San Antonio Mutual Aid Association
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Organized Nov. 1862. By Act of Texas Legislature, incorporated 1863. Had store at his site. Its $44,000 capital included $8,000 subscribed by the city for its needy and for families of confederates away in the Civil War. Aim of group was to keep down costs on necessities; Candles, flour, cloth, shoes, coffee. Help was given to 10,000 people. To obtain goods, cotton had to be sold in Mexico. This traffic was so vital that confederate army detailed soldiers to drive association wagons and teams. Other towns had like projects.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Organized in November 1862 and incorporated by the Texas Legislature the next year, the San Antonio Mutual Aid Association worked to hold down the price of wartime necessities—candles, flour, cloth, shoes, coffee—for a strained Confederate home front. Its capital included $8,000 the city subscribed to help the needy and the families of soldiers away at war, and it aided some 10,000 people. To buy goods, the group sold cotton in Mexico, a trade so vital that the Confederate army detailed soldiers to drive its wagons.
Why it matters
The association reveals the desperate economy of the Confederate home front, where cotton smuggled to Mexico became the lifeline that kept civilian families fed.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Spanish Governor's Palace0.2 mi away
- Briscoe Western Art Museum0.3 mi away · 210 West Market Street
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum0.3 mi away
- Centro de Artes0.3 mi away
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.4 mi away
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium0.4 mi away
Attractions
- River boat boarding0.2 mi away
- Casa Navarro State Historical Site0.3 mi away
- La Villita0.3 mi away
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
- Sea Life Aquarium0.4 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- Yanaguana Garden0.5 mi away
Food & drink
- Paesanos Riverwalk0.3 mi away · 111 Crockett Way, San Antonio, TX
- Saltgrass Steak House0.3 mi away
- The Original Mexican Restaurant0.3 mi away
- Landry's Seafood House0.3 mi away · 517 North Presa Street, San Antonio, TX
- Mad Dogs British Pub0.3 mi away · 123 Losoya Street
- Rainforest Cafe0.3 mi away · 110 East Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
Places to stay
- The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio0.1 mi away · 420 West Market Street, San Antonio
- Mokara Hotel and Spa0.2 mi away · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
- Holiday Inn Riverwalk0.2 mi away · 217 North Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX
- Omni La Mansión del Rio0.2 mi away · 112 College Street, San Antonio
- Hotel Contessa0.2 mi away · 306 West Market Street
- Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio0.2 mi away · 205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Themes & tags
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