San Pedro Springs Park facts for kids
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San Pedro Springs Park
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San Pedro Springs Park
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 San Pedro Springs Park
Location in Texas
San Pedro Springs Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1415 San Pedro Avenue San Antonio, Texas |
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| NRHP reference No. | 79002916 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 1, 1979 |
San Pedro Springs Park is a cool place to visit in San Antonio, Texas. It's a big park, about 46 acres, and it's built around natural springs. This makes it the oldest park in Texas! Long ago, a Native American group called the Payaya people lived here. They had a village named Yanaguana right where the park is now. This spot is also where the city of San Antonio first began.
The park is sometimes called San Pedro Park. It was named a special Texas landmark in 1965. Later, in 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. People sometimes say it's the second oldest city park in the United States. But actually, it's one of the ten oldest, with others like Plaza de la Constitución in Florida being older.
Contents
Park History: From Ancient Times to Today
Early Life and First European Visitors
Scientists have found signs that people lived in this area about 12,000 years ago. The first people we know about living near the springs were the Payaya people. They called their village Yanaguana.
In 1691, a Spanish priest named Damián Massanet was the first European to visit the area. He was part of a military trip. Later, in 1709, another Spanish priest, Isidro de Espinosa, came with Spanish soldiers. He wrote in his diary about the springs. He said they named the springs Agua de San Pedro, which means "Waters of Saint Peter."
How San Antonio Began at the Springs
In 1718, Martín de Alarcón started the city of San Antonio. He built two important places at the springs: San Antonio de Valero and Presidio San Antonio de Bexar. A presidio was like a fort. In 1719, he also built an acequia, which is a special canal for irrigation.
In 1729, the king of Spain, Philip V of Spain, said that the springs and the land around them belonged to everyone. When families from the Canary Islands arrived in 1731, they first set up camp in this area.
The Park Takes Shape
In 1851, a surveyor named Francois P. Giraud marked the park's borders. He used the original Spanish land grant to do this. The city of San Antonio officially made it a public park in 1852. This makes it the oldest park in all of Texas!
In 1856, something unusual happened here. The U.S. Camel Corps had stables for their camels at the park. Imagine seeing camels in Texas!
In 1860, a famous Texan, Sam Houston, gave a long speech here. He spoke against Texas leaving the United States. During the Civil War, the park was used as a camp for prisoners of war. After the war, Buffalo Soldiers used the park for training.
Park Improvements and Challenges
A landscape designer named John J. Duerler helped improve the park. In 1864, he agreed with the city to redesign it. Duerler added beautiful landscaping, a garden, and picnic spots. He also created a zoo, a birdhouse, a music stage, and even a racetrack! In 1885, a museum of natural history opened in the park.
The park faced a problem in 1891. Wells were dug into the Edwards Aquifer, which is a big underground water source. This caused the park's water supply to shrink. From 1897 to 1899, the park was updated again.
Before World War II, more people moved to the area. This meant more water was needed, and the springs dried up for about 35 years. But in the 1990s, there was a lot of rain. This filled the springs again, and people became interested in the park once more. The park was renovated again from 1998 to 2000.
What You Can Find at the Park Today
Today, San Pedro Springs Park has many fun things to do. You can find a gazebo, a swimming pool, and restrooms. There are also areas for softball and tennis. Kids can play at the playground or use the skate plaza. The park also has the San Pedro Library and the San Pedro Playhouse.
Gallery
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1907 Postcard, San Pedro Springs Park and Lake
