Main/Military Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Games of Chance

Ferdinand Roemer, Texas, 1849

— Main Plaza —

Games of Chance Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021

1. Games of Chance Marker

Inscription. How can the games of chance flourish here so openly since the American laws in general and the laws in Texas in particular, prohibit them under pain of heavy penalties. An American living here for quite a number of years gave me a satisfactory explanation. In San Antonio everybody gambles and naturally there are no accusers and judges, therefore, who are inclined to prosecute.

Erected 2008 by Bexar County and the city of San Antonio.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Law Enforcement.

Location. 29° 25.483′ N, 98° 29.613′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Main/Military Plaza. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Dolorosa and Main Plaza. The marker lays flat on the ground in the Main Plaza grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Dolorosa, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cock Fighting (a few steps from this marker); Plaza Principal (a few steps from this marker); White Elephant (a few steps from this marker); The Old Cathedral (a few steps from this marker); Draws a Revolver and Fires Away (within shouting distance

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of this marker); American Dancers (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Centennial 1861 - 1961 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rioters (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Regarding Games of Chance. When visiting Main Plaza, be sure to look for and locate all 30 significant, historical pavers embedded into the floor of the plaza.

Also see . . . Frontier gambler.

The frontier gambler is one of the most recognizable stock characters of the 19th century American frontier. Historically, gamblers were of both sexes, came from a variety of professions and class and geographical backgrounds, were of many different nationalities, and were part of a well-respected profession. As the west became increasingly populated and domesticated, the public perception of gambling changed to a negative one and led nearly all of the state and territorial legislatures to pass anti-gambling laws in and effort to "clean up" their towns. The gambler continues to be a captivating figure in the imagery of the west, representing the openness
Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021

2. The view of the Games of Chance Marker from the Main Plaza
of its society and invoking its association with risk-taking. Source: Wikipedia

(Submitted on December 25, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 25, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.