San Antonio was a major military center during World Wars I and II, a factor that continued to dominate its economy in subsequent decades. During the 1920s, the population of San Antonio was around 161,379, and the city was growing rapidly with several development projects. Several landmarks, buildings, and public parks were built. Kiddie Park, featuring old-fashioned amusement rides for children, was established in 1925 and is the oldest children’s amusement park in the U.S.
The streets of Downtown, the old Spanish and Mexican city, were widened to accommodate streetcars and modern traffic. In the process, many historic buildings were destroyed. These included the Veramendi House, the home of the prominent family into which Jim Bowie had married when he came to the city. Standing on the southwest side of the Houston and Soledad Streets intersection, this building was a massive quadrangle built of adobe around a central courtyard in the typical Mexican style.
Below are some stunning historical photos that show what San Antonio looked like in the 1920s.
#1 Looking east on Houston Street with the Texas Theater and the Majestic Theater in view, 1920s
#2 Human fly” Babe White hanging from balcony of the Bexar County Courthouse overlooking Main Plaza, 1925
#3 The Lambert Beach Swimming Pool at Brackenridge Park on the San Antonio River, 1920
#4 A San Antonio Public Service Company bus parked in front of the Alamo, 1924
#5 Back of one-story frame duplex, 321 Columbus Street, San Antonio, 1920s
#6 San Antonio River floods, 1921
#7 A Post Office in downtown San Antonio, 1924
#8 Crowd watching men in a canoe on the floodwaters of the San Antonio River at the intersection of St. Mary’s and Travis Streets, 1921
#9 Looking west on Houston Street, 1929.
#10 Buzzy Mueller & Mimi Williams water skiing on the San Antonio River at the Arneson River Theater, 1925
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I think the river theater was built after 1925.
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I thought the Arneson was built by the WPA in the 1930s.
#11 Exterior view of San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo Mission during the restoration of the tower, 1928
#12 A view of the Commerce Street Bridge from the Market Street Bridge over the San Antonio River, 1920s
#13 Photograph of the Animal Defense League Kennels, 1925
#14 Exterior of church after collapse of the bell tower, Mission San Jose, 1928
#15 Serpentine Road from Olmos Dam construction site to Alamo Heights, 1926
#16 Duke Carver investigating the death of Clara Marsh, 1925
#17 Olmos Dam under construction, 1926
#18 Limestone cliff beside Olmos Dam construction site, 1926
#19 San Antonio River floods, 1921
#20 Construction of cutoff channel, San Antonio River, San Antonio, 1929
#21 An old home on Butler Rach in Karnes County, 1925
#22 A building at the Willow Springs Golf Course, 1925
#23 The front of the Alamo with the Emily Morgan Hotel, 1925
#24 Portrait of Dr. R.E. Braulick in front of St. Johns Lutheran Church, 1925
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His suit doesn’t look like it’s from the 1920″s
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Agreed. This looks more like the 1950s or 60s even.
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Definitely not a 20’s suit or glasses
#25 The 5th hole at Willow Spring Golf Course, 1925
#26 Picture of a river flowing though Classen Ranch State Park, 1925
#27 San Antonio River, San Antonio, 1927
#28 Navarro Street Bridge on lower arm of the San Antonio River Bend, San Antonio, 1927
#29 San Antonio River south of the Market Street Bridge, San Antonio, 1927
#30 San Antonio River from Crockett Street Bridge, 1927
#31 Landscaped area of Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#32 Goad Motor Company, southwest corner of Lexington Avenue and Dallas Street, San Antonio, 1927
#33 Casino Club Building, 102 W. Crockett Street, San Antonio, 1927
#34 Exterior of First Church of Christ Scientist, 501 N. Alamo Street, San Antonio, 1927
#35 Northwest corner of Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, 1927
#36 Exterior of church after collapse of the bell tower, 1928
#37 View of the north end of Alamo Plaza, 1921
#38 Entrance to Quadrangle, Fort Sam Houston, 1927
#39 Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Station, 501 S. Flores Street, San Antonio, 1927
#40 Swimming pool in San Pedro Park, San Antonio, 1927
#41 Marble lion at entrance to Lions Field, 2809 Broadway, San Antonio, 1927
#42 Southern Pacific Railroad Station, San Antonio, 1927
#43 Lone Star Garden, Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#44 Exterior of Westmoorland College, 726 W. Waco, San Antonio, 1927
#45 Market House, Market Street, San Antonio, 1922
#46 Exterior of Administration Building, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, 1927
#47 Aerial view looking northeast towards intersection of St. Mary’s and Houston Streets, San Antonio, 1927
#48 Belfry and entrance to church, Mission San Juan Capistrano, 1927
Photograph shows part of east (front) elevation of church. Chain-link fence in front.
