scary facts about san antonio

But he was physically healthy.". it really should be. A vintage postcard showcasing the Hot Wells resort in its original form. Pterodactyls in San Antonio? The value of these holdings grew steadily over the next decade, while William Browne continued to sit and wait for a possible release from the Insane Asylum. 9. All over the world, former "insane asylums" have considered to be some of the most paranormally active locations. The Deuce Dime. A few days later, flat red spots appeared your face before showing on your hands and on your neck and on your torso. All right reserved. Aldridge spent three months in the San Antonio State Hospital in 1944. Our Haunted History. 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.". There has to be a reason, he has said, that almost every part of San Antonio has claims to ghost stories . What puts this museum in the Top Ten Most Haunted Museums in the World? 19. Its also the place to go for many fun events and celebrations. Sculptor Bob Wade gave each one a crisscrossed steel skeleton, over which a concrete-fiberglass mixture was poured. or the impoverished themselves. Turns out we really love our fried chicken-to-go, and the joint quickly expanded throughout San Antonio, and now has over 1,600 locations in some 30 countries around the world. 6. 31. 80+: 3%. Plan Your Trip We give you ideas and our favorite things to do, eat and see. Fritos were invented in SA, we have the oldest park in Texas and hold the world record for most tamales made. A rare photo of a therapy session at SASH, 1920s. But we didnt stop with office buildings San Antonio is home to countrys first air-conditioned bank, hotel, and Catholic Church. It's a good habit and a San Antonio fact to shake your shoes out before you put them on. Way to up the bar, San Antonio. Your guide, a sinister fellow who proclaims to be in tune with the afterlife, leads you on a chilling exploration of the city's famed haunted sites including the Menger Hotel, the old Red Light District, the former Bexar County Jail, an historic cemetery, and more. A horrifying description that does little to paint the State Hospital in a good light during the 1940s. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the 21-story building was opened in Jan. 1928. The highest temperature ever recorded was 111 F on September 5, 2000. Shaquille ONeal, star of Kazaam (oh right, and also 15-time NBA All-Star), went to Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio. Hippos kill more people in Africa than lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos combined. But though it has a fine reputation nowadays, patients who were once sent to the former Southwestern Insane Asylum were considered to be on "the March of Death." The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) is a museum and library located in the Texas Pavilion at HemisFair Park in Downtown San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio loves creepy stuff. Staff cared for two stray cats and buried them on-site with their own gravemarkers when they died. It's a history filled with hardship, corruption, scandal and death (much like our nation's capital). A concerned mother commented. The Emily Morgan undergoes a multi-million dollar renovation and joins the DoubleTree by Hilton family. New You.". Stepping into this museum is definitely a step back in time. 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. Patience who were legitimately in need of aid, as well as those who suffered more undiagnosed diseases like seizures. It was one of the most well-attended events in Texas History. All in all, there are now some 20,000 works at the McNay. The horrific "treatments" that the patients of these institutions were subjected to is often thought to be the source behind this paranormal phenomenon. The history of the San Antonio State Hospital (originally called the Southwestern Insane Asylum), is one that is especially hard to grasp. The highest point in New Mexico is Wheeler Peak at 13,000. And then there's La Llorona, the "Weeping Woman," who lingers near the water. All over the world, some of the most haunted places are old bridges. (Um, duh!). There are bullet holes in the bar, and the legend is that they are from Rough Riders before they shipped out to Cuba. Ghost City Tours offers the best Ghost Tours in San Antonio. It was not the Comanche way to murder the people of the San Antonio villa and destroy them out rightno, it was better to allow them to work the fields and raise the horses, before the Comanches took what they deemed "theirs.". How many other places in the US can. 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. Some of these locations have become so notorious that they have appeared on TV shows likeGhost HuntersandGhost Adventures. The settlers placed the poor on the outskirts of the city, in hope that the tribes would take the belongings of the impoverished . Finally, in the year 1910, William Browne was granted a hearing to determine if he was now sane. As was done in the day, William was asked a series of perplexing questions. It was only then that the widow realized that she had drowned her children for nothing. Countdown City. New Braunfels (either a suburb or satellite city of San Antonio, depending on how you look at it) has the largest Buc-ee's on the planet. "Personally, they didn't treat me mean," Aldridge said, before adding, "But the helpless and really insane were treated in a brutal