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. In addition to experiencing other apparitions and ghostly sounds, such as footsteps and ethereal voices, many people to this day see a ghost guard who stands on the roof of one of the Alamo buildings, especially on rainy, cold evenings. 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. For decency's sake, the road skirts around the paved-over cemetery so as not to disturb the dead. 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. And it is rich with death. The previous record was 13,000 tamales. Residents call them Jumping Spiders because they jump up to 25 feet! It's not just the Texan soldiers who died there in a stand-off with the Mexican army in 1836. Technically, the bird itself is a San Antonio rumor, not a San Antonio fact, but people do claim to see this strange bird. San Antonio is filled with ghosts. Here are spooky spots you can visit In 1893, he tapped architect, A midcentury Alamo Heights home recently listed for $2.1 million was once home to one of San Antonio's most-distinguished military leaders, according, An 8,800-square-food Terrell Hills mansion built for now-retired AT&T Senior Executive Vice President Richard G. Lindner and his wife has hit the, Members of San Antonio's Ukrainian community gathered with elected officials and others Thursday in front of City Hall for a candlelight vigil, What good is it to live in Mad Men-style home without a chance to engage in some serious leisure? In the 1730s, 655 out of the 857 Coahuiltecans died; by the 1780s, only some-eighty members of the tribe still lived. 2012. Upon Aldridge's refusal to mop the floor, one of the attendants directed profanity at him. 9. It is a spooky experience that you won't soon forget! Its also currently undergoing a $100 million redevelopment not bad for a bake sale project. He suffered from maniacal-depressive type of mental-illness. This thriving city in the heart of Texas has its own unique culture and a ton of great things to do and experience. 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. Is this because of the two lovers who parted ways here? Its official: Lanier HS sets tamale-making record. Another food favorite in San Antonio: barbacoa and Big Red. Additionally, provisions are included in the new ordinance that allow the granting of preferences in certain discretionary contract solicitations to local businesses or businesses with knowledge of, and/or experience working with, local conditions . The head of the San Antonio Paranormal Investigations, Guillermo Fuentes, has been referenced as saying that one of the reasons why San Antonio is so haunted is because the ghosts feel as though they have some form of ownership over the land. SeaWorld San Antonio is the largest marine-life park in the entire world. Each of these animals found in the wild are hiding disgusting, terrifying, or down right spooky secrets. Patience who were legitimately in need of aid, as well as those who suffered more undiagnosed diseases like seizures. (Um, duh!). When: January 27, 2023, 6:30 pm Where:City Cemetery #1, 01023-000-0010, San Antonio, TX 78203 17. 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. But we had fun. Thankfully, Browne was successful in answering all of inquiries to the judge's satisfactionhe thus was legally restored as a sane man. He lunged at his wife and two daughters with a knife, slashing their throats and dragging their bodies to the second floor where he stashed them in a closet. Legend has it that if you position your car over the tracks, and put your car in neutral, the ghosts will push the vehicle the whole way across in an attempt to protect you from any imminent danger. San Antonio Serves the Best Tex-Mex in the World. The Cadillac Bar & Restaurant is said to be one of the most haunted places to eat in all of San Antonio, Texas. The share holdings would have made William a fantastically wealthy man. But much like New Orleans and its connection with Voodoo, San Antonio had Santera orRegla de Ocha. Her writing has been published in numerous venues from computer magazines to life coaching websites to mindfulness publications such as Elephant Journal. Stepping into this museum is definitely a step back in time. In Browne, Sr.s will, William was given a share in a very valuable deal of property. 21. The team went into the NBA in 1976. 1. Yes, San Antonio has a museum dedicated entirely to artsy toilet seats. 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. 1.) 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. He should have never been out on the streets. Read more 0 Country Spirit - La Mansion Boerne, Texas 75 miles from Uvalde, TX 1) The Menger Hotel. San Antonio loves creepy stuff. 4. 10 Most Insanely Haunted Places To Visit In San Antonio If that weren't scary enough, San Antonio has three species of scorpion: Striped Bark Scorpions, Giant Hairy Scorpions and Stripetail Scorpions. Unsurprisingly, his nickname was Vlad the Impaler. It has been a battleground for warring nationalities, and the morality of the lawless gunslingers and the vigilant citizens hoping to enact order. Those who are admitted may have done so voluntarily, but more often than not the choice was not theirs to make. 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. In fact, men like Bob Augustine were so feared that even after committing murder all he had to do was inform the jury and judge that if they deemed him guilty, Augustine would return and kill each and everyone of them. 