The river was renamed "San Antonio" in honor of St. Anthony by Domingo Teran de los Rios or Father Damian Massanet (both lay claim to the honor in their respective journals) on their tour of the East Texas missions in 1691. Mission San Antonio de Valero (known today as the Alamo) was later established on the river's east bank, with the Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar springing up on its western side. The river's plentiful water supply rapidly made San Antonio the center of activity in Spanish Texas, with skillfully constructed acequias (stonework conduits) built by the early mission Indians supplying the town's water into the 1870s.

Early Floods

Flooding has featured significantly in the river's history. Serious flooding in 1810 caused a relocation of prominent Spanish settlers to the higher east bank at La Villita (the original "Little Village"), leading to a commingling and acceptance of different ethnic backgrounds in San Antonio that continues to the present. A 1921 cloudburst over the Olmos Basin north of town put downtown San Antonio under 9 feet of water, causing extensive damage and loss of life. Work soon began on flood-control plans and, coincidentally, the newly organized San Antonio Conservation Society took city commissioners on canoe rides to point out the beauty of the river.

Following completion of Olmos Dam in 1927, San Antonio architect Robert H.H. Hugman presented his unique vision, "The Shops of Romula & Aragon," which detailed extensive river enhancements, including landscaping, stairs, footbridges, walkways and water features. Venetian-style gondolas were a part of Hugman's dream for the river, and he was fond of recounting his call on one public official (with little formal education) who proclaimed the gondolas a fine idea, but noted, "Oh, we won't need to buy many gondolas; we can get a pair and raise our own."

Major Beautification

It took 10 years and the mayor accidentally tripping over debris and falling into the river (while stopping to relieve himself there one night) to get a bond issue passed in the 1930s and it was 30 more years before the project reached fruition. A special flood diversion channel was cut and the old channel beautified with Works Progress Administration funding. The unique, outdoor Arneson River Theatre (with stage and audience separated by the winding river) and the restoration of La Villita were all part of this project. Sadly, Hugman was fired for political reasons before the project was completed, but his vision of stimulating economic development on the river and providing a tranquil "escape" from the hubbub of city life has been realized tenfold. (You can see Hugman's name inscribed along the balcony of his former riverside office, the interesting, turreted building on West Commerce at the bridge.)

Popular Destination

"A Venetian Night" in 1936 was the first in a veritable "flotilla" of river parades, accompanied by festivals, and today every season sees elaborate and fancifully bedecked barges sailing down this picturesque waterway. At present, the River Walk extends approximately 3 miles from Municipal Auditorium to the King William Historic District, with plans and construction under way to beautify and carefully develop much more river frontage. Cobblestone and flagstone walkways border both sides of the downtown river, where landscaped areas of lush foliage crowned by towering cypress, oaks and willows are interspersed with colorful sidewalk cafes, shops, clubs and high-rise hotels. Leisurely strolling is popular, as is the river's floating transportation system -- Yanaguana Cruises, featuring colorful sightseeing barges. Dining afloat is also available.

And beneath the hustle and bustle of 21st century San Antonio, the river once called Yanaguana continues to weave its green thread south.

Paseo del Rio Association

210-227-4262

Yanaguana Cruises

210-244-5700