What San Antonio looked like in the 1920s Through Fascinating Historical Photos

Photograph shows view looking northeast towards Olmos Dam construction site. Foundation (left); limestone cliff (right)

Photograph shows bird's-eye view, looking north, Villita Street Bridge (foreground), Market Street Bridge (center), and Houston Street Bridge.

Photograph shows concrete retaining walls on both sides of the river near downtown.

Photograph shows view looking downstream on the river. On left are rear of buildings (200 block of S. Alamo Street) that were demolished in the 1960s to make way for the Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel.

View looking downstream toward the Commerce Street Bridge. Casino Club Building on far right.

Photograph shows palm tree, Pampas grass, banana trees and other non native species.

Photograph shows the east (left) and north elevations of the San Antonio Casino Club Building shortly after its completion. Crockett Street Bridge over San Antonio River at bottom.

Photograph shows the south and east (front) of the brick building, located on the northwest corner of North Alamo and McCullough. Posters on building advertising a Christian Science lecture to be held February 15 [1927].

Photograph shows Gibbs Building in center, Federal Building and Post Office on far right. In distance, far left, is the six story New Moore Building.

Photograph shows west and south elevations of the church with unidentified men looking at debris.

View looking north through arched passage with base of clock tower in distance.

View of the monument, by Louis Rodriguez, that was commissioned by the Lions Club of San Antonio.

Photograph shows landscaping in the former rock quarry, by park commissioner Ray Lambert, with flower beds in the shape of the Texas Star.

Photograph shows exterior of former City Market House (built in 1859) at 611 Market Street.

Photograph shows an aerial view showing Texas Theater (far left), next to Gunter Office Building, St. Mary's Church (right) next Brady Building (center). On lower right is City Public Service Company Building, with addition of upper floors under construction.

Photograph shows part of east (front) elevation of church. Chain-link fence in front.

View looking west, Railing (right) above the San Antonio River. Bexar County Courthouse in distance.

Photograph shows side of the church, with group of women standing near the Rose Window, which is partially obscured by tree.

Photograph shows elephant with front feet on tree stump.

View looking southwest from edge of the river bridge. One-story building on left is San Antonio Water Department Office (106 W. Market Street). Adjoining it is Water Department Annex (200-204 W. Market) in remodeled building that had been the 19th century Casino Hall). Building with columns is Carnigie Library, at corner of N. Presa.

Photograph shows the west and south (front) elevations of the brick building, designed by Atlee B. Ayres and located on the northeast corner of Broadway and Fifth Street (later McCullough Avenue).

View looking west, with addition to City Hall under construction (behind cathedral on far left).

Photograph shows the school (left) at the northeast corner of Kinney Avenue. On right is St. Paul's church annex at 215 Roseborough.

Photograph shows downtown buildings, including the National Bank of Commerce (far left) with additional three stories under construction on top of the building. Buildings on north side of Commerce Street (horizontally, across) at center. Burke Furniture Company and San Antonio Music Company, fronting on Market Street (lower center) and rear of Marion Hat and Dress Company (bottom, left.)

Photograph shows the south (front) and east elevations of the church, located on the northwest corner of W. Woodlawn and Michigan Avenues.

Photograph shows the west (front) elevation of the temple, located on southeast corner of Avenue E and Fourth Street.

Photograph shows the northeast corner (intersection of Commerce and Flores Streets) of Military Plaza as seen from an upper floor of the City Hall. On lower left is United States Bankruptcy Court and temporary home for City Hall (during addition of fourth floor); across N. Flores Street is Schreiner Block with Marcus Clothiers. Buildings in background (l. to r.): Robert E. Lee Hotel; Majestic Theater (later the State Theater); Stowers Furniture Company Building; and the Rand Building with water tower advertising Wolff & Marx.

Photograph shows view, looking east from an upper floor of City Hall on Military Plaza. Rear of San Fernando Cathedral, including dome, visible beyond rectory. Washer Building in background at center, right.

View looking northwest toward cathedral and bank on west side of Main Plaza.

Photograph shows view looking upstream on the San Antonio River, with the wooden pavilion on upper right.