manner. . The event is just one of many extravaganzas that occur every April during Fiesta, the biggest party youve never heard of. The reason why this is important to note is because most spiritual experts say that ghosts can not cross over water. A complex argument of facts versus fiction, right versus wrong, and what the battle was even about hasn't let up since, even as Texas became a U.S. state in 1845 and ensuing decades saw San . But what is the truth? Ghost Children upon San Antonio's Railroad Tracks Mission San Juan, San Antonio, Texas. River City. Adults. >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. The park spans about 416 acres according to SeaWorld San Antonio.. Learn about our 160 years in business as the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. And in the many years following their deaths, the Hospital continues to play host to the ghosts of both the mentally ill as well as the people who were wrongfully checked in. 14. 1. In this week's Throwback Thursday, we look back at the unique story of the "World's Largest Cowboy Boots" at North Star Mall. 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. (Want to find out a little more about our upcoming ghost tours in San Antonio? Stephanie Brail Stephanie Brail has a diverse background as a writer and holistic health expert with a previous incarnation as an internet consultant/web developer. Founded in 1717, it's . The Alamo City holds another Guinness World Record, we are home to the tallest cowboy boots sculpture. And it is rich with death. These stories told by and revealed by the press ultimately spurred Coke R. Stevenson to open an investigation into the hospital's actions. The McNay Art Museum brought modern art to Texas in 1954, when Marion Koogler McNay, an art teacher and heiress to an oil fortune, donated her San Antonio mansion to the art cause. 1. This case was one of those "stranger than fiction" stories. During the Civil War, the park was used as a prisoner of war camp. Another apocryphal ghost story in San Antonio is the Donkey Lady. William's body also had third-degree burns, as his son Patrick had attempted to electrocute him prior to the stabbing. Its also currently undergoing a $100 million redevelopment not bad for a bake sale project. None of their venoms are lethal (except for rare cases of allergy), but they can hurt like hades. 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. 3. Or, are you new and want to get the lay of the land? Of course, these days when youre in town, the most exciting food experiences are those taking place in the hottest Tex-Mex restaurants as well as those helping to define whats Tex-Next.. scary facts about san antonioeast chicago housing authority waitlist Flickr/joopvandijk 2. The following year the hospital's capacity averaged around 2,103, which was one of the few years that the hospital did not exceed more patients to beds than they actually had in their disposal. Patients were being turned away at the door. So, she was brought to the hospital. He added, "Chapa was not a violent mental case. You can find out about some interesting San Antonio facts, as well as San Antonio secrets in our list below. While we will never know the particulars of William Brownes death, its safe to say that his siblings were once again in control of his finances. 83.3%. They arrived at the Mission San Antonio de Valero, and realized that if they were to survive it was necessary that they dig canals, plant food, and protect themselves from anyone they deemed the enemy. 19. But much like New Orleans and its connection with Voodoo, San Antonio had Santera orRegla de Ocha. Security guards in Alamo Plaza have seen the ghosts of what must be hundreds of people. Other visitors choose to sprinkle baby powder on the bumper, in hope that they might discover the little fingerprints of ghostly children. 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. Otherwise, let us continue on the path of finding out why San Antonio is just so very haunted . If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. It is among the many historic buildings as well as one of many haunted locations in San Antonio. Fritos and Frito pie were invented in San Antonio. In Browne, Sr.s will, William was given a share in a very valuable deal of property. 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! It is is the 7th most populous city in the United States and the second-most populous city in Texas (after Huston). No doubt all have resulted in heightened paranormal activity in San Antonio, but there's also the fact that San Antonio's history is rich. It officially became a public park in 1852. The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and its state-of-the art sound system and design attract the big names think Paul McCartney and Meghan Trainor. Tall spires reach for the sky and the architecture is beautiful no matter what time of day you strolled by. The Milam building downtown was the first high-rise office building in the U.S. to have air conditioning. mobile app. 16. There will even be equipment you can use at the end of the tour. The creepiest San Antonio ghost stories offer a chilling glimpse into the . But what it has been known for in the last century is for being home to many of San Antonio's ghosts. It also served as the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining and Doctor Sleep. There, the skinny, nearly 7-foot-tall teenager led his team to a 36-0 state championship record in 1989 (they had a 68-1 record over two years). This put the Alamo City in the pages of the Guinness World Records,though the officials did have to create a new category: Most Tamales Made in a 12-hour Period.. Even if you repair it, its still a damn lifeboat.. Even so, the hospital almost always surpassed capacity. Whether it is the water-source or not that creates the hub of ghostly activity, Ghost City Tours' General Manager, Gretchen, who grew up in San Antonio, has repeatedly said that one thing that makes San Antonio different is that the entire city has hauntings. Most people are aware of the fact that San Antonio, Texas, has a significant paranormal presence. Unfinished business at the time of death tends to be the most common, along with unrequited love or a tragic ending. 