11. 11 facts about San Antonio, TXSan Antonio is having a birthday, and it's a big one the Alamo City is turning a whopping 300 years old. Even if you repair it, its still a damn lifeboat.. Geoquono. 12. "Personally, they didn't treat me mean," Aldridge said, before adding, "But the helpless and really insane were treated in a brutal manner. More than 180 Texans died Guests have reported hearing moans. 13. . Households with a computer, percent, 2017-2021. Are you visiting San Antonio? 31 of the most haunted places in South Texas. The bridge is close to where she suffered severe burns and disfigurement (making her look like a donkey) after either her husband or a malevolent stranger set fire to her house. As the legend goes, God struck down on her then for her actions. Recently the park also introduced the states tallest, fastest and longest wooden coaster, the Texas Stingray. Stories of seeing the ghosts of the diseased have been reported throughout the city of San Antonio. All over the world, former "insane asylums" have considered to be some of the most paranormally active locations. 15. If you select the Extended Tour route, enjoy an additional 30 minutes of blood-curdling stories to fuel . What puts this museum in the Top Ten Most Haunted Museums in the World? For over a decade William fought for his freedom, only to be selfishly blocked by those (his siblings) who were interested in keeping him locked away. Today, the Witte Museum is super legit as well as super popular, with exhibits ranging from Texas art, to dinosaur bones, to one of the worlds largest collections of circus artifacts and memorabilia. Though the story dates back to 1550, the Texan culture inherited the legend through right of passage. WHERE: Meet at the Sisters Grimm Tours & Gift Shop located at the back of the Menger Hotel down Blum Street located at: 204 Alamo Plaza Suite #T San Antonio, TX 78204. Cade was born in San Antonio in 1927. mobile app. He should have never been out on the streets. Another man from Brownsville, Texas, who according to newspaper accounts was a sane man, was Stephen S. Aldridge, who happened to be a veteran of World War II. (Want to find out a little more about our upcoming ghost tours in San Antonio? She scrambled back to the river, but her children were nowhere in sight. "The staff is rude and unprofessional. That the grounds directly in front of the Alamo church were once a burial ground in the eighteenth century probably doesn't help matters either. Rumored to be haunted by the spirits of young children, as well as the victim of a heartless murder, the vibrant paranormal activity here clearly demonstrates that not all of its ghosts are able to forget what happened to them in life. This post is proudly produced in partnership with, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, 9 San Antonio Airbnbs Within Walking Distance of the Riverwalk and Downtown, 7 Idyllic Destinations for a Family-Friendly Thanksgiving Vacation ThisNovember, 11 Things You Didn't Know About San Antonio, 12 Things You'll Only Understand if You've Visited San Antonio, 11 Ways a Trip To San Antonio Will Surprise You. From ghostly legends passed down through the generations, to the more concrete sightings at locations like the Emily Morgan Hotel or the Alamo, it's safe to say that while San Antonio might not always be considered one of America's Most Haunted Cities . Sometimes, it's simply that the ghost prefers the land of the living to anything else. But while you're due to come across some interesting artifacts, many of them also happened to be haunted. For more information read our privacy policy. scary facts about san antonio Call us today! The Missions were chosen for their interweaving of Spanish and Coahuiltecan cultures. Today, theyre pretty much at the top of any San Antonio visitors to-do list the Alamo alone attracts over 2.5 millions visitors every year. San Antonio, Texas. The Menger Hotel in San Antonio is rich in history. 83.3%. Her writing has been published in numerous venues from computer magazines to life coaching websites to mindfulness publications such as Elephant Journal. There will even be equipment you can use at the end of the tour. scary facts about san antonio. It was only then that the widow realized that she had drowned her children for nothing. Take a peek inside the Menger Hotel, the "Most Haunted Hotel in Texas," and just a block away, peer into the Emily Morgan Hotel, one of the city's first hospitals and where many men and women lost their . Texans love their homegrown fast food joint, Whataburger, based in San Antonio. It's enough for them to throw the child into a restraining mechanical chair." This mosaic is a replica of such a candle on a grand scale. Charles Doolin invented Fritos in 1932 and his mother Daisy reportedly invited Frito pie also in the 1930s. Unfinished business at the time of death tends to be the most common, along with unrequited love or a tragic ending. 3. Before the San Antonio built River Walk, the area was a place to stay away from due to high crime and river rats. Other visitors choose to sprinkle baby powder on the bumper, in hope that they might discover the little fingerprints of ghostly children. Churchs Chicken first opened in San Antonio and the first location used to be across the street from the Alamo. All right reserved. 16. 26. Opening Hours: Week Days Monday Friday : 8:AM-6:PM +1 877-351-6883. 