San Antonio's long been obsessed with how others see us — after all, we're a tourist town. And how we presented ourselves in postcards provides a valuable insight into both our changes as a city and the images we presented to the outside world.
This collection of postcards catalogs an evolution that runs from a quaint early 20th century painting of Chili Queens serving food in Alamo Plaza to the hustle and bustle of 1968's Hemisfair. The sheer volume of postcards depicting Hemisfair is noteworthy, because city leaders at the time construed the event as SA's coming out as an international city.
All images courtesy of UTSA's Digital Collections.
These Vintage Postcards Show How Much San Antonio Changed Over the Past Century
By San Antonio Current Staff on Tue, Jun 30, 2020 at 10:24 am
Tags:
- San Antonio,
- history postcards,
- UTSA,
- Digital Collections,
- hemisfair,
- 1968,
- chili queens,
- Alamo Plaza,
- Tower of the Americas,
- monorail,
- Sunset station,
- old photos of San Antonio,
- San Antonio Counrty Club,
- Brackenridge Park,
- swans,
- vintage postcards,
- old postcards,
- San Antonio pictures,
- San Antonio history,
- sunset station,
- downtown,
- river walk
Scroll down to view images
Chili Stands in Alamo Plaza, 1905
Chili Stands in Alamo Plaza, with Post Office Building in the background.
Chili Stands in Alamo Plaza, with Post Office Building in the background.
Travis Park, 1910
Two boys sit on a bench on the south side of Travis Park.
Two boys sit on a bench on the south side of Travis Park.
South Alamo Street, 1910
Alamo Street as seen looking South from Alamo Plaza.
Alamo Street as seen looking South from Alamo Plaza.
St. Anthony Hotel, 1910
An artist’s rendering of the newly constructed St. Anthony Hotel, before it became haunted.
An artist’s rendering of the newly constructed St. Anthony Hotel, before it became haunted.
Brakenridge Park, 1905
Photograph of swans floating on the San Antonio River extension.
Photograph of swans floating on the San Antonio River extension.
Cooper Building New York City, 1906
While not a postcard showing the Alamo City, this one includes correspondence by groundbreaking Mexican-American politician Frank L. Chapa, who hailed from San Antonio.
While not a postcard showing the Alamo City, this one includes correspondence by groundbreaking Mexican-American politician Frank L. Chapa, who hailed from San Antonio.
Woodlawn Lake, 1909
Rowboats moored at Woodlawn Lake, then known as West End Lake.
Rowboats moored at Woodlawn Lake, then known as West End Lake.
Navarro Street Bridge, 1880
View looking north at the "Mill Crossing" of the San Antonio River River.
View looking north at the "Mill Crossing" of the San Antonio River River.
Sunset Station, 1902-5
The facade of the historic Sunset Station when it was a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad network.
The facade of the historic Sunset Station when it was a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad network.
San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad Station, 1905
Exterior of San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad Station in Cuero, Texas.
Exterior of San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad Station in Cuero, Texas.
Pioneer Flour Mills, 1948
Photograph shows north entrance gate, mill in background, Guenther house on far left.
Photograph shows north entrance gate, mill in background, Guenther house on far left.
San Antonio Country Club, 1907-8
South elevation exterior of the San Antonio Country Club.
South elevation exterior of the San Antonio Country Club.
Hot Sulphur Wells Hotel, 1907
The three story brick building constructed by Otto Koehler of Pearl Brewing Company hosted Hollywood celebrities and international guests.
The three story brick building constructed by Otto Koehler of Pearl Brewing Company hosted Hollywood celebrities and international guests.
Mission San Jose, 1910-20
South elevation of Mission San Jose. Side of church and convento visible.
South elevation of Mission San Jose. Side of church and convento visible.
Streetcar outside entrance to Fort Sam Houston, 1909
Passengers and conductors standing in and outside streetcar on Grayson Street. Fort Sam Houston entrance is in the background.
Passengers and conductors standing in and outside streetcar on Grayson Street. Fort Sam Houston entrance is in the background.
Alamo Plaza
View of Alamo Plaza looking north from Gallagher Building.
View of Alamo Plaza looking north from Gallagher Building.
Entrance portal, Mission San Jose, 1920s
Photograph shows a postcard view of the facade of Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo prior to restoration.
Photograph shows a postcard view of the facade of Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo prior to restoration.
HemisFair, 1968
Postcard from HemisFair '68 of the fair scene. Historic 19th century mansions were restored for use by exhibitors as shops and restaurants.
Postcard from HemisFair '68 of the fair scene. Historic 19th century mansions were restored for use by exhibitors as shops and restaurants.
Tower of the Americas, HemisFair '68
Rendering shows the 622 foot structure and downtown San Antonio.
Rendering shows the 622 foot structure and downtown San Antonio.
Mini-monorail, HemisFair '68
Postcard from HemisFair '68 of the mini-monorail.
Postcard from HemisFair '68 of the mini-monorail.
Page 1 of 3
Chava Communications
Read our sister publications
© 2024 San Antonio Current
