2015. It seems that no matter where one turns in the historic San Antonio district, ghosts have been sighted. . Yet, some locals pronounced it waterburger" when they were kids and still can't break the habit as adults. 1.) 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. But he was physically healthy.". We've shared some San Antonio facts and a few San Antonio secrets that help to make this great city such a fascinating place. There, she drowned them both. The oldest cathedral in the state in San Fernando Cathedral. If you run across a group of women hiking in San Antonio without shirts on, don't ogle. According to local lore, it has been home to Satanists practicing rituals, as well as brave individuals hoping to take on the dark energies within the Mansion. Or are the souls here so desperately restless than visitors really should head the sign: Do Not Trespass? (To be fair, Central Market is a bit pricier than H-E-B but is a little cheaper than Whole Foods.). If you're interested in living in Countdown City," you can find lots of great apartments for rent in San Antonio. This popular area has been around since the 1700s. A relief on his part, no doubt, since hed been locked away in the asylum for a dozen years. (Seizures were often deemed to be the sign of an overwrought, mentally unstable individual). 24. Local Adventures Explore, shop, drink and dine like a local. 25. She added, "My daughter has been treated worse than an animal. He would have raving spells, following which he would become depressive. 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After the Alamo fell, General Santa Ana of Mexico tried to have the Alamo burned down so it would not become a shrine to the fallen soldiers. 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. As I mentioned, there were also speciousness deaths of the elderly. The displays are professional and interactive - obviously designed by professionals. In fact, its the second-biggest city in Texas. Located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Majestic Theatre was once the second largest theatre in the United States. Part aquarium, part thrill-packed theme park, SeaWorld San Antonio lets visitors get closer than ever to tons of marine life, including dolphins, penguins, and polar bears, get splashed by killer whales, and then get an adrenaline rush reaching speeds of up to 50-miles per hour on sea-themed themed thrill rides. Its seen its ups and downs, but after being designated the first historic district in the state, its been rebuilt and reborn. At one time, San Antonio was considered the Wild West. 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. The Milam building downtown was the first high-rise office building in the U.S. to have air conditioning. 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.. Are you visiting San Antonio? Countdown City. Of course, San Antonio has its famous River Walk, which is a great place to enjoy a nice meal or stroll with a loved one, but many other fun happenings abound in this city in south-central Texas. Some people use baby powder on the car to show the ghostly handprints of the spectral children as in one viral video. Sculptor Bob Wade gave each one a crisscrossed steel skeleton, over which a concrete-fiberglass mixture was poured. 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. 50-59: 12%. 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. According to newspaper accounts, he had been murdered near the The Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge. 9. Do you think an evening exploring San Antonio's most haunted places sounds like fun? Even if you repair it, its still a damn lifeboat.. She was so desperatedesperate for his love and a possible marriagethat the widow took matters into her own hands. . (Disclaimer: the San Antonio State Hospital does not treat its patients like this any longer). 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. Here are some unique facts about San Antonio, Texas: San Antonio is the second-most populous city in Texas, with a population of over 1.5 million people. Grunch. But the land was already populated by the Coahuiltecan people, and so the Spanish soldiers made them intoreducidos(indentured servant). San Antonio surpassed Dallas as the second biggest city in Texas after the 2010 census count. . Though the story dates back to 1550, the Texan culture inherited the legend through right of passage. "Personally, they didn't treat me mean," Aldridge said, before adding, "But the helpless and really insane were treated in a brutal manner. Some of her most notable contributions focus on race and culture or health and wellness. 23. 2. 9. I refused. 9. 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. 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. 3. Discover Old San Antonio's most haunted places and uncover the history that lies waiting for those who dare to enter their doorways. Before she was admitted, a doctor made a comment to police, saying of Mrs. Harrison, "She's so oldwe want the young ones.". Dallas was more well-known as the second-biggest big city in Texas (thanks to that old TV show named "Dallas"), but San Antonio is actually the second-largest city in Texas after Houston with almost 1.5 million residents. The DoSeum's "Recess Redo" nights invite adults (21+) to explore the whimsy and wonder of the massive playscape, cocktail in hand! 16. Only, Dr. Braragons diagnosis and condemnation of Browne was done without an adequate examination and the proper process of law. davenport, fl crime rate P.O. SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the worlds largest marine life parks. . 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. 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. 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." 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. Early Spring Flowers Will Combat the Winter Blues. Mission Concepcin closes its doors beginning Sunday, January 5 for a restoration project. . It's a history filled with hardship, corruption, scandal and death (much like our nation's capital). However, to hear the whole story about San Antonio's most haunted places, take a ghost tour on your next trip to San Antonio. Those ghost stories haven't slowed down since. 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. Pterodactyls in San Antonio? Countless newspaper accounts have reported on the horrific conditions at the San Antonio State Hospital since its construction--and for many years, those who were sent there were deemed to be "on the march of death." You can't talk about the most haunted places in San Antonio without mentioning the Alamo. The driver tried to get the children off the bus, but a train soon crashed into it, killing all of the students and the bus driver. When guests are not enjoying the tremendous accommodations, which include a lounge and bar, modern amenities, as well as a pool and fitness center, they might also encounter the Gunter Hotel's resident ghost. BiblioTech opened on Sept. 14, 2013. Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2017-2021. Hot Wells Hotel & Spa Ruins. 