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. The CEO of the Center for Health Care Services, Leon Evans, said of the problem at SASH, Weve been underfunded in behavioral services in Texas so long, and we dont think outside the box. Evans goes on to say, Our funding is in silos, and weve got people taking up beds at the state hospital that dont belong there, people with Alzheimers and closed-head injuries, taking up civil beds. Its also the place to go for many fun events and celebrations. SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the worlds largest marine life parks. The horrific "treatments" that the patients of these institutions were subjected to is often thought to be the source behind this paranormal phenomenon. 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels Gatorade was invented by San Antonio native Robert Cade. And did we mention the creator of Gatorade was from San Antonio? Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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. And one thing you're always asking for is, "Where can I stay in your cities that is haunted?" Conditions only worsened over the next few years, with reports of the hospital overcrowding again in 1934. Learn strange and interesting facts about San Antonio's history and find out the basics of paranormal investigation and spirit communication. scary facts about san antonio - gianspring.com Geoquono. Influenced by Roman Catholicism, Santera had passed through the Caribbean into southern Texas by slaves from Yoruba, Africa. The Tower of the Americas is a whopping 750 feet tall and provides a beautiful panoramic view of the city. She scrambled back to the river, but her children were nowhere in sight. 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. San Antonio sits on the Balcones Escarpment. Way to up the bar, San Antonio. Even if you repair it, its still a damn lifeboat.. 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. 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. San Antonio is considered one of the most haunted places in the United States, according to Yahoo Travel. Yet, some locals pronounced it waterburger" when they were kids and still can't break the habit as adults. Along the Riverwalk you'll find the Arneson River Theater, which became famous worldwide for being featured in the film Miss Congeniality. Since San Antonio's official founding in 1718 by Spanish missionaries and soldiers, the land of the region has been a veritable battleground for territory. 11 facts about San Antonio, TX | GeoQuono The DoSeum's "Recess Redo" nights invite adults (21+) to explore the whimsy and wonder of the massive playscape, cocktail in hand! In case you thought Hot Wells was just the arbitrary name of a South San Antonio . 16. Adults. The reason why this is important to note is because most spiritual experts say that ghosts can not cross over water. 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. If you want to learn more about the most haunted locations in San Antonio, please browse through the pages below. San Antonio invites you to be inspired, be curious, and be hungry. 16 most haunted places in San Antonio - Express News Remember the Alamo? A battle brews in Texas over history - Travel Grunch. The 2,311 seat theatre was designed in 1929 by architect John Eberson, and was home to San Antonio's Symphony from 1989 to 2014. Interesting facts about San Antonio | Just Fun Facts It was one of the most well-attended events in Texas History. Dallas is now the third-largest city in Texas followed by Austin, with Fort Worth closing in at fifth place. She's created the segments 'Creating Black History in S.A.' and 'New Week. A number of Valley people died under mysterious circumstances at the San Antonio State Hospital, ranging from teenagers to the elderly. And that open communication between the living and the dead? Perhaps, hazing the new guy, or maybe the spirit is trying to scare off any non-union operators. San Antonio's urban legends and haunted spots - mySA She creates exclusive content for the KSAT-TV streaming app. Another San Antonio fact is it's also the second-largest city in the south and the seventh-largest city in the United States. For locals of this historic city, which sits at the foot of the Texas Hill Country, know that San Antonio is not only one of the most paranormally active in the States but perhaps also in the entire world . The respective tribes were warriors who reportedly stole their horses, their goods. 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. Everything is bigger in Texas, and thus, you'll find large spiders in San Antonio called Jumping Spiders. This popular area has been around since the 1700s. 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 settlers placed the poor on the outskirts of the city, in hope that the tribes would take the belongings of the impoverished . The area was an early settlement dating back to 1729 when the Canary Islanders settled in San Antonio. 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. New You.". Aldridge went on to explain, "I've seen attendants walk up and slap an inmate down on an impulsefor no reason at all. scary facts about san antonio. 10 Unique Facts About San Antonio You Didn't Know - Culture Trip BiblioTech opened on Sept. 14, 2013. The Emily Morgan Hotel receives AIA San Antonio's Twenty-Five Year Distinguished Building Award. He told her that she was mad, insane, and that he would have nothing to do with her. A rendering of the Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. 