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'''San Pedro Springs Park''' is located in the [[Bexar County, Texas|Bexar County]] city of [[San Antonio]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. Surrounding the source of the springs, the 46-acre park is the oldest in the state of Texas. It is the location of a [[Payaya Indians|Payaya Indian]] village known as [[Yanaguana]],ref name="NRHP"/> and is the original site of the city of San Antonio.<ref name="NRHP"/> Archaeological findings have uncovered evidence that human presence in the area dates back 12,000 years.<ref name="Highways"/> The park was designated a [[Recorded Texas Historic Landmark]] in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|title=RTHL-THC San Pedro Park|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5029003806&site_name=San%20Pedro&class=5000|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref> It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas]] on November 1, 1979.<ref name="NRHP">{{cite web|title=NRHP-THC San Pedro Springs Park|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=2079002916&site_name=San%20Pedro%20Springs%20Park&class=2001|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref>
'''San Pedro Springs Park''' is located in the [[Bexar County, Texas|Bexar County]] city of [[San Antonio]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. Surrounding the source of the springs, the 46-acre park is the oldest in the state of Texas. It is the location of a [[Payaya Indians|Payaya Indian]] village known as [[Yanaguana]],<ref name="NRHP"/> and is the original site of the city of San Antonio.<ref name="NRHP"/> Archaeological findings have uncovered evidence that human presence in the area dates back 12,000 years.<ref name="Highways"/> The park was designated a [[Recorded Texas Historic Landmark]] in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|title=RTHL-THC San Pedro Park|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5029003806&site_name=San%20Pedro&class=5000|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref> It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas]] on November 1, 1979.<ref name="NRHP">{{cite web|title=NRHP-THC San Pedro Springs Park|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=2079002916&site_name=San%20Pedro%20Springs%20Park&class=2001|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref>


Spanish Franciscian priest [[Damián Massanet]] led a military expedition that crossed the area in 1691.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bremer|first=Thomas S|title=Blessed with Tourists: The Borderlands of Religion and Tourism in San Antonio|year=2003|publisher=The University of North Carolina Press|isbn=978-0-8078-5580-5|pages=13-19|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SQGYzFUqedAC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=yanaguana&source=bl&ots=hB4zxKIN35&sig=6m8VpN9mpRHkQEshLkvFUmFhwk8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=o-llUP_DAergiALrv4DYAw&ved=0CEIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=yanaguana&f=false|chapter=The Native Place of Yanaguana}}</ref> In 1709, Spanish Franciscan missionary [[Isidro de Espinosa]] and a retinue of Spanish soldiers traveled to the area. In his diary, Espinoza described the springs in detail and noted they had named it Agua de San Pedro (Waters of San Pedro).<ref name="Highways">{{cite web|title=The Oldest Park in Texas|url=http://www.texashighways.com/index.php/component/content/article/105-speaking-archive/6232-speaking-of-texas-san-pedro-springs-park|publisher=Texas Highways|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref> In 1719, [[Martín de Alarcón]], the founder of San Antonio, built an acequia (irrigation canal). The springs and surrounding area were designated as public land by King [[Philip V of Spain]] in 1729.<ref name="Highways"/><ref name="Aquifer">{{cite web|title=San Pedro Springs|url=http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/spspring.html|publisher=Edwards Aquifer|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref> When the [[Canary Islander|Canary Islanders]] began arriving in 1731, they first camped in this area, and the Spanish built an acequia.<ref name="NRHP"/>
Spanish Franciscian priest [[Damián Massanet]] led a military expedition that crossed the area in 1691.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bremer|first=Thomas S|title=Blessed with Tourists: The Borderlands of Religion and Tourism in San Antonio|year=2003|publisher=The University of North Carolina Press|isbn=978-0-8078-5580-5|pages=13-19|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SQGYzFUqedAC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=yanaguana&source=bl&ots=hB4zxKIN35&sig=6m8VpN9mpRHkQEshLkvFUmFhwk8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=o-llUP_DAergiALrv4DYAw&ved=0CEIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=yanaguana&f=false|chapter=The Native Place of Yanaguana}}</ref> In 1709, Spanish Franciscan missionary [[Isidro de Espinosa]] and a retinue of Spanish soldiers traveled to the area. In his diary, Espinoza described the springs in detail and noted they had named it Agua de San Pedro (Waters of San Pedro).<ref name="Highways">{{cite web|title=The Oldest Park in Texas|url=http://www.texashighways.com/index.php/component/content/article/105-speaking-archive/6232-speaking-of-texas-san-pedro-springs-park|publisher=Texas Highways|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref> In 1719, [[Martín de Alarcón]], the founder of San Antonio, built an acequia (irrigation canal). The springs and surrounding area were designated as public land by King [[Philip V of Spain]] in 1729.<ref name="Highways"/><ref name="Aquifer">{{cite web|title=San Pedro Springs|url=http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/spspring.html|publisher=Edwards Aquifer|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref> When the [[Canary Islander|Canary Islanders]] began arriving in 1731, they first camped in this area, and the Spanish built an acequia.<ref name="NRHP"/>

