in Places & People

What San Antonio Looked like in the 1960s Through Stunning Vintage Photos

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San Antonio is one of the oldest Spanish settlements in Texas and was the largest city for decades. Indigenous people occupied the site for thousands of years before the Spanish arrived. First contact with Europeans is most likely to have been made by historical Payaya Indians. Following Mexico’s independence in 1821, Anglo-American settlers began arriving from the United States. During the war that led to the Republic of Texas’ independence in 1836, the Anglo-Americans gained control of Texas. Texas became a state in 1845 after being annexed by the United States.

During World Wars I and II, San Antonio was a major military center, affecting its economy decades later. In 1968, HemisFair was held in that city to commemorate its 250th anniversary and celebrate its cultural ties with Latin America. San Antonians gathered at Las Palmas Shopping Center in the Westside in 1961 to hear Vice President Lyndon Johnson endorse State Senator Henry B. Gonzalez. With the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, segregation was outlawed. Black leaders in San Antonio also praised the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which expanded the rights of Black citizens at polling places. The Riverwalk opened up to a new era of tourists flocking by the thousands to enjoy the fabled city’s jazz bars, restaurants, and shopping.

#1 Aerial view looking east, southeast toward future site of HemisFair, 1964

Aerial view looking east, southeast toward future site of HemisFair, 1964

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#3 Clinica Urrutia, 205 N. Laredo Street, San Antonio, Texas, 1960s

Clinica Urrutia, 205 N. Laredo Street, San Antonio, Texas, 1960s

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#4 San Pedro Creek from W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, 1962

San Pedro Creek from W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, 1962

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#5 San Pedro Creek from W. Houston Street, San Antonio, 1962

San Pedro Creek from W. Houston Street, San Antonio, 1962

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#6 Aerial view looking south above the 200 and 300 blocks of South Alamo Street, 1965

Aerial view looking south above the 200 and 300 blocks of South Alamo Street, 1965

Area on the left of South Alamo is Urban Renewal Project 5, site of the San Antonio Convention Center (lower left). At lower left, the building with a tower is the San Antonio Labor Temple, 126 North Street, in New City Block 906. In the center, the four-story building with adjoining building, is the Eighteen Hotel, corner of South Street and South Alamo Street, New City Block 144. The San Antonio River is on the lower right.

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#7 Rainbo Service Station Number 14, 302 Water Street at Haller Alley, New City Block 692, Urban Renewal Project 5, 1960s

Rainbo Service Station Number 14, 302 Water Street at Haller Alley, New City Block 692, Urban Renewal Project 5, 1960s

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#8 San Antonio Fire Station No. 7, 600 South Alamo Street, at Lavaca Street and Water Street, 1965

San Antonio Fire Station No. 7, 600 South Alamo Street, at Lavaca Street and Water Street, 1965

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#9 One-story frame house, 418 N. San Saba Street, San Antonio, 1968

One-story frame house, 418 N. San Saba Street, San Antonio, 1968

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#10 500 block of Water Street, New City Block 889, 1965

500 block of Water Street, New City Block 889, 1965

Looking northeast toward the intersection of Goliad Street. Near the corner, a man stands outside a second-hand store in the Sam Smith House at 503 Water Street.

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#11 Alamo Brake Service at 111 Goliad Street, New City Block 144, 1965

Alamo Brake Service at 111 Goliad Street, New City Block 144, 1965

Image shows front (southwest elevation) and side of the one-story automobile repair shop. On far right is the two-story Schultze Store and Hardware Company Building.

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#12 Shed and fence in the 200 block of Culberson Alley, 1965

Shed and fence in the 200 block of Culberson Alley, 1965

The rear and back yard of the Joe A. Caballero House, 618 Goliad Street. The back of the two-story house at 612 Goliad Street is in the distance (left).

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#13 Aerial view looking east toward New City Block 706 (center), 1965.

Aerial view looking east toward New City Block 706 (center), 1965.

San Antonio Independent School District buildings are on the corner of Matagorda and Lavaca Streets. In the foreground (center) is Fire Station Number 7, 604 South Alamo Street at Lavaca and Water Streets. On upper left, across Victoria Street, is the site of HemisFair'68, Urban Renewal Project 5.

