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

Water for the Concepción Community

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

1. Water for the Concepción Community Marker

Inscription. Residents Of San Antonio and its surrounding missions relied on the river and irrigation ditches (acequias) for their water in the 1700s and 1800s. The acequias were difficult to maintain, and as the city grew most were abandoned and filled, including the Concepción ditch that closed in 1869. The San Antonio River and shallow wells remained the city's main sources of water until a prolonged drought in the early 1890s. When springs feeding the river stopped flowing during the drought, the privately owned San Antonio Water Works drilled deep artesian wells to provide abundant, pure water to city residents. Wells at pumping stations in Brackenridge Park and downtown on Market Street distributed water to neighborhoods surrounding and north of the city center. In 1921 the water company purchased land near this site and drilled wells to supply the city's growing south side. The Mission Pump Station near the river and today's Theo Parkway opened in 1922. At full capacity the pumps could produce five million gallons of water daily. Today this station remains an important source for the San Antonio Water System.

Captions
1. This map illustrates the Concepción acequia that irrigated farmland extending from Camino de Concepción (now Mission Road) to Camino de San Juan (now South Presa Street).
2. Though the acequia was closed in 1869, parts of its channel continued to be used for irrigation as seen in this late 1800s photograph.
3. This picture shows well flow at the Mission Pump Station soon after the facility opened.
4. The Mission Pump Station was modernized in 1963. Crews are seen here laying large pipes to increase the station's capacity.
5. The City Water Board (later named the San Antonio Water System) company picnics were held at a pavilion constructed on the tree-shaded grounds of the Mission Pump Station. Employees are seen here dancing at a gathering in the 1960s.

Source: John D. Rullmann, "Historical Map of Old San Antonio de Bexar." 1912
Courtesy: Lawrence T. Jones III Texas Photography Collection, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University, Dallas
Source: San Antonio Express, June 2, 1923; Courtesy: Hearst Corporation.
Courtesy: San Antonio Water System.
Courtesy: San Antonio Water System.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1923.

Location. 29° 23.307′ N, 98° 29.879′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Thelka. It is on East Theo Avenue 0.4 miles west of Mission Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in the western section of the Concepción Park near the River Walk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 River Walk, San Antonio TX 78210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Concepción Neighborhood (here, next to this marker); The River Landscape (here, next to this marker); The San Antonio River at Mission Concepción

The Water for the Concepción Community Marker is on the right of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

2. The Water for the Concepción Community Marker is on the right of the two markers

(here, next to this marker); Concepción Park (here, next to this marker); Missions in the San Antonio River Valley (here, next to this marker); The San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción (within shouting distance of this marker); San Antonio River Tributaries (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Also see . . . Concepcion Park. City of San Antonio (Submitted on February 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The pavilion contains 6 markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

3. The pavilion contains 6 markers

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 505 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.