1. He adds We are now down to a sinking lifeboat. 13. 23. Computer and Internet Use. The famous vampire is actually based on a historical figure, Vlad Tepes, or Vlad Dracula, who was a Romanian ruler in the 15th century who liked to, er, stick his enemies on spikes. ", Just before Christmas of 2014, the hospital announced that they were unable to admit any more patients. Unsurprisingly, his nickname was Vlad the Impaler. Aldridge was discharged from the Army on May 11, 1942, because of a bad heart. The devil impressed San Antonio women with his dancing back in the '70s Back on Halloween 1975, many locals said a handsome man dressed in all white showed up to El Camaroncito Night Club.. San Antonio's history is peppered with ghostly lore just like the Haunted Tracks of Shane and Villamain. The previous record was 13,000 tamales. Because apparently there an unspoken code that only the crazies could be mistreated. Opening Hours: Week Days Monday Friday : 8:AM-6:PM +1 877-351-6883. When Darkness Falls: Tales of San Antonio Ghosts and Hauntings Docia Shultz Williams Ghosts of San Antonio (Cold Spots) Scott A. Johnson 0 Christus Santa Rosa Hospital San Antonio, Texas 75 miles from Uvalde, TX Allegedly haunted by a headless nun. Discover the most luxurious apartments in Austin, where scenic beauty meets state-of-the-art amenities. You should be wary when walking around the neighborhood at night, as you never know when you might encounter one of the ghosts of La Villita. 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. Neighborhood: Hot Wells. San Fernando Cathedral is one of San Antonio's most recognizable landmarks, as well as one of its oldest. It was named the most romantic city in America by Amazon based on the number of romantic books and movies purchased. Dallas is now the third-largest city in Texas followed by Austin, with Fort Worth closing in at fifth place. 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. He also added that they would have had to stomp his guts out to get him to work for them. Gatorade was invented by San Antonio native Robert Cade. But at almost every old bridge, there are rumors that the Devil himself was involved with its construction. O'Brien was arrested by the police for murdering his parents, William and Mary, who were reportedly stabbed so many times that they looked like they had each been blasted with a shotgun. Welcome to the Huebner-Onion Homestead: one of the most haunted houses in San Antonio, Texas, but a place that you visit only at your own risk. 30. Sadly, San Antonio had a very real angel of death in their midst at Bexar County Hospital, in the form of Genene Jones, who was convicted of poisoning somewhere between 11 and 50 infants. The murder victim, identified as Elizabeth Short, was a young actor, and the public became entranced with the murder, nicknaming her The Black Dahlia. Having just celebrated its 300th birthday, San Antonio is very old and the oldest cities tend to be the most haunted. A rendering of the Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. 23. If either of these spiders bites you, do seek immediate medical attention. They were created by Austin-born artist Bob Daddy O Wade and were placed in January of 1980. SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the world's largest marine life parks. Things To Do Real Experiences. Next time you stay at a Hilton, remember that Conrad Hilton, the founder of the hotel chain, was born in San Antonio, N.M. . You can find a great apartment for rent in San Antonio there or check out these other great places to live in San Antonio. 17. The root of this was caused by a shortage of nurses, as explained by Carrie Williams, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services (which oversees the San Antonio State hospital): We have a total of 83 nurse positions at the hospital (SASH), and 12 of those are vacant, plus we have several nurses out for an extended period of time due to medical reasons. she then added. Over 700 people were put in jails across the state during this period. 22. Alyssa Medina is the Video-On-Demand Producer and has worked at KSAT since 2016. 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 . Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987 and held a mass where more than 350,000 people showed up. The famous boots outside North Star Mall are 35-feet, three inches tall and weigh more than 10,000 pounds. The story of La Llorona has been repeated many-a-time; within San Antonio, the urban legend of the ghost of the Donkey Lady takes inspiration from La Llorona (in one story they even fight). The Riverwalk. At 750 feet, San Antonio's Tower of the Americas is taller than the famous Seattle Space Needle, making it the perfect place to get a panoramic view of the city. Is it because of outlaws like Bob Augustine who turned to violence as often as they turned to drink or women or alcohol? 