scary facts about san antonio
Let's not forget the Alamo, which rumor has it is also haunted. 12. Go on a ghost tour to learn about the city's haunted history and hear some spooky stories. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is home to four of the citys five Spanish missions outposts that date back to the 17th century. River City Ghosts provider a different perspective on the vibrant and beautiful city of San Antonio; we take you to the safe and tranquil setting of the River Walk. or the impoverished themselves. 22. Two years prior to the nursing shortage, there was another sign of trouble, when a lawsuit was brought by a disability group, rightfully arguing that mentally ill prisoners were sitting in jail rather then being placed at SASH. The spirits of San Antonio are some of the strangest out there. After expansion in the 1920s, the original Southwestern Insane Asylum (now the San Antonio State Hospital) continued to grow ever larger. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. This mosaic is a replica of such a candle on a grand scale. Sightings of apparitions on translucent operating tables at the Emily Morgan have been reported, as well as hearing the disembodied moaning of the sick. 17. After murdering his parents in 1979, Hitlers Son (more commonly known as Patrick OBrien, who was not in fact Hitlers son) was once again checked into the State Hospital. The area was an early settlement dating back to 1729 when the Canary Islanders settled in San Antonio. Other visitors choose to sprinkle baby powder on the bumper, in hope that they might discover the little fingerprints of ghostly children. . Neighborhood: Hot Wells. 32. facts. 20. 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. The theatre's other claim to fame was that it was also the first theatre in the state to be totally air-conditioned! Yes, theyre a staple Mexican food, and yes, were totally obsessed with them. There is one house more beautiful, it's said, more elegant than all the others: The Terrell Castle, which also goes by the name of the Lambermont House. 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. DICE Dental International Congress and Exhibition. La Llorona has been depicted in various tales, but one thing is for certain: she drowned her children in a fit of anger and is now relegated to searching for them until Judgment Day. Hippos kill more people in Africa than lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos combined. Rougarou. The Alamodome opened on May 15, 1993, and cost $186 million to build. In San Antonio, the ghost stories range from the standard to the downright creepy, and most are passed from generation to generation. Similarly to Voodoo, those who practiced Santera used drumming and dance to communicate with their ancestors and the deities of theRegla de Ocha. Most people are aware of the fact that San Antonio, Texas, has a significant paranormal presence. People have been seeing a massive, reptilian bird flying around the city for decades, and it's bigger than a pterodactyl more of the size of a pteranodon with wingspans of 15-20 feet. You might also hear San Antonio called the Deuce Dime" based on that same area code. Influenced by Roman Catholicism, Santera had passed through the Caribbean into southern Texas by slaves from Yoruba, Africa. Pterodactyls in San Antonio? The Alamo City holds another Guinness World Record, we are home to the tallest cowboy boots sculpture. Below are just a few tales from the past. The spinning room is an absolute must do. In the dead of night, she grabbed her children and brought them down to the river. The highest temperature ever recorded was 111 F on September 5, 2000. 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. A few days later, flat red spots appeared your face before showing on your hands and on your neck and on your torso. 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. 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. There is, however, other evidence as to how his family felt about about poor Williamand that feeling was not warm or loving at all. The respective tribes were warriors who reportedly stole their horses, their goods. Along with the iconic Alamo, they were selected for UNESCO designation in 2015 after a successful campaign by city and state officials. A woman left a comment on their facebook page, saying the her beloved brother was is in the facility, and that she was not able to get a hold of him. Since 1918, our Believe It or Not Odditoriums have showcased the eclectically bizarre collection of Robert Ripley. Odditorium, the exciting movies that you ride at Ripley's 4D Moving Theater and our larger-than-life Louis Tussaud's WaxWorks. 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. So much culture, history and fun can be had here. 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. Before the famous fried chicken chain was located on every other corner, there was one small walkup location across the street from the Alamo. San Antonio is considered one of the most haunted places in the United States, according to Yahoo Travel. (In Austin, just up I-35, you're likely to hear them called frontage roads. 42 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for 2023. A concerned mother commented. Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987, where he held mass in . It would be weird if there wasnt a single ghostly tale at the property. 2023 RentGroup Inc. All rights reserved. The Myrtles Plantation. Stepping into this museum is definitely a step back in time. The golden age of the paperback has ended, so why not borrow e-readers from the library and attend book club meetings streamed online? Its altitude is approximately 662 feet (202 m) above sea level. 2.) 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. It's 90 percent as high and 60 percent as wide as the original in England. 