San Antonio’s population boomed during the 1940s, from 253,854 in 1940 to 408,442 in 1950. The city’s transportation system was transformed with the completion of much of Interstate Highway 35 by the late 1950s.
In 1941, San Antonio purchased 1,200 acres north of the city limits for an airport. What initially opened as a military training facility later became San Antonio International Airport. That same year, oilman and philanthropist Thomas Slick, Jr. founded the Foundation of Applied Research.
San Antonio’s role as a vital military hub to the nation was further emphasized during World War II. The airports’ Kelly, Brooks, Randolph, and Lackland, which had opened in 1930, provided critical personnel training and brought young recruits from throughout the country. San Antonio became a home for many veterans after they returned from service. After the United States Air Force separated from the army following World War II, Kelly Air Force Base, Brooks Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and Lackland Air Force Base (referred to as “Gateway to the Air Force”) contributed materially to the economic development of Alamo City, and this would continue for decades to come. Brooke Army Medical Center became a primary center for surgical research, medical field service instruction, long-term recovery care, and other military operations.
#1 Amphibious jeep entering San Antonio River between St. Mary’s and Navarro Streets, 1943
#2 Exterior of Justice of the Peace John Geraghty’s residence, 1941. South and east elevations of the building, northwest corner of W. Houston and Camaron Streets.
#3 Parade of junk cars on Commerce Street, 1943
#4 Carolyn Schulz of the Witte Museum wears a hat from 1890 from the museum’s collection, 1946.
#5 War Heroes Day parade on Houston St., San Antonio, 1942
#6 San Pedro Creek conduit, San Antonio, Texas, 1947
#7 Crowd at San Fernando Cathedral during installation of Archbishop Lucey, 1941
#8 Marine volunteers posed beside train at Southern Pacific Depot, San Antonio, 1942
#9 Army Day Parade on N. Alamo Street, 1941
#10 Firemen, with hoses, fight fire at San Antonio Machine & Supply Company, 1949
#11 Houses on Valdez Alley, San Antonio, 1948
#12 Roller coaster construction in San Antonio, Texas, 1947
#13 1943 parade of junk cars on Houston Street, 1943
#14 Battle of Flowers Parade at intersection of Houston and St. Mary’s Streets, 1940
#15 Armistice Day, San Antonio, Texas, 1946
#16 Armistice Day, San Antonio, Texas, 1946
#17 Las Vegas Night Club at 326 East Market Street, 1940s
#18 Tow truck on E. Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas, 1946
#19 Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Service Store 2, 423 Buena Vista Street, San Antonio, 1940s
#20 Armistice Day, San Antonio, 1946
#21 Armistice Day, San Antonio, 1946
#22 J and M Salvage Company, 409 Buena Vista Street, San Antonio, 1940s
#23 Demolition of the Kampmann Bank Building, 1940
#24 G. J. “Tano” Lucchese Real Estate Company, 714 W. Houston Street, San Antonio, 1940s
#25 Armistice Day, San Antonio, Texas, 1946
#26 Armistice Day, San Antonio, 1946
#27 Los Apaches Cafe, 712 W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, 1940s
#28 Los Apaches Cafe, 712 W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, 1940s
#29 Washington Square, San Antonio, 1948
#30 Crown over Residence on North Flores Street, 1941
#31 A firemen trying to extinguish a fire at the Acme Furniture Company on East Commerce, 1947
#32 Spectators watch tractor demonstration on Eisenhauer farm near San Antonio, 1949
#33 Bandera Stompede, Bandera, 1948
#34 Crowd on Houston Street for practice blackout, 1941
#35 Snow in downtown San Antonio, 1949
#36 Views of Alazan Courts under construction, 1940
#37 Former Westmoorland College building, part of University of San Antonio, 1942
#38 Storm damage in San Antonio, 1947
#39 Rev. Elder Bonds at Lincoln Courts Park, San Antonio, 1948
#40 Jack W. Davis and model wooden train and station, 1947
