250th Anniversary of the Founding of San Antonio
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Area was first explored and named by Spaniards in 1691. Colonial settlement began here May 1-5, 1718, with founding of Franciscan Missions San Antonio De Valero (later known as "The Alamo"). In Vicinity of the mission was the presidio San Antonio De Bexar, named for one of the great heroes of Spain, the Duc De Bexar, brother of the Viceroy of New Spain. The place was was renamed San Fernando De Bexar, 1731, when it became a municipality- the first in all of Texas. But the name "San Antonio" persisted. Today it is San Antonio in the county of Bexar. In its lifetime it has give allegiance to nine governments, and from 1772 to 1824 it served as the provincial and territorial capitol of Texas. Hemisfair '68- a World's fair held here April 6 to October 6, 1968, on the 250th anniversary of the birth of the city of San Antonio- had as its theme "the confluence of civilzations in the Americans". It orginated as a tribute to the diverse peoples who have occupied the western hemisphere from pre-columbian times: Indians who were the first known inhabitatns; proud spanish conquerors and devout padres; the pioneering american settlers; and the immigrants from many different lands.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Spaniards first explored and named this area in 1691, and colonial settlement took hold in May 1718 with the founding of Mission San Antonio de Valero—later known as the Alamo—beside the presidio San Antonio de Béxar. Renamed San Fernando de Béxar in 1731 when it became Texas's first municipality, the settlement kept the name "San Antonio" and served as the province's capital from 1772 to 1824. The city has lived under nine governments, a heritage celebrated at HemisFair '68 on its 250th anniversary.
Why it matters
San Antonio's founding marks the northern reach of Spanish colonial empire in North America and the mission-and-presidio system that shaped the culture of the American Southwest.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Briscoe Western Art Museum0.1 mi away · 210 West Market Street
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.1 mi away
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium0.1 mi away
- Alamo Vistor Center and Museum (coming 2027)0.2 mi away
- Ralston Family Collections Center0.2 mi away
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum0.2 mi away
Attractions
- River boat boardingnearby
- Sea Life Aquariumnearby · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- La Villita0.2 mi away
- River boat boarding0.2 mi away
- River boat boarding0.2 mi away
- Yanaguana Garden0.3 mi away
Food & drink
- Chipotlenearby · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- McDonald'snearby · 101 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX
- Which Wich?nearby
- Pat O'Brien'snearby
- Cafe Olenearby
- Starbucksnearby · 849 East commerce, San Antonio, TX
Places to stay
- Hilton Palacio del Rionearby
- The Monarch San Antonionearby
- Hotel Contessa0.2 mi away · 306 West Market Street
- Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk0.2 mi away · 123 Losoya Street, San Antonio, TX
- Marriott Riverwalk0.2 mi away
- The Crockett0.2 mi away · 320 Bonham, San Antonio, TX
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related events
- · Founding of San Antonio
- · HemisFair '68
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Site of Home (1850 to 1870) of Samuel Augustus Maverick
San Antonio, TX
A South Carolinian who reached San Antonio in 1835, Samuel Maverick guided Ben Milam and the Texian force in the first assault on the town, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836, and endured seven months as a prisoner in Mexico's Perote castle. Twice mayor of San Antonio, he rode with Jack Hays' Minute Men against Comanche raids and later helped negotiate the bloodless surrender of federal forts in 1861. His habit of leaving cattle unbranded gave English the word 'maverick.'
Don Jose Miguel de Arciniega
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José Miguel de Arciniega entered the Spanish military as a teenager in 1810 and, after Mexico won its independence in 1821, rose through San Antonio's civic ranks as alcalde and political chief. He served as a land commissioner for Stephen F. Austin's colonies and, after the Texas Revolution, continued in judicial and border-security roles. Fluent in Spanish, French, English, and several Native languages, he remained a leader through every change of government Texas endured.
The Casas Reales
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Chosen in 1731 by the Canary Islander settlers of San Fernando de Bexar, the Casas Reales served for more than a century as the seat of government on San Antonio's Main Plaza. From its steps, officials proclaimed the news of empires and republics to the roll of drums; Zebulon Pike passed through in 1807, the green flag of Mexican rebellion flew over it in 1813, and Moses Austin filed his colonization petition there in 1820. Santa Anna made it his headquarters during the siege of the Alamo in 1836, and four years later the deadly Council House Fight erupted here between Texan officials and Comanche leaders.
The Bullis House
San Antonio, TX
This Neo-Classical Revival residence was completed in 1909 for Gen. John Lapham Bullis, a New Yorker who spent much of his career on the Southwestern frontier. In 1873 Bullis took command of a company of Seminole Scouts whose skill at tracking raiders on the Texas border drew national attention. He lived in the house, designed by San Antonio architect Harvey Page, until his death in 1911; nearby Camp Bullis bears his name.