Centuries of history are on display throughout the city of San Antonio. This city is rich with not just a time line of great historical stories and battles, but many still-standing structures and fabulous artifacts. Take some time to explore the history of the San Antonio area with a visit to these many fine historical sites.
At the Casa Navarro State Historic Site, you can explore the former home of Jose Antonio Navarro. Navarro is a local Texas hero who gained fame as a statesman as well as one of only two native Texans of Mexican nationality to sign the Texas declaration of independence from Mexico. Today, you can explore the vast amount of information, period furnishings, and artifacts on display at this 1848-built home, as well as take an interpretive tour.
Sitting on two-thirds of an acre of land near Mission Concepción is the Yturri-Edmunds Historic Site. The land features an 1840's adobe home of the great Manuel Yturri Castillo, as well as a mill, a carriage house, and a postert house. This venue is open to the public by appointment only, and offers interpretive tours that give you a chance to explore life in the area in the mid 19th century.
Not far from the Alamo is the Spanish Governor's Palace. This palace is the only remaining example of an early-Spanish aristocratic home in the area, and was originally built in the early 17th century. You can tour the building today and view various artifacts and period furnishings on display, as well as historical exhibits that will give you great insight into the history of the area at a time when it was under the rule of the Spanish King Ferdinand VI. If you visit the Spanish Governor's Palace on the last Sunday of the month, a traveling history group puts on a re-enactment show with period uniforms and excopetas.
A trip to San Antonio would not be complete without spending time exploring the Alamo. The Alamo marks the historic site of the Battle of the Alamo, where the likes of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and several hundred others bravely defended the Alamo for thirteen days from an army of several thousand Mexican solders under the command of General Santa Ana. The Alamo fell after thirteen grueling days, but it has been a source of inspiration and strength for Texans and Americans alike even to this day. The Alamo sits on four acres in downtown San Antonio, not far from the River Walk. You can take a self-guided tour of the facility, viewing artifacts and exhibits on display inside. On the grounds, you will often find visitors enjoying the ambiance under shade trees in the courtyard area.
Make some time to learn more about Texas and US history with a visit to some of the area's many historical attractions and sites while you are visiting San Antonio!
