San Antonio has always been evolving, from a riparian trading post into a post-1968 World's Fair metropolis. While it might be easy to mourn the opportunities for summer fun that have been lost in the past, undoubtedly there is more on the way in the next stage of our city's life. After all, not all of these memorable places are entirely defunct and many might be due for a revamping of their own.
15 Vintage Photos of Summer in San Antonio
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Jul 15, 2016 at 9:41 pm
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Belvedere Motel (1960s)
This 1963 postcard of the Belvedere Motel offers a glimpse of the motel and car culture so prevalent in mid-century United States. Located around 1970 Austin Highway where the Broadway Inn currently stands today, the Belvedere Motel stood as an affordable travel location in an area replete with overnight lodging, open long before the tourism boom of the 1968 World's Fair.
Brackenridge Park (1984)
In the 1980s, Brackenridge Park offered visitors the opportunity to rent flat-bottom pedal boats, all of which were named after saints. In this picture, several seniors from Del Valle High school enjoy their graduation trip in the San Antonio river with several of the wooden boats that have since been discontinued.
Cool Crest (1960s)
Originally opened in 1929, Cool Crest rode the wave of new miniature golf courses opening across the country. Unlike its peers, Cool Crest has jumped hurdle after hurdle to remain an active San Antonio staple to this day. After a brief hiatus from 2008 to 2013, it is back under new management and has shown no sign of going anywhere.
Lambert Beach at Brackenridge Park
Park visitors play and swam in the Lambert pool, built in 1915. At nighttime, movies were projected onto the movie screen affixed to the Water Works Co., pump house. This would've been awesome 60 years later for a theatrical Jaws premier.
Sunken Garden
Now the Japanese Tea Gardens, the Sunken Garden was once viewable above by sky ride. Although it has a different name, the area still maintains its beautiful serenity that it has always been popular for.
Kit Kat Klub
Owned by the father of serial killer Genene Jones, the Kit Kat Klub was a popular summer hangout and favorite for high school graduation parties.
Electric Park
Before its closing in 1917, Electric Park offered amusement rides to visitors in its location across from San Pedro Springs Park, where VIA Metropolitan currently resides. This amusement park chain was inspired by the unbridled success of New York's Coney Island after 1903. Unfortunately, it did not hold the same stay power as the classic American theme park.
Kiddie Park
Opened 1925, Kiddie Park has gone through several revamps and changed features. While you can't ride donkeys on a roundabout anymore, you can still try out the iconic carousel that's stood the test of time right off Broadway.
Policeman Measures Lady's Swimsuit at San Pedro Springs Pool
An SAPD officer measures Miss San Antonio 1927's bathing suit to see if it's in accordance with city ordinance. What a square.
Brackenridge Sky Ride
Operating between 1964 and 1999, the Sky Ride gave visitors an aerial view of Brackenridge Park. Gondola's from the Sky Ride have sold for upwards of $1,000.
Woodlawn Lake Pool
On a hot day in 1954, neighborhood kids enjoy the pool right next door to Woodlawn Lake. The pool has stood the test of time and remains a popular cool-down spot for San Antonians.
Brackenridge Park
Another shot of ol' Brack in its heyday in the 1950s, when visitors could be treated to motorboat rides down the river. Now you can mostly just have botched picnics and get bitten by mosquitos. But he, that's summer in San Antonio.
Horseback Riding
Two ladies on horseback pause to cross Mulberry as they return to the stables across the street from where driving range sits today. Selena filmed her iconic horseback scene in "No Me Queda Mas" around this site in the 1990s.
San Antonio Zoo
Before San Antonio was home to one of the loneliest elephants in America, zoo visitors could ride the African animals in small groups. Let's fantasize about the unending array of possible reasons they had to stop offering these rides...
Brackenridge Eagle
The Eagle wasn't the OG miniature train in Brackenridge Park, but it has been running continuously in the park since the 1970s. Think of all the notable people who may have taken a ride on it since then.
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