41.7%. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. In 1923, local high school teacher Ellen Schultz wanted to start a museum in San Antonio, but was short on cash. Its official: Lanier HS sets tamale-making record. Technically, the bird itself is a San Antonio rumor, not a San Antonio fact, but people do claim to see this strange bird. Sitting on more than half an acre and built in 2005, a Terrell Hills home recently listed for nearly $2.9 million features, Charles Haarmann paid just $1,000 for a half-acre lot in what's now the King William Historic District. 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. And we have no community-based alternatives, no step-down units, no residential treatment facilities., Judge Oscar Kazen who presides over Bexar County's Mental Health Court, commented, Its only in the last couple of years that weve been able to convince University (Hospital) to begin taking unfunded involuntary patients". There will even be equipment you can use at the end of the tour. 8. Aldridge's nervous condition was only getting worse, so he committed himself to the SASH as an ultimate last resort. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. A ghostly hearse, bathrooms that bleed blood, and the spirit of a poor soul only account for some of the paranormal phenomena which occurs regularly at the Institute. A current employee said of the SASH, "I work there. Visit a city rich in history and booming with modern attractions. Along the Riverwalk you'll find the Arneson River Theater, which became famous worldwide for being featured in the film Miss Congeniality. Checkout. Been there for 8 years. Coincidently, (or not), his brother Albert was the Mayor of Brownsville, Texas, at the time of Williams death. 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. For those which are currently abandoned, paranormal investigative groups flock to them to uncover the sometimes tragic events which occurred to them. The attendants then cornered him. Things To Do Real Experiences. Robert Pugh, the head of the Bexar County Mental Health Department, said of Patrick, "He is a very, very sick man. It's enough for them to throw the child into a restraining mechanical chair." Either way Frito pie is a famous concession stand food at most high school football games in South Texas. 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. Military City, USA. Shaquille ONeal, star of Kazaam (oh right, and also 15-time NBA All-Star), went to Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio. . The San Fernando Cathedral is rumored to be one of the most haunted locations in all of San Antonio, where shadow people play amongst the living and the ghosts don't always know that they are dead. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! After expansion in the 1920s, the original Southwestern Insane Asylum (now the San Antonio State Hospital) continued to grow ever larger. Her writing has been published in numerous venues from computer magazines to life coaching websites to mindfulness publications such as Elephant Journal. But San Antonio has four other historical missions, too: Mission San Juan, Mission San Jos, Mission Espada, and Mission Concepcin. 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.. . Computer and Internet Use. The first center established in Texas for those suffering from mental illness was the Texas State Lunatic Asylum (later assigned a more, shall we say, politically correct misnomer: the Austin State Hospital), though the site did not begin operating till May of the year 1961, when Dr. Beriah Graham admitted the inaugural 12 patients. 23. 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. This case was one of those "stranger than fiction" stories. 2.) It was only then that the widow realized that she had drowned her children for nothing. Erica Hernandez, Digital Journalist/Courthouse Reporter. Another San Antonio fact is it's also the second-largest city in the south and the seventh-largest city in the United States. Staff cared for two stray cats and buried them on-site with their own gravemarkers when they died. His reasoning is the city's closeness to water, which might act like a spark or energy-source for paranormal phenomena. Residents call them Jumping Spiders because they jump up to 25 feet! One of these poor souls was Chuauhtemco "Chino" Garcia, just nineteen-years-old, but a big boy, weighing in between 180-190 pounds. None of their venoms are lethal (except for rare cases of allergy), but they can hurt like hades. Auto Ads . Years of fighting rose up among the different nationalities. Neighborhood: Central San Antonio. Apparently communication hasn't gotten any better at the SASH over the years. 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. Every year the Texas Cavaliers River Parade takes the term parade float and interprets it literally. William's body also had third-degree burns, as his son Patrick had attempted to electrocute him prior to the stabbing. Lanier High School holds the world record for the most tamales ever made. Many people from across the city participated in the event that was put together by the culinary program at Lanier. 29. 30. Private Self-Guided Famous Ghosts Audio Tour in San Antonio 3 Walking Tours from $6.75 per adult Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience 71 Recommended Attractions & Museums from $24.00 per adult Award winning magic show at The Magicians Agency Theatre. Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987, where he held mass in . 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. Its also the place to go for many fun events and celebrations. "We can be together now!" The self-guided bullet, capable of hitting laser-designated targets more than a mile away, is a product of New Mexico's Sandia Labs. 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. Built in 1859, today the hotel offers up luxurious rooms, a bar, and the beloved Colonial restaurant. The hospital was now able to administer modern treatments for the patients, but just a year later the hospital became overcrowded yet again, surpassing capacity at 2,308. 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. 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. It was determined players lost so much fluid that none was left to form urine and that is when he invented a drink that had salts and sugars which was the basis for Gatorade, according to the University of Florida. Hotel Monteleone. The event is just one of many extravaganzas that occur every April during Fiesta, the biggest party youve never heard of. He is a brilliant man, but a terribly sick man." Here's Why. The halls of this institution are littered with the discarded memories of former patients. 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. For more information read our privacy policy. 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 . This San Antonio walking ghost tour is for you if: You're looking for a high-quality ghost storytelling performance full of dark history and chilling ghost lore.