San Antonio Conservation Society

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San Antonio Conservation Society
Anton Wulff House, San Antonio TX.JPG
Headquarters
Anton Wulff House
FormationMarch 22, 1924;96 years ago (1924-03-22)
PurposeHistoric preservation
Location
  • 107 King William Street, San Antonio, Texas
Coordinates 29°25′03″N98°29′26″W / 29.417561°N 98.490454°W / 29.417561; -98.490454 Coordinates: 29°25′03″N98°29′26″W / 29.417561°N 98.490454°W / 29.417561; -98.490454
Website San Antonio Conservation Society

The Conservation Society of San Antonio (legally incorporated as the San Antonio Conservation Society) is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. Founding members were Emily Edwards, who became the organization's first president, and Rena Maverick Green. The organization was formed on March 22, 1924, and officially incorporated on July 8, 1925. [1] The Society is currently headquartered in the Anton Wulff House, which they saved from destruction in 1974. [2] The home was built 1869–1870 by German immigrant Anton Wulff, who became the city's first Park Commissioner. [3]

Contents

Purpose

They actively endeavor to educate the public about San Antonio's history. The Conservation Society has been responsible for saving many city structures from destruction. This includes several properties in La Villita and the King William Historic District which are owned, or have been owned, by the Society. [4] At a cost of $325,000 in 1988, the Society had the Daniel J. Sullivan Stable and Carriage House, designed by Alfred Giles in 1896, [5] re-assembled at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The house re-opened in 1995 at the entrance to the garden. [6]

A Night in Old San Antonio

A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) is the organization's annual event to raise funds for historic preservation within the city. The Conservation Society partners with the city to purchase and restore historic structures. The organization also awards restoration-rehabilitation grants to individuals and organizations. Since 2000, the festival has enabled the Society to award over $2 million in grants. [7]

It had its beginning in 1936 as the Indian Harvest Festival. Held at the newly restored Mission San José, the original celebration centered on an historic recreation of the lives of the mission's Indians. In 1940, the event was transformed into the River Jubilee to celebrate the beautification of the San Antonio River. Joining the city's Fiesta San Antonio in 1945, Mary Vance Green was the chairperson in 1948 when the event was officially named A Night in Old San Antonio. That year, the theme had been the city under the Republic of Texas. [8] The celebration had been a one-night event until 1954 when a second night was added. Two years later, SACS added a third night, and by 1958, it became a four-night event. Attendance realized 100,000 by 1976, and realized a profit exceeding $500,000 by 1985. [9] It has attracted such large crowds that SACS has engaged the use of an armored truck to transport the event's money to the bank. [10]

In 2012, the city of San Antonio granted a 10-year extension on their agreement with SACS, and an option for a second 10-year extension, to hold its annual NIOSA in La Villita. [11]

San Antonio River Walk

The Conservation Society was formed in 1924 when Emily Edwards and Remna Maverick Green united to fight the demolition of the Greek Revival Market House, a victim of street-widening throughout downtown. [12] Popular legend has the Society involved in efforts to prevent channelization of the San Antonio River following the devastating flood of September 9, 1921. Area rain falls were recorded in above average amounts, up to 15 inches in one day northwest of the city. Los Olmos Creek breached its banks at 10 p.m., flooding Brackenridge Park. The Olmos flooding merged into the San Antonio River 30 minutes later, followed by rising waters from Martinez and Alazan creeks. Peaks in various areas ranged from five-to-eight feet, with losses of life and property. [13] In the aftermath of the flooding, the city built the Olmos Dam in 1926 to help with future flood control. The recommendation from a city engineer called for draining and cementing over the part of the river that today is known as the San Antonio River Walk. A number of organizations joined with the City Federation of Women's Clubs to successfully stop the proposal. [14] [15] The Conservation Society was involved in efforts to conserve the natural beauty of the river, organizing a tour for city officials in November, 1924. [12] In 1929, architect Robert H.H. Hugman presented the city and The Conservation Society with an idea for developing the area into a tourist-oriented arcade of shops. The arrival of the Great Depression ended the city's possible consideration of his proposal. However, the San Antonio River Beautification Committee later hired Hugman to develop the area with the Works Progress Administration. After initially supporting the plan, The Conservation Society in 1940 criticized Hugman's plan for its "excessive stone work." The River Project Board fired Hugman. The WPA finished the River Walk in 1941, and turned it over to the city. [16]

