San Antonio was established in 1718, and 13 years later, it became the first chartered civil settlement in present-day Texas.
A lot has changed over that three centuries of history. Businesses and landmarks have come and gone, new neighborhoods spring up and development continues to alter the character of our city.
Even so, part of San Antonio’s charm is that many of its oldest features remain. Here’s to their staying power!
The oldest things in San Antonio
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, May 5, 2023 at 5:43 pm
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Shutterstock / EndeavorMoorePhotography
Oldest Downtown Tourist Attraction: The Alamo
300 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio has no shortage of downtown attractions that lure tourists, but the Alamo’s 1718 vintage makes it the oldest. A small band of Texian soldiers held out in the mission before they were wiped out by the Mexican army in one of the defining fights in Texas’ struggle for independence.
300 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio has no shortage of downtown attractions that lure tourists, but the Alamo’s 1718 vintage makes it the oldest. A small band of Texian soldiers held out in the mission before they were wiped out by the Mexican army in one of the defining fights in Texas’ struggle for independence.
Jaime Monzon
Oldest Fiesta Event: Battle of the Flowers
This parade isn’t just the largest parade in San Antonio’s citywide party — it’s the first Fiesta event. The first Battle of Flowers took place in 1891 when a group of citizens used horse-drawn carriages, floats and bicycles to honor the fallen at the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.
This parade isn’t just the largest parade in San Antonio’s citywide party — it’s the first Fiesta event. The first Battle of Flowers took place in 1891 when a group of citizens used horse-drawn carriages, floats and bicycles to honor the fallen at the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.
Shutterstock / Kit Leong
Oldest Continuously Functioning Church: San Fernando Cathedral
115 Main Plaza
Facing downtown’s Main Plaza, this structure built between 1738 and 1750 was considered the city’s geographical and cultural center. In addition to being the oldest continuously functioning place of worship in San Antonio, it’s also one of the nation’s oldest cathedrals.
115 Main Plaza
Facing downtown’s Main Plaza, this structure built between 1738 and 1750 was considered the city’s geographical and cultural center. In addition to being the oldest continuously functioning place of worship in San Antonio, it’s also one of the nation’s oldest cathedrals.
Shutterstock / LindaPerez
Oldest Park: San Pedro Springs Park
2200 N. Flores St.
Located near San Antonio College, San Pedro Springs Park isn't just the oldest designated park in the city's history — it's the second oldest park in the nation. The land on which the park resides was reserved for public use by the Spanish Government in the 18th century. The park's best-known amenity is its picturesque swimming pool, which was built in 1922.
2200 N. Flores St.
Located near San Antonio College, San Pedro Springs Park isn't just the oldest designated park in the city's history — it's the second oldest park in the nation. The land on which the park resides was reserved for public use by the Spanish Government in the 18th century. The park's best-known amenity is its picturesque swimming pool, which was built in 1922.
Wikimedia Commons / Darrylpearson
Oldest School: Central Catholic High School
1413 N. St. Mary’s St.
This downtown campus was established in 1852 by the Brothers of the Society of Mary, making it the city’s oldest operating school. It’s still considered one of the city’s premiere private schools, and many of its graduates have held prominent positions in local government and industry.
1413 N. St. Mary’s St.
This downtown campus was established in 1852 by the Brothers of the Society of Mary, making it the city’s oldest operating school. It’s still considered one of the city’s premiere private schools, and many of its graduates have held prominent positions in local government and industry.
Photo via Instagram / kimdparker73
Oldest Restaurant: Schilo's
424 E. Commerce St.
Established in 1917, this German-American restaurant is housed in a mercantile exchange building that dates back to the 1800s. It’s still serving today, giving tourists and downtown workers a taste of the Old World.
424 E. Commerce St.
Established in 1917, this German-American restaurant is housed in a mercantile exchange building that dates back to the 1800s. It’s still serving today, giving tourists and downtown workers a taste of the Old World.
