The Alamo-La Bahia Corridor parallels the San Antonio River from
Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo) in San Antonio running 90 miles southeast to the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad. It is an area rich in historic, cultural, and natural attractions.
Among its historic and cultural treasures are: the five Spanish Colonial Missions in San Antonio; Presidio La Bahia (site of the longest siege in North American history); Panna Maria (the oldest permanent Polish community in America); numerous cattle drive and ox cart trails, including El Camino Real; stagecoach and mail routes; and many well-preserved historic homes, schools, courthouses, etc.
In addition to its historic and cultural significance, the Corridor abounds in attractions for those with other interests: Texas ranks first in the nation for the total number of bird species with
sightings of over 500 bird species recorded (and the Central and Mississippi Flyways both cross the Corridor); exciting subjects for photography enthusiasts are virtually unlimited; a beautiful, unique and varied plant life will appeal to botanists; diverse geological areas for "rockhounds" abound; and on and on.
The citizens of the Corridor include many fine well- known and
not too-well-known artists and craftsmen ranging from painters to those practicing the art and craft of the blacksmith.
Special events occur throughout the year in
the Corridor. The first Saturday in December is the date for festivities as the
communities within the Corridor celebrate "Christmas Along the Corridor," The
opening event is the delivery, Pony-Express style, of a seasonal proclamation
from the Governor to the citizens of the Corridor. The rider departs from Alamo
Plaza and, with additional riders, carries the message to all of the
participating communities along the Corridor with the grand finale occurring
within at the Ft. Sam Houston Arthur MacArthur Parade Field.
The major spring event is scheduled for the
first weekend in May with the linking event being a "Classic Car Cruise Down the
Corridor." During both of these major events, the individual communities
showcase their unique cultural, historic and natural treasures.
A partial listing of these communities and
their attractions follows:
SAN ANTONIO. Mission San Antonio de
Valero (the Alamo), Missions National Park (including Missions Conception, San Jose, San Juan, Espada & the Espada Aqueduct), San Fernando Cathedral, the Spanish Governor's Palace and the historic King William area (originally the site of Las Moches, the farmlands associated with Mission San Antonio de Valero) are but a few of the many significant historic sites to be seen in San Antonio. For information on festivals and other attractions, including the SA Zoo, the Witte Museum and Institute of Texan Cultures, call the Convention & Visitors' Bureau at
(210) 270-8700.
FLORESVILLE. Est. in late 1800s when
Josepha Flores de Barker, descendent of the "Red Flores," an original Spanish land grant owner, donated land to establish a county seat to settle the famous County Seat Controversy. Today, Floresville recaptures some of the romance of the early era with quaint old buildings and the mystery of history not yet discovered.
STOCKDALE. Est. 1800s. Although the site of many a gun battle, it was cotton that ruled the town in 1900 when it took all of five gins to support the town's bumper crops. Today, Stockdale enjoys the growth of a lovely bedroom community.
POTH. Est. 1886. This quaint town is the site of the Marcelinas Switch on the San Antonio-Aransas Pass
Railroad.
LA VERNIA. Est. 1800s and named for a grove of live oak trees, La Vernia is home of the Brahan Masonic Lodge built in 1859, the oldest lodge still active in Texas today. A blacksmith school is located near La Vernia.
Its Bluebonnet Festival is held in April.
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS. Est. in 1800s, a spirit of romantic history flows through this town, once a tourist mecca and health resort graced by a luxurious hotel built in 1908 near its natural mineral springs. This town remains home to the beautiful
Polley Mansion, an elegant two-story structure with 18-inch-thick wall built by slaves in 1851.
POTEET. Est. in the 1880s when Frances Marion Poteet opened its first mercantile store. This town, the "Strawberry Capital of Texas," holds a festival each April that features a parade, carnival, dance and rodeo, plus a variety of recipes to enjoy fresh strawberries.
