Harlandale in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Popular Pastimes at Hot Wells

Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022

1. Popular Pastimes at Hot Wells Marker

Inscription.

Popular Pastimes at Hot Wells. . Hot Wells Was A Health Resort and an elegant hotel where visitors bathed and performed water gymnastics in hot mineral rich pools. When not bathing, guests strolled the 100-acre site along the San Antonio River and enjoyed golf, tennis, and riding. In early 1900s, the hotel advertised excellent cuisine in its "well-appointed café and buffet" and dancing to "music by a first class orchestra". Gambling was a major attraction at the resort - bets were placed on weekly ostrich races with the Hot Wells Jockey Club's bookie., After the hotel closed in 1923, owners struggled to reestablish Hot Wells as an entertainment destination. The hotel building burned in 1925 and was replaced by tourist cabins. The Flame Room opened in the remaining bathhouse in early 1937, once again drawing locals to Hot Wells for dancing and cocktails. The Flame Room continued to operate for 40 years. After world war two, it became a popular destination for a new generation who drank beer, played shuffleboard, and listened to vintage tunes on a jukebox. Eventually age took its toll on Hot Wells' structures and its owners. The Flame Room closed its doors in 1977, ending a storied chapter in Bexar County's history., Captions , Middle Upper: The San Antonio Fair and Exposition of 1888 featured "Mexico Day," hosting Mexico's president Porfirio Diaz Exposition Park attracted visitors to South Bexar County with horse racing, fairgrounds with a Ferris wheel, and novel events such as hot air balloon ascensions until closing in 1907. , Source: San Antonio Express, November 19, 1888, Center : A turn-of-the-century bathing costume. , Source: La Mode Illustrée, 1897. Courtesy Shutterstock, 2nd Center: 1921 City of San Antonio map shows Hot Wells Hotel in close proximity to Exposition Park. , Source: Nic Tengg. "Ward Map of the City of San Antonio." 1921, Middle Lower: For a nickel fare, street car riders took the 3 mile ride from downtown to Hot Wells for dining and dancing, concerts, and lectures at Hot Wells Hotel or to visit the nearby Ostrich Farm. , Source: San Antonio Light, August 30, 1908 , Courtesy: Texas Transportation Museum, San Antonio , Source: Greater San Antonio: The City of Destiny and Your Destination, 1923, Lower Right: S.W. Stinkard opened an ostrich farm near Hot Wells, where ladies purchased ostrich plumes for fifty cents apiece, about $15 in today's value. Gamblers placed wagers on the birds at weekly races. , Courtesy: San Antonio Public Library, Texana/Genealogy

Hot Wells Was A Health Resort and an elegant hotel where visitors bathed and performed water gymnastics in hot mineral rich pools. When not bathing, guests strolled the 100-acre site along the San Antonio River and enjoyed golf, tennis, and riding. In early 1900s, the hotel advertised excellent cuisine in its "well-appointed café and buffet" and dancing to "music by a first class orchestra". Gambling was a major attraction at the resort - bets were placed on weekly ostrich races with the Hot Wells Jockey Club's bookie.

After the hotel closed in 1923, owners struggled to reestablish Hot Wells as an entertainment destination. The hotel building burned in 1925 and was replaced by tourist cabins. The Flame Room opened in the remaining bathhouse in early 1937, once again drawing locals to Hot Wells for dancing and cocktails. The Flame Room continued to operate for 40 years. After WWII, it became a popular destination for a new generation who drank beer, played shuffleboard, and listened to vintage tunes on a jukebox. Eventually age took its toll on Hot Wells' structures and its owners. The Flame Room closed its doors in 1977, ending a storied chapter in Bexar County's history.

Captions
Middle Upper: The San Antonio Fair and Exposition of 1888 featured "Mexico Day," hosting Mexico's president

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Porfirio Diaz Exposition Park attracted visitors to South Bexar County with horse racing, fairgrounds with a Ferris wheel, and novel events such as hot air balloon ascensions until closing in 1907.
Source: San Antonio Express, November 19, 1888

Center : A turn-of-the-century bathing costume.
Source: La Mode Illustrée, 1897. Courtesy Shutterstock

2nd Center: 1921 City of San Antonio map shows Hot Wells Hotel in close proximity to Exposition Park.
Source: Nic Tengg. "Ward Map of the City of San Antonio." 1921

Middle Lower: For a nickel fare, street car riders took the 3 mile ride from downtown to Hot Wells for dining and dancing, concerts, and lectures at Hot Wells Hotel or to visit the nearby Ostrich Farm.
Source: San Antonio Light, August 30, 1908
Courtesy: Texas Transportation Museum, San Antonio
Source: Greater San Antonio: The City of Destiny and Your Destination, 1923

Lower Right: S.W. Stinkard opened an ostrich farm near Hot Wells, where ladies purchased ostrich plumes for fifty cents apiece, about $15 in today's value. Gamblers placed wagers on the birds at weekly races.
Courtesy: San Antonio Public Library, Texana/Genealogy

Erected 2019 by Bexar Heritage and Bexar County. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker

The Popular Pastimes at Hot Wells Marker in front of the ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022

2. The Popular Pastimes at Hot Wells Marker in front of the ruins

is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 29° 21.922′ N, 98° 28.259′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Harlandale. Marker is on South Presa Street (State Highway 122) near Koehler Court, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the southwestern corner of the ruins. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5503 South Presa Street, San Antonio TX 78223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Movie Stars, Baseball & Fancy Feathers (a few steps from this marker); Hot Wells Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); A Luxury Getaway for the Rich & Famous (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Wells Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Wells Hotel & Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Fray Antonio Margil de Jesús (approx. half a mile away); The Convento / El convento (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rose Window / Ventana de Rosa (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Also see . . . The Hot Wells Hotel and Spa. The Edwards Aquifer Website

In the
Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022

3. A view to the pool area in the ruins
late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Hot Wells site on the San Antonio River was home to several versions of a health spa and resort that piped sulfurous water from a hot Edwards well to health-inducing swimming pools and baths. Much of the site's history has been defined by fire. The first structure burned to the ground in 1894 after only one year of operation. The most famous version of the spa was its replacement, a lavish Victorian style structure built in 1900 that became a renowned, world-class vacation destination for celebrities, world leaders, and wealthy industrialists. Some of its visitors were Will Rogers, Charlie Chaplin, Teddy Roosevelt, Porfirio Diaz, Tom Mix, Douglas Fairbanks, and Cecil B. De Mille (Fox and Highley, 1985). The legendary hotel burned in 1925, and the bath house burned twice, in 1988 and 1997. But the remains of the bath house are still standing for decades there were hopes the site could be revitalized. In 2018, they are becoming the center-piece of a new county park.

(Submitted on January 1, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.