San Antonio Texas
San Antonio offers visitors a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of early Spanish colonial life in the Southwest. As the first civilian settlement in Texas, San Antonio de Béxar was founded in 1718. And today, many of its architectural and cultural elements remain. Five 18th-century missions stand as tribute to the men and women who brought European culture and Christianity to the region. La Villita, San Antonio’s first neighborhood, is still a bustle of activity, featuring art galleries, shops and charming
restaurants. The King William Historic District was settled by prominent German merchants in the 1800s and grew to become the most elegant residential area in the city. It was also zoned as the state’s first historic district. And the Menger Hotel, where Teddy Roosevelt recruited his notorious “Rough Riders,” offers an upscale view into 19th century living (with modern amenities, of course). All in all, exploring San Antonio’s storied past is sure to be a historically good time.