PLEASANTON. Est. 1856 and named for early settler John Pleasant, it was the origin of numerous cattle drives including one in the spring of 1873 when a herd of 43,000 Atascosa longhorns embarked on the Western Trail for Dodge City, Kansas. Today, this spirited cattleman's tradition lives on within the Longhorn Museum on Hwy. 97.
JOURDANTON. Est. 1909
by Jordan Campbell & Col. T.H. Zanderson to attract the artesian belt railroad. Becoming the county seat in 1910, its courthouse was designed in the mission revival style with curvilinear parapets, capstone highlights, metal balustrade, tile roofing and two three-story tower bays, each topped by an open belvedere. Its Kactus Kick Festival is held in May.
CHRISTINE. Est. 1909 by Missouri medicine man and
promoter Charles S. Simmons, an interesting history surrounding this gentle rural community can be found in a museum underway in its historic railroad depot.
FALLS CITY. Est. 1888 as the railroad proceeded south, it derives its name from waterfalls on the San Antonio River. Go a few blocks west of the highway for a look at several fine old homes.
PANNA MARIA. Est.mid-1800s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest permanent Polish settlement in the U.S. Sites to be visited include: Immaculate Conception Church (oldest Polish parish church in America containing the Black Madonna presented by Pres, Johnson in 1968); St. Joseph's School (1868) housing a museum; and Snoga's Store, originally Two-higs rock barn, built in 1855.
CESTOHOWA. Est. mid-1800s, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was built in 1878, remodeled in 1931 and again repaired in 1973. Today it stands a soft
gray with white trim and a towering steeple. Nearby is the site of old Fuerte Cibolo, est. in 1771, but abandoned in 1781. It is 2 mi.
north of the junctions of Hwys. 81 and 123.
HELENA. Est. mid-1800s, this rowdy frontier town of yesteryear is fast becoming today's center of local efforts in historical
preservation/restoration. Its museum is housed within a stuccoed rock courthouse dating back to 1872 which is adjacent to the
Ruckman House, a turn-of-the-century farmhouse.
RUNGE. Est.
mid-1800s, this early railroad town has two markers in its park recounting its history. Its quaint bandstand pre-dates 1900 and continues a tradition of outdoor concerts,
ice cream socials and Easter egg hunts. A small museum on its main street is open Sunday afternoons.
KENEDY. Est. mid-1800s Kenedy is the largest town in its county occupying a site that once was part of a royal Spanish land grant. in 1886, land for the
town site was purchased by railroad promoter Mifflin Kenedy. Historically a major stop on the San Antonio-Aransas Pass RR, it still sports a downtown drive of false-fronted businesses and covered sidewalks. Historic markers, which highlight the city's colorful past of cotton compresses,
gun fighting and hot mineral waters, maybe found at the civic center, Red Caboose Museum and the Lutheran Church on 5th Street.
KARNES CITY. Est. in 1890, during the Christmas season, through a partnership headed by Otto Buchel, the city was named for a Texas Ranger hero
known for his cool courage in battle. Having grown steadily since 1891, the Community has thrived with seven newspapers, four banks and numerous businesses - and, during the railroad boom, saw six passenger trains per day passing through. Today's economy is based upon ranching, farming, and oil and gas.
GOLIAD. Est. early 1700s (Texas' 3rd oldest municipality), is located at the crossroads of
Hwys. 59 & 77A/183. It is the gateway to Mexico and the beaches of the Gulf Coast. First named Santa Dorotea by the Spaniards in the 18th century and then La Bahia when the Presidio and Mission Espiritu de Zuniga were moved to the town in 1749, Goliad proudly points to its selection for the Main Street Program in 1984 and to its Courthouse Square Historic District as one of the most complete examples of early Texas settlements.
Other important historic sites include the Masonic Temple, Mission Rosario and the Fannin Battleground.
Goliad is the site of the Presidio La Bahia, the oldest fort in the western U.S. and the only Texas Revolution site with its original 1836 appearance. The presidio has seen nine flags and the longest siege in American military history. The largest single loss of life in the cause of Texas independence
occurring here during the Goliad Massacre inspired the battle cry "Remember Goliad" at the battle of San
Jacinto.