34 San Antonio Facts That Only Real Locals Know are True Sculptor Bob Wade gave each one a crisscrossed steel skeleton, over which a concrete-fiberglass mixture was poured. Originally built up by German immigrants in the 1860s, the King William Historic District is 25 blocks of style clearly influenced by its European founders. Instead of a human head, however, there is one of a horse. Stories of seeing the ghosts of the diseased have been reported throughout the city of San Antonio. San Antonio, Texas. Computer and Internet Use. The number one haunted place is the Driskill in Austin. Are you visiting San Antonio? Back in December 2011, 17,132 tamales were made there. The park spans about 416 acres according to SeaWorld San Antonio. and looked just like a fantasy Mediterranean Sea. Built for the HemisFair in 1968, this museum offers exhibits about Big Foot as well as Texas' cultural past. This is where the story gets a little strange, and its necessary for us to rewind a bittwelve yearsto not longer after William was put in the Southwestern Insane Asylum in the first place. Shelly Duvall, best known for her Earth-shaking screams in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," lives in nearby Hill Country. The Legend of the Haunted Railroad Tracks Back in the 1930s or 1940s, a school bus full of children was making its way down the road and toward the intersection when it stalled on the railroad tracks. He has a history of Violence. Between San Antonio and Seguin on I-10, near Exit 591 (Seen here flowing over FM 1518) Some have linked the creek's unusual name to the legend of La Llorona, the ghost who weeps for her lost. 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. She was so desperatedesperate for his love and a possible marriagethat the widow took matters into her own hands. The famous boots outside North Star Mall are 35-feet, three inches tall and weigh more than 10,000 pounds. 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. A concerned mother commented. There has to be a reason, he has said, that almost every part of San Antonio has claims to ghost stories . scary facts about san antonio - wanderingbakya.com 3. 0. 31 of the most haunted places in South Texas. The new Spanish settlers had been told the land was fertile, which hadn't been the case at all. ", Another current employee added, "There's Death around We hear and see things., For the most part, it seems that many of the employees of the Hospital are perturbed by the paranormal events, but arent willing to. I refused. Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. 13. 25. (Seizures were often deemed to be the sign of an overwrought, mentally unstable individual). It's enough for them to throw the child into a restraining mechanical chair." 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. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: San Antonio city, Texas 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. Since this is Texas, you can imagine their size. The symptoms were slow to appear, but then the fever hit and the rest followed quickly after. Aldridge's nervous condition was only getting worse, so he committed himself to the SASH as an ultimate last resort. . San Antonio Fact Sheet The designation was made in July 2015. Moving To San Antonio Texas? (The Truth About Living Here) Explore new recipes and memories with your neighbors! SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the world's largest marine life parks. Discover the most luxurious apartments in Austin, where scenic beauty meets state-of-the-art amenities. All right reserved. 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. 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.". At this haunted location, the living come second to the ghosts. 3. Here at Ghost City, we are proud to offer our ghost tours in Texas' most haunted city! Flickr/joopvandijk 2. A horrifying description that does little to paint the State Hospital in a good light during the 1940s. So much culture, history and fun can be had here. In 1928, the 21-story Milam Building in downtown San Antonio became the first air-conditioned high-rise in the US. The 10 Most Haunted Hotels in San Antonio 14 of the Most Haunted Places in San Antonio - Lone Star Travel Guide Staff cared for two stray cats and buried them on-site with their own gravemarkers when they died. 6. According to its former owners, the living are very protective of these energies. Consider the dancing demon who woos pretty women out for a night on the town. And for those who come here for a wedding or another event, well, it can't be said that the Castle's resident spirits are the kind to greet you with open arms. The attendants then cornered him. These restless spirits roam the grounds trying their best to warn current patients, fearful they may meet a similar fate. The worst being death of either yourself or a loved one. Countdown City" is the nickname of Antonio, TX, because of its main area code of 210, but Orlando, FL, can also claim the name due to the area code 321. 14 Hidden Gems in San Antonio, TX Thus, ghosts are the reason why the Alamo still stands today. These days, its home to works from some of the best artists of all time, like Picasso and Georgia OKeeffe. . The district's history of hauntings even predates its conception, reaching back to when the area was nothing but farmland. 