Page 50 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

50 SAN ANTONIO-HER TRADE,

THE ALAMO
will undoubtedly form the most interesting object of all the missions, for
it has a gloom and historic memory attached to it that renders it sacred
to the hearts of hundreds of our citizens. There, and within the very
walls that yet exist, was spilled the patriotic blood of those who fought to
give our State its independence of tyrant rule. Besides it presents to the
eye the evidences of a solemn and Chistian work of 1744 with the busy
hum of present traffic and city life, to impress the idea of civilization and
its accomplishments to the most obtuse mind. It stands on the northeast
corner of the Alamo plaza, and now serves mercantile purposes. We wish
space permitted a more lengthy description, and enumeration of the many
incidents connected with these relics of past ages; but it will not, and we
must advise all tourists to provide themselves with maps and history,
which can be obtained of any of our newsdealers, when contemplating a
visit to them.
The pleasure resorts are numerous, and the particular feature is their
difference from those seen in most other places. No eye ever looked upon
a more beautiful sight than that presented at
SAN PEDRO SPRINGS,
where the gurgling waters start their downward course, and aid the
making of a beautiful river flowing through the heart of the city. These
grounds which have been inclosed for several square acres, 'are rendered
into a large pavilion for music and dancing, with accompanying buildings
for all refreshments, and are laid off into a beautiful garden-like spot, with
its walks and groves and rocky grass covered banks, inviting to rest the
visitor, who is weary from his long continued examination of the rustic
grandeur around him. The buildings are not so elegant as many of us
have seen, but if they were it would mar-the rural charm attached to
every object around. The springs, which collect together in other parts to
form into little lakes are protected by arbors and bowers; and little rustic
bridges cross the lake at different parts, affording a view into the crystal
waters where fish of every kind are seen sporting in the rocky recesses of
the bottom. Through all the heated summer days can be found the
children with their instructors and guardians, enjoying their lunches on
the grassy and shaded grounds, while the swings from nature's supports,
and other instruments for juvenile pleasure, attract the attention of those
whose appetites have been assuaged. Indeed, the scene and all its arti-
ficial accompaniments afford a ground for picnics, which, in beauty, is
unsurpassed by anything the writer has ever witnessed.
THE SAN ANTONIO SPRINGS,
immediately at the head of the San Antonio river, affords another beauti-
ful-and interesting spectacle which cannot fail to captivate the lover of
the beautiful in nature. The springs are numerous, and boiling from the
earth to active life in such volumes as to feed and start upon its course a