San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-25

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tonic is showing a rapid but steady
increase. Investors are fast learn
ing that this city offers the best rea'
estate buys" of any American city
today. Real estate values are lower
here than in any other city the size OF
! San Antonio as well as in many small
cr cities And, in addition TO this,
the net return on the investment is
comparatively greater, investors as
, well as local real estate men say.
But TO appreciate the value of San
Antonio business property one should
know something of the history OF
the place, says one real estate man.
Paul Adams. an expert in business
property craftsmanship and manage
ment. who is familiar with San An
tonio's history, especially as it con-
Germs the value of property, gives the
following sketch of the city's early
history:
1T is generally known that San
Antonio was founded in Ills. How
ever. some records state that as early
as GAS A. d. this territory was &C.
cupied by a tribe of Indians, who
along with the Aztecs. were the most
powerful in Mexico. In 1878 a great
number of Indian emblems and
articles were found in excavating in
San Antonio and these prove that the
Texas Indians were here.
INDIAN VILLAGE.
AT the time of the Diego Ramon
expedition in 1716, it was evident
that San Antonio had been an Indian
village, as far back as the seventh or
eighth century. 1t was an attractive
place to them because of its location
and climate. This is an excellent
proof that here is as attractive place
as any in the country. In Ills mis-
sion was established at the site Of the
present Alamo. The Spanish govern
ment desired to establish its claims
to this territory; the priests wished TO
convert the Indians. And gradually
the place became a Spanish town. Aft
er the second Mexican Revolution,
San Antonio became more desirable
and after the fall Of the Alamo its
developments became greatly Ameri-
canized. As an example of the secUr-
ity and process of land-holding in
those days, a certain Spaniard was
granted a certain tract of land as
gift, by the Spanish government and
the Alcalde, for the purpose Of farm
ing At later date the Alcalde gave
a part of this land TO one of his
friends. The original owner, of course.
protested and arranged with a frienil,
who was well informed, TO take up
his case, for the restoration Of the
land, with the government The Al
calde heard the case and decided that
the rightful owner should do 90 days
hard labor, as well as his friend who
had represented him, for presuming.
Such was the power Of political
bosses in those days.
During the Civil War the ebb was
low. Land near the San Pedro Park
sold for about 25 cents an acre. A lot
on Jefferson street was given to man |
for clearing the brush off an adjoining |
lot. the maps of 1870 show clearly a |
view Ct the city with the business sec
ton around Nam and Military plazas,
Commerce street and Market street |
Houston street was residential. Just 4
few blocks from the town was a wilder
ness. Travis and st. Mary's streets
were not crossing the river. The place
was sleepy and drowsy. There were no
street car.
San Antonio was like a Sleepy Hol-
low. There was probably not n town
in the whole United States, however,
where the night life was more inter-
esting. A gambling house was situated
On the present site Of the National
Bank Of Commerce, and in this place,
in 1884, Ben Thompson and King
Fisher were killed. 1t was run by
Jack Harris, and was known as a very
dangerous place in fact, one Of the
most dangerous in the country. Dur
ing the day San Antonio appeared
quite sleepy, but at night it was diff
ierent. In about 1875 a piece Of land
in the block where the Gunter hotel
IS located, was sold for $500 and today
Il is doubtful il land can be bought
here for $4,000 a front foot. In that
day the best homes were south of the
business section, some Of which are
still standing, the Guilbeau and Wins
low homes. These are good examples |
Of the better homes Of that day and |
are easily seen today. The latter was
built about Il years ago, and in it
were entertained some Of the famous
men Of the Civil War. The Bennett |
home on Dwyer avenue is another.
SLIGHTLY IMPROVED.
North Flores street was but slightly
improved Fest's store was the last
place north. On Main avenue, Major |
Kearny's home was the last out from