1. However, if you are a stickler about it, San Antonio got their area code first in the early '90s and 210 actually counts down to zero instead of just one, so San Antonio wins! Do you know those tall votive candles with pictures of Mother Mary you can get at the grocery store for a buck? This case was one of those "stranger than fiction" stories. BiblioTech opened on Sept. 14, 2013. Each time the Mexicans went to try to destroy the building, ghostly specters, some with flaming swords in hand, allegedly scared off the would-be arsonists. All alert the living that they are not alone. The stories from The San Antonio Missions represent divergent and significant points of view: 17th Century explorers - Native American groups of the Southwest - Early Texas history - Spanish colonization - Stone masons and builders of the Missions - Battles of opposing interest - There is also the point of view of the land and creeks and pecan Yes, San Antonio has a museum dedicated entirely to artsy toilet seats. Every year the Texas Cavaliers River Parade takes the term parade float and interprets it literally. She has lived in South Jersey, Michigan, Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin (Texas), Florida and just outside of Annapolis, MD off the Chesapeake Bay in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. 13. The park spans about 416 acres according to SeaWorld San Antonio.. 41.7%. 70-79: 5%. We've shared some San Antonio facts and a few San Antonio secrets that help to make this great city such a fascinating place. Aldridge spent three months in the San Antonio State Hospital in 1944. 6. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The park spans about 416 acres according to SeaWorld San Antonio. Spanish is the second-most spoken language in San Antonio, but with a diverse population, German, Polish and Czech are also popular languages in the region. Se Habla Espaol 210-223-4361. San Antonio surpassed Dallas as the second biggest city in Texas after the 2010 census count. . If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. 3. Part aquarium, part thrill-packed theme park, SeaWorld San Antonio lets visitors get closer than ever to tons of marine life, including dolphins, penguins, and polar bears, get splashed by killer whales, and then get an adrenaline rush reaching speeds of up to 50-miles per hour on sea-themed themed thrill rides. He lunged for a chair, grabbing and positioning it before him to protect himself from their attack. Aldridge was discharged from the Army on May 11, 1942, because of a bad heart. . San Antonio is perhaps best known for being the location of the Alamo, but it's so much more than that. Yes, theyre a staple Mexican food, and yes, were totally obsessed with them. Founded in 1717, it's . Neighborhood: Hot Wells. San Antonio loves creepy stuff. It certainly seems to be the most haunted place in San Antonio. Read more about the best haunted hotels in San Antonio, Read more about the haunted Spanish Governor's Palace, Read more about the haunted San Fernando Cathedral, Read more about the real story behind the Haunted Railroad Tracks, >Read more about the urban legend of La Llorona, Read more about the ghosts of the Alamo Street Theater, Read more about the strange events and ghosts of the San Antonio State Hospital, Read more about the ghosts of the Majestic Theatre, Read more about the Urban Legend of Midget Mansion, Read about the hauntings and legend behind The Devil's Bridge, Read more about the ghosts of the Institute of Texan Cultures, Read more about The Ghosts of the Empire Theatre, Read more about The Ghosts of the Aztec Theatre, Read more about The Haunted King William District, Read more about The Haunted Chinese Graveyard, Read more about The Huebner-Onion Homestead. A vintage postcard showcasing the Hot Wells resort in its original form. These days, its home to works from some of the best artists of all time, like Picasso and Georgia OKeeffe. 2010. 19. or the impoverished themselves. 3.) But much like New Orleans and its connection with Voodoo, San Antonio had Santera orRegla de Ocha. Here's Where To Get Itand Where To See Whats Tex-Next. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. Sightings of apparitions on translucent operating tables at the Emily Morgan have been reported, as well as hearing the disembodied moaning of the sick. she exclaimed in delight, just before she explained what she had done. Sitting on more than half an acre and built in 2005, a Terrell Hills home recently listed for nearly $2.9 million features, Charles Haarmann paid just $1,000 for a half-acre lot in what's now the King William Historic District. Perhaps, hazing the new guy, or maybe the spirit is trying to scare off any non-union operators. But, luckily, just then a doctor walked by. The highest temperature ever recorded was 111 F on September 5, 2000. It was one of the most well-attended events in Texas History. Not once did he stay for longer than a period of ninety days, which begs the question: if the Hospital had kept Patrick institutionalized, would he have been driven by some unseen force to brutally stab his mother and father? On the morning of January 15, 1947, police in Los Angeles made a horrifying discovery: a woman, sliced cleanly in half at the waist, posed such that onlookers thought she was a mannequin. The four abandoned buildings near the site of the hospital actually belonged to the Bexar County Juvenile Home for Boys. Conditions only worsened over the next few years, with reports of the hospital overcrowding again in 1934. Here's a list of fun facts about San Antonio. And then there's La Llorona, the "Weeping Woman," who lingers near the water. Most commonly, spirits may remain on the earthly plane for a few various reasons. Outlaws made themselves home in San Antonio's saloons, gaming hells and dance halls, where excessive drinking led to violence and violence almost always led to death. When authorities showed up days later after reports had surfaced that the family had not been seen, the officers not only found the dead bodies of the women, but also the notes which had been etched in blood, and the scratch marks dug into the walls as though the women had tried to claw themselves out of their very existence. San Antonio invites you to be inspired, be curious, and be hungry. One cat was named Ruby and the other was called C.C. Less than 25 years after the Battle of the Alamo, the Menger Hotel opened its doors to a motley bunch of travelers in San Antonio. Discover the most luxurious apartments in