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

The San Antonio River at Mission Concepción

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

1. The San Antonio River at Mission Concepción Marker

Inscription. Flooding Along The San Antonio River and its tributaries has caused extensive property damage and loss of life throughout the city's history. After a major flood in 1921, voters approved funding to widen, deepen, and straighten the river and San Pedro and Alazan creeks and build Olmos Dam. The first work on this massive project took place near Mission Concepción, beginning in late 1924 at the confluence of San Pedro Creek and the river. Both the creek and river channels were widened and a large river bend was straightened and filled. Another flood in 1946 resulted in the twenty-year San Antonio Channel Improvement Project, which included additional work on the river near Mission Concepción. While these projects improved flood control, they removed habitat and vegetation. In the late 1990s the San Antonio River Authority, working with the city, county, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, initiated the San Antonio River Improvements Project to restore the river's ecosystem and provide recreational opportunities. Completed in 2013, this project, including the Mission Reach here at Concepción, has revitalized the river and surrounding

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neighborhoods along a thirteen-mile-long path from Hildebrand Avenue to Mission Espada.

Captions
1. San Antonio flood engineer S.F. Crecelius drew maps documenting the river channel both before and after flood control work in the 1920s. This detail shows the river near Mission Concepción.
2. The city purchased steam shovels and stump pullers in 1924 to widen and deepen the river channel and remove trees (left). Work continued in 1926 when a 2,100 foot bend in the river near Theo Avenue was filled and a new, straighter channel was constructed (middle). Archaeologists discovered the old river wall during excavations in 2010 (right).
3. The San Antonio River Improvements Project in this area was designed to restore as much of the natural environment as possible as well as to provide recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Courtesy: San Antonio Municipal Archives, Office of the City Clerk.
Source: San Antonio Light, September 28, 1924; Courtesy: Hearst Corporation.
Source: San Antonio Light, June 2, 1926; Courtesy: Hearst Corporation.
Courtesy: Center for Archaeological Research, University of Texas at San Antonio.
Courtesy: San Antonio River Authority.

Topics.

The San Antonio River at Mission Concepción Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

2. The San Antonio River at Mission Concepción Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1926.

Location. 29° 23.304′ 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 River Landscape (here, next to this marker); Missions in the San Antonio River Valley (here, next to this marker); Water for the Concepción Community

The view of the pavilion with the markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

3. The view of the pavilion with the markers

(here, next to this marker); Concepción Park (here, next to this marker); The Concepción Neighborhood (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.)

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 264 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.