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What is currently the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is the result of years of efforts involving The Conservation Society and other entities. The Society's involvement began in the 1920s, when they started working with the United States government to preserve the old missions. [17] Between 1926 and 1931, SACS purchased the granary at Mission San José, and worked with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to restore it, deeding it over to the state of Texas in 1941. [18] SACS also purchased the "Huisache Bowl" gravel pit adjoining Mission San José, and the WPA transformed it into an amphitheater. SACS deeded it over to the State Parks Board in 1940. Renamed the Texas State Historical Theater under Governor Price Daniel, the property was deeded over to the National Park Service in 1983. [19] In 1937, SACS purchased 1.5 acres of the Espada Aqueduct, and in 1978 deeded it to the San Antonio River Authority as part of a flood control project. [20] In 1957, SACS purchased 25 acres of pecan grove in Acequia Park as a land preservation effort. Along with other landowners in 1962, they won a water flow and water rights lawsuit against the San Antonio River Authority. SACS's ownership was deeded to the City of San Antonio in 1975. [21]

Further reading

See also

Related Research Articles

San Antonio River Walk

The River Walk is a successful special-case pedestrian street, one level down from the automobile street. The River Walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting the major tourist draws from the Shops at Rivercenter, to the Arneson River Theatre, to Marriage Island, to La Villita, to HemisFair Park, to the Tower Life Building, to the San Antonio Museum of Art, to the Pearl and the city's five Spanish colonial missions, which have been named a World Heritage Site, including the Alamo. During the annual springtime Fiesta San Antonio, the River Parade features flowery floats that float down the river.

Robert H.H. Hugman

Robert H. H. Hugman was an American architect and the acknowledged visionary behind the now world-famous San Antonio River Walk.

Fiesta San Antonio

Fiesta San Antonio is an annual festival held in April in San Antonio, Texas, and is the city's signature event since 1891. The festival, also known as the Battle of Flowers, commemorates of the Battle of the Alamo, which took place in San Antonio, and the Battle of San Jacinto, which liberated Texas from Mexico in April 1836.

James Riely Gordon American architect

James Riely Gordon was an architect who practiced in San Antonio until 1902 and then in New York City, where he gained national recognition. J. Riely Gordon is best known for his landmark county courthouses, in particular those in Texas. Working during the state's "Golden Age" (1883–1898) of courthouse construction, Gordon saw 18 of his designs erected from 1885 to 1901; today 12 remain.

La Villita United States historic place

La Villita Historic Arts Village is an art community in downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. There are art galleries, stores selling souvenirs, gifts, custom jewelry, pottery, and imported Mexican folk art, as well as several restaurants in the district. La Villita connects to the San Antonio River Walk and its outdoor venue, the Arneson River Theatre. It is close to the Alamo, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Rivercenter Mall, and HemisFair Park. It is within walking distance of most downtown hotels.

The City of San Antonio is one of the oldest Spanish settlements in Texas and was, for decades, its largest city. Before Spanish colonization, the site was occupied for thousands of years by varying cultures of indigenous peoples. The historic Payaya Indians were likely those who encountered the first Europeans.

Ysleta Mission United States historic place

The Ysleta Mission, located in the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo within the municipality of El Paso, Texas, is recognized as the oldest continuously operated parish in the State of Texas. The Ysleta community is also recognized as the oldest in Texas and claims to have the oldest continuously cultivated plot of land in the United States.

Adina Emilia De Zavala American teacher and historical preservationist

Adina Emilia De Zavala was an American teacher, historian and preservationist of Texas history. Her efforts led to saving the Alamo Long Barrack Fortress for future generations. She was born to Augustine De Zavala, son of Lorenzo de Zavala, the first Vice President of the Republic of Texas. Adina's mother Julia Tyrrell De Zavala was born in Ireland. In 1994, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Marker number 86 was placed at Alamo Plaza to honor De Zavala. In 2008, Texas Historical marker number 15124 was placed in St. Mary's Cemetery to honor De Zavala's contributions to Texas.

Emily Edwards was a co-founder and first president of the San Antonio Conservation Society. She was an artist, historian and teacher, and a lifelong friend of Diego Rivera. She is remembered as being a key figure in preventing the paving over of the part of the San Antonio River that is now known as the San Antonio River Walk.

Travis Park

Travis Park is located in San Antonio in Bexar County in the U.S. state of Texas. Once a part of the original Alamo Mission in San Antonio, the park is located across the street from the restored Saint Anthony Hotel.

Rena Maverick Green was an artist, a suffragist and a co-founder of the San Antonio Conservation Society. She was a pioneer female member of the San Antonio School Board and served on the board of trustees of the San Antonio Public Library. She was a preservationist for San Antonio history, including the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and the saving of many city parks. Green helped preserve the Spanish Governor's Palace and the San Antonio River Walk. She was the granddaughter of a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and the widow of a Texas state Senator.