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#14 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#23 San Antonio Fire Station No. 7, 600 South Alamo Street, at Lavaca Street and Water Street, 1965

San Antonio Fire Station No. 7, 600 South Alamo Street, at Lavaca Street and Water Street, 1965

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#25 Rear of small frame house, 416 N. Laredo Street, San Antonio, 1968

Rear of small frame house, 416 N. Laredo Street, San Antonio, 1968

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#26 Classified Parking System Parking lot Number 229 at 21, 1965

Classified Parking System Parking lot Number 229 at 21, 1965

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#28 Front of small brick and tile house, 409 Camaron Street, San Antonio,1968

Front of small brick and tile house, 409 Camaron Street, San Antonio,1968

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#29 Rear of small brick and tile house, 409 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1968

Rear of small brick and tile house, 409 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1968

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#30 Back of small brick and tile house, 417 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1968

Back of small brick and tile house, 417 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1968

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#31 Southwest Nipple Company Plumbing Supplies at 407 Water Street, 1965

Southwest Nipple Company Plumbing Supplies at 407 Water Street, 1965

Front (southeast elevation) and side of the company offices in a former residence with a modern addition on the front. Sign for Water Street Food Market on far right. The Eleanor Apartments are in background on left.

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#32 Lang-Schultze House at 112 Goliad Street, New City Block 127, 1960

Lang-Schultze House at 112 Goliad Street, New City Block 127, 1960

Front (north elevation) and side of the two-story brick residence built by Herman Schultze for Henrietta Lang and Issac Lang and later occupied by members of the Schultze family.

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#33 Frame house, 315 Matagorda Street at corner of Haller Alley, New City Block 692, 1960s

Frame house, 315 Matagorda Street at corner of Haller Alley, New City Block 692, 1960s

Image shows front (southeast) elevation and side of the frame residence with a stucco exterior finish. On the far right is a two-story brick house at 307 Matagorda Street.

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#34 Ernest and Olga Hampe House at 501 Victoria Street at corner of Santa Clara Street, New City Block 703, Urban Renewal Project 5, 1965

Ernest and Olga Hampe House at 501 Victoria Street at corner of Santa Clara Street, New City Block 703, Urban Renewal Project 5, 1965

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#35 Wolff Machine Works, 530 Goliad Street, New City Block 702, 1965

Wolff Machine Works, 530 Goliad Street, New City Block 702, 1965

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#36 Frame house at 104 Labor Street at corner of Culberson Alley, New City Block 702, 1965

Frame house at 104 Labor Street at corner of Culberson Alley, New City Block 702, 1965

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#37 Frame house at 514 Santa Clara Street at corner of Culberson Alley, New City Block 703, 1965

Frame house at 514 Santa Clara Street at corner of Culberson Alley, New City Block 703, 1965

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#38 Parking lot, 211 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1967

Parking lot, 211 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1967

Automobiles in parking lot at southwest corner of Camaron and W. Travis Streets. Billboards (right): one advertising Hill and Hill Preferred 86 Proof; the other, milk.

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#39 Warehouse and apartment behind Waitz Super Market, 548 Goliad Street at corner of Santa Clara Street, 1965

Warehouse and apartment behind Waitz Super Market, 548 Goliad Street at corner of Santa Clara Street, 1965

Image shows the building at the corner of Santa Clara Street as seen from Culberson Alley.

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#40 Parking lot, 211 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1967

Parking lot, 211 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1967

Automobiles in parking lot at southwest corner of Camaron and W. Travis Streets. Billboard (right) advertising Hill and Hill Preferred 86 Proof.

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#41 Wolff Machine Works, 530 Goliad Street, 1965

Wolff Machine Works, 530 Goliad Street, 1965

The front (northeast elevation) and side of the business owned by Marie T. Wolff. On the left is the parking lot for nearby Waitz Super Market.

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#42 Sam Smith House at 503 Water Street, 1960s

Sam Smith House at 503 Water Street, 1960s

Men outside the front (southeast elevation) of the caliche-block house at the time it was used as a second-hand store and before it was rehabilitated for use as a gift shop during HemisFair'68.

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#43 Businesses in 800 block of W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, 1960s

Businesses in 800 block of W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, 1960s

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#44 Caliche block house, behind 112-114 S. Laredo Street, San Antonio, 1960s

Caliche block house, behind 112-114 S. Laredo Street, San Antonio, 1960s

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#45 Sam Smith House at 503 Water Street, New City Block 889, 1965

Sam Smith House at 503 Water Street, New City Block 889, 1965

Men outside the front (southeast elevation) of the caliche-block house at the time it was used as a second-hand store and before it was rehabilitated for use as a gift shop.

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#46 Waitz Super Market, 548 Goliad Street at corner of Santa Clara Street, New City Block 702, 1965

Waitz Super Market, 548 Goliad Street at corner of Santa Clara Street, New City Block 702, 1965

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#47 Liberal Loan Company, 501 W. Houston Street, San Antonio, 1960s

Liberal Loan Company, 501 W. Houston Street, San Antonio, 1960s

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#48 Garage behind house at 606 Goliad Street, New City Block 703, 1965

Garage behind house at 606 Goliad Street, New City Block 703, 1965

Back of the garage, as seen from Culberson Alley, with rear entrance to the house on far right beyond a chain link fence and gate.

