist draw without peer. Less well-frequented, or newer developments – say, through King William and Southtown, or along the new Pearl Brewery-Museum Reach are a secret and treasured green-space as well as a breath of fresh air for residents.

The existence of the San Antonio River is more than just a happy coincidence and landscaping opportunity; when San Antonio began to expand and industrialize in the late 19th century, the river provided power for establishments like C.H. Guenther's Pioneer flour mill – as well as power and a necessary ingredient for breweries…

Cross-Cultural Curiosities

So, whoever would have thought that there was historically such a strong German influence in South Texas, being that in the popular imagination, Germans, Southern good-ol-boy types and Hispanics could not be less alike? The mind boggles, upon first consideration, and then it starts to make sense. While Texas has never exactly been a cultural melting pot . . . but the three different ethnic groups have certainly melted a little around the edges and certain aspects of each have flowed into the other – in some cases, almost imperceptibly.

This has a long history in Texas, beginning when the German entrepreneur combine, the Mainzer Adelsverein, begin transporting German farmers, craftsmen, technical…

Blue Star and South Town

Anyway, it's been a while, and the whole South Town and Blue Star scene…

Created Sunday, 20 September 2009 03:15

A Walk in an Old Neighborhood

Whenever my daughter and I have a need to go downtown in the morning, we like to go for lunch at the Guenther House - an old San Antonio mansion converted to a restaurant, museum and retail outlet, in the middle of a pleasant green garden a little way south of downtown San Antonio.  The Guenther House was originally built by a C.H. Guenther, a German immigrant who relocated from the Hill Country, and established a mill on the San Antonio River. Cannily, he figured that there were several mills grinding corn and wheat in the Hill Country, but none in San Antonio.

He built the house for his family right next to his mill - and there it still is, the Pioneer Flour Mill, with a…

Southtown - San Antonio Arts District - First Friday

By Mamie Carter

First Friday is like a huge block party with contemporary art as its centerpiece. On the first Friday evening of every month, several hundred mostly college-age people and a few families swarm the Blue Star Arts Complex for a free evening of gallery hopping. Located on the corner of South Alamo Street and Probandt in San Antonio, Texas, It's an occasion to see and be seen at exhibits of contemporary and beyond-funky art.

Grab a pale ale at the Blue Star Brewing Company, lean against one of the cars parked on the six-acre campus and watch the passing scene. A three-piece band on the brewing company's deck includes a xylophonist who loves…

San Antonio has a lengthy history as everyone probably already knows. However, the King William’s Fair is held within Texas’ first residential historic district. It is a fair which entails food, a parade, and plenty of vendors displaying their arts and crafts.

When: The 2009 King William Fair is April 25, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Where: 1032 S. Alamo Street; San Antonio, TX 78210

History

The fair was established in 1967 but held its first fair in 1968. Since, this fair has become an annual event for the area. It was chartered as corporation with non-profit motives to protect the oldest historic district in Texas. It has grown from a small one-block exhibit of arts to a major event. Efforts of hundreds of…

As we talked about the other day, the Day of the Dead is upon us. A traditional Pre-Hispanic holiday
celebrated throughout most of Latin America, it is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, and this year, because of when it falls in the week, it will spill over into the weekend as well.

On this day, the spirit of the dead is said to come down and visit their families and join them in celebrating, eating, drinking and so on, just as if they were still living.

Here in San Antonio, there are tons of celebrations going on. We listed a few the other day, but since then have found even more. If you knowof any we have not listed, let us know in the comments!

Market Square
Institute of Texan Cultures
School of…

Created Monday, 21 May 2007 09:06

San Antonio\'s Southtown

Written by Randy Watson

Since its redevelopment began in 1991, Southtown has become the hippest, diverse, and most unique zone in San Antonio, and certainly the place to go for good food, good art, and good times.  Southtown is really a community development, promotion, and historic preservation organization, which was designed to gentrify the King William, Lavaca, and Blue Star neighborhoods.  And it certainly has been working. 

Today, Southtown is home to San Antonio\'s eclectic mix of cowboy, Tejano, Mexican, and southern cultures, existing in a low-lying maze of bungalows, Victorian houses, and Beaux Arts mansions, which provide a calmer, more community-oriented atmosphere than…