Photograph shows two unidentified men on the putting green. The stone clubhouse, designed by Ralph Cameron, is in background.

Photograph shows exterior of the Spanish Governor's Palace prior to restoration. Sign above doorway in center reads: 'For Sale / This Property 95x160 Ft.'' Stone in foreground is for remodeling City Hall.

Photograph shows view looking upstream (north) toward the bridge. Rio Vista Mexican Restaurant (151 Riverside Walk) on upper right.

Photograph shows the municipal swimming pool near Woodlawn Lake. View looking northeast.

Photograph shows view looking northwest, with south elevation of the church visible, including the Rose Window. West end of convento on far right. Automobile parked near gate used as tourist entrance.

Photograph shows view of the northeast corner of Alamo Plaza (intersection of E. Houston and Avenue E.) with the Federal Building and Post Office on left, the Medical Arts Building on right. Scottish Rite Cathedral on Avenue E (in distance at center).

Photograph shows view of buildings on north side of Houston Street, including (beginning at right), Moore Building, Hicks Building (northeast corner of Houston and Broadway); Central Trust Company; and, in distance, sign for Majestic Theater, located in the Stowers Building.

Photograph shows aerial view of the wholesale dry-goods company located on northwest corner of Navarro and Villita Streets. San Antonio River (lower right)" Plaza Hotel partly visible (upper right).

Photograph shows Gibbs Building (northwest corner of Houston and N. Alamo Streets) in center. U. S. flag (center right) flying from rooftop of Federal Building and Post Office on north side of Alamo Plaza. Houston street on far left.

Photograph shows the south (front) elevation of the building (later Santa Rosa Hospital) facing Milam Park.

Photograph shows the south (left) and east elevations of the wholesale dry goods company on northwest corner of Villita and Navarro Streets. View from Villita Street.

Photograph shows view looking southeast towards the San Antonio River, with the Houston Street Bridge in distance (center). Texas Theater on left.

Photograph shows view looking east on Travis Street from the intersection with Soledad Street. Travis Building (center), at northwest corner of Travis and St. Mary's Streets. Across street from it is the Lanier Hotel (partly visible).

Photograph shows view looking southwest with Alamo Plaza on lower left. Four-story Reuter Building (far left) across Crockett Street from the remodeled Opera House Building it. Crockett Block Building and the Palace Theater on lower right.

Photograph shows view, looking north, towards the bandstand. Cactus garden in foreground. Tall building (center right) is the Medical Arts Building.

Photograph shows tea house, with thatched roofing. Children standing on left are Helen and James Jingu, children of resident caretaker Kimi Jingu.

Photograph shows view looking northwest towards the buildings (l. to r.) Congregation of Sisters of Divine Providence Convent, Sacred Heart Chapel, Main Building, and Providence Hall (barely visible on far right).

Photograph shows view looking north, northwest with Alamo Plaza in center. Joske's Department Store (lower left) at northeast corner of Commerce and Alamo Streets, next to St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Photograph shows the west (front) and south elevations of the temple located on southeast corner of Avenue E and Fourth Street.

Photograph shows Alamo Plaza as seen from its southwest corner. Garden in center planted with palms. Two unidentified women are crossing Alamo Street at center right. Post Office and Medical Arts Building in the background.

Photograph shows the south front and part of the east elevation of the frame Lutheran church on the north side of W. Houston Street, between N. San Jacinto and N. Las Moras Streets.

Photograph shows long walkway, covered with arbor, extending from the Japanese Tea Garden to the San Antonio Zoo.

Photograph shows the pavilions, with the one on the left shaped to resemble an ocean liner.

Photograph shows view looking southeast from City Hall on Military Plaza. Southern Hotel (center left). Higley Hotel, with Kaufman's Store on lower floor (far right). In background (center) is Bexar County Courthouse with addition under construction (far right).

Photograph shows west and south elevations of church with trees partially obscuring facade. Pyron Road on left, running beside church.

Photograph shows pavilion, with thatched roof, beside "Mexican Village" (background, left), where artisans produced and sold pottery and weaving. Japanese Tea Garden beyond the village.

