History and Description of the Metropolitan San Antonio Regional Area

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Tribes of Native Americans first lived along the San Antonio River, calling the area "Yanaguana," or "refreshing waters." In 1691, a band of Spanish explorers and missionaries found the river and named it San Antonio in honor of the feast day of St. Anthony. But the city of San Antonio was not established until 1718 when Father Antonio Olivares built the Mission San Antonio de Valero, which of course, became permanently etched in history as The Alamo. The east side of Alamo Plaza is the famous spot where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836 after repeated attacks by Mexican general Santa Anna's army. From that day on "Remember the Alamo" became the rallying point of the Texan revolution against Mexico.

A tour of San Antonio reveals the layers of history that is the foundation of the city. Historic sites include La Villita, one of the original Spanish settlements; Spanish Governor's Palace, San Fernando Cathedral, Jose Antonio Navarro State Historical Park, Steve's Homestead and the King William Historic District. A "must-see" is Fort Sam Houston where military greats such as Pershing and Eisenhower served. San Antonio was also a training site of the Buffalo Soldiers, African-American cavalry fighters who helped bring peace the Western Frontier. Today, it is headquarters for the Fifth U.S. Army and the Health Services Command and home of the Fort Sam Houston Museum and the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum.

Often in the middle of a busy downtown day, the strains of mariachi music from the colorful "El Mercado" can be heard. Market Square is the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico and the Farmers Market Plaza is the scene of many Hispanic Festivals and home to more than 80 specialty shops. One of the most famous San Antonio destinations is the River Walk, a cobblestone and flagstone patch border both sides of the San Antonio Rivers as it winds its way through the business district. In some places it is quiet and park-like, in others full of activity from European-style cafes, specialty boutiques, nightclubs and gleaming high-rise hotels.

If it is solitude you seek, Brackenridge Park is a 433-acre refuge in the heart of San Antonio located at the headwaters of the San Antonio River. The San Antonio Zoo is located there. Other peaceful destinations include The McNay Art Museum, the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. The center holds the annual San Antonio CineFestival, a celebration of conjunto music - a South Texas original.

With more than 300 days of sunshine annually and an average temperature of 68 degrees, San Antonio is the ideal location for challenging outdoor recreation. Rivers in the "Texas Hill Country" form an arc around the northern edge of the city, providing venues for canoeing, tubing and white-water rafting. There are numerous world-class golf courses. La Cantera Golf Club was once named the best new public course in the U.S. by Golf Digest. Additional upscale public golf courses are opening every year.

For kids of all ages, there is plenty of fun in San Antonio. The city is home to two major theme parks: Sea World San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Families can also enjoy the Hertzberg Circus Collection and Museum, the Magik Theatre, the Downtown All-Around Playground at Hemisfair Park and the 579-feet tall Tower of the Americas.

When its time to study, the central San Antonio area is supported by the San Antonio Independent School District, which has 64 elementary schools, 17 middle schools, eight high schools and four special campuses. The San Antonio Community College District offers four campuses including Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip's College, and San Antonio College. Four-year colleges and universities in the city include the University of Texas, Trinity University, St. Mary's, St. Phillip's, the University of Mexico and others.