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. Most commonly, spirits may remain on the earthly plane for a few various reasons. When he returned to Brownsville, he tried to be admitted to the Veteran's Hospital, but the government had yet to make necessary provisions for veterans of WWII. So, in an effort to fulfill the need for scariness in your life, we rounded up some of our city's many creepy AF urban legends. Only the very brave trek down to East Ashley Road to see how very lucky they are--but the questions remains, are you just as lucky? San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is home to four of the citys five Spanish missions outposts that date back to the 17th century. Another San Antonio fact is it's also the second-largest city in the south and the seventh-largest city in the United States. 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. 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"). This man who fought in WWII, said of the hospital, "Never again do I want to experience the sight of such cruelties." 20. Menu Close. 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. There have been sightings of angry female spirits, as well as unexplainable paranormal phenomena such as objects flying off the shelves or hearing sounds with no distinct source. Rooms & Suites . And it seems that though ghosts roam the halls, no one feels all to comfortable to discuss the phenomena that occurs daily. The San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) is still in operation today at the same location of its conception at 6711 S New Braunfels Avenue. Not far from the San Juan Mission is an intersection of the roadway that is crossed by railroad tracks. Justice was swift and speedythat is, if you were ever caught. 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. A relief on his part, no doubt, since hed been locked away in the asylum for a dozen years. Schultz and her students sold flowers (bluebonnets, to be specific), baked cakes, and put on small plays to raise enough money to get started. Learn about our 160 years in business as the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. 83.3%. Seven months later, Mrs. Harrison was dead. In fact, its the second-biggest city in Texas. 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.. So many bizarre things (all about headless chickens) and some very authentic things (George Washington's hair). Are you visiting San Antonio? Before she was admitted, a doctor made a comment to police, saying of Mrs. Harrison, "She's so oldwe want the young ones.". No cause of death was given in the report or his obituary. Located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Majestic Theatre was once the second largest theatre in the United States. Things to do in San Antonio this Weekend of January 27, 2023 7 Awesome Day Trips To Take Around San Antonio Visit a city rich in history and booming with modern attractions. He turned right around and sued those responsible for his incarcerationit didnt help that he was now at odds with his siblings, who had purposely stolen the bequeathing from their fathers will and left him to dry. In 1979, a 300-pound man named Patrick O'Brien (a 36-year-old recluse), told police after his arrest that he was the son of Hitler and the father of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. Plain and simple. 23. "Personally, they didn't treat me mean," Aldridge said, before adding, "But the helpless and really insane were treated in a brutal manner. Tragedy underlies the history at this haunted location, and the stories which have emerged from previous owners tell us only one thing something exists here, at this abandoned property, and it's more than likely that it is not a spirit but something much darker. Below are just a few tales from the past. Once you've gotten some fudge and jerky at Buc-ee's, stop by Barney Smith's Toilet Seat Art Museum to gape and awe at this amazing collection of decorated toilet seats. 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. San Antonio's first center for the mentally ill was the Southwestern Insane Asylum (San Antonio State Hospital) and was established on April 6, 1892. San Antonio surpassed Dallas as the second biggest city in Texas after the 2010 census count. About 7% more of San Antonio's population are veterans than in the rest of the state of Texas, totaling about 9% of the city's residents. 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. It's not uncommon to hear that New Orleans is haunted, or that Savannah is teeming with paranormal activity. Party held to celebrate Mission World Heritage status. Robert Pugh, the head of the Bexar County Mental Health Department, said of Patrick, "He is a very, very sick man. A local hiking group, Hiking Heroes, organized such a hike in October 2021 to raise funds for a local breast cancer nonprofit. 22. However, he had no interest in her two children and refused to marry the widow because of them. 17. Over 100 locally-owned businesses provide a unique shopping experience. 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. 5. (To be fair, Central Market is a bit pricier than H-E-B but is a little cheaper than Whole Foods.). It would be weird if there wasnt a single ghostly tale at the property. . 30. 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. One of these poor souls was Chuauhtemco "Chino" Garcia, just nineteen-years-old, but a big boy, weighing in between 180-190 pounds. Well, we've put together a list of the most haunted hotels in San Antonio. But, once again, don't do anything dumb like try to trespass on private property. 24 Haunted Hotels in America - Most Haunted Hotels in the US. 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. . San Antonio lies at a mean elevation of 198 meters (650 feet) above sea level. 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. 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.