National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas facts for kids
Bexar County, Texas, is home to many amazing places that are super important to history! These special spots are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a hall of fame for buildings, areas, and sites that tell a big part of America's story.
When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its historical, architectural, or archaeological importance. It helps protect these places so future generations can learn from them. In Bexar County, there are over 150 of these cool listings! Some are individual buildings, while others are entire historic neighborhoods.
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What are Historic Places?
Historic places are buildings, structures, objects, sites, or districts that have special meaning because of their past. They might be where important events happened, where famous people lived, or they might show off unique styles of building.
Different Kinds of Special Places
You'll see different types of listings in Bexar County:
- National Historic Landmarks (NHL): These are the very best of the best! They are places that have truly outstanding national importance. Bexar County has several of these, like the famous Alamo.
- National Historical Parks (NHP) and National Historic Sites (NHS): These are areas or specific places managed by the National Park Service because of their national historical significance. The San Antonio Missions are a great example!
- State Historic Sites and State Antiquities Landmarks: These are important places recognized by the state of Texas for their historical value.
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHL): These are properties that have been officially recognized by the Texas Historical Commission for their historical importance.
Famous Historic Places in Bexar County
Let's explore some of the most interesting historic places you can find in Bexar County:
The Alamo
The Alamo is probably the most famous historic site in Texas! It was originally a Spanish mission built in the 1700s. Later, it became a fort where a famous battle for Texas independence happened in 1836. It's a National Historic Landmark and a symbol of bravery.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
This park protects four historic Spanish missions: Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. These missions were built in the 1700s to teach Native Americans about Christianity and Spanish culture. They are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means they are important to the whole world!
- Mission Concepcion: This mission is known for being the oldest unrestored stone church in America. It still looks much like it did hundreds of years ago.
- Mission San Jose: Often called the "Queen of the Missions," San Jose is the largest and most beautiful of the San Antonio missions. It has a famous rose window.
- Mission San Francisco de la Espada: This mission has the oldest working irrigation system in Texas, called the Espada Aqueduct. It still brings water to nearby farms today!
- Mission San Juan Capistrano: This mission was a self-sufficient community with farms and ranches. It played a big role in the early economy of the area.
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a very old and important military base. It has been a key part of the U.S. Army since the late 1800s. Many of its buildings are historic, including the famous Quadrangle, which was once home to Geronimo and his Apache warriors. It's a National Historic Landmark District.
Bexar County Courthouse
This grand building is where many important legal decisions have been made for Bexar County. It was built in the late 1800s and has a unique Romanesque Revival style, with big arches and towers.
The Majestic Theatre
The Majestic Theatre is a stunning movie palace built in 1929. It's known for its beautiful Spanish Mediterranean style and its amazing ceiling that looks like a starry night sky. It's a National Historic Landmark and still hosts concerts and shows today.
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Spanish Governor's Palace
This historic building was the home and office of the Spanish governors of Texas in the 1700s. It's a beautiful example of Spanish colonial architecture and gives us a peek into what life was like back then. It's also a National Historic Landmark.
Other Notable Places
- Alamo Stadium and Gymnasium: A large stadium built in the 1940s, known for its unique design.
- Aztec Theater: A movie theater with amazing Aztec-inspired decorations inside.
- Hangar 9 at Brooks Air Force Base: This is the oldest aircraft hangar in the United States, built in 1918. It's a National Historic Landmark.
- Hays Street Bridge: A historic bridge that connects different parts of San Antonio, offering great views of the city.
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- King William Historic District: A beautiful neighborhood with many large, fancy homes built in the late 1800s by German immigrants.
- La Villita Historic District: One of San Antonio's oldest neighborhoods, with charming adobe buildings and artisan shops.
- Randolph Field Historic District: This area includes many historic buildings at Randolph Air Force Base, known for its unique architecture.
- Tower Life Building: A tall, iconic skyscraper in San Antonio, built in the 1920s.
- Ursuline Academy: The first school for girls in San Antonio, founded in the mid-1800s.
Images for kids
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Alamo Methodist Church
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Alamo National Bank Building (316 E. Commerce St.)
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Alamo National Bank Building (105 S. St. Mary's St.)
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Menger Hotel in Alamo Plaza Historic District
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Alamo Portland and Roman Cement Works
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Alamo Stadium and Gymnasium
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Aue Stagecoach Inn
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Aztec Theater
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Barnes-Laird House
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Barr Building
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Blue Star Street Industrial Historic District
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James Butler Bonham Elementary School
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Dionicio Rodriguez Bridge in Brackenridge Park
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Brady Building
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Brooke Army Medical Center
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Buckeye Park Gate
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Builders Exchange Building
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Burns Building
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The Bushnell
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Calcasieu Building
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George Washington Carver Library and Auditorium
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Central Trust Company Building
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Chinese Sunken Garden Gate
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Cathedral of San Fernando
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City of San Antonio Municipal Auditorium
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City Public Service Company Building
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L. B. Clegg House
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Emil Elmendorf House
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Espada Aqueduct
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The Fairmount Hotel
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Fence at Alamo Cement Company
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First National Bank of San Antonio
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Floore Country Store
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Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
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Fountain at Alamo Cement Company
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Fourth Ward School
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Thomas H. Franklin House
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Friedrich Complex
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Garcia-Garza House
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Goad Motor Company Building
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Carl Hilmar Guenther House
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Gunter Hotel
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A. H. Halff House
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Ethel Wilson Harris House
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John S. Harrison House
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The Havana
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Johann and Anna Heidgen House
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Heimann Building
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Huebner-Onion Homestead and Stagecoach Stop
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International & Great Northern Railroad Passenger Station
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Jacala Restaurant
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Kelly Field Historic District
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Krause House
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Lerma's Nite Club
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Light House
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Livingston-Hess House
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Maverick Building
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Maverick-Carter House
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Menger Soap Works
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Merchants Ice and Cold Storage Company
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Milam Building
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Miraflores Park
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Monastery of Our Lady of Charity
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William J. Morrison, Jr. House
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Jose Antonio Navarro Elementary School
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Jose Antonio Navarro House Complex
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Old Lone Star Brewery
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Therese Church
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Hiram Partee House
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Pershing House
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Plehwe Complex
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Post Chapel, Fort Sam Houston
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Prospect Hill Missionary Baptist Church
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Saint Anthony Hotel
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St. Louis Hall at St. Mary's University
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church
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San Antonio Casino Club Building
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Old San Antonio City Cemeteries Historic District
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San Antonio Drug Company
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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
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San Antonio National Cemetery
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San Antonio US Post Office and Courthouse
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San Antonio Water Works Pump Station No. 2
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San Pedro Springs Park
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Schroeder-Yturri House
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Scottish Rite Cathedral
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Southern Pacific Depot Historic District
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Southern Pacific Railroad Passenger Station
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Staacke Brothers Building
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State Highway 3-A Bridge at Cibolo Creek
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Stations of the Cross and Grotto at the Shrine of St. Anthony de Padua
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Thiele House and Thiele Cottage
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Thomas Jefferson High School
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The Toltec
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Travelers Hotel
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Trolley Stop in Alamo Heights
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U.S. San Antonio Arsenal
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Gustav Uhl House and Store
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University of Incarnate Word Administration Building
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Vogel Belt Complex
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David J. and May Bock Woodward House
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L. T. Wright House
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Ximenes Chapel
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Yturri-Edmunds House
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