#41 Scrap metal pile at Burbank High School, 1942
#42 Battle of Flowers Parade with San Antonio Vocational & Technical School float, 1941
#43 Exterior of Shrine of the Little Flower, San Antonio, 1942
#44 Scenes at Union Stock Yards, 1946
#45 Sledding in San Antonio? Kay Hornaday and Ray Conder ride a snow sled down an icy hill in Alamo Heights, 1946
#46 Scenes at Union Stock Yards, 1946
#47 Snow at San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio, 1949
#48 Snow at San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio, 1949
#49 Snow on the San Antonio River, San Antonio, 1949
#50 Snow on San Antonio River at Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Texas, 1949
#51 Central Catholic High School’s scrap metal pile, 1942
#52 Bed wards at Riverview Hospital, 1943
#53 Volunteers refinishing chairs, 1943
#54 Edward de la Garza soldering, 1941
#55 War Heroes Day parade, viewed from Majestic Theater, San Antonio, 1942
#56 Children roller skating in San Pedro Park, 1940
#57 Crowd at San Fernando Cathedral during installation of Archbishop Lucey, 1941
#58 Spanish Civil War refugees on train, 1940
#59 Lineman P. Stowe repairing a traffic light, 1940
#60 Daniel Solis in firefighter training activity, 1948
#61 Robert Kingston and Mrs. Jerome Kuhl hang banner at headquarters for San Antonio Junior College, 1941
#62 Automobile parked in front of small residence, 1940
#63 Snow on building rooftops, San Antonio, 1949
#64 Mrs. Julian Ashheim looks over display of puzzles, 1946
#65 Children selling ”permits” at sidewalk stand, 1942
#66 Crowds watching the 1940 Battle of Flowers Parade, 1940
#67 Luz Diaz Deleon with his garbage pushcart, 1947
#68 Navy recruiters beside recruiting trailor, 1942
#69 Houses on Valdez Alley, San Antonio, 1948
#70 Men on Hays Street bridge holding hands over ears, 1942
#71 Trade Day Parade with Lone Star Beer float, 1941
John Williams (Center), member of the Fiesta San Jacinto Association, riding ferris wheel at Beckmann-Gerety Carnival with two unidentified orphans from the Protestant Orphans Home. Orphans were taken through the carnival by members of the Fiesta San Jacinto Association.
Leave a Reply
#72 Crowds watch a wrecker pull a car from flooded San Pedro underpass, 1948
#73 Floodwaters in San Pedro Avenue Underpass, San Antonio, 1948
#74 Sculptors at work, 1941
#75 Parade of junk cars on Jefferson Street, 1943. Looking north on Jefferson Street, from Broadway, toward jalopy parade.
#76 Mrs. George Thomas, postmistress at Bigfoot, Texas, 1941
#77 City workmen from the city street-cleaning department, 1940
#78 Scenes in Big Foot, Texas, 1941
#79 Mrs. A.L. Muse boarding ‘shoppers special’ bus, 1948
Mrs. A.L. Muse boarding the ''Shoppers' Special. ''She is one of the first San Antonians to take advantage of the new shuttle operating for the first time over route from Commerce, Soledad and Houston Streets and Alamo Plaza. In an effort to ease flow of traffic, parking cars has been banned on these portions of Commerce and Houston Streets.'
Leave a Reply
#80 Exterior of Precinct No. 8 Court at 3105 McCullough Avenue, 1941
#81 Exterior of Converse Hall, 1941. The exterior of Converse Hall with Royal Crown cola sign and 7-Up sign.
#82 Exterior of Justice of Peace Court No. 6, 1941
#83 Battle of Flowers Parade – man on roof of Alamo, 1941
#84 Battle of Flowers Parade with Jefferson Lassos passing before the Alamo,1941
#85 Driveway behind San Saba Apartments, 401 San Saba Street, San Antonio, 1940s
#86 Battle of Flowers crowd in the windows of the Calcasieu Building, 1941
#87 Lyndon B. and Lady Bird Johnson on steps of airplane, 1941
#88 Charles Merritt on bicycle, pulling trailer holding Mary Catherine Grimes and Doris Burnham, 1942
#89 Exterior of Reptile House at San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio, 1942
#90 Mule-pulled wagon in front of poultry house 1943
#91 Cattle and poultry houses, 1943. L-3069-G shows close up of cattle around poultry houses.
