San Antonio, Texas City History and Historical Figures

Colleges In San Antonio

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Fun City Facts
The largest city in area in the United States is Juneau, Alaska. It covers 3,248 square miles, yet the city population is fewer than 30,000.

The world's largest man-made waterfall is 438 feet tall. It is the spillway over the Shasta Dam in Redding, California.

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San Antonio, Texas

City History
Historic People

City History

The city of San Antonio has always been a universal crossroads and a meeting place. Sounds and flavors of Native Americans, Old Mexico, Germans, the Wild West, African-Americans and the Deep South mingle and merge. Close to twenty million visitors a year delight in the discovery of San Antonio's charms.

San Antonio is a mecca. Native Americans first lived along the San Antonio River, calling the area "Yanaguana," which means "refreshing waters". A band of Spanish explorers and missionaries came upon the river in 1691, and because it was the feast day of St. Anthony, they named the river "San Antonio." The actual founding of the city came in 1718 by Father Antonio Olivares, when he established Mission San Antonio de Valero, which became permanently etched in the chronicles of history in 1836 as The Alamo where 189 defenders held the old mission against some 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. The cry "Remember the Alamo" became the rallying point of the Texan revolution against Mexico. Located in the heart of downtown, today The Alamo is a memorial and museum. A tour of downtown San Antonio will uncover centuries of history, including La Villita, one of the original settlements, the Spanish Governor's Palace and the San Fernando Cathedral, whose construction was started in 1731 by Canary Islanders. Many other historical tours, parks and historical attractions far and wide in San Antonio Texas.

San Antonio provides friendly, local ambassadors throughout historical downtown. The Centro San Antonio Amigos are stationed in highly visible locations and can be identified by their turquoise shirts and straw hats. Ambassador Amigos assist both San Antonians and visitors with knowledge of local attractions, events, directions even first aid.

San Antonio has a diversified economy with four primary focuses financial services, health care and national defense. The city has a strong military presence it is home to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and Brooks City-Base, with Camp Bullis and Camp Stanley right outside the city.

Will Rogers once proclaimed San Antonio "one of America's four unique cities." As Texas' third-largest city, San Antonio has the reputation of a fun-loving town, filled with fiestas that combine a south-of-the-border spirit with a down-home Texas atmosphere.

Historic Figures

Davy Crockett (1786–1836)

Davy Crockett (1786–1836)
Colonel David Crockett was a celebrated 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician; usually referred to as Davy Crockett and by the popular title "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the age of 49 at the Battle of the Alamo.

April 23, 2024

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