Austin, where scenic beauty meets state-of-the-art amenities. Since this is Texas, you can imagine their size. 2. San Pedro Park is the oldest park in Texas and one of the oldest municipal parks in the United States, according to the Texas State Historical Association. The Tower of the Americas is a whopping 750 feet tall and provides a beautiful panoramic view of the city. After spending over a decade in the asylum, William Browne, was once again free to live his life. . The San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo reuse the same dirt every year. Back in December 2011, 17,132 tamales were made there. So, she was brought to the hospital. . The cathedral was founded in 1731 by a group of families from the Canary Islands. A local hiking group, Hiking Heroes, organized such a hike in October 2021 to raise funds for a local breast cancer nonprofit. Discover Old San Antonio's most haunted places and uncover the history that lies waiting for those who dare to enter their doorways. Follow thislink!). Persons per household, 2017-2021. (Well, maybe a buck-fifty these days.) While the Alamo City has a lot of charm there are also a lot of wacky and unknown facts about the 7th largest city in the nation. [1] Rhett Rushing, a folklorist at University of Texas San Antonio's Institute of Texan Cultures, told the online newspaper, mySA, a few years ago that "San Antonio [is not only] predisposed to ghost stories because of its cultural history, but the large mix of cultures over hundreds of years makes this a ghost lover's paradise.". They have seen soldiers, cowboys, Native Americans, and priests. Pterodactyls in San Antonio? Rougarou. The history of the San Antonio State Hospital (originally called the Southwestern Insane Asylum), is one that is especially hard to grasp. Great white sharks can smell blood in water up to three miles away. There, she drowned them both. If you do, you're dumb and you probably deserved to be arrested. The San Antonio Missions are the only World Heritage Site in Texas. Blood was spilt on the grounds of San Antonio, and it is said that the souls of the victimsthough all are victims in their own rightcontinue to haunt the city. How many other places in the US can. Step one foot inside of San Antonio's hauntingly historic Empire Theatre, and you'll discover what all the supernatural fuss is about, this is one place where you are assured to get a thrill, if not from the live performance itself, then perhaps, just maybe, by one of the ghostly fans who still haunt the stunning theatre. In honor of the season of spookiness, here are 13 of our favorite classic San Antonio urban legends, scary stories, and tall tales. Another food favorite in San Antonio: barbacoa and Big Red. It's a history filled with hardship, corruption, scandal and death (much like our nation's capital). Are you visiting San Antonio? Our San Antonio Ghost Tours take you to the most haunted locations in the downtown area of San Antonio. It also served as the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining and Doctor Sleep. San Antonio Serves the Best Tex-Mex in the World. Flickr/joopvandijk 2. You can't talk about the most haunted places in San Antonio without mentioning the Alamo. Dr. Bremont elaborated by saying that Raul's mental illness condition would not have caused his death. Menger Hotel. But we didnt stop with office buildings San Antonio is home to countrys first air-conditioned bank, hotel, and Catholic Church. William I. Browne was released from the Southwestern Insane Asylum (SASH), on orders by County Judge Phil Shook based on the illegal restraint of liberty. 2. It is for this reasonor at least one of the main reasonswhy Ghost City Tours has decided to launch ghost tours in San Antonio, starting in the beginning of May 2016. Not yet. The spirits of San Antonio are some of the strangest out there. Today, still, those who died continue to haunt the property. The streets surrounding the tracks are named after the children who died, and people have reported their windows splintering and breaking from the outside-in by an unseen force, as though something or someone wanted to be noticed. In 1925, the state asylums decided to drop terms such as "insane" and "lunatic" from their names, and so, the Southwestern Insane Asylum officially became known as the San Antonio State Hospital. 16. But, once again, don't do anything dumb like try to trespass on private property. 4. The area was an early settlement dating back to 1729 when the Canary Islanders settled in San Antonio. If you are using a screen reader, or are having difficulty reading this website, please emailaccessibilityfeedback@rent.com. CA License # A-588676-HAZ / DIR Contractor Registration #1000009744 Rooms & Suites . But what it has been known for in the last century is for being home to many of San Antonio's ghosts. The city covers a total area of 1,205 square kilometers (465 square miles). Another San Antonio fact is it's also the second-largest city in the south and the seventh-largest city in the United States. Been there for 8 years. Since the tragic night in the 1920s, rumors of hauntings have kept neighbors up night to the sounds of screaming emanating the house. During his visit, he also deemed San Antonio the most Catholic city in the U.S. Archdiocese marks 25th anniversary of papal visit. >34 San Antonio Facts That Only Real Locals Know are True, 11 Really Cool Communal Kitchens Weve Spotted in Apartments, Do Not Share or Sell My Personal Information. Flickr/brianmoranhdr 3. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The creepiest San Antonio ghost stories offer a chilling glimpse into the . He was also a smart kid, who was attending the University of Texas just before he was admitted into the San Antonio State Hospital. Download the Rent. Our Haunted History. It's said that some of the most haunted places in the world are theaters and the former Alamo Street Theater (now a hot dog place called Frank) is no different.