Life in San Antonio in the 1700s revolved around Main and Military plazas west of the river and Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo) east of the river.
Residents traveled between the plazas and mission along an unpaved street that led to a low river crossing.
Later known as Commerce Street, the thoroughfare was lined with small houses and stores until the late 1800s when multi-story limestone and brick structures transformed downtown.
To accommodate increased cross-town traffic, a narrow bridge was replaced by a wider iron span in 1890, and in 1914 the present concrete bridge was constructed. It was not until the early 1900s that city leaders began to clear the overgrown river to create a linear park.
Architect Robert H.H. Hugman's plans to further enhance the river with walkways and landscaping were implemented from 1939 to 1941. The River Walk attracted a few businesses, but it was not until HemisFair '68 that the beautified walkway began to flourish. Today the River Walk is the city's second most popular attraction.

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Show me all markers in:  San Antonio, TX  |  Bexar County  |  78205  |  Texas  |  United States of America

Commerce Street Bridge
Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Beyer
141st Infantry Regiment
The Torch of Friendship
Father of the River Walk
250th Anniversary of the Founding of San Antonio
Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez
The Acequias of San Antonio
St. Joseph's Church
Stevens Building

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