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. Today, still, those who died continue to haunt the property. So obsessed, in fact, that a local high school made 17,106 tamales thats 2,420 pounds in 10 hours during a tamalada. The hospital was essentially a self-sufficient village with crops, livestock and a lake for fishing. She added, "My daughter has been treated worse than an animal. If you're interested in living in Countdown City," you can find lots of great apartments for rent in San Antonio. Kids, for example, are warned not to trek out to the Ghost Tracks on the southeast side of the city, where, in the 1940s, a bus full of kids stalled while trying to cross the train tracks. Consider the dancing demon who woos pretty women out for a night on the town. +. But while you're due to come across some interesting artifacts, many of them also happened to be haunted. An award-winning disc jockey, Mark Louis Rybczyk started his career at KXZL, WOAI, and KJ-97 in San Antonio before moving to 96.3 KSCS in Dallas, where he had the longest-running morning show in the DallasFort Worth area. Apparently communication hasn't gotten any better at the SASH over the years. Also in 1964, case worker, Helen Cloud Austin, became the first African-American to become a member of the hospitals elite staff. Asylums have a well established history for ghostly, unexplainable occurrences and throughout the county, throughout the world. True Adventures. SAN ANTONIO When it comes to the top 20 most haunted places in Texas, San Antonio makes up 35% of that list, according to Yelp. The San Antonio Spurs have won five championships and are the only former ABA team to win an NBA Championship. Most commonly that is where ghosts reside. For decency's sake, the road skirts around the paved-over cemetery so as not to disturb the dead. The Haunted Railroad Tracks are one that many San Antonians have heard of. It's not uncommon to hear that New Orleans is haunted, or that Savannah is teeming with paranormal activity. When it comes to fans of Ghost City, we know you're always looking for the best paranormal experiences on your trips. Menu Close. More than 40 barges packed with musicians and sparkling decorations float down the San Antonio River with hundreds of thousands of people watching from the footpaths of the River Walk. In honor of the season of spookiness, here are 13 of our favorite classic San Antonio urban legends, scary stories, and tall tales. The first choice of San Antonio ghost hunters is the hotel located downtown, immediately adjacent to the Alamo and the Rivercenter Mall. The Cadillac Bar & Restaurant is said to be one of the most haunted places to eat in all of San Antonio, Texas. It was because of the devastating results of the spread of smallpox that tribes like the Comanches and Apaches finally agreed for treaties and truce. Nevertheless my turn came: One day some of the attendants tried to force me to mop up the floor. 28. That particular urban legend has been told over and over again, until the truth and the fiction blend into a haunted tale of ghostly children, suicide nuns and the living, who hope beyond anything to come face to face with an apparition. He told her that she was mad, insane, and that he would have nothing to do with her. Another San Antonio fact is it's also the second-largest city in the south and the seventh-largest city in the United States. A current employee said of the SASH, "I work there. The population dwindled, and the foreignness of the disease affected the local tribes the most. A local hiking group, Hiking Heroes, organized such a hike in October 2021 to raise funds for a local breast cancer nonprofit. 32. One person who used to work at the hospital claims that the grounds are madly haunted, which makes complete sense. Book Now. Get a glimpse of the dark underbelly of San Antonio history as each haunted location ratchets up the tension of the tour. Take a trip to one of the haunted hotels; the Menger and the Crockett are both mainstays on ghost tours. Cade was a professor of medicine and nephrology at the University of Florida when he was doing research about the football team and why players didnt urinate after a game. Upon Aldridge's refusal to mop the floor, one of the attendants directed profanity at him. Residents call them Jumping Spiders because they jump up to 25 feet! With spiders that jump 25 feet, massive reptilian birds possibly flying overhead and a whole host of other strange and delightful things, San Antonio is a fun, adventurous place to live and work. The AC system kept temperatures to 80 degrees, a welcome relief for all those workers doingwhatever people did in offices decades before the first desktop computers. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. 