#92 Exterior of recently completed greenhouse at Brackenridge Park, 1941
#93 1941 Trades Day Parade with Magnolia Petroleum Company float, 1941
#94 Cattle around poultry houses, 1943
#95 Empty poultry houses, 1943
#96 Trade Day Parade, 1941
#97 Hillje sisters with their horses, 1940
Equestrians of no mean ability are these two charming girls, Miss Jane Ellen Hillje, snapped riding her mount, Brown Lady, and Miss Charlene Hillje, driving the gig which is drawn by her horse, Jackie Black. The Misses Hillje are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Hillje, and can be seen during the week riding their mounts in the horse-show ring at their lovely suburban home on the North New Braunfels Road...The girls have taken many blue ribbons in numerous horse-shows.
Leave a Reply
#98 Mrs. C.L. Witherspoon, Jr. shopping in grocery store, 1943
#99 Frank Horadam putting top on reconditioned surrey, 1942
#100 Amphibious jeeps in the San Antonio River north of Houston Street bridge, 1943
#101 Mule-pulled wagon in front of poultry house, 1943
#102 Mrs. J.H. Tinker and Mrs. W.J. Jones posed at Alamo in San Antonio, 1948
#103 Exterior of the George Brackenridge residence, 1947
#104 Daisy Mathews donates to scrap aluminum drive, 1941
#105 Construction of Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum, Dec. 22, 1948
#106 Armistice Day, San Antonio, Texas, 1946
#107 Ira Malone in horse-drawn buggy, 1942
Ira Malone, freight solicitor for the Brown Express Company, got him a horse--after nine years of soliciting business in his car. Soon Malone, his 35-year-old buggy and his faithful bay, Pat, will be familiar figures on San Antonio streets. 'I'll save rubber and gas for the more important business of slapping the Japs,' Malone explained.''
Leave a Reply
#108 Students sewing garments for Red Cross, 1941
#109 One-story frame house, 415 N. San Saba Street, San Antonio, 1945
#110 Boy Scouts at Alamo Stadium, 1941
#111 Ira Malone in horse-drawn buggy, 1942
#112 Russell Nye family intent on Olmos Drive, 1947
#113 Jean Knickerbocker on sailboat at Woodlawn Lake, 1941
#114 Elmendore Lake, possibly before being completely filled, 1948
#115 J.C.M. Bills weaving a suit of clothes for himself, 1940
#116 Eddie Kazak drinks from water wagon during baseball practice, 1943
#117 Bob Lieckert fields pop fouls, 1943
#118 Exterior of the George Brackenridge residence, 1947
#119 Construction of Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum, 1948
#120 Sally Farnsworth flying a kite, 1947
#121 Jefferson High School Lassos practicing twirling lassos in a gymnasium, 1947
Photograph shows members of the Jefferson High School Lassos practice twirling their lassos. Captains Joan Grant (left) and Elaine Strauch in foreground. The bands and drill teams of Brackenridge and Thomas Jefferson High Schools will share activities at the half-time show during the football game on Thanksgiving Day.
Leave a Reply
#122 Archbishop Robert E. Lucey in procession, 1941
#123 Men playing dominoes under an open air shed, 1947
#124 Mrs. Lester Lockhart poses with daughter behind fence, 1947
#125 Rustic sign in field for Quin Park, 1942
#126 Old St. Louis School building (left) and Moye Military Academy, 1941
#127 Librado Hinojosa with horse-drawn water cart, 1949
Librado Hinojosa looking at fire hydrant in Las Colonias area. Aguadores, water carriers of San Antonio, are near the end of long tradition. They were forced to haul water to the troops of Gen. Santa Anna. Now running water will force them to establish a new business. Hinojosa always charged 30 cents a barrel.