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Name is wrong. This is Mission San Juan. California has the mission, San Juan Capistrano.
#49 Walkway outside north side of Smith-Young Tower, San Antonio, 1928
#50 South elevation of the church, Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, San Antonio, 1927
#51 African elephant in pen at San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#52 Polo players, Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#53 Exterior of church and convento at Mission San Jose, San Antonio, 1927
#54 South side of W. Market Street between the San Antonio River and S. Presa Street, San Antonio, 1927
View looking southwest from edge of the river bridge. One-story building on left is San Antonio Water Department Office (106 W. Market Street). Adjoining it is Water Department Annex (200-204 W. Market) in remodeled building that had been the 19th century Casino Hall). Building with columns is Carnigie Library, at corner of N. Presa.
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#55 Exterior of Young Women’s Christian Association, 403 Fifth Street, San Antonio, 1927
#56 Exterior of First Prebyterian Church, San Antonio, 1927
#57 Japanese Tea Garden, Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#58 San Fernando Cathedral and Frost National Bank, Main Plaza, San Antonio, 1927
#59 The Alamo and Crockett Hotel from roof of building on west side of Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, 1927
#60 St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Day School, 201 Roseborough, San Antonio, 1927
#61 View looking north, northwest from roof of Plaza Hotel, San Antonio, 1927
Photograph shows downtown buildings, including the National Bank of Commerce (far left) with additional three stories under construction on top of the building. Buildings on north side of Commerce Street (horizontally, across) at center. Burke Furniture Company and San Antonio Music Company, fronting on Market Street (lower center) and rear of Marion Hat and Dress Company (bottom, left.)
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#62 Exterior of Beacon Hill Presbyterian Church, 1101 W. Woodlawn Avenue, San Antonio, 1927
#63 Exterior of Scottish Rite Cathedral, 308 Avenue E, San Antonio, 1927
#64 Northeast corner of Military Plaza, San Antonio, 1927
Photograph shows the northeast corner (intersection of Commerce and Flores Streets) of Military Plaza as seen from an upper floor of the City Hall. On lower left is United States Bankruptcy Court and temporary home for City Hall (during addition of fourth floor); across N. Flores Street is Schreiner Block with Marcus Clothiers. Buildings in background (l. to r.): Robert E. Lee Hotel; Majestic Theater (later the State Theater); Stowers Furniture Company Building; and the Rand Building with water tower advertising Wolff & Marx.
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#65 Exterior of Highland Park School, 600-624 Hammond Avenue, San Antonio, 1927
#66 Aerial view of Martin MB-2 bombers and other aircraft at Brooks Field, 1927
#67 San Fernando Cathedral Rectory, San Antonio, 1927
#68 San Fernando Cathedral and Frost National Bank, Main Plaza, San Antonio, 1928
#69 San Antonio River spillway and park pavilion, Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#70 Convento as seen from outside sacristy door, Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, San Antonio, 1927
#71 Putting green and clubhouse, Brackenridge Park Golf Course, San Antonio, 1927
#72 Spanish Governor’s Palace, San Antonio, 1927
#73 Travis Street Bridge over the San Antonio River, San Antonio, 1927
#74 Woodlawn Lake Swimming Pool, San Antonio, 1927
#75 Side and rear of church, Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, San Antonio, 1927
#76 Northeast corner of Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, 1927
#77 Tourist camp beside San Antonio River on south end of Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#78 Houston Street looking west from Woolworth Building, San Antonio, 1927
Photograph shows view of buildings on north side of Houston Street, including (beginning at right), Moore Building, Hicks Building (northeast corner of Houston and Broadway); Central Trust Company; and, in distance, sign for Majestic Theater, located in the Stowers Building.