Photograph shows the north (front) and west elevations of the brick structure at the southeast corner of Magnolia Avenue and Belknap Place.

Photograph shows view looking north. San Antonio Drug Company at right. Aztec Building (see outline of Aztec Theater sign) and St. Mary's Church at center. San Antonio Police and Fire Department Building on lower left.

Bobby Cruickshank swinging golf club in the Texas Open Golf Championship at Willow Springs Golf Course.

Photograph shows exterior of Craftsman-style residence occupied by Frederick (Fritz) and Augusta Hensel at 1014 N. Cherry Street. East (rear) elevation. Fritz Hensel standing on upstairs deck.

Photograph shows view looking upstream toward the Houston Street Bridge and Texas Theater. Solo Service Company (100 block of Soledad) on left; Twohig property and Ben Milam Cypress on right.

Photograph shows view looking downstream on the river. Riverside Walk (left), connecting Travis and Houston Streets.

Photograph shows the office building (100 block of W. Travis Street) as seen from the Houston Street Bridge over the San Antonio River. On right are Balustrade and lamp posts at edge of Riverside Walk, linking Houston and Travis Streets.

Photograph shows the exterior of Western Union Telegraph Company Building at 142 W. Commerce Street (northwest corner of Commerce and Presa Streets.)

Photograph shows Nellie Ankenman Masterson, resident of San Antonio, Texas, seated in car parked under trees. On running board are three of her daughters (l.to r.'' Shirley, Gwendolyn, and Juanita. On opposite side of car is her son, Seymour.

Photograph shows the south elevation of the church, with Rose Window on right and the remains of the bell tower (center) that collapsed on the night of March 8, 1928.

Photograph shows south elevation of the church showing rubble from the bell tower that collapsed on the night of March 8, 1928.

Photograph shows the Milam Building, the first air-conditioned office building in the United States. View looking north.

Photograph shows the band, from Brownwood, Texas, going around corner from Broadway to Houston Street. Ruby Latham Ables on horse.

Photograph shows overview of Alamo Plaza. View looking north from the Conroy Building. The Alamo is on the right; in the background is the U. S. Post Office and the Medical Arts Building. Bandstand in center of plaza garden.

Photograph shows unidentified man in milkman's uniform standing beside Dairyland milk wagon.

Photograph shows looking northwest in quadrangle at Fort Sam Houston. Clock tower and water towers in background; pond with swans and ducks in foreground.

Photograph shows view looking southeast with Long Barrack in foreground, Alamo chapel beyond.

View looking north at buildings across from the intersection of Barrera Street. Better Home Ice Cream on far left. Two-story building on right is C. L. Watkins Furniture Store (713 S. Alamo).

Photograph shows men beside three wheel motorcycle used by the company, owned by Fred E. Schaal.

Photograph shows men beside three-wheel motorcycle used by the company, owned by Fred E. Schaal. Partly visible on far left is Braun Schweiger Briom Reich Hardware Store (717 S. Alamo).

Photograph shows people outside booths on the midway at International Fair Grounds on East Houston Street.

Photograph shows entrance to the "Whip" on left; booths on right side of the midway. Ferris wheel in distance

Photograph shows north (rear) and west elevations of the Milam Building. Adjacent (north) is parking garage.

Photograph shows the exterior of the Milam Building, 115 Travis Street at Soledad.

Photograph shows the south and east (front) elevations of the bank, designed by Atlee B. and Robert M. Ayres, architects, and located on the southwest corner of Navarro and Villita Streets. In background, barely visible is framework of the Smith-Young Tower under construction. Taken shortly after the bank was completed.

Photograph shows people gathered around booth on the midway at International Fair Grounds on East Houston Street.

Photograph shows the special buses providing regular service to the exposition at International Fair Grounds on East Houston Street.

Photograph shows exterior of Medical Arts Building at 705 E. Houston Street (corner of Avenue E).

Photograph shows people outside the attraction on the carnival midway at International Fair Grounds on East Houston Street.

