Even with the fact that San Antonio is the eighth largest metropolis in the United States, an overt sense of tradition and origin has been maintained. It has complemented well with the modern skyscrapers that represent the booming business sector. The city has also been a hodgepodge of flavors and sounds made available by the Old Mexicans, Wild West, Deep South and Native Americans, among the others. All these and more that have annually drawn more than fifteen million visitors to this Texan town.



Prior to the rise of commercialism in San Antonio, it was considered a mecca. The metropolis used to be inhabited by the Native Americans who resided along the river. They called the area Yanaguana which means refreshing waters. By 1691, a group of explorers from Spain arrived. Since it was the feast day of Anthony de Padua from Portugal, the European mestizos named the city after the saint. However, the official founding of this Texan town was credited to Father Olivares. In 1718, he established a congregation that was immediately written in the bygone chronicles.

With that brief story about San Antonio, it can already give you an idea that one can spot buildings depicting religious formations. One of which is the San Fernando Cathedral where its construction can be traced back in 1731 through industrious locals from the Canary Islands. There is also the Alamo which is both a museum and shrine located in the downtown district. This landmark symbolizes the 189 defenders who held a mission against roughly 4, 000 Old Mexicans for 13 consecutive days.

Aside from those spots that have now turned out to be one of the popular attractions, there are also plenty of Hispanic settlements in San Antonio. There is La Villita which was home to the Spaniard soldiers and their families. You can also make your way to the Governor's Palace which was formerly considered as the seat of political administration when the metropolis was still the center of Spanish Province. You can also drop a visit to the Jose Navarro State Historical Park. It is an estate of one of the most instrumental personalities in the development of the city.

San Antonio is also the headquarters of Fort Sam Houston where the likes of Eisenhower, Krueger, Stilwell and Pershing were all recognized to serve there. Today, the military post is the site of the Fifth U.S. Army and Health Services Command. There is also a gallery where you can find out for yourself the happenings in the past. The metropolis was also a training ground of the Buffalo Soldiers. They are the famous cavalry combatants who a century ago, assisted in bringing forth peace and harmony in the Western Frontier.

Even if you do not regard yourself as a history buff, you can still have a grand time in San Antonio because there are more than these that you can discover.