31 of the most haunted places in South Texas. Those ghost stories haven't slowed down since. . At the haunted Devil's Bridge in San Antonio, Texas, the legend stands true. 8. San Antonio is perhaps best known for being the location of the Alamo, but it's so much more than that. Called Midget Mansion (because the mother and father's smaller statures), rumors have been told of satanic rituals since having been performed at the house. The four abandoned buildings near the site of the hospital actually belonged to the Bexar County Juvenile Home for Boys. It was originally opened in 1929 and is now a historical landmark. The theatre's other claim to fame was that it was also the first theatre in the state to be totally air-conditioned! An oncoming train sped down the tracks, its pace so furiously fast that there was no chance to evacuate the children, or even the driver, off of the stalled bus. San Antonio, TX. 2012. Not far from the San Juan Mission is an intersection of the roadway that is crossed by railroad tracks. Stories such as these are told and re-toldfor the locals of San Antonio, it's no secret that the nearly three-centuries-old city is rife with paranormal phenomena. 29. And did we mention the creator of Gatorade was from San Antonio? In 1923, local high school teacher Ellen Schultz wanted to start a museum in San Antonio, but was short on cash. That's a San Antonio fact! All things considered, La Villita might just be the most haunted neighborhood in San Antonio, if not Texas. In 2014, Shaq came back to the Texas state basketball tournament for a reunion with his former high school teammates, still towering over them like he did 25 years ago. One of these poor souls was Chuauhtemco "Chino" Garcia, just nineteen-years-old, but a big boy, weighing in between 180-190 pounds. Since the tragic night in the 1920s, rumors of hauntings have kept neighbors up night to the sounds of screaming emanating the house. The San Antonio Missions are the only World Heritage Site in Texas. The designation was made in July 2015. For more information read our privacy policy. The biggest of these three scorpions is the Giant Hairy Scorpion, which can grow as large as 4 inches has dark hair all over (ugh). But the Majestic Theatre is also home to more than a few ghosts, those who have made themselves comfortable in the grand Majestic. Effective May 1, 2013, the Local Preference Ordinance implemented the change in the law. You probably know the Alamo it was a mission and fortress compound established in the 1700s and the site of the infamous Battle of the Alamo in 1836. 16. 18. Apparently, at least. No cause of death was given in the report or his obituary. 5. Rooms & Suites . 5. For hundreds of years, ghost stories have been told by the locals in San Antonio. Cemeteries are known for being the final resting places to many souls - but no cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, has gives off quite the level of dispair as the Chinese Graveyard? Technically, the bird itself is a San Antonio rumor, not a San Antonio fact, but people do claim to see this strange bird. The displays are professional and interactive - obviously designed by professionals. . The district's history of hauntings even predates its conception, reaching back to when the area was nothing but farmland. While there are new buildings in place of the original structures, the hospital is not associated with the nearby, often-photographed ruins that have lit up the Internet in recent years. The city covers a total area of 1,205 square kilometers (465 square miles). This thriving city in the heart of Texas has its own unique culture and a ton of great things to do and experience. It's not just the Texan soldiers who died there in a stand-off with the Mexican army in 1836. Box 4666, Ventura, CA 93007 Request a Quote: taurus 1911 45 acp extended magazine CSDA Santa Barbara County Chapter's General Contractor of the Year 2014! We believe fully that the ghosts of San Antonio have their own story to tell and we hope to do the city's history justice in doing so. Mission Concepcin closes its doors beginning Sunday, January 5 for a restoration project. Here at Ghost City, we are proud to offer our ghost tours in Texas' most haunted city! Flash forward and its easy to see why the city has kept this bold nickname: With 133,000 people hitting town each year to attend the graduation of students from military training, the USAF Airman Heritage Museum being right here, Fort Sam Houston being one of the Armys oldest posts, and over 300 years of military history, this is one city you really dont want to mess with. Go on a ghost tour to learn about the city's haunted history and hear some spooky stories. Some of her most notable contributions focus on race and culture or health and wellness. From the spirit of a young boy who loves to play pranks to the living, to a ghostly former actress who can't sing on-key, this old theater is one of the most haunted places in San Antonio. 21. After expansion in the 1920s, the original Southwestern Insane Asylum (now the San Antonio State Hospital) continued to grow ever larger. The hospital officials may want to forget the "long train of abuses," but the souls of these departed patients will never let that happened. These days, its home to works from some of the best artists of all time, like Picasso and Georgia OKeeffe. The Alamo. They have seen soldiers, cowboys, Native Americans, and priests. If she had to choose between gambling in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, shed skip the gambling and see a show in Vegas and go to the beach in Atlantic City. Persons per household, 2017-2021. Yet, some locals pronounced it waterburger" when they were kids and still can't break the habit as adults. Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. If you are using a screen reader, or are having difficulty reading this website, please [email protected].

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