San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park | |
 San Pedro Springs Park | |
  San Pedro Springs Park | |
| Location | 1415 San Pedro Avenue San Antonio, Texas |
|---|---|
| NRHP reference No. | 79002916[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 1, 1979 |
| Designated RTHL | 1965 |
San Pedro Springs Park is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. The park is the location once known as Yanaguana to the Payaya Indians, and is the geographical origin of what evolved into San Antonio. Spanish Franciscian priest Damián Massanet led a military expedition that crossed the area in 1691.[2] In 1709, Spanish soldiers renamed it Agua de San Pedro, and it was dedicated by royal charter in 1729. When the Canary Islanders began arriving in 1731, they first camped in this area.[3]
Based on the original Spanish land grant, the city of San Antonio defined the park's boundaries in 1851. By 1856, the U.S. Camel Corps had camel stables on the site. Sam Houston stopped here to deliver a speech at a public rally.[4] Swiss landscape designer John J. Duerler leased land adjacent to the park, and reached an 1864 agreement with the city to improve the park. Duerler developed the park with landscaping, a garden, picnic areas, a zoo and aviary, a music pavilion, and even a racetrack.[5] During the Civil War the park was used as a prisoner of war camp. The park was renovated once again in 1899.[4]
The park was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1965.[6] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas on November 1, 1979.[3] It was previously used by San Antonio teams in the early 20th century. The park underwent a renovation 1998-2000.[7]
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 [8]
Gallery
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1907 Postcard, San Pedro Springs Park and Lake
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "NRHP-THC San Pedro Springs Park". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
- ^ 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) - ^ Aldrich, Melodye (2011). The Lerich Family: History and Remembrances. Authorhouse. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4685-0552-8.
- ^ "RTHL-THC San Pedro Park". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
- ^ Kendall, Dorothy Steinbomer. "San Pedto Park". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
- ^ "San Pedro Springs park". Parks and Recreation. City of San Antonio. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
