The Argyle Of San Antonio

The stately mansion known as the Argyle has a past as storied and fascinating as the Lone Star State itself. From its origins as a home and headquarters of a horse ranch to its transformation into an inn and elegant dining club, and ultimately part of a pathfinding medical research endeavor, the Argyle has been at the center of San Antonio and Texas history since the middle of the nineteenth century. Originally built as a residence in 1860 by Charles Anderson, the Argyle temporarily served as an arsenal for the Confederacy during the Civil War. By the late nineteenth century, siblings Robert and Alice O’Grady operated what became a familiar inn and fine dining establishment for weary travelers and many notable figures, including Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing. During the Great Depression and World War II, the Argyle fell into disrepair. Betty Moorman, whose brother Tom Slick had founded the nonprofit Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, rescued the Argyle from the brink of demolition and converted it into a fine dining club whose members would provide financial support for the research institute. Today the Argyle continues to serve and support the mission of the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, making important contributions to understanding and developing treatments for infectious diseases and cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other common diseases. This book not only contributes to the story of San Antonio’s history but is also a treasured and informative keepsake for those who support and continue to benefit from the Argyle and its larger mission.

With a history more than 290 years old, San Antonio boasts a diverse, eclectic, and important architectural inventory. From the Spanish Missions of the 17th century to invigorating adaptation and restoration of historic buildings alongside landmark new construction, there is a wide array of culturally significant assets reflecting Anglo and Hispanic traditions, alongside regional variations of southern and southwestern American styles. San Antonio Architecture is the comprehensive catalog of the architecture inventory of the city. Complete with color illustrations, keyed maps, and informative essays, it is a must-have book for every armchair and on foot architectural, art, and community historian.

The San Antonio River, flowing for millennia from the highest peak in the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, carved out a valley on its way to join the Salinas River. These oak savannahs grow lush with native grasses and in spring ignite with one of the brightest wildflower displays in the state. Once the domain of the Salinan people, and later including the ranch lands of William Randolph Hearst, the valley now hosts the well-preserved Mission San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1771; farms and vineyards; mines and oil wells; historic Fort Hunter Ligget; and the communities of Jolon, Lockwood, Pleyto, and Bryson- Hesperia. Still ringed by blue, sometimes snow-capped mountains, this lovely valley remains a sanctuary for deer, mountain lion, tule elk, and the occasional black bear.

A richly illustrated compilation of more that 150 years of coverage on the history and culture of San Antonio from the pages of the San Antonio Express-News.

Recognized as the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi, the Menger Hotel opened its doors in 1859. Business-minded men and women followed suit, establishing inns, lodges, motels, and hotels for tourists, businessmen, and passers-through that offered a wide range of amenities. The Crockett Hotel has overlooked the Alamo since 1909. The St. Anthony Hotel was the first luxury hotel in the state of Texas and often hosted celebrities, politicians, and other elite society. The Gunter Hotel was called the "first million-dollar hotel" in Texas by the Austin American Statesman and was deemed to have the "largest hotel lobby in the South" by the San Antonio Light and Gazette. The Fairmount Hotel drew acclaim after being moved five blocks in April 1985, when it was honored with an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "heaviest hotel ever moved." The evolution of San Antonio from military post and Texas's oldest municipality to the fastest-growing large US city, told through the lens of the city's hotels, is filled with unique historical perspective.

Users of this extensive guide will soon find that their knowledge of the area exceeds their expectations. The compilation offers very candid descriptions of the numerous hotels, reviews of restaurants and their sample dishes-including those with the traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex fare, and lots of entertaining things to see and do around town. Everyone should be able to find something of interest in this city-especially with the monthly special events listing that is included. Visitors will not be the only ones with newfound wisdom. New residents can smooth their transition by being informed beforehand. Neighborhoods, important phone numbers, public transportation, as well as schools and churches are discussed. And San Antonio's most famous attraction, The Alamo, is by no means forgotten. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Yves Gerem, no stranger to the Lone Star State, is the editor of A Marmac Guide to Dallas and A Marmac Guide to Fort Worth and Arlington, both published by Pelican. Also available are A Marmac Guide to Atlanta, A Marmac Guide to Houston and Galveston, A Marmac Guide to Los Angeles, A Marmac Guide to New Orleans, and A Marmac Guide to Philadelphia.