Leave a Reply
#128 Aftermath of automobile driving through small office, 1941
#129 Children riding in horse-drawn cart at San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio, 1942
#130 Robert B. Green Hospital, closed for renovation, 1947
#131 Officers quarters at Camp Verde, 1941
#132 B-29 Superfort at Kelly Air Force Base, 1948
#133 Military police demonstrate ”blitz buggy” jeep in Salado Creek, 1941
#134 Man prepares to hang window screen on Quali-Cut residence, 1948
#135 Houston looking east from St. Mary’s Street intersection during city blackout, 1941
#136 Bandera Stompede, Bandera, 1948
#137 Bandera Stompede, Bandera, 1948
#138 Cowgirl on horse roping a bystander on Main Street, 1948
#139 Firemen cleaning street after snow and ice storm, San Antonio, 1949
#140 Firemen cleaning street after snow and ice storm, San Antonio, 1949
#141 Army Day parade in Alamo Plaza, 1941
#142 Vernon Poerner, posed with flat-bottom boat he helped build, 1942
Here Vernon Poerner gives one of the flat-bottomed gondolas a dry land test. Some of the boats were to have gone into service Saturday night [July 18]. they will cruise the [San Antonio] river, seeking passengers much the same as in Venice. Youths will pole them along course of river
Leave a Reply
#143 Bandera Stompede, Bandera, 1948
#144 Back of house at southwest corner of Columbus Street and Dinero Alley, San Antonio, 1982
#145 Snowball fight in San Antonio, 1949
#146 Snowball fight in San Antonio, 1949
#147 One-story house with stucco walls, 315 Columbus Street, San Antonio, 1949
#148 Todd Insecticidal Fog Applicator used to spray DDT, 1946
#149 The Alamo after sleet storm.1947
#150 Icicles on City Water Board fountain on Market St., San Antonio, 1949
#151 Cattle round-up on ranch in La Salle County, 1941
#152 Cattle round-up on ranch in La Salle County, 1941
#153 F-5 fighter airplanes at Kelly Air Force Base, 1948
#154 Cattle round-up on ranch in La Salle County, 1941
#155 Postman H.L. King at row of mailboxes, 1947
#156 Cattle round-up on ranch in La Salle County, 1941
#157 Jose V. Martinez house, 620 W. Salinas Street, San Antonio, 1948
#158 Mobile-Soft Serve Ice Cream Company, 415 East Market Street at Water Street (foreground), 1948
#159 New market sheds on Washington Square, 1949
#160 Snow on building rooftops, San Antonio, 1949
#161 Snow on Houston Street, San Antonio, 1949
#162 Governors Stevenson and Jester in inaugural parade, 1947
#163 Exterior of ”Sebastopol,” Col. Joshua Young’s house, Seguin, 1942
#164 Views of Alazan Courts under construction, 1940
#165 Former Westmoorland College building, part of University of San Antonio, 1942
#166 Views of the Jester and Shivers inauguration, 1947
#167 Photograph of furniture moved out of houses endanger of the fire at the Allen and Allen lumberyard, 1947
#168 Furniture moved out of houses endanger of the fire at the Allen and Allen lumberyard, 1947
#169 Woman sweeping snow off sidewalk, 1949
#170 Woldert Peanut Company float in parade, Peanut Festival, 1949.
#171 Jack Wiley looks at automobile engine, 1942
#172 People and automobiles in flooded street, 1947
#173 Alamo Heights Methodist Church, exterior view, 1942
#174 Jack W. Davis and model wooden train and station, 1947
#175 Rev. Elder Bonds at Lincoln Courts Park, San Antonio, 1948
#176 County seizes W.P.A. sewing machines from Beethoven Hall, 1942
#177 Snow at Byrn’s Food Market, San Antonio, 1949
#178 Views of Alazan Courts under construction, 1940
#179 Soldiers waiting outside of train, 1946
#180 Insecticide spraying on Houston Street, 1946
#181 Insecticide spraying on Houston Street, 1946
The portable DDT 'fog' machine proceeds slowly down Houston Street [near Texas theater] as crewman spread DDT throughout the business and theater districts Thursday as part of city's clean-up drive. Although the 'fog' is guaranteed by health department not to hurt anything but insects, many complaints about its annoying qualities were made.
