San Antonio de Bexar: A Guide and History Page: 3
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RAILROADS.
bless. Coming through Mexico, the progression from one great religious founda-
tion to another would seem natural, as he travelled northward and eastward, and,
keeping in view Spain's necessity to firmly establish her borders, the Texas
Missions would appear at last perfectly in place and keeping with a definite de-
sign and scheme. The puzzle would be absent, but the admiration for indefatiga-
ble workers would be none the less. The Missions would be the ornament on the
fringe of the Spanish and not the Anglo-Saxon skirt. To the brothers-
Franciscans-who had the acquirements, resources, devotion and energy to plan,
design and build the magnificent churches of the City of Mexico, the religious
houses, chapels, bridges and aqueducts scattered over the land, the foundation
and construction of the San Antonio Missions, wonderful as the work was, does
not seem to be a very difficult task. Perhaps some of the same workers who built
the great stone aqueduct at Queretaro about the year 1730 came up to San
Antonio with the Querdtaro Franciscan brothers and helped in the completion
of the beautiful San Jose.
It is thus, then, that he must be in touch with its history who would come
to correct conclusions about the grand old City of Bexar. This is only a single
instance of a brighter side-but to other and sterner chapters the rule applies
with a like reason.
Not to delay further a practical description of San Antonio as it is-what
there is to see and how to see it-the visitor is strongly recommended, before
setting out on the rounds, to read Sidney Lanier's historical sketch. It will be
found to be reliable, and is the best short history of the city that has been written.
It is from the pen of one of America's most charming writers, and no praise of it
is needed here. The name of the author is sufficient to ensure its being read
with interest and attention.
Railroads.-Three main lines of railroad with a multitude of tributaries
run into and through San Antonio. The visitor may arrive at either of three
different depots.
The SOUTHERN PACIFIC or Sunset, as it is familiarly called, has its depot
in the northeastern suburbs. The main line stretches from New Orleans to be-
yond San Francisco. Many of the New York and Eastern mails come in over this
route, it having quick competing communications for eastern traffic and travel.
Its principal business done with San Antonio is from California on the west-
from New Orleans, Galveston and Houston, etc., on the east. It was the first
railroad to reach this city, arriving here early in February, 1877. An electric
street car line-Belknap system-car labelled Avenue C. Line, etc., color green,
nickel fare, does service for this depot to the Alamo Plaza citywards and to the
Government Hill northwards. Another electric car line also does service here to
Avenue E. and Alamo Plaza citywards and to the Alamo Heights, at the head of
the river, northward-fare, nickel; color, yellow; light, purple. The South-
ern Pacific ticket office is in the Adams & Wickes building, on Alamo Plaza.
THE INTERNATIONAL AND GREAT NORTHERN depot is in the western sub-
urbs of the city. This line gives us communication with all parts directly north
and east, via Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, etc., passing through our city, on via
Laredo,, to the City of Mexico, to which city it is at present one of the shortest
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Corner, William. San Antonio de Bexar: A Guide and History, book, 1890; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth143549/m1/17/?rotate=90: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas Health Science Center Libraries.