Shutterstock / Ayman Haykal
Oldest Theater: The Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston St.
This regal concert venue started life in 1929 as a movie house designed by architect John Eberson for the Interstate Theatres chain. It was the first theater in Texas to be completely air-conditioned, and for much of its history, it was the largest in the state.
224 E. Houston St.
This regal concert venue started life in 1929 as a movie house designed by architect John Eberson for the Interstate Theatres chain. It was the first theater in Texas to be completely air-conditioned, and for much of its history, it was the largest in the state.
Courtesy Photo / San Antonio Public Library
Oldest Library: San Pedro Park Branch Library
1315 San Pedro Ave.
As the name suggests, this historic library is located in San Pedro Springs Park. Opened in 1930, it's the first branch library built in San Antonio and the only one built in a public park. The library was renovated in 2007, restoring it to near its original condition.
1315 San Pedro Ave.
As the name suggests, this historic library is located in San Pedro Springs Park. Opened in 1930, it's the first branch library built in San Antonio and the only one built in a public park. The library was renovated in 2007, restoring it to near its original condition.
Courtesy Photo / Witte Museum
Oldest Museum: The Witte Museum
3801 Broadway
Completed in 1926, this Broadway corridor landmark wasn’t just considered the Alamo City’s first major museum, it was the first such institution in Texas. The museum underwent a $100 million renovation and expansion from 2007 to 2017, further cementing its reputation.
3801 Broadway
Completed in 1926, this Broadway corridor landmark wasn’t just considered the Alamo City’s first major museum, it was the first such institution in Texas. The museum underwent a $100 million renovation and expansion from 2007 to 2017, further cementing its reputation.
Sanford Nowlin
Oldest River Walk Restaurant: Casa Rio
430 E. Commerce St.
Alfred F. Beyer established this River Walk restaurant in 1946, making it the oldest business on the heavily trafficked downtown destination. The eatery actually opened before the River Walk became a family friendly tourist lure, which didn’t happen until after HemisFair in 1968.
430 E. Commerce St.
Alfred F. Beyer established this River Walk restaurant in 1946, making it the oldest business on the heavily trafficked downtown destination. The eatery actually opened before the River Walk became a family friendly tourist lure, which didn’t happen until after HemisFair in 1968.
Shutterstock / Regan Bender
Oldest Golf Course: Brackenridge Park Golf Course
2315 Avenue B
Designed by A.W. Tillinghast, Brackenridge Park Golf Course opened in 1916, and it's seen its fair share of golf legends, including Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan. The first Texas Open was held at the course in 1922. In 2008, the course underwent a major renovation that included restoring it to be as close to its original design as possible.
2315 Avenue B
Designed by A.W. Tillinghast, Brackenridge Park Golf Course opened in 1916, and it's seen its fair share of golf legends, including Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan. The first Texas Open was held at the course in 1922. In 2008, the course underwent a major renovation that included restoring it to be as close to its original design as possible.
Sanford Nowlin
Oldest Bridge: Commerce Street Bridge
Intersection of Commerce and Losoya Streets
The first bridge over the San Antonio river on what would eventually become Commerce Street consisted of six wooden beams in 1736, according to Texas Highways magazine. The current — and widely traversed — version of the bridge was erected in 1914.
Intersection of Commerce and Losoya Streets
The first bridge over the San Antonio river on what would eventually become Commerce Street consisted of six wooden beams in 1736, according to Texas Highways magazine. The current — and widely traversed — version of the bridge was erected in 1914.
Shutterstock / Barna Tanko
Oldest Downtown Structure: Spanish Governor's Palace
105 Plaza de Armas
This downtown structure built in 1749 is the last standing element from the Presidio San Antonio de Bexar, and the only remaining example in the Lone Star State of an aristocratic 18th-century dwelling.
105 Plaza de Armas
This downtown structure built in 1749 is the last standing element from the Presidio San Antonio de Bexar, and the only remaining example in the Lone Star State of an aristocratic 18th-century dwelling.
