San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-07
WHY MOI SAN ANTONIO.


establish an annual fair that will not
only be credit TO the city, but which
will be a means of advertising its bust
ress and Of bringing to its hotels and the
acquaintance OF its citizens tens of thou
sands of strangers every year. San An
tonic might well profit by this example
OF her northern rival. What our city
needs above every thing else is constant
advertising. Possessing natural attrac-
tiOns superior to any other city in Tex
as. it only remains for these attractions
to become thoroughly known in order to
multiply the number Of our annual visi-
tors many fold. Any enterprise,
then, that will attract visitors
to our city in large numbers. par
ticulsrly if that attraction is such as to
present itself with regular recurrence,
commends itself especially to the con-
sideration Of our peOpe. If such enter
prise can be made combined pleasure
and profit to those who interest them
selves therein, as well as a means of adj
vertising our city, all the better. These
| suggestions presented themselves in the
course of conversation with some
horsemen OF this city, who were talking
up races and descanting upon the pless-
ures of witnessing closely contested
struggle for the finish, and the question
was mOoted why San Antonio should
not lead Texas in this matter.
Why not? The race track in the old
fair grounds is the best track in Amer
lea, naturally. 1t was so pronounced by
hOrsemen from MOnmOth and Louisville
and Saratoga, when races were run In
II, and there is no reason why this track
would not be put into the very
best racing condition and made the ut
tratiOn which should draw thousands Of
visitors to this city every year. Before
there was a railway within hundreds of
miles OF San Antonio; before street cars
were thought OF; when San Antonio did
not possess population OF l5,OO-tbts
race track was noted over the whole
country. and the yearly fairs held at the
grounds below the city were attended
be thousands of strangers. Now, that
San Antonio is so easily accessible by rail
from all quarters of the compass and
street car communication with the
grounds practically established, it would
seem that no more feasible project could
be mooted than this of reviving the an
nual fair and establishing a regular ra-
cling event that would bring visitors
here from all parts of the country. Its
not as though it were an expensive un-
dertaking. The LIGHT has taken some
pains to enquire into the situation, and
finds matters most favOrably shaped for
just such an enterprise,
The property, which has been under
lease, will soon be free, as the lease ex-
pires with this present month. Ii COM
prses a tract of sixty eight acres, well
enclosed, upon which is laid out the
best race track in the state. No better
ground for a track is found in any state.
The soil is light brown loan, slightly
the dryest weather. Competent horse
men have pronounced it the fastest
track in America. 1t is full mile track,
a lmirably laid out and constructed with
great care. The most perfect system Of
drainage has been adopted, and the
heaviest rains never flood the course, rs
the water runs off through the ample
culverts, as it falls. Well built stables
for the accommodation OF 200 horses are
upon the grounds; large ampitheatcr
lGOx32 feet, flOOred, boarded and finished
with the best dressed lumber; also,
judges and music stands. Beneath the
ampitheatre are refreshment rooms,
rooms for billiard tables and such other
uses as may be desired, the whole space
beneath being utilized. The grounds
only lie about one-quarter OF a mile be-
yOnd the terminus of the Flores street
trainway line, which could easily be eX-
tended to the track. The property is
within the city limits and is quite valu
able. Such property as this should be
owned by our citizens, for the good of
the city, the pleasure of its people and
the attraction of visitors. 1t would soon
pay for itselfin more ways than one.
The LIGHT would suggest the forma-
ton of joint stock company, and the
purchase and use of the grounds for
racing purposes and the holding OF an
annual industrial and stock fair. The
property belongs to Mr.. Ed. Stoves, ST.,
and we are informed that it can be
bought, for the purposes specified, for
the sum of $4,000. The cost to him was
Sll $50, to say nothing of the rise In the
value Of real estate in that part of the
city since his purchase. San Antonio
surely has some enthusiastic horsemen
who will take an interest in this matter,
and not let an oppOr tunity like this pass
without at least an earnest effort to or
ganize such an association as would do
credit to the city and become in time
one Of her best advertising cards. Sub
scriptions to stock need not be heavy.
The purchase money is not large mat
ter, only $4,000, and could easily be
rearched by a liberal subscription of
small shares. 1t would be a great pity
to allow these grounds to be diverted
from their original use and this race
track destroyed, as will certainly be the
case in very short time unless some
| thing nf tho Lind ounnastaJ 4, H..