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#49 Goliad Street Pharmacy, 600 Goliad Street at corner of Santa Clara Street, New City Block 703, 1966

Goliad Street Pharmacy, 600 Goliad Street at corner of Santa Clara Street, New City Block 703, 1966

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#50 Leopold Wolf House at 606 Goliad Street, New City Block 703, 1966

Leopold Wolf House at 606 Goliad Street, New City Block 703, 1966

The front (northeast elevation) and side of the house that, in the 1920s, was the Wolf Residence Shop, a woman's clothing business operated by Eda and Mathilde Wolf (daughters of Leopold) in their residence.

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#51 Caballero House, 618 Goliad Street, 1966

Caballero House, 618 Goliad Street, 1966

The front (northeast elevation) of the one-story house, with flower beds in front yard, at the time it was occupied by Joe A. Caballero.

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#52 Parking lot in the 500 block of Goliad Street, 1966

Parking lot in the 500 block of Goliad Street, 1966

The side of Pete the Cleaners, 536 Goliad Street. In the foreground is the parking lot of nearby Waitz Super Market.

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#53 Hoppe Apartments, 410 Water Street at corner of Arroyo Alley, New City Block 696, demolished, 1965

Hoppe Apartments, 410 Water Street at corner of Arroyo Alley, New City Block 696, demolished, 1965

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#54 House at 222 Culberson Alley, New City Block 703, Urban Renewal Project 5, 1965

House at 222 Culberson Alley, New City Block 703, Urban Renewal Project 5, 1965

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#55 Penner’s, 701 W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, 1960s

Penner's, 701 W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, 1960s

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#56 Fence and garage and garage apartment in 200 block of Culberson Alley, 1965

Fence and garage and garage apartment in 200 block of Culberson Alley, 1965

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#57 Ernest and Olga Hampe House at 501 Victoria Street, 1965

Ernest and Olga Hampe House at 501 Victoria Street, 1965

The side of the frame house, occupied by Herminia Cervantes, that was demolished to make way for East Durango Boulevard next to HemisFair'68.

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#58 Businesses in the 500 block of Goliad Street, 1966

Businesses in the 500 block of Goliad Street, 1966

The front (northeast elevation) and side of the businesses, Pete the Cleaners (right), 536 Goliad Street. In the foreground is entrance to parking lot of nearby Waitz Super Market.

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#59 Albert Dugosh House at 414 Matagorda Street at corner of Arroyo Alley, 1965

Albert Dugosh House at 414 Matagorda Street at corner of Arroyo Alley, 1965

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#60 House at 422 North Street, 1965

House at 422 North Street, 1965

Front (northeast elevation) of the one-story frame house occupied by Andrew DeLeon and formerly occupied by Peter and Adel Wrzeciono in the 1920s to 1940s.

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#61 Woltersdorf-Solis House, 233 Wyoming Street at Indianola Street, 1965

Woltersdorf-Solis House, 233 Wyoming Street at Indianola Street, 1965

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#62 Schaefer-Preusser House at 407 Victoria Street, New City Block 702, 1965

Schaefer-Preusser House at 407 Victoria Street, New City Block 702, 1965

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#63 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Joining the San Antonio segment of the march is H. S. (Hank) Brown (3rd from left), president of the Texas AFL-CIO, walking between Rev. Novarro and Father Gonzales as they approach Mission San Juan Capistrano.

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#64 Aerial view looking north toward New City Block, 1964

Aerial view looking north toward New City Block, 1964

Image includes San Antonio Independent School District Building, northwest corner of Lavaca and Matagorda Streets, in area later designated as Lavaca Historic District.

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#65 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#66 Aerial view looking northeast toward La Villita (center) and the round Villita Assembly Hall, 1964

Aerial view looking northeast toward La Villita (center) and the round Villita Assembly Hall, 1964

Rear of San Antonio Public Library (upper left) across the river from Villita Assembly Hall. Intersection of S. Presa Street and E. Nueva Street (lower left), next to St. John's Lutheran Church.