Shutterstock / Mikaela Hurtado
Oldest University: St. Mary’s University
1 Camino Santa Maria
Established in 1852, this private Marianist university isn’t just the oldest university in San Antonio but the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the American Southwest. It still has an enrollment of around 4,000 and operates the St. Mary’s School of Law, among other degree programs.
1 Camino Santa Maria
Established in 1852, this private Marianist university isn’t just the oldest university in San Antonio but the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the American Southwest. It still has an enrollment of around 4,000 and operates the St. Mary’s School of Law, among other degree programs.
Shutterstock / Natalia Silyanov
Oldest Existing Irrigation System: Espada Acequia
9045 Espada Road
Built between 1740 and 1745, this aqueduct north of Mission Espada is the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the United States and certainly the oldest existing water system in the San Antonio area. Water still flows through the structure on its way to Mission Espada.
9045 Espada Road
Built between 1740 and 1745, this aqueduct north of Mission Espada is the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the United States and certainly the oldest existing water system in the San Antonio area. Water still flows through the structure on its way to Mission Espada.
Shutterstock / 4kclips
Oldest Hotel: The Menger Hotel
204 Alamo Plaza
Located steps away from the Alamo and built in 1857, the Menger Hotel is considered the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. It’s still a popular destination for travelers thanks to its grand architecture, elegant feel and legendary mango ice cream.
204 Alamo Plaza
Located steps away from the Alamo and built in 1857, the Menger Hotel is considered the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. It’s still a popular destination for travelers thanks to its grand architecture, elegant feel and legendary mango ice cream.
Wikimedia Commons / Nicolas Henderson
Oldest Bar: The Menger Bar
204 Alamo Plaza
Stands to reason that the city’s most venerable hotel would also contain its oldest bar, which was built inside the property in 1871. Theodore Roosevelt gathered his legendary Rough Riders in the bar at the tail end of the 19th Century, and the establishment’s Victorian features were modeled after London's House of Lords Pub.
204 Alamo Plaza
Stands to reason that the city’s most venerable hotel would also contain its oldest bar, which was built inside the property in 1871. Theodore Roosevelt gathered his legendary Rough Riders in the bar at the tail end of the 19th Century, and the establishment’s Victorian features were modeled after London's House of Lords Pub.
Shutterstock / Dani_King
Oldest Neighborhood: La Villita
418 Villita St.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this downtown enclave of galleries, restaurants and shops is considered San Antonio’s oldest neighborhood. Its history as a gathering place dates back to when it was a Native American settlement, but many of its current structures were built in the mid-1800s when immigrant craftspeople set up shops and homes there.
418 Villita St.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this downtown enclave of galleries, restaurants and shops is considered San Antonio’s oldest neighborhood. Its history as a gathering place dates back to when it was a Native American settlement, but many of its current structures were built in the mid-1800s when immigrant craftspeople set up shops and homes there.
Shutterstock / JustPixs
Oldest Store: Penner's
331 W. Commerce St.
Although this iconic men’s clothing store is known for puro San Anto fashions such as Stacy Adams shoes, it started life in 1916 as a second-hand shop. Founder Morris Penner’s family still runs the downtown business.
331 W. Commerce St.
Although this iconic men’s clothing store is known for puro San Anto fashions such as Stacy Adams shoes, it started life in 1916 as a second-hand shop. Founder Morris Penner’s family still runs the downtown business.
Shutterstock / Aspects and Angles
Oldest Military Installation: Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is not only the oldest Joint Base San Antonio installation — it's also among the oldest of the U.S. Army, with its origins dating back to 1876. The base is now home to the Brooke Army Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center.
Fort Sam Houston is not only the oldest Joint Base San Antonio installation — it's also among the oldest of the U.S. Army, with its origins dating back to 1876. The base is now home to the Brooke Army Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center.
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