Revision as of 23:08, 28 September 2012

San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park is located in Texas
San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park
Location1415 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, Texas
NRHP reference No.79002916[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 1, 1979
Designated RTHL1965

San Pedro Springs Park is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. Surrounding the source of the springs, the 46-acre park is the oldest in the state of Texas. It is the location of a Payaya Indian village known as Yanaguana,[2] and is the original site of the city of San Antonio.[2] Archaeological findings have uncovered evidence that human presence in the area dates back 12,000 years.[3] The park was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1965.[4] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas on November 1, 1979.[2]

Spanish Franciscian priest Damián Massanet led a military expedition that crossed the area in 1691.[5] In 1709, Spanish Franciscan missionary Isidro de Espinosa and a retinue of Spanish soldiers traveled to the area. In his diary, Espinoza described the springs in detail and noted they had named it Agua de San Pedro (Waters of San Pedro).[3] In 1719, Martín de Alarcón, the founder of San Antonio, built an acequia (irrigation canal). The springs and surrounding area were designated as public land by King Philip V of Spain in 1729.[3][6] When the Canary Islanders began arriving in 1731, they first camped in this area, and the Spanish built an acequia.[2]

Based on the original Spanish land grant, the city of San Antonio defined the park's boundaries in 1851, and officially declared it a public park in 1852.[3] By 1856, the U.S. Camel Corps had camel stables on the site.[7] In 1860, Sam Houston stopped here to deliver a two-hour speech opposing the proposed Texas secession from the United States.[6] During the Civil War the park was used as a prisoner of war camp. After the Civil War, Buffalo Soldiers used the park as a training camp.[3]

Swiss landscape designer John J. Duerler leased land adjacent to the park, and reached an 1864 agreement with the city to redesign the park. Duerler developed the park with landscaping, a garden, picnic areas, a zoo and aviary, a music pavilion, and even a racetrack.[8] Naturalist Gustave Jermy opened the Museum of Natural History in the park in 1885. The park suffered in 1891 when wells dug into the Edwards Aquifer dwindled the park's water supply. Between 1897 and 1899, the park was renovated under the direction of Mayor Bryan Callaghan. Beginning just before World War II, the water needs of a burgeoning population once again decreased water levels, drying up the springs for the next 35 years. When excessive rainfalls during the 1990s replenished the park's water supply, the public once again became interested in the park.[6][7] The park underwent an additional renovation 1998-2000.[9]

Current hours of operation are Sunday-Saturday: 5 a.m.–11 p.m.. Facilities include a gazebo, swimming pool, restrooms, softball and tennis areas, and a playground. Also available are the Skate plaza San Pedro Library and the San Pedro Playhouse [10]

  • 1907 Postcard, San Pedro Springs Park and Lake
    1907 Postcard, San Pedro Springs Park and Lake

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d "NRHP-THC San Pedro Springs Park". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e "The Oldest Park in Texas". Texas Highways. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  4. ^ "RTHL-THC San Pedro Park". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  5. ^ Bremer, Thomas S (2003). "The Native Place of Yanaguana". Blessed with Tourists: The Borderlands of Religion and Tourism in San Antonio. The University of North Carolina Press. pp. 13–19. ISBN 978-0-8078-5580-5.
  6. ^ a b c "San Pedro Springs". Edwards Aquifer. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Permenter, Paris (2008). Insiders' Guide to San Antonio, 4th. Insider's Guide. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-7627-4787-0. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Aldrich, Melodye (2011). The Lerich Family: History and Remembrances. Authorhouse. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4685-0552-8.
  9. ^ Kendall, Dorothy Steinbomer. "San Pedto Park". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  10. ^ "San Pedro Springs park". Parks and Recreation. City of San Antonio. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
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