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Coordinates: 29°26′49″N 98°30′06″W / 29.44694°N 98.50167°W / 29.44694; -98.50167
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==History, first European contact, founding of San Antonio==
==History, first European contact, founding of San Antonio==
Archaeological findings have uncovered evidence that human presence in the area dates back 12,000 years.<ref name="Highways"/> The earliest recorded inhabitants of the springs were the [[Payaya people]], who referred to their village as [[Yanaguana (San Antonio)|Yanaguana]] .<ref name="NRHP"/> Spanish Franciscian priest [[Damián Massanet]] led the first European contact with the area, a military expedition 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=11–19|url=https://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 Saint Peter).<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> [[Martín de Alarcón]] founded the city of San Antonio by establishing [[Alamo Mission in San Antonio|San Antonio de Valero]] and [[Presidio San Antonio de Bexar]] at the Springs in 1718.<ref name="NRHP"/> He built an acequia (irrigation canal) in 1719. 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]]s began arriving in 1731, they first camped in this area.<ref name="NRHP"/>
Archaeological findings have uncovered evidence that human presence in the area dates back 12,000 years.<ref name="Highways"/> The earliest recorded inhabitants of the springs were the [[Payaya people]], who referred to their village as [[Yanaguana (San Antonio)|Yanaguana]] .<ref name="NRHP"/> Spanish Franciscian priest [[Damián Massanet]] led the first European contact with the area, a military expedition 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=11–19|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQGYzFUqedAC&q=yanaguana&pg=PA14|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 Saint Peter).<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> [[Martín de Alarcón]] founded the city of San Antonio by establishing [[Alamo Mission in San Antonio|San Antonio de Valero]] and [[Presidio San Antonio de Bexar]] at the Springs in 1718.<ref name="NRHP"/> He built an acequia (irrigation canal) in 1719. 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]]s began arriving in 1731, they first camped in this area.<ref name="NRHP"/>


==The park==
==The park==
Based on the original Spanish land grant, the city of San Antonio's first surveyor [[Francois P. Giraud]] defined the park's boundaries in 1851.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Stover R.L.A.|first=Scott E.|title=San Pedro Springs Park, Texas|journal=Design|issue=Winter 1996|pages=6, 7|url=http://www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/pdfs/sanpedro/sanpedrodesignarticle.pdf|accessdate=November 2, 2012|publisher=U. S. Department of the Interior}}</ref> The city officially declared it a public park in 1852, making it the oldest park in the state of Texas.<ref name="Highways"/> By 1856, the [[U.S. Camel Corps]] had camel stables on the site.<ref name="Insider">{{cite book|last=Permenter|first=Paris|title=Insiders' Guide to San Antonio, 4th|year=2008|publisher=Insider's Guide|isbn=978-0-7627-4787-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oj1PKROHl28C&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&dq=%22san+pedro+springs+park%22&source=bl&ots=HCRpAV2eoi&sig=OWqF91s6I0xTpLOZMjrLqK4pfNA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-gpmUILZDOrhiALykoGoCA&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22san%20pedro%20springs%20park%22&f=false|author2=Bigley, John |page=188}}</ref> In 1860, [[Sam Houston]] stopped here to deliver a two-hour speech opposing the proposed Texas secession from the United States.<ref name="Aquifer"/> During the [[Civil War (United States)|Civil War]] the park was used as a prisoner of war camp. After the Civil War, [[Buffalo Soldier]]s used the park as a training camp.<ref name="Highways"/>
Based on the original Spanish land grant, the city of San Antonio's first surveyor [[Francois P. Giraud]] defined the park's boundaries in 1851.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Stover R.L.A.|first=Scott E.|title=San Pedro Springs Park, Texas|journal=Design|issue=Winter 1996|pages=6, 7|url=http://www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/pdfs/sanpedro/sanpedrodesignarticle.pdf|accessdate=November 2, 2012|publisher=U. S. Department of the Interior}}</ref> The city officially declared it a public park in 1852, making it the oldest park in the state of Texas.<ref name="Highways"/> By 1856, the [[U.S. Camel Corps]] had camel stables on the site.<ref name="Insider">{{cite book|last=Permenter|first=Paris|title=Insiders' Guide to San Antonio, 4th|year=2008|publisher=Insider's Guide|isbn=978-0-7627-4787-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oj1PKROHl28C&q=%22san+pedro+springs+park%22&pg=PA188|author2=Bigley, John |page=188}}</ref> In 1860, [[Sam Houston]] stopped here to deliver a two-hour speech opposing the proposed Texas secession from the United States.<ref name="Aquifer"/> During the [[Civil War (United States)|Civil War]] the park was used as a prisoner of war camp. After the Civil War, [[Buffalo Soldier]]s used the park as a training camp.<ref name="Highways"/>


