December 12, 2003

December 12, 2003

Today we explored the local San Antonio area following the San Antonio River south.  Along the east bank is the King William Historic area.  This neighborhood near downtown was where prominent German merchants settled making it the most elegant of the late 1800’s.

South of San Antonio, along the river, is a chain of four Spanish missions forming the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. These missions along with the Alamo were established in the early 1700’s to convert the Indians to Christianity and indoctrinate them in Spanish culture. This was done to strengthen Spanish hold on the area in the light of how few Spanish soldiers or settlers lived here. We started in the north with Mission Concepcion and worked our way south to Mission Espada. The missions are in various states of renovation but have active Catholic parishes. Like the Alamo, they all have walled compounds to deter raids by nomadic Comanche Indians.

The Spanish did much to teach the locals European farming methods. The most interesting part for me is the remnant of an irrigation canal that still exists at one of the missions.  This aqueduct flows by water bridge over a natural stream. A great piece of engineering on the frontier!

We hit the River walk for dinner again.  Aimee is not feeling well so she just watches me eat dinner while sipping tea.