Edward Steves Homestead United States historic place

The Edward Steves Homestead is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. It was designed by architect Alfred Giles and designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The main house was donated to the San Antonio Conservation Society in 1952. The organization completely restored the main house as a museum and now conducts daily tours. The complete homestead property consists of four individual structures: the main house museum, the carriage house, the river house, and the servants' quarters. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas, as a contributing structure of the King William Historic District.

Acequia Park

Acequia Park is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. There are picnic tables and restrooms, but alcohol is not allowed in the park. The origins of the park date back to Spanish missionaries, who worked with mission Indians to create a water system sourced by the San Antonio River. The San Antonio Conservation Society (SACS) purchased much of this acreage in 1957 to preserve the area's environment. Because the San Antonio River Authority planned to reconfigure the river channel, SACS joined local land owners in filing a successful water rights and water flow lawsuit against the Authority. In 1975, SACS deeded the property to the City of San Antonio with the stipulation that it be used as a public park.

Jeremiah Dashiell House United States historic place

The Jeremiah Dashiell House is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. Also known as Casa Villita, it was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark under that name in 1962. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas as a contributing structure of the La Villita Historic District.

Anton Wulff House United States historic place

The Anton Wulff House is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1976. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas as a contributing structure of the King William Historic District. The house has been the headquarters of the San Antonio Conservation Society since 1975. German immigrant businessman Wulff was a city alderman, San Antonio's first park commissioner, and the man who designed the layout and beautification of Alamo Plaza.

Yturri–Edmunds Historic Site United States historic place

The Yturri–Edmunds Historic Site is a historic site in San Antonio, Texas. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas. The homestead and mill were designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1966.

Stevens Building (San Antonio, Texas) United States historic place

The Stevens Building is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. Completed in 1891, architect James Riely Gordon designed the building for local businessman John J. Stevens. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas. The structure was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1984.

Johann and Anna Heidgen House United States historic place

The Johann and Anna Heidgen House is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas. The structure was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 2003. It is also known as the Heidgen-Zilker House. The house was built circa 1882 and has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a residence, as a youth organization facility, and at one time as a restaurant. It currently serves as the office of a San Antonio attorney.

Timeline of San Antonio Timeline of the history of San Antonio, Texas, United States

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Olmos Dam is a detention dam located in San Antonio, Texas. It was built in the 1920s, following the disastrous September 1921 San Antonio floods. Work began on the dam on January 19, 1925, completed in 1926, and in 1929 a cut-off channel, to allow excess water to bypass the Great Bend in downtown, was completed. Projects, which together have been providing flood control.

References

  1. ↑ Curlee, Kendall. "Emily Edwards". Handbook of Texas online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Anton Wulff House". San Antonio Conservation Society. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Anton Wulff". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  4. ↑ "San Antonio Conservation Society". Handbook of Texas online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  5. ↑ Franklin, Paul (2011). Top 10 San Antonio and Austin. DK Travel. p. 30. ISBN   978-0-7566-2487-3.
  6. ↑ Fisher, Lewis F (1996). Saving San Antonio: The Precarious Preservation of a Heritage. Texas Tech University Press. p. 454. ISBN   978-0-89672-372-6.
  7. ↑ "Financial Incentives". San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  8. ↑ Simpson, Jr, Mrs. Willard E. "Fiesta San Antonio". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  9. ↑ Fisher, Lewis F (1996). Saving San Antonio: The Precarious Preservation of a Heritage. Texas Tech University Press. pp. 347–371. ISBN   978-0-89672-372-6.
  10. ↑ Gerem, Yves (2001). A Marmac Guide to San Antonio. Pelican Publishing. p. 216. ISBN   978-1-56554-821-3.
  11. ↑ "Minutes San Antonio City Council" (PDF). April 18–19, 2012. p. 13.
  12. 1 2 Fisher, Lewis. Saving San Antonio:The Preservation of a Heritage.
  13. ↑ Burnett, Jonathan (2008). Flash Floods in Texas. Texas A&M University Press. pp. 28–36. ISBN   978-1-58544-590-5.
  14. ↑ "San Antonio River Walk". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  15. ↑ Nawrocki, Susanna; Lair, Gerald; Langford, Mark (2008). Our San Antonio. Voyageur Press. pp. 47, 61. ISBN   978-0-7603-2973-3.
  16. ↑ "San Antonio River". Edwards Aquifer. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  17. ↑ Permenter, Paris; Bigley, John (2008). Insiders' Guide to San Antonio. Insiders' Guide. p. 123. ISBN   978-0-7627-4787-0.
  18. ↑ "The Granary". San Antonio Conservation Society. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Texas State Historical Theater". SACS. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Espada Aqueduct". San Antonio Conservation Society. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Acequia Park". San Antonio Conservation Society. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
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