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

The Concepción Neighborhood

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

1. The Concepción Neighborhood Marker

Inscription. Rural Land Surrounded Mission Concepción in the late 1800s providing a quiet retreat for city dwellers. The area began to change in 1888 when the San Antonio International Fair and Exposition opened at a nearby site along today's Roosevelt Avenue. Rail and streetcar lines were built to bring visitors to the fair that was held annually until 1907. As the city grew in the early 1900s, the open land was divided for residential neighborhoods. The Catholic Church also developed its property, opening St. Peter's Orphanage in 1913 and St. John's Seminary in 1920. Detracting from the area were industrial facilities, including a meatpacking plant and a refinery, built along rail lines close to the mission. By the 1940s residents enjoyed games and rides at Longhorn Amusement Park, baseball at Mission Stadium, and golf at Riverside Park. With the authorization of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in 1978, plans were made to protect Mission Concepción and its historic compound and strengthen its relationship to the surrounding neighborhood. Today streets, pedestrian paths, and parkland all link Mission Concepción to the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River Improvements Project.

Captions
1. This 1924 map (above) illustrates development surrounding Mission Concepción. The Mission Park addition was laid out in 1910. This 1911 advertisement was one of many that promoted the subdivision (right).
2. This 1955 aerial view shows the impact of development on Mission Concepción and its original compound. The photograph shows St. John's Seminary, Mission Stadium (demolished in 1974), industrial facilities, and residential neighborhoods surrounding the mission.
3. Riverside Park was popular picnic destination at the southern end of the streetcar line below Mission Concepción. The park became famous as the campground and training site for Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders in 1898. After plans to convert the park to a cemetery failed, it was abandoned and then purchased by the city in 1927.

Source: Nic Tengg, "Map of the city of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas." 1924.
Source: San Antonio Light, December 13, 1911; Courtesy: Hearst Corporation.
Courtesy: Light Collection, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Courtesy: Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is December 13, 1911.

Location. 29° 23.307′ N, 98° 29.877′ 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: Water for the Concepción Community (here, next to this marker); Concepción Park (here, next to

The Concepción Neighborhood Marker is the left marker of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

2. The Concepción Neighborhood Marker is the left marker of the two markers

this marker); The River Landscape (here, next to this marker); The San Antonio River at Mission Concepción (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 has 6 markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2023

3. The pavilion has 6 markers

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on February 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.