December 14 in San Antonio history…

1950
Services for Dr. Max Reiter, founder and conductor of the San Antonio Symphony, will be held tomorrow at Temple Beth-El. Reiter arrived in San Antonio in 1939, just a year after he fled his native Italy as a political refugee.  He died yesterday at the age of 45.

1996
J. Michael Heyman, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, speaks at the Alameda Theater.  He leads a delegation exploring options for a long-term presence in the “cultural zone” that long-term leaders envision for downtown between the Alameda Theater and El Mercado.

2002
Judson scores on a 76-yard pass with two seconds left to defeat Midland in the state championship game, 33-32.

September 1 in San Antonio history…

1945
Due to the continuing strike of the San Antonio Typographical Union, today’s edition of the Sunday San Antonio Light newspaper is only 20 pages, not counting the additional syndicated sections and comics.  The editors print an apology on the front page.

1946
The new River View amusement park holds its grand opening.

1980
Playland Park closes for the winter and signs are put up promising the usual St. Patrick’s Day reopening the following year.  Unfortunately, owner Jimmy Johnson decides not to reopen and a legendary San Antonio amusement park passes into history.

 

August 1 in San Antonio history…

1893
While digging a well on the Hot Wells property today, workmen discovered the skeleton of an “immense mastodon.” The discovery was reported to the property owner, Mr. Shacklett, and “he made an investigation, finding every portion of the frame to be petrified, excepting the teeth, on which the enamel was still plain.”  The Daily Light reports that the bones were collected together and will be well taken care of as they are “rare curiosities and very valuable.”

1945
The San Antonio Public Library purchases a rare first edition King James Bible and other rare books with money donated by the estate of Harry Hertzberg.

1981
Workers preparing the site for the new “Patio of States” strike oil in front of the Convention Center.  Not crude oil but an abandoned 3,000 gallon tank from a service station that used to be located on the corner of Alamo and Market streets.  The tank and the oil will need to be removed before work can continue.

May 30 in San Antonio history…

1924
Flowers were dropped from planes over Brooks Field in memory of Sidney J. Brooks, Jr., former reporter for The Light, for whom the airfield was named. Brooks was killed in a Kelly Field crash during WWI.

1945
Commissioners Court vetoed the idea of a bond issue to erect a coliseum and Commissioner Bob Uhr said he could see no sense in putting a lot of sheep and cattle in a large building for livestock shows.

2009
The $74.4 million upgrade to the Museum Reach expansion of the San Antonio River is completed on-time and $2 million under budget.

April 8 in San Antonio history…

1888
The first league baseball game is played in San Antonio.

1934
The San Antonio Light advertises a new program to promote interest in aviation for boys and girls – the Junior Birdmen of America – sponsored by the Hearst Corporation.  Children can mail in the printed coupon along with ten cents to join the organization, which begins in one week.

1945
The San Antonio Black Missions open their season against the Milwaukee Stars at Tech Field. The Missions nip the visitors, 7-6, in ten innings.

April 1 in San Antonio history…

1945
The Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League, battle Charlie “Cholly” Engle’s All-Star team in a 14-inning thriller that ends up being called after 14 innings as a 4-4 tie.  The Monarchs had to catch a bus for Houston.  The Monarchs have a new shortstop by the name of Jackie Robinson who, unfortunately, has a double error in the seventh inning, allowing the All-Stars to score the tying run.

1951
The San Antonio Light prints a story about the narrow escape of seven schoolchildren from the collapse of the Beacon Hill pedestrian bridge.  Despite a photo, it’s just an April Fool’s hoax.

1991
Longtime album-oriented rock station 99.5 KISS changes formats and begins simulcasting the 50’s and 60’s oldies format of 930 KOOL AM.  Eight full-time and part-time disc jockeys are fired as a result.  Sadly, it’s not an April Fool’s joke. Reaction from listeners is swift and harsh.

December 6 in San Antonio history…

1945
The world’s first air-conditioned bus rolled into experimental use here and surprised and pleased customers.

1949
The new gate to Lackland Air Force Base (right) on Highway 90 at the entrance to Military Highway is dedicated with Col. Malcolm Stewart representing the base and Brig. Gen. Russell Oppenheim the Chamber of Commerce.

1956
It was announced the Lone Star Brewery has purchased the historic Buckhorn Saloon, which, with its world’s largest collection of horns, will be moved from its downtown site to the brewery grounds.

November 30 in San Antonio history…

1888
The first International Fair, held at the new Fair Grounds at Riverside Park, closes after 17 days.

1911
Miss Adina DeZavala extends a cordial invitation to old settlers and descendants of pioneers to visit the art exhibit of the educational department at the International Fair.

1945
Howard Davis, manager of KMAC, said that the station has a permit for a 10,000-watt frequency modulation station which he hopes to have in operation before June.  FM stations were described as prerequisites to television, being necessary for the sound broadcast.

October 28 in San Antonio history…

1945
After 80 years in print, San Antonio’s German language newspaper, the Freie Presse für Texas, publishes its final issue.

1963
A multimillion dollar addition to North Star Mall featuring 17 new tenants opens today.  The addition opens onto a contemporary Spanish court and enlarges the mall to 800,000 square feetl

1989
Up and coming country singer Garth Brooks plays Gruene Hall.

September 6 in San Antonio history…

1894
San Antonio Female College opens its doors.  In 1916 the college was recognized by the University of Texas as a junior college. The name was changed to Westmoorland College in 1918 and to the University of San Antonio in 1937. In 1942 the institution passed out of Methodist control, and the University of San Antonio was merged with Trinity University.

1945
The war may be over, but drafting is still going on in San Antonio.  The corridors of the Transit Tower were full of men from 18 to 25 waiting to be inducted.  Among them was one young man who declared he had been turned down eight times previously.

1983
The United States Football League holds their expansion draft for the San Antonio Gunslingers along with Jacksonville Bulls, Pittsburgh Maulers, Houston Gamblers, Oklahoma Outlaws and Memphis Showboats.