9. Local Adventures Explore, shop, drink and dine like a local. There is some debate though that Frito pie was actually invented in New Mexico. Additionally, Fuentes has said that San Antonio is just perfectly placed for being ghost friendly. 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. If you want to learn more about the most haunted locations in San Antonio, please browse through the pages below. For many San Antonio locals, roads paralleling highways are access roads, not a feeder or frontage road. Thus, ghosts are the reason why the Alamo still stands today. Now you can spend an evening here exploring local art, gawking at opulent mansions, and sipping a cold one at Blue Star Brewing on South Alamo. Gatorade was invented by San Antonio native Robert Cade. 8. Effective May 1, 2013, the Local Preference Ordinance implemented the change in the law. Since that harrowing day, locals and visitors alike have attempted to reconnect with the lost souls who died in the crash, for that crossing at Shane and Villamain is said to be one of the most haunted locations in all of San Antonio. If either of these spiders bites you, do seek immediate medical attention. . SAN ANTONIO San Antonio is -- in our opinion -- the best city in the state. He would have raving spells, following which he would become depressive. The Emily Morgan Hotel receives AIA San Antonio's Twenty-Five Year Distinguished Building Award. There was further progress in the 1970s with the San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) becoming accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals; outreach clinics becoming established in other nearby towns, (which helped in reducing the hospitals population to 1,836); and with renovations and additions that modernized the hospital. Been there for 8 years. Dallas is now the third-largest city in Texas followed by Austin, with Fort Worth closing in at fifth place. It's enough for them to throw the child into a restraining mechanical chair." All in all, there are now some 20,000 works at the McNay. 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. In the year of 1910, the hospital was given a hundred thousand dollars for expansion, and by 1912 they were able to accommodate up to 1,140 patients. Depending on whom one might have asked in the eighteenth century, smallpox was both the best and worst thing to ever happen to the burgeoning city of San Antonio at that time. The San Antonio Museum of Art, which opened in 1981 in the old Lone Star Brewery complex, may not serve up local brews, but its collection of 30,000+ objects spanning 5,000 years will probably quench a different kind of thirst. Fritos were invented in SA, we have the oldest park in Texas and hold the world record for most tamales made. Mission Concepcin closes its doors beginning Sunday, January 5 for a restoration project. For centuries, San Antonio has been a crossroads of cultures and of people. A horrifying description that does little to paint the State Hospital in a good light during the 1940s. Rooms & Suites . There, she drowned them both. Many historical buildings, hotels, museums and parks are reportedly haunted in the city. 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. This man who fought in WWII, said of the hospital, "Never again do I want to experience the sight of such cruelties." Only, Dr. Braragons diagnosis and condemnation of Browne was done without an adequate examination and the proper process of law. After spending over a decade in the asylum, William Browne, was once again free to live his life. 4. 10. Plan Your Trip We give you ideas and our favorite things to do, eat and see. It contains a whopping 67,000 square feet of retail sales space, which could house 22 7-Elevens or 2 Whole Foods stores. Flickr/joopvandijk 2. The Menger Hotel in San Antonio is rich in history. Download the Rent. Children. 2012. Raul's physician, Dr. G. S. Bremont, said of his passing, "I was surprised when I learned Raul Chapa was dead." They say that museums are sometimes the most haunted places in the world--and San Antonio's very own Institute of Texan Cultures is no different. Another food favorite in San Antonio: barbacoa and Big Red. Even if you repair it, its still a damn lifeboat.. It doesn't seem to matter if you're downtown, out at one of the Missions, or in the out-laying areas, you're never far from somewhere haunted. 34. Heck, Salem, Massachusetts is known for its infamous witch trials during the seventeenth century, and no one can visit Chicago without hearing about the gruesome mobs, whose equally gruesome deaths have spawned countless ghosts stories throughout the Windy City. Bonus: Its computer lab comes with iPads and Xboxes. 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. It's not uncommon to hear that New Orleans is haunted, or that Savannah is teeming with paranormal activity. Some are thought to be places of ritual and sacrifices; others are said to be the place where living beings go to die. It was built in hopes of attracting an NFL team. The previous record was 13,000 tamales. It's a history filled with hardship, corruption, scandal and death (much like our nation's capital). Party held to celebrate Mission World Heritage status. Long before soldiers were shouting Remember the Alamo, Spanish soldiers had set up fort in San Antonio to protect their lands in the New World. Nah, it's actually (maybe) worse. Throughout South Texas, there is nothing more terrifying that the shrill cry of a woman - the weeping is a premonition, for those who hear it are often doomed to a series of grave misfortunes. Disembodied footsteps and voices, a female spirit who seems to determined to appear at every performance. Adults. The hospital officials may want to forget the "long train of abuses," but the souls of these departed patients will never let that happened. Everything is bigger in Texas, and thus, you'll find large spiders in San Antonio called Jumping Spiders. 