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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Aldrich|first=Melodye|title=The Lerich Family: History and Remembrances|year=2011|publisher=Authorhouse|isbn=978-1-4685-0552-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gr23gevWRFgC&pg=PA123&lpg=PA123&dq=%22san+pedro+springs+park%22&source=bl&ots=ytg5TxXhYh&sig=IeslrGr_aOpkfNiHuD0eqxwvv-U&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bAdmUPi1IuvPigL2sYF4&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=%22san%20pedro%20springs%20park%22&f=false|page=123}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Aquifer"/><ref name="Insider"/> The park underwent an additional renovation 1998-2000.<ref name="SPP">{{cite web|last=Kendall|first=Dorothy Steinbomer|title=San Pedto Park|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/gks12|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Aldrich|first=Melodye|title=The Lerich Family: History and Remembrances|year=2011|publisher=Authorhouse|isbn=978-1-4685-0552-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gr23gevWRFgC&q=%22san+pedro+springs+park%22&pg=PA123|page=123}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Aquifer"/><ref name="Insider"/> The park underwent an additional renovation 1998-2000.<ref name="SPP">{{cite web|last=Kendall|first=Dorothy Steinbomer|title=San Pedto Park|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/gks12|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref>


Park facilities include a gazebo, swimming pool, restrooms, softball and tennis areas, a playground, a skate plaza, the San Pedro Library, and the San Pedro Playhouse <ref>{{cite web|title=San Pedro Springs park|url=http://www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_san_pedro.aspx|work=Parks and Recreation|publisher=City of San Antonio|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref>
Park facilities include a gazebo, swimming pool, restrooms, softball and tennis areas, a playground, a skate plaza, the San Pedro Library, and the San Pedro Playhouse <ref>{{cite web|title=San Pedro Springs park|url=http://www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_san_pedro.aspx|work=Parks and Recreation|publisher=City of San Antonio|accessdate=September 28, 2012}}</ref>

Revision as of 22:49, 20 November 2020

San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park is located in Texas
San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park is located in the United States
San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park
Location1415 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, Texas
Coordinates29°26′49″N 98°30′06″W / 29.44694°N 98.50167°W / 29.44694; -98.50167
NRHP reference No.79002916[1]
RTHL No.3806
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] The park is alternately known as San Pedro Park. The park was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1965.[3] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas on November 1, 1979.[2] Although it is often stated that it is the second oldest city park in the United States after Boston Common, it is at most the tenth oldest after Plaza de la Constitución in San Augustine, Florida among others. [4]

History, first European contact, founding of San Antonio

Archaeological findings have uncovered evidence that human presence in the area dates back 12,000 years.[5] The earliest recorded inhabitants of the springs were the Payaya people, who referred to their village as Yanaguana .[2] Spanish Franciscian priest Damián Massanet led the first European contact with the area, a military expedition in 1691.[6] 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 Saint Peter).[5] Martín de Alarcón founded the city of San Antonio by establishing San Antonio de Valero and Presidio San Antonio de Bexar at the Springs in 1718.[2] He built an acequia (irrigation canal) in 1719. The springs and surrounding area were designated as public land by King Philip V of Spain in 1729.[5][7] When the Canary Islanders began arriving in 1731, they first camped in this area.[2]

The park

Based on the original Spanish land grant, the city of San Antonio's first surveyor Francois P. Giraud defined the park's boundaries in 1851.[8] The city officially declared it a public park in 1852, making it the oldest park in the state of Texas.[5] By 1856, the U.S. Camel Corps had camel stables on the site.[9] In 1860, Sam Houston stopped here to deliver a two-hour speech opposing the proposed Texas secession from the United States.[7] 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.[5]

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.[10] 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.[7][9] The park underwent an additional renovation 1998-2000.[11]

Park facilities include a gazebo, swimming pool, restrooms, softball and tennis areas, a playground, a skate plaza, the San Pedro Library, and the San Pedro Playhouse [12]

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

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "NRHP-THC San Pedro Springs Park". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  3. ^ "RTHL-THC San Pedro Park". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  4. ^ [1], San Antonians’ Eight Favorite Myths by Lewis F. Fisher, San Antonio Express-News, June 2, 2017
  5. ^ a b c d e "The Oldest Park in Texas". Texas Highways. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  6. ^ 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. 11–19. ISBN 978-0-8078-5580-5.
  7. ^ a b c "San Pedro Springs". Edwards Aquifer. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  8. ^ Stover R.L.A., Scott E. "San Pedro Springs Park, Texas" (PDF). Design (Winter 1996). U. S. Department of the Interior: 6, 7. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  9. ^ a b Permenter, Paris; Bigley, John (2008). Insiders' Guide to San Antonio, 4th. Insider's Guide. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-7627-4787-0.
  10. ^ Aldrich, Melodye (2011). The Lerich Family: History and Remembrances. Authorhouse. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4685-0552-8.
  11. ^ Kendall, Dorothy Steinbomer. "San Pedto Park". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  12. ^ "San Pedro Springs park". Parks and Recreation. City of San Antonio. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
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