May 25 in San Antonio history…

1838
City limits fixed at “one league in every direction from the city [San Fernando] church.”

1902
Work began on the Carnegie Library today.  Work on the roof should be hardest part of a very hard job.

1913
The turkey trot, bunny hug, Texas Tommy and similar rag dances will be barred at the Sutherland Springs picnic of the San Antonio camps of the Woodmen of the World.

March 28 in San Antonio history…

1896
If the bill now pending in the House is passed, a national sanitarium may be established in San Antonio.

1897
 The addition of a band tournament as one of the features of the Battle of Flowers this year adds interest to the event. Bands are expected to come from all over the state.

1917
“Purity,” the most daring picture ever made, is currently at the Grand Opera House starring Audrey Munson, the world’s most perfectly formed woman.  Lower floor, 20 cents; balcony 10 cents.
[This movie, which had previously shown at the Princess Theater the previous September, was the first in which a woman removed all her clothing.]

Activate Your Mind & Energize Your Body

We at the San Antonio Public Library are happy to do our part to promote a healthier and more active San Antonio. Because of this commitment, we’re pleased to announce that five branches will be incorporating outdoor fitness areas and walking trails to their campuses. It’s been a long time in the planning and we’re glad to see it come to fruition.

We’ll be celebrating these awesome additions at each branch as they achieve completion and we’re happy to say that the first branch is ready for the kick-off. This Saturday, March 17, we’ll be hosting a family fitness and fun time at the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak, from 10am – 12pm. 98.5 The BEAT’s very own Valencia will be broadcasting live and there will be special participation by Cricket Wireless’ Muve Music. Our friends at the local YMCA will also be on-hand to host a few activities for the kids.

So if you’re in the neighborhood and have some time to visit with us, stop by and check out the fitness area or put on your tennis shoes and take a brisk walk on the trail – either way, be ready to sweat! By the way, we’ll be hosting similar events over the next couple of months at these branch locations: Johnston Branch Library, Mission Branch Library, Memorial Branch Library and the Tobin Branch at Oakwell.

Follow us at Facebook.com/The-San-Antonio-Public-Library to stay in the know about these and other Library events… and if you didn’t know, you can follow us on Twitter as well @mysapl.

 

January 1 in San Antonio history…

1942
The first law requiring automobiles in Bexar County to be titled and registered takes effect.

1944
The Randolph Field Ramblers play the University of Texas to a 7-7 tie in the Cotton Bowl.

December 30 in San Antonio history…

1897
The county commissioners said today they will advertise for bids to make the jail crook-proof.  The floors will be plated with steel.

1913
Brig. Gen. Bliss ordered Miss Katherine Stinson to refrain from dangerous stunt flying while practicing at Ft. Sam Houston.

1943
Uniform bus fares will become effective Feb. 1 in San Antonio.  After the war, zone fares will again be in effect.

December 27 in San Antonio history…

1897
Bad roads prohibited wagons from bringing Christmas turkeys to San Antonio.  This resulted in many families having to do without the traditional Christmas bird.

1903
Santa Claus made a return visit to San Antonio to pass out presents to children at the annual Christmas event sponsored by the Turn Verein.

1943
Fresh to strong winds from the north will push the mercury down to 30 in San Antonio, the weather bureau warned.

December 10 in San Antonio history…

1835
At the Siege of Bexar, General Martin Perfecto de Cos, brother-in-law of Santa Anna, surrenders the city to General Burleson, commander of the Texian Army.

1912
The city’s first F. W. Woolworth store opens on Alamo and Houston Streets.

1917
Chamber of commerce officials today revealed there is a strong possibility of a Chicago movie company making an outdoor studio in San Antonio.

November 25 in San Antonio history…

1857
The San Antonio Fire Company is established on this date, A. A. Lockwood, chief.

1901
The streetcar company had to run trailers yesterday to handle the crowds going to the park.

1951
Texas’ current drought is as disastrous as that of 1917-1918, the worst on record.

Write your novel at the San Antonio Public Library!

Have you ever wanted to write a book? Then join the San Antonio Public Library for National Novel Writing Month, November 1-30. This is your chance to put words to paper in a supportive, quiet environment. We’ll even have some published authors stopping by to offer words of encouragement! The goal is 50,000 words (a complete novel) by the end of November. Last year, 30,000 people met the goal; this year, the program will take place in 63 countries around the world. For more information, please go to our online calendar, or pick up a copy of our “Bookmarks” calendar at any Library location. You might not make it into print, but then again, you might be the author of the next Great American Novel!