Page 49 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.

SEWERAGE.
This essential to the well-being of everybody within our limits, is now
under consideration, and will gain the encouragement and aid of every
good citizen. Although the old drainage ditches originated years ago at
the time of erecting the historical missions, have been thoroughly reno-
vated and extended in their usage, and the natural unevenness of the soil
making the river answer the draining purposes, no one can deny the fact
that a system of sewerage for the more obnoxious refuse of a city is abso-
lutely necessary. The city, with this exception, is thorough in its cleanli-
ness, and the laws are strict regarding the disposition of all garbage A
little time will add all the latest improvements that science affords in this
respect.
POINTS OF INTEREST AND PLEASURE RESORTS.
In touching these subjects, it will, perhaps, be well to give a short
account of the ancient edifices which give our city its historic grandeur,
although they are far from being resorts of pleasure. No one has ever
read of the charm connected with these buildings, who has not felt the de-
sire to look upon them; and when the city is visited it forms the chief
wish of the tourist, for mere pleasures and resorts for recreation may be
found in all communities. Let us take, first, a ride down the river to the
old mission of San Francisco de la Espada. This ancient ruin was founded
in 1716, and is reported to have been on the Medina river, some eighteen
miles from San Antonio, but for some reason was removed to the banks
of the San Antonio, where it has stood the ravage of 150 years. It is, in
the strict sense of the word, a ruin, for only portions of the walls are now
standing, but sufficient to show the strength and durability of the archi-
tecture. It is situated on the west side of the river and about nine miles
from the city.
Returning homeward, the next to be seen, is with a three mile drive,
the old mission of
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO,
which is still presided over by a holy father. His knowledge of the early
history connected with all the missions, will satisfy the most curious of
visitors, and, as our informant tells us, is most intensely interesting. Two
miles nearer the city we find the ruins of the
SAN JOSE DE AGUAYO,
which was founded two years later than the two already referred to. To
the casual tourist it presents, although really different in its style, a simi-
lar sight, and impresses one with the thought that Time's corroding hand
can touch the hardiest work of man.
THE MISSION CONCEPTION
is only two miles distant from the city, and is commonly regarded as the
first one erected, though a table of statistics, which may be found accom-
panying a report of Count Gigedo in those days, gives it the same date of
founding as the others.