SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

San Antonio, Texas. In 1718, at an Indian village in a pleasant wooded area of spring-fed streams at the southern edge of the Texas Hill Country, Spain established Mission San Antonio de Valero (later called the Alamo). A customary accompanying presidio (fort), San Antonio de Bexar (Behar), protected mission endeavors. Today's city and county names derive from those 18th-Century Spanish beginnings that predate founding of the United States by more than half a century.

Several other Spanish missions soon followed, but the city's real growth dates from establishment of a villa (civil settlement) in 1731, Spain's first step to colonize Texas. Original colonists were Spanish Canary Islanders, to whom many Texas families proudly trace their roots. San Antonio remained the chief Spanish, then Mexican stronghold in Texas until the Texas Revolution.

Among many nationalities, German builders and businessmen were prominent settlers in the 19th century. Today, San Antonio is colorfully accented by its multicultural heritage.

Institutions of higher learning include Incarnate Word College, Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Mary's University, National University of Mexico, Trinity University, San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, St. Philips College, University of Texas Health Science Center a San Antonio, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Art museums and theaters are among the state's finest; its symphony orchestra rates with the nation's best, and San Antonians' love for fiestas is unsurpassed!

Some of those popular events include the Great Country River Festival in September the Holiday River Festival in December, the Texas Folklife Festival in August, the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo in mid-February, and at Easter the Starving Artists Show is held at La Villita and along the river walk.

Fiesta San Antonio spans 10 days the third and fourth weeks of April. This major event includes art exhibitions, coronation of King Antonio, :pilgrimage to the Alamo, concerts, band festivals, Battle of Flowers Parade, King's River Parade, Fiesta Night Parade, flower and fashion shows, musical productions, balls and street dancing, fireworks---and the fabulous series of "Nights in Old San Antonio."

Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, built as part of the 1968 HemisFair, features 241,000 square feet of exhibit space, banquet halls, meeting rooms, and international conference center; arena for sporting and entertainment, and theater for the performing arts. " The Confluence of Civilizations: mural on the facade of the theater is by Juan O'Gorman of Mexico. With extension of San Antonio river actually flowing in the heart of the center, the river boats provide an unusual means for convention delegates to travel from riverside hotels to meetings.