Water for the residents of the city. There were various irrigation ditches that came from it and furnished water to the growing community. As the city grew, the railroad came in the 1870s and the population exploded. Gravity driven Water Systems were not working. Just say could not get water to run over a hill. So a new water system was established with artesian wells. When drilled into the ground, took water from the ground and they lowered the water table. So the San Antonio River was frequently going dry. At that point, in 1914, the city created a park through downtown along what was to be the riverwalk. A park and plantings, not too much else. Which was here for about 25 years. With the wpa a project was , initiated to develop the riverwalk. An architect, robert husband, came up with a design that would give a fanciful appearance to the area. It would include shops and boats and colorful walkways that would dress up the rivers. Which did all right, except that nobody came down to t
Ditches that came from it and furnished water to the growing community. As the city grew, the railroad came in the 1870s and the population exploded, gravity driven Water Systems were not working. They couldnt get water to run over a hill, so a new water system was established with artesian wells. Which, when drilled into the ground and when lowered into the ground, they lowered the water table. So the San Antonio River was frequently going dry. At that point, in 1914, the city created a park through downtown along what was to be the riverwalk. A park and plantings, not too much else. Which was here for about 25 years, until with the wpa, a project was initiated to develop the riverwalk. An architect by the name of robert husband, came up with a design that would give a fanciful appearance to the area. It would include shops and boats and colorful walkways that would dress up the rivers. Which did all right, except that nobody came down to the riverwalk. It became dangerous. It was not
Staff is staying close to home due to the coronavirus. Here is a look at our recent visit to san antonio, texas. The cspan cities tour is exploring the american story, as we take book tv and American History tv on the road. With support from our spectrum cable partners, we travel to san antonio, texas. Coming up in the next hour, well experience the history of this south texas city, starting with a visit to the San Antonio Missions National Historical park. Following that, in about 20 minutes, well hear about the role the city played in early military aviation. And in about 40 minutes, visit one of the citys most recognizable features and biggest attractions, the historic river walk. Later, a trip to the Spanish Governors Palace, one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating back to the founding. We begin our special feature at mission san jose, one of four remaining colonial Spanish Missions in san antonio. Welcome to Spanish Governors Palace. What youre looking at is actually the l
The cspan cities tour is exploring american stories as we take book tv and American History tv on the road. We travel to san antonio, texas. Coming up in the next hour we will experience the history of this south, texas city. Starting with a visit to the San Antonio Missions National Historical park. Following that in about 20 minutes we will hear about the role the city played in early military aviation. And in about 40 minutes visit one of the citys most recognizable features and biggest attractions, the historic river walk. Later a trip to the Spanish Governors Palace, one of the oldest buildings in the city dating back to the founding. We begin our special feature at Mission San Jose, one of four remaining colonial Spanish Missions in san antonio. Welcome to our Spanish Governors Palace. What youre looking at is actually the last visual remnants of the presidio, the original facility was built in the 1720s and it was really the residence for the captain. What we are looking at toda
Gravity driven Water Systems were not working. They cannot get water to run over a hill. So a new water system was established with artesian wells. When drilled into the ground, they lowered the water table. So the San Antonio River was strictly going dry. In 1914, the city created a park through downtown along what was to be the riverwalk. Not toond plantings, much else. It was here for about five years. 25 years. Wasthe w pa, a project initiated to develop the riverwalk. An architect, robert husband, came up with a design that would give a fanciful appearance to the area. It would include shops and boats and colorful walkways that would dress up the rivers. This did all right, except that nobody came down to the riverwalk. It became dangerous. It was not until san antonios worlds fair in 1968, that enough hotels were built on the riverwalk, to generate a strong pedestrian traffic, Strong Enough to support business as. And all of a sudden there was a lot of commercial development and