San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is a great city with a mixture of many cultures. There are people of various cultures and races living in the city. This makes it to be one of the unique cities in the country. The city depends on a few industries, and tourism is one of them. Millions of tourists visit this city each year. There are many places of interest frequented by people from other parts of the country as well as by people from other parts of the world.

The city is famous for the San Antonio Spurs, one of the greatest NBA teams to have won the championship four times in the past. The addition of the Sea World San Antonio has also helped to increase the popularity of the city.

The lifestyle of the people is one of fun and enjoyment, though they are hard working. There are several events that are celebrated all through the year. Some of them include the Fiesta San Antonio, the Cinco de Mayo and the Fiesta Noche Del Rio.

San Antonio is one of the best places to live in. People who live in the area are able to lead a fulfilling life because of the entertainment, good education, affordable living and many other benefits the city offers its residents. The businesses in the city also thrive. San Antonio is rich in culture and a great lifestyle.

San Antonio History

Between 1691 to 1709, Spanish explorers discovered the area which is now known as San Antonio. Native Americans inhabited the region and called it Yanaguana. The river was named the San Antonio River by Spaniards because they made their discovery on the feast day of St. Anthony. In 1718, Father Antonio Olivares established the Mission San Anotniode Valero. This laid the foundation for the city of San Antonio.

It did not take too long before five such Spanish missions were situated along the river. The settlement grew to a population of more than 2,000 by 1778. The population was mostly poor Native Americans and settlers. By 1795, the missions became military barracks and later it would be called the Alamo.

San Antonio was the site of numerous battles during the Texas Revolution. The famous Battle of the Alamo occurred in 1836 when 189 defenders tried to fight against 4,000 Mexican troops. They were able to hold them off for 13 days.

After the Mexican forces were removed from the area, in December 1836, Bexar County became more organized and was named the Republic of Texas. By 1846, the population had dropped to around 800 due to the series of battles the city was involved in.

Texas joined the union, which caused very fast growth in the San Antonio area. It soon became a thriving community which served as a distribution center for the United States as it made its move westward. The city grew to almost 3,500 by 1850 and to more than 8,000 by 1860. In 1861, Texas succeeded from the nation. But after the end of the Civil War, San Antonio saw years of prosperity as it continued serving the border region.

San Antonio, eventually, became a hub and supplier for the many cattle drives. During this era, they developed a prosperous wool market, as merino sheep were imported into the area. And after the addition of the railway in 1877, they entered a new season of great economic growth.

By 1880, the population had grown beyond 20,000. Then, in 1881, there was a second railroad system added. By 1990, there were a total of five railroads coming into the town. By this time, it was the largest city in Texas and had a population of more than 50,000 people.

The city of San Antonio continued to grow and the community was able to progress from the past into modern ways of living, including transportation. The historical value of the city is preserved by the old Spanish walls that still stand next to modern glass towers. There are still very charming portions of town which showcase the beautiful Victorian mansions. Close to 20 million visitors go to San Antonio to enjoy the beautiful architecture and historical sites.

About San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is the second largest city in the state of Texas and the seventh largest in the United States. It is located in Bexar County, and is the governmental seat of the county. There are several military bases and establishments in San Antonio.

Many tourists visit the San Antonio area every year. The city is perhaps most famous for The Alamo. The fort which was involved in the Battle of the Alamo has a special spot in the history of the state of Texas. More than two and a half million people visit the site each year.

There are other attractions in San Antonio, such as the Riverwalk, Hemisfair, and the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. The area has a plethora of museums, a botanical garden and a popular zoo for visitors to enjoy while staying in the city. Because so many visitors come to observe the many attractions, there are plenty of shopping and dining venues as well as public parks.

San Antonio has a rich history and their culture reflects it. There are a few cultural events which are unique to the area. An annual 10-day festival is held city-wide in honor of the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of Jacinto. The Fiesta which celebrates their culture began in 1895 and has continued to the present. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo began in 1950 and is a 16 day event that is held every February. There are PRCA rodeo performances, livestock auctions, musical entertainment and carnival rides. In June every year The Texas Folk life Festival is held to bring over 40 ethnic groups from Texas together to celebrate and share their authentic music, food and crafts.

The lifestyle of San Antonio is best described as city living. City dwellers live in neighborhoods, apartments, homes and neighborhoods that are within close driving distance to the downtown areas. Like other cities, it is a busy, bustling lifestyle. Some neighborhoods on the outskirts allow a bit of a reprieve from busy city life and have more of a low key atmosphere. The traffic, especially during rush hour, can be a very frustrating situation for those who live and work in the area. For this reason, many choose to live closer to the downtown portions of San Antonio.

The suburbs are a much slower pace than downtown. Construction is on the rise in the outskirts of the city as more residential communities are being created. Some residents prefer these outer limits as they are still within a short drive of downtown, but also a few minutes away from some beautiful, natural sites. These areas present a pleasant balance as the developments are of modern, beautiful designs that reflect the culture and history of the area; and the view of Texas hill country is beautiful.

About Bexar County, Texas

Bexar County, Texas is the 19th most populous county in the United States. San Antonio is its county seat. The county is situated in south-central Texas. Its location is around 190 miles to the west of Houston, Texas and about 140 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. The total area of Bexar county is 1,257 square miles.

Bexar County came into existence December 20, 1836 and used to encompass most of the western sections of the former Republic of Texas. After Texas became a state, it was divided up into 129 counties. The county's name is derived from San Antonio de Bexar which was the first form of civil government established in the province of Texas while under Spanish rule.

The demographics of Bexar County are quite mixed. The population is largely made up of Latino or Hispanic residents and White or Caucasian residents. The remaining portion of the population is made up of African Americans, Native Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander.

The military has a well established presence in the county, which is also an asset to the local economy. They have four Air Force Bases in Bexar County: Lackland, Kelly, Randolph, and Brooks. There is one Army base, Fort Sam Houston. And the Brooke Army Medical Center which is situated in San Antonio as well.

Seven counties border Bexar County. To the north it is bordered by Kendall and Comal Counties. To the Northwest Bandera County, and due west it is adjacent to Medina County. Bexar County is located due north from Atascosa County and shares its southeastern border with Wilson County.

There are 24 cities in Bexar County and 3 townships. It is also home to 5 unincorporated communities. Some of the cities are located in more than just one county, but each is at least partially located inside the borders of Bexar County, Texas.