Photograph shows view, looking southeast, from Federal Building and Post Office. Convento ruins (the Long Barrack) in foreground. Crockett Hotel is in the background at upper left.

Photograph shows the side of the temple and front of the temple community center (right). View from W. Ashby Place. Intersection of Belknap Place on far left.

Photograph shows exterior of Schmidt-Gold House, a two-story limestone structure built by Lorenz Schmidt and with a second floor added by Jacob Gold, Sr. House has jig-saw-decorated porches. Located at 106 South Lincoln Street.

Photograph shows the office and theater building on southeast corner of E. Houston and N. St. Mary's Streets. Entrance to Empire Theater on far right.

Photograph shows bird's-eye view, looking north, Villita Street Bridge (foreground), Market Street Bridge (center), and Houston Street Bridge.

Photograph shows view looking southwest toward the newly completed office building. On right is San Antonio Water Department Office at 106 W. Market Street

Photograph shows the office building and department store (Wolff & Marx) on south side of Houston Street, between Soledad and Main. Clock on corner of building (lower right).

Photograph shows the San Antonio Water Supply Company Pumping Plant and San Antonio River (lower right). Old Casino Club (bottom center). Intersection of Market (running diagonally) and S. Alamo Street at center.

Photograph shows exterior of Johann Joseph Knopp House, a one-story limestone structure at corner of West Schubert and North Milam Streets.

Photograph shows looking towards the Hotel Lanier at 203 E. Travis Street. (northeast corner of N. St.Mary's and E. Travis Streets."

View looking south on S. Presa Street toward the Casino Club Building,102 W. Crockett Street. Presa Street Bridge in center.

Photograph shows Crockett Street Bridge over San Antonio River in center, with Casino Club Building beyond. Taken after a rain shower.

Photograph shows view looking north. St. Mary's Church (lower right) across from City Public Service Company Building. Texas Theater and Gunter Office Building beyond CPS Building.

Photograph shows exterior of Christian Crenwelge House, a two-story limestone structure attached to one-story log and frame structure with metal roof, at 307 W. Schubert Street. Taken after removal of board siding from log structure. House located near Town Creek.

Photograph shows view looking toward intersection of E. Houston Street. Gunter Hotel on left (sign advertising Henry Lange Orchestra). Smith-Young Tower in distance.

View looking upstream from Commerce Street Bridge. Casino Club Building in distance on left, next to Crockett Street Bridge.

Photograph shows the streetcar parked at the faux bois concrete shelter with roof resembling thatch. Motorman Robert J. Frankie standing in door of streetcar.

Photograph shows the office and theater building on southeast corner of E. Houston and N. St. Mary's Streets. Entrance to Empire Theater on far right.

Photograph shows exterior of Smith-Young Tower at 310 S. St. Mary's Street. West and south elevations visible.

Photograph shows National Bank of Commerce (tall building, center left) on north side of Main Plaza. Alamo National Bank (lower right) under construction. Milam Building (upper right).

Photograph shows department store windows on ground floor of the Rand Building, located on Houston Street, between Main and Soledad.

Photograph shows exterior of the Carnegie Library at 210 Market Street. (Southeast corner of Market and Presa Streets). View shows portion of front (north) elevation and most of west elevation.

Photograph shows exterior of St. Anthony Hotel. North and west elevations visible. Travis Park on left; Navarro Street in foreground.

Photograph shows about 15 men at a two-story frame building. The walls of the second story have been let down and held horizontally, showing some men in the open area as well as on the ground at its base.

Photograph shows Alamo Plaza bandstand with palm trees and other tropical foliage landscaping.

Photograph shows the office building and department store (Wolff & Marx) on south side of Houston Street, between Soledad and Main. Clock on corner of building (lower right).

Photograph shows exterior of Schmidt-Gold House, a two-story limestone structure built by Lorenz Schmidt and with a second floor added by Jacob Gold, Sr. House has jig-saw-decorated porches. Located at 106 South Lincoln Street.

Photograph shows exterior of Johann Joseph Knopp House, a one-story limestone structure at corner of West Schubert and North Milam Streets.

Photograph shows the east front at the time it was owned by the O'Grady Family.