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. The Emily Morgan undergoes a multi-million dollar renovation and joins the DoubleTree by Hilton family. 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. It is said that a widow fell in love with an incredibly wealthy man. During his visit, he also deemed San Antonio the most Catholic city in the U.S. Archdiocese marks 25th anniversary of papal visit. Built in 1859, today the hotel offers up luxurious rooms, a bar, and the beloved Colonial restaurant. Home; About; Program; FAQ; Registration; Sponsorship; Contact; Home; About; Program; FAQ; Registration; Sponsorship . 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. They have seen soldiers, cowboys, Native Americans, and priests. . Way to up the bar, San Antonio. She haunts the Donkey Lady Bridge" (the South Side Bridge, near Applewhite and Zarzamora Road). With a population of over 1.4 million, its the seventh-largest city-proper in the country and is gaining on all six above it. Aldridge was discharged from the Army on May 11, 1942, because of a bad heart. Otherwise, let us continue on the path of finding out why San Antonio is just so very haunted . It was only after Judge Phil Shook ordered Williams release from the asylum in 1910 that he realized that he should have accumulated a whole lot of money from the holdings and land ownership. It seems that no matter where one turns in the historic San Antonio district, ghosts have been sighted. 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. At this haunted location, the living come second to the ghosts. Over 100 locally-owned businesses provide a unique shopping experience. 10. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Every year the Texas Cavaliers River Parade takes the term parade float and interprets it literally. Churchs Chicken first opened in San Antonio and the first location used to be across the street from the Alamo. It is among the many historic buildings as well as one of many haunted locations in San Antonio. More recently, Chinese and Vietnamese, as well as Hindi, displaced those. Those ghost stories haven't slowed down since. But who is pushing you over? Whether you're looking to stay in a Hotel which was built upon the battlefield of the Alamo, or one that used to be one of the most notorious jails in Texas, you'll find a haunted hotel to suit your taste, in San Antonio. 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. A number of Valley people died under mysterious circumstances at the San Antonio State Hospital, ranging from teenagers to the elderly. And it seems that though ghosts roam the halls, no one feels all to comfortable to discuss the phenomena that occurs daily. 25. It's also reported that you can hear ghostly footsteps from the fallen soldiers and men crying. Patience who were legitimately in need of aid, as well as those who suffered more undiagnosed diseases like seizures. Seven months later, Mrs. Harrison was dead. San Antonio has its own proud vibe, as well as slang (directions are often given based on whether the target destination is inside or outside the loop"). The history of the San Antonio State Hospital (originally called the Southwestern Insane Asylum), is one that is especially hard to grasp. to non-locals, of course. Is this because of the two lovers who parted ways here? We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. Thankfully, Browne was successful in answering all of inquiries to the judge's satisfactionhe thus was legally restored as a sane man. A relief on his part, no doubt, since hed been locked away in the asylum for a dozen years. But for some asylums, like the San Antonio State Hospital, it is not abandoned but still currently in use. However, he had no interest in her two children and refused to marry the widow because of them. Located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Majestic Theatre was once the second largest theatre in the United States. scary facts about san antonioeast chicago housing authority waitlist See the haunted side of San Antonio on this ghost-themed bus tour. CA License # A-588676-HAZ / DIR Contractor Registration #1000009744 7. San Antonio is home to the nations first all-digital library. Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987 and held a mass where more than 350,000 people showed up. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! So obsessed, in fact, that a local high school made 17,106 tamales thats 2,420 pounds in 10 hours during a tamalada. It was no long after this time that Williams father died. San Antonio Fact Sheet San Antonio at a Glance The River Walk More to Explore Eat A food and drink scene bursting with flavor and fun. Here's Where To Get Itand Where To See Whats Tex-Next. Here's a different kind of Texas creepy: There's a place called The Tracks" where it's said if you put your car in neutral over the railroad tracks, ghost kids who died in a fatal bus crash in the 1930s or 1940s will push the car over for you. The city has a total area of 465.4 square miles; 460.93 square miles of San Antonio's total area is land and 4.5 square miles of it is water. Schultz and her students sold flowers (bluebonnets, to be specific), baked cakes, and put on small plays to raise enough money to get started. 15. Sometimes, it's simply that the ghost prefers the land of the living to anything else. She creates exclusive content for the KSAT-TV streaming app. The building which houses the institute a striking example of Brutalist architecture. These restless spirits roam the grounds trying their best to warn current patients, fearful they may meet a similar fate. . Both scorpions and spiders like the Brown Recluse like to hide out in shoes.