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#79 A. B. Frank Company Building, 201 Navarro Street, San Antonio, 1923
Photograph shows aerial view of the wholesale dry-goods company located on northwest corner of Navarro and Villita Streets. San Antonio River (lower right)" Plaza Hotel partly visible (upper right).
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This is not 1923. The Plaza Hotel was built in 1927.
#80 Exterior of Central Christian Church, 716 Main Avenue, San Antonio, 1927
#81 Granite monument marking the site of Ben Milam’s grave, Milam Park, San Antonio, 1927
#82 Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on grounds of Incarnate Word College, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, 1927
#83 Chapel and crematorium, Mission Burial Park, San Antonio, 1927
#84 View looking west, northwest from top of the Medical Arts Building, San Antonio, 1927
#85 San Antonio River and the Lexington Street Bridge, San Antonio, 1927
#86 200 block of Roseborough Avenue, San Antonio, 1928
#87 Exterior of Santa Rosa Infirmary, 745 W. Houston Street, San Antonio, 1927
#88 A. B. Frank Company, 201 Navarro Street, 1927
#89 Entrance gate, Mission Burial Park, San Antonio, 1927
#90 West side of Texas Theater and San Antonio River, San Antonio, 1927
#91 West elevation of the Travis Building from intersection of W. Travis and Soledad Streets, San Antonio, 1927
#92 West side of Alamo Plaza as seen from top of Medical Arts Building, San Antonio, 1927
#93 Bandstand in Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, 1927
#94 Tea House, Japanese Sunken Garden, Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#95 Sisters of Divine Providence Convent and Our Lady of the Lake College, S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, 1927
#96 Aerial view of Alamo Plaza and surrounding area, San Antonio, 1927
#97 Exterior of Scottish Rite Cathedral, 308 Avenue E, San Antonio, 1927
#98 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, 1927
#99 Primera Iglesia Evangelica Lutherana Mexicana,W. Houston Street, San Antonio, 1927
#100 “Lover’s Lane,” Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#101 Pavilions on Woodlawn Lake, San Antonio, 1927
#102 Southern Hotel and Bexar County Courthouse as seen from City Hall, San Antonio, 1927
Photograph shows view looking southeast from City Hall on Military Plaza. Southern Hotel (center left). Higley Hotel, with Kaufman's Store on lower floor (far right). In background (center) is Bexar County Courthouse with addition under construction (far right).
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#103 Front exterior of church, Mission San Jose, 1927
#104 St. Gerard’s Catholic Grade School, 1619 Iowa Street, San Antonio, 1927
#105 Cafe and cold drink pavilion at “Mexican Village,” Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, 1927
#106 Exterior of Second Church of Christ Scientist, 230 W. Magnolia Avenue, San Antonio, 1927
#107 St. Mary’s Street from roof of Plaza Hotel, San Antonio, 1927
#108 Bobby Cruickshank, 1927
#109 Hensel residence, San Antonio, 1927
#110 San Antonio River between Houston and Commerce Streets, San Antonio, 1925
#111 Texas Theater and Houston Street Bridge over the San Antonio River, San Antonio, 1927
#112 Milam Building, San Antonio, 1928
#113 Boats in cove at Medina Lake, 1927
#114 Bulverde Road, Bexar County, 1924
#115 Western Union Building, San Antonio, 1928
#116 Nellie Ankenman Masterson seated in car with four of her children beside it, 1928
#117 Exterior of church at Mission San Jose after the collapse of the bell tower, San Antonio, 1928
#118 Remains of bell tower at Mission San Jose shortly after collapse, San Antonio, 1928
#119 Better Home Ice Cream Company, 715 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, 1928
#120 Exterior of the Milam Building, 105-125 W. Travis Street, San Antonio, 1920s
#121 Old Gray Mare Band in American Legion Parade, San Antonio, 1928
#122 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, 1928
#123 Dairyland milk wagon, San Antonio, 1928
#124 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, 1928
#125 Quadrangle, Fort Sam Houston, 1928
#126 Entrance gate to International Exposition and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1928
#127 Bird’s-eye view of the Alamo from Post Office and Federal Building, San Antonio, 1928
#128 Better Home Ice Cream Company, 715 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, 1928
#129 Better Home Ice Cream Company, 715 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, 1928
#130 Better Home Ice Cream Company, 715 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, 1928
#131 Midway at Rice-Dorman Carnival, International Exposition and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1928
#132 Midway at Rice-Dorman Carnival, International Exposition and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1928
#133 Better Home Ice Cream Company, 715 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, 1928
#134 Milam Building, San Antonio, 1928
#135 Better Home Ice Cream Company, 715 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, 1928
#136 Milam Building, 1928
#137 Exterior of the Federal Reserve Bank, 127 Navarro Street, San Antonio, 1928
Photograph shows the south and east (front) elevations of the bank, designed by Atlee B. and Robert M. Ayres, architects, and located on the southwest corner of Navarro and Villita Streets. In background, barely visible is framework of the Smith-Young Tower under construction. Taken shortly after the bank was completed.
