San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-07

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IH!E{1{1G!HGHT
Keeping San Antonio S
Record Straight

= TARRAL B. AYRES, managing director OF the OLD
n Spanish Trail Association and painstakinf
= student Of Texas history, calls attention to the
fact that there is much transformation disseminated
garding the settlement and early development of Sar
Antonio
From a collection of leaflets, pamphlets booklets
and post cards obtained from various sources he hst
compiled interesting table of conflicting dates
garding the settlement of San Antonio and the building
Of the missions.
San Antonio was settled according to this amusing
compilation, in 1859 and in 171s. The Alamo was built
in 1718 and in 1928 Conception in 170231 ITO. 17l3
1716 and 1880; San Jose in 1701-2s 1718 and 1920
San Juan in 1871 and 171s San Fernando in 1874 and
in 1718; Espada in 1880, 1870 and 1871.
None of the present buildings. he says was built
or even started any of these dates.
In the West Texas edition of the Old Spanish Trail
avelog Mr. Ayres observes that the dates Of the first
buildings and of the beginning and completion Of the
present stone buildings not easily stated for at first
crude structures built Of the missions
moved several times and the records are incomplete
and scattered several continents.
The first permanent settlement in San Antonio
dates from 1718 according to the research files of the
Association There is unverified record of garri-
fort here in 1898 but if it here it not
tinuous
A careful study of the best authorities enables the
association to offer the following facts in connection
with the establishment and the building of the missions
San Antonio de Vaero was established in 171S;
San Jose in 1920 and Conception San Juan and Espada
removed from northwest Texas and reestablshed
on the San Antonio river in 1871.
In regard to construction work. the association
states:
mission reports made in 1745 and 1852 help with
data The stone church for the mission San Antonio de
vaero begun in 1744 The report of 1852 says the
tower and sacristy had fallen and quarried stone
ef
eepcion church half completed according to the
1745 report the 1852 report shows it completed San
Juan in 1852 had temporary apartment twenty-five
varas 1894 feet) long; in 1745 the buildings were
thatch-
'The report of 1746 says stone church for Espada
was In progress the sacrsty being completed the 1852
report again says the church was in progress. San
Jose was not begun until 1853 80.
1.-THE present Cathedral of San Fernando stands at
the center of the old village its iron cross the center
all surveys and the point of the old highways Its
plaza the clearing house of travel and The
sanctuary of the building is the original church
and dates from 1744 the body Of the church bull.
in 1863 and improved in later years"
Early Texas history is Of more than academic inter-
est to San Antonans. One of San Antonios many at
fractions tourist center the historic interest of this
city is essential therefore that knowledge of
early Texas history be comprehensive and accurate
as possible.
In the history classroom there is tendency to de-
vote less time to study Of battles and campaigns and to
the memorizng of dates. This tendency undoubtedly,
is in the right direction for the purpose of education is
not to clutter the mind with unrelated facts and figures
easily forgot but systematic knowledge and to slim
ulate thought.
In the study of Texas history, however dates and
accounts Of battles and of incidents not of gnf
canoe of importance to San Antonians Such knowl-
edge is of practical value. The merchant the DOCTOR
the schooboy or the policeman may be asked at any
time to answer questions of visitors regarding the age
Of historic buildings and to tell the stories connected
with historic scenes.
We must have background of early Texas history
in order that may Know San Antonio"