February 13 in San Antonio history…

1910
Work is progressing on an aeroplane shed at Fort Sam Houston to house the new Wright aeroplane.

1913
On this day in 1913, Ignacio E. Lozano founded La Prensa, a Spanish-language daily newspaper published in San Antonio to address the needs of Mexicans residing temporarily in the United States who wished to follow events in Mexico, which was engulfed in the Mexican Revolution.

1930
The City-Central Bank and Trust Company places this full-page advertisement to combat “false rumors” as to the stability of the bank.  The ad lists an affirmation from the Texas Commissioner of Banking, James Shaw, a financial statement and a list of prominent investors.

October 29 in San Antonio history…

1913
Syrus Edwards, a 13-year old boy, was arrested yesterday by Motorcycle Policeman Flores on Zarzamora Street for having exceeded the speed limit of 30 miles per hour.  The court today warned the boy’s father that it was against the law for the boy to operate an automobile due to a traffic ordinance that states that no one under 16 years old is to be issued a chauffeur’s license.  A fine of $5 was imposed by the court, but was suspended.

1929
The Express-News dedicates its new building (right) at the corner of Alamo and 3rd streets on “Black Tuesday,” the fourth and last day of the stock market crash of 1929. Investors traded a record 16.4 million share sand lost $14 billion on the New York Stock Exchange, worth $206 billion in 2019 dollars.

1982
City Councilman Joe Alderete throws a switch closing the flood gates at Woodlawn Lake marking the completion of a two-year, $750,000 program to improve the once-popular facility that had fallen into disrepair.

July 17 in San Antonio history…

1913
The tunnel through the “big hill” on the line of the Fredericksburg Railroad was completed and is 910 feet long.

1914
Turned down by the city on its plan for a tax-maintained zoo, the San Antonio Scientific Society said it would attempt to establish a museum of natural history.

1929
Mayor C. M. Chambers announced today that the two branch public libraries, to be constructed out of the 1928 bond issue at a cost of $25,000 each, will be built in Roosevelt and San Pedro parks.  Work on the buildings will begin as soon as plans and specifications now being drawn by architects can be approved by the library board.

July 17 in San Antonio history…

1965
Airman Basic Anthony J. Hope, in his 20th day of basic training at Lackland AFB, is visited by his father, entertainer Bob Hope.

April 20 in San Antonio history…

1908
The mayor and police officials today agreed no hoodlumism would be permitted during the carnival this year. They outlawed the small whips, loud horns and confetti of former years.

1913
The Lozier automobile is advertised in the San Antonio Light for $5000.  Adjusted for inflation, this would be $125,000 in today’s money.

1948
A Night in Old San Antonio will be presented by the Conservation society [for the first time] this evening at La Villita and along Villita St. The public is invited. At 6 p. m. a street market will be opened with booths and strolling musicians. Supper will be served at chili stands and chuck wagons at 6:30. At the same hour there will an exhibition of Spanish dancing.

January 30 in San Antonio history…

 

1901
The mesquite block paving on Houston Street between Main and Flores should be finished in a day or so.

1971
The mercury soars to a balmy 89 degrees in the Alamo City.  Still a record for the date and the warmest temperature ever for January.

1986
Sculptor Lincoln Borglum, who completed his father Gutzon’s work on Mount Rushmore in 1941, is buried in City Cemetery #1.  Borglum died on January 27 in a Corpus Christi hospital.

December 3 in San Antonio history…

1869
The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word formally dedicate Santa Rosa Hospital, then known as Charity Hospital, located at Cameron and Commerce Streets.  An advertisement in the San Antonio Express promises that the Infirmary will be open to “all persons without distinction of nationality or creed.”

1913
Torrential rains cause widespread flooding throughout downtown San Antonio.

1957
Police rush into a downtown store today just in time to deliver an 8 lb. 6 oz. boy.  Playing stork are two rookie policemen who have been on the job less than a week.

November 2 in San Antonio history…

1867
The first game of baseball is played in San Antonio.

1913
Directors of the Beethoven Maennerchor Assn. announced that Beethoven Hall, partially destroyed by fire yesterday, will be rebuilt as quickly as possible.1938
A hackberry tree was cut down in Madison Square Park last night. No explanation has been found except that officials think it may be because the tree obstructed the “practice field” of young footballers.  Police are hoping a young George Washington will confess.

1966
A record low temperature was set on this date with temperatures plunging to 31 degrees.

October 13 in San Antonio history…

1896
The big chandelier in the rotunda of the Menger Hotel was swung into position. The 700-pound article, containing 3,000 pieces of prismatic glass, cost $300.

1913
The State Department has instructed Ambassador to Spain Willard to obtain a copy of the original charter of San Antonio granted by King Ferdinand VI in 1773.

1975
The Ace in the Hole band, featuring singer George Strait, plays their first concert – just up the road at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos.

April 20 in San Antonio history…

1891
President Benjamin Harrison visits San Antonio during the inaugural Fiesta San Jacinto. He is the first President to visit the Alamo City.

1913
The Lozier automobile is advertised in the San Antonio Light for $5000.  Adjusted for inflation, this would be $125,000 in today’s money.

1940
Lone Star Beer is first placed on the market (right).