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#138 Midway at Rice-Dorman Carnival, International Exposition and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1925
#139 Food booth on the midway at Rice-Dorman Carnival, International Exposition and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1925
#140 Public Service Company buses near entrance to the International and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1925
#141 Medical Arts Building, San Antonio, 1925
#142 Milam Building, San Antonio, 1925
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This is not 1925. The building was completed in 1928.
#143 Midway at Rice-Dorman Carnival, International Exposition and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1925
#144 “Honeymoon Ship” at Rice-Dorman Carnival, International Exposition and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1928
#145 Northwest corner of Alamo Compound, San Antonio, 1924
#146 Temple Beth-El, San Antonio, 1928
#147 Midway at Rice-Dorman Carnival, International Exposition and Live Stock Show, San Antonio, 1928
#148 Exterior view of San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo Mission during the restoration of the tower, 1928
#149 Exterior of church and convento, Mission San Jose, San Antonio, 1924
#150 Schmidt-Gold House, Fredericksburg, 1925
#151 The exterior of Fire Station No. 17 at 547 W. Gramercy before it was completed, 1925
#152 Mexican curio store, San Antonio, 1925
#153 A Post Office in downtown San Antonio, Texas. It was built in 1886 and demolished in 1935.
#154 Texas-Mexican Railroad Station, Laredo, 1925
#155 Alamo National Bank Building, southwest corner of Presa and Commerce Street, 1925
#156 Fire Station No. 11 at the corner of Frio and Matamoros Streets with firemen and a fire truck on the drive, 1925
#157 Warehouse buildings, San Antonio Arsenal, 1925
#158 Brady Building, 202 E. Houston Street, 1925
#159 A building under construction, 1925
#160 A Riverside Park Golf Course, 1925
#161 Construction of cutoff channel, San Antonio River, San Antonio, 1929
#162 Smith-Young Tower from Market Street Bridge, San Antonio, 192
#163 Rand Building, 202-210 W. Houston Street. 1929
#164 Bird’s-eye view of Market Street, looking east, northeast from the Smith-Young Tower, San Antonio, 1929
#165 Truck going down ramp from Villita Street to construction site of San Antonio River cutoff channel, San Antonio, 1929
#166 Johann Joseph Knopp House, Fredericksburg, 1929
#167 Interior of light and power plant at Landa Industries, New Braunfels, 1920s
#168 Washington Street looking north toward intersection of Martinez Street (later Durango Blvd.), San Antonio, 1929
#169 Lanier Hotel, 1923
#170 Houston Street looking east from San Antonio River bridge following rain shower, San Antonio, 1929
#171 Bird’s-eye view of Dullnig Building, Joske Brothers Department Store, and surrounding area, San Antonio, 1929
#172 Casino Club Building following a rain shower, San Antonio, 1929
#173 W. Crockett Street looking west from Losoya Street, San Antonio, 1929
#174 Bird’s-eye view of North St. Mary’s Street from Smith-Young Tower, San Antonio, 1929
#175 Bird’s-eye view of North St. Mary’s Street from Smith-Young Tower, San Antonio, 1929
#176 Christian Crenwelge House, Fredericksburg, 1929
Photograph shows exterior of Christian Crenwelge House, a two-story limestone structure attached to one-story log and frame structure with metal roof, at 307 W. Schubert Street. Taken after removal of board siding from log structure. House located near Town Creek.
