The River Walk History
The Historic Events from
1809 to 1899 |
 Through
the late 1800s and early 1900s, San Antonio's
growing population and expanding boundaries
were the cause, to a large degree, of problems
brought about by flooding. In fact, if steps
to control the flooding had not been taken
in the 1920s, later commercial development
along the river would not have been possible. |
| |
| 1809 |
| La Villita develops across the river
from Mission San Antonio and the Villa de San Fernando. |
| 1810 |
| September 16. Miguel Hidalgo issues
his call for Independence from Dolores Hidalgo. |
| 1819 |
| July 5. A serious flood causes some
settlers to relocate to La Villlta, on the higher east
bank of the river. Socializing between Spaniards and others
of different background/races is becoming more accepted. |
| 1820 |
| Moses Austin petitions the Spanish
Governor In San Antonio for a permit to settle Americans
in Texas |
| 1821 |
| Mexicans oust the Spanish
Governors and Mexico becomes an independent nation. Stephen
F. Austin petitions the new Mexican Governor of Texas
to bring in settlers. |
| 1824 |
| Texas and Coahuila are combined Into
one territory. |
| 1825 |
| U. S. immigrants reach the settlement
of San Antonio and begin purchasing land on the river. |
| 1830 |
| Mexico declares U.S. immigration
illegal. The first regulations are put into effect for
the use of the river, creek and ditch waters. |
| 1835 |
| Fall. Stephen F. Austin and a revolutionary
army lay siege to the Mexican-held city after a detachment
under Jamer Bowie wins the Battle of Concepcion. |
| 1836 |
| March 6. Thirteen days after Santa
Anna's entry into the city, the Alamo falls. April 21.
Santa Anna's army routed at the Battle of San Jacinto. |
| 1836-1845 |
| Republic of Texas. The border with
Mexico is the Nueces River. |
| 1845 |
| Texas is annexed into the Union. |
| 1845-1848 |
| The Mexican War. The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
is signed in Queretaro. Mexico cedes Texas, California,
New Mexico and most of Arizona to the United States for
$18,250,000. The Texas border is now the Rio Grande. |
| 1848 |
| Political unrest in Germany and extensive
immigration to Texas. |
| 1851 |
| Ursuline nuns establish San Antonio's
first school for girls in an abandoned house on the banks
of the river. |
| 1858 |
| First St. Mary's Street bridge constructed. |
| 1850-1890's |
| The King William area develops on
former Alamo farmlands that had been divided into land
grants given to the Mission San Antonio Indians. |
| 1861-1865 |
| U.S. Civil War |
| 1862-1867 |
| French intervenion in Mexico. Battle
of Puebla, May 5, 1862. |
| 1865 |
| Cholera epidemic in San Antonio.
A footbridge opened on Commerce. |
| 1867-1872 |
| Maximillian executed In Queretaro
in 1867. Republic of Mexico re-established under Benito
Juarez. |
| 1872 |
| Valley Ditch branching from Alamo
Ditch constructed on East Side. |
| 1872-1876 |
| Alazan Ditch constructed from the
juncture of Upper Labor and San Pedro Creek to the west. |
| 1876-1910 |
| Porfirio Diaz is President of Mexico. |
| 1899 |
| San Antonio City Charter amended,
abolishing the office-of the Ditch Commissioner and replacing
it with Office of Street Cleaning and Sanitation. |
