San Antonio: Spirit of Texas

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San AntonioSpirit of Texas

• Crossroads of Cultures

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Important facts about San Antonio

• 8th largest city in the U.S.
• Has one of the largest Latino populations in U.S.
• Started by Spanish missionaries in 1691
• Named after St. Anthony whose feast day it was on
  the day the missionaries arrived
• Founded by Father Antonio Olivares as a mission
  in 1718.
• Most famous because the Alamo is located here.

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Attractions

• The Alamo
• A humble mission before
• the important battle in
• 1836 where 189 Texans
• defended against 4,000
• Mexicans for 13 days and lost!
• Remember the Alamo became the battle cry of the
  Texan fight for independence from Mexico.
• Texans eventually won the war and later became
  part of the U.S.
• Parts of California, Arizona and New Mexico were
  also lost to Mexico at this time.

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• El Paseo del Rio The Riverwalk
• This is a cobblestone path bordering both sides
  of the San Antonio River
• Along the walkway are boutiques, sidewalk cafes
  and even nightclubs.
• It is known for its beautiful cruises down the
  center of the river for sightseers.

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• Other places of interest
• La Villita One of the original settlements of
  Spanish soldiers and their families, now a
  thriving business district in historical setting
• The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center houses
  hispanic art activities like dance, music and
  drama