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#67 “Asteriskos”, a steel sculpture by Tony Smith at HemisFair, 1968

"Asteriskos", a steel sculpture by Tony Smith at HemisFair, 1968

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#68 Alderete House, 526 E. Nueva Street, New City Block 155, in Urban Renewal Project 5, 1967

Alderete House, 526 E. Nueva Street, New City Block 155, in Urban Renewal Project 5, 1967

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#69 Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, Democratic candidate for president, speaks outside U.S. Pavilion at HemisFair , 1968

Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, Democratic candidate for president, speaks outside U.S. Pavilion at HemisFair , 1968

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#70 Southern Motors New and Used Cars, southwest corner of Water Street (left) and East Market Street, 1965

Southern Motors New and Used Cars, southwest corner of Water Street (left) and East Market Street, 1965

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#71 Entrance to Riebe Funeral Home Parking Lot, 1965

Entrance to Riebe Funeral Home Parking Lot, 1965

200 block of Rusk Street at North Street, New City Block 162, Urban Renewal Project 5, site of the San Antonio Convention Center.

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#72 Mediterranean Center Restaurant, serving Tunisian specialties, 1968

Mediterranean Center Restaurant, serving Tunisian specialties, 1968

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#73 Back of vacant house behind 420 N. Laredo Street, San Antonio, 1968

Back of vacant house behind 420 N. Laredo Street, San Antonio, 1968

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#74 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Marchers arrive at Mission San Juan Capistrano

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#75 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Marchers attend Mass in Mission San Juan Capistrano.

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#76 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#77 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#78 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#81 Garage and vacant apartment behind Chong Kung Dong residence, 609 W. Salinas Street, San Antonio, Texas, 1968

Garage and vacant apartment behind Chong Kung Dong residence, 609 W. Salinas Street, San Antonio, Texas, 1968

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#82 Unpainted house and outhouse behind houses in 400 block N. San Saba Street, San Antonio, Texas, 1968

Unpainted house and outhouse behind houses in 400 block N. San Saba Street, San Antonio, Texas, 1968

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#83 Rear of small frame house, 416 N. Laredo Street, San Antonio, 1968

Rear of small frame house, 416 N. Laredo Street, San Antonio, 1968

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#84 Parking lot between Las Vegas Night Club, 326 East Market Street, and Hudson Seat Cover Stores,310 East Market Street, New City Block 169, 1965

Parking lot between Las Vegas Night Club, 326 East Market Street, and Hudson Seat Cover Stores,310 East Market Street, New City Block 169, 1965

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#85 Front of small brick and tile house, 417 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1968

Front of small brick and tile house, 417 Camaron Street, San Antonio, 1968

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#86 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#87 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#88 Frame house at 150 South Street, New City Block 905 in Urban Renewal Project 5, demolished to make way for HemisFair, 1965

Frame house at 150 South Street, New City Block 905 in Urban Renewal Project 5, demolished to make way for HemisFair, 1965

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#89 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#90 Anita Gonzalez house, 427 N. San Saba Street, San Antonio, 1962

Anita Gonzalez house, 427 N. San Saba Street, San Antonio, 1962

Rear entrance (south elevation) to the Mediterranean style two-story house occupied by Anita Gonzalez, widow of Heraclio Gonzalez, at southwest corner of N. San Saba and W. Martin Streets.

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#91 100 block of Haller Alley, New City Block 692, 1965

100 block of Haller Alley, New City Block 692, 1965

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#92 Wolff Machine Works at 530 Goliad Street, New City Block 702, 1965

Wolff Machine Works at 530 Goliad Street, New City Block 702, 1965

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#93 Garage behind the Frank Teich House, 620 Goliad Street, New City Block 703, 1965

Garage behind the Frank Teich House, 620 Goliad Street, New City Block 703, 1965

Image shows view of the garage as seen from back yard of 622 Goliad Street.

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#94 Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

Rio Grande Valley Farm Workers March to Austin, 1966

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#95 Schaefer-Preusser House at 407 Victoria Street, 1965

Schaefer-Preusser House at 407 Victoria Street, 1965

The side and a partial view of the front (southwest elevation) of the one-story Victorian house, with two-story addition in back, occupied by Roland Preusser, that was demolished to make way for East Durango Boulevard next to HemisFair'68.

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#96 Fire on the HemisFair mini-monorail ten days before the opening of the fair, 1968

Fire on the HemisFair mini-monorail ten days before the opening of the fair, 1968

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#97 Pruski Parking at 110 North Street, New City Block 906, in Urban Renewal Project 5, site of the San Antonio Convention Center, 1965

Pruski Parking at 110 North Street, New City Block 906, in Urban Renewal Project 5, site of the San Antonio Convention Center, 1965

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#98 Sam Smith House at 503 Water Street, New City Block 889, Urban Renewal Project 5, site of HemisFair’68, 1965

Sam Smith House at 503 Water Street, New City Block 889, Urban Renewal Project 5, site of HemisFair'68, 1965

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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