Leave a Reply
#182 Horse-drawn fire pumper is donated to scrap metal drive, 1942
#183 Horse-drawn fire pumper is donated to scrap metal drive, 1942
#184 Soldiers waiting outside of train, 1946
#185 African American soldiers wait outside of train, 1946
#186 Train Engineer J.O.Sowell walks through SP Gate, 1946
#187 Henry Hein operating new mechanical street sweeper, 1940
#188 East entrance to Alamo Stadium during construction, 1940
#189 1940 Battle of Flowers Parade – Drum major turning cartwheel, 1940
#190 Truck-bed full of scrap metal for war effort, 1942
#191 Family on flooded Flanders Street, 1946
#192 Pickup truck with load of spinach crates for Battle of Flowers Parade, 1940
#193 Main entrance to Alamo Stadium under construction, 1940
#194 Battle of Flowers Parade – Student color guard, 1940
#195 Crate vendors at 1940 Battle of Flowers Parade, 1940
#196 Battle of Flowers Parade – Gamma Chi sorority float, 1940
#197 Pilar Garcia on tightrope, 1947
#198 Goodyear blimp at the new municipal airport, 1947
#199 Members of the Boots and Saddle Club on horseback, 1948
#200 Scrap metal pile near Elmendorf school, 1942
#201 Scrap metal pile at Leon Springs school, 1942
#202 Scrap metal pile at Leon Springs school, 1942
#203 Scrap metal pile in front of Alamo Heights High School, 1942
Above is one of three piles of scrap collected by students at Alamo Heights school. Elementary, junior high, and high school divisions of the school have joined in the campaign. The pile above is the high school collection, estimated to contain approximately 50 tons of valuable war metal.
Leave a Reply
#204 Miss Pat Holden mowing lawn, 1946
#205 Red Cross motor corps members prepare to transport patient from plane to automobile, 1942
#206 Fire at Alamo Downs Race Track, 1947
#207 1940 Battle of Flowers Parade – Parade participants on Houston Street, 1940
#208 Fire at Alamo Downs Race Track, 1947
#209 Battle of Flowers Parade – Parade participants on Houston Street, 1940
#210 Demolition of north addition of Menger Hotel, 1949.
#211 Fire at Alamo Downs Race Track, 1947
#212 Battle of Flowers Parade – Parade participants on Houston Street, 1940
#213 Demolition of north addition of Menger Hotel, 1949
#214 Fire at Alamo Downs Race Track, 1947
#215 Demolition of north addition of Menger Hotel. June 21, 1949.
#216 Fire at Alamo Downs Race Track, 1947
#217 National Defense Week military parade, 1940
#218 City workmen from the city street-cleaning department, 1940
#219 Nancy Mireles and son Joel, with sign in corn field, 1948
#220 Fire at Alamo Downs Race Track, 1947
#221 Japanese submarine on display at Alamo Plaza, 1943
#222 Spectators on Houston Street – 1940 Battle of Flowers Parade, 1940
#223 Guests at Mayan Dude Ranch, Bandera, 1946
#224 Nancy Mireles and son Joel, with sign in corn field, 1948
#225 Drawing room at Quinta Urrutia, 1940
#226 M.B. Goodwin and L.E. Cox with scrap metal guns, 1947
#227 Joe Sweeney donates rugs for servicemen’s footgear, 1942
#228 Women’s Motor Corp members firing pistols, 1941
#229 Commanding Officer’s Residence, U.S. Arsenal, San Antonio, 1948
#230 Battle of Flowers Parade – Crowd on Houston Street, 1940
#231 Hail-damaged house trailers, 1946
#232 Beds in ward at San Antonio State Hospital, 1949
#233 Goodyear blimp at the new municipal airport, 1947
#234 Good Samaritan Hospital, San Antonio, 1948
#235 Produce dealers on Washington Square, San Antonio, 1948
#236 Hillje sisters with their horses, 1940
#237 Downtown San Antonio looking north from Smith-Young Tower, 1944
#238 Haymarket Plaza, San Antonio, 1947
#239 Wally West in western clothing carrying sign, riding donkey, 1948
Wally West on a donkey, carrying a political banner at corner of N. Flores and W. Houston Streets. Riding a rented donkey, 40-year-old West formed a one-man parade on Houston St., carrying a banner reading ''Draft Gen. 'Ike' Eisenhower for President.'' He was escorted through traffic by two officers
Leave a Reply
#240 Haymarket Plaza, San Antonio, 1947. View looking west from market building towards Haymarket Plaza.
#241 Hillje sisters with their horses, 1940
Equestrians of no mean ability are these two charming girls, Miss Jane Ellen Hillje, snapped riding her mount, Brown Lady, and Miss Charlene Hillje, driving the gig which is drawn by her horse, Jackie Black. The Misses Hillje are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Hillje, and can be seen during the week riding their mounts in the horse-show ring at their lovely suburban home on the North New Braunfels Road.
