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Some people use baby powder on the car to show the ghostly handprints of the spectral children as in one viral video. Before the famous fried chicken chain was located on every other corner, there was one small walkup location across the street from the Alamo. The Battle of the Alamo, where not a single defender survived, was only one such battle fought between the independence-seekers and Mexican rulers. The San Pedro Park is home to so much history. Except that the mother and daughters had not been dead. San Antonio is considered one of the most haunted places in the United States, according to Yahoo Travel. Those ghost stories haven't slowed down since. Like the French Quarter in New Orleans, the King Williams District is known for its ghosts. A number of Valley people died under mysterious circumstances at the San Antonio State Hospital, ranging from teenagers to the elderly. The park spans about 416 acres according to SeaWorld San Antonio.. Here's Where To Get Itand Where To See Whats Tex-Next. If you're local to San Antonio, Texas, you've probably spent a night or two driving out to Shane Road. All things considered, La Villita might just be the most haunted neighborhood in San Antonio, if not Texas. From the spirit of a young boy who loves to play pranks to the living, to a ghostly former actress who can't sing on-key, this old theater is one of the most haunted places in San Antonio. They have seen soldiers, cowboys, Native Americans, and priests. Pterodactyls in San Antonio? 17. The hospital was built on 640 acres, and had the capacity to hold up to 500 patients. The San Antonio Missions are the only World Heritage Site in Texas. Yet, another death that got mentioned in newspaper headlines was that of a 75-year-old man who was beaten, starved and dehydrated so severely, he lost an astonishing 30 pounds in only 15 days. It's been a captain's palace, an executioner's arena, as well as an assortment of different types of shops during the early twentieth century. That particular urban legend has been told over and over again, until the truth and the fiction blend into a haunted tale of ghostly children, suicide nuns and the living, who hope beyond anything to come face to face with an apparition. None of their venoms are lethal (except for rare cases of allergy), but they can hurt like hades. Once the military fortification for the famous Alamo, the Spanish Governor's Palace was never actually home to Texas's governors. 33. There is, however, other evidence as to how his family felt about about poor Williamand that feeling was not warm or loving at all. 31 of the most haunted places in South Texas. She scrambled back to the river, but her children were nowhere in sight. Influenced by Roman Catholicism, Santera had passed through the Caribbean into southern Texas by slaves from Yoruba, Africa. Additionally, Fuentes has said that San Antonio is just perfectly placed for being ghost friendly. 12. Most people are aware of the fact that San Antonio, Texas, has a significant paranormal presence. The DoSeum's "Recess Redo" nights invite adults (21+) to explore the whimsy and wonder of the massive playscape, cocktail in hand! The San Antonio Spurs have won five championships and are the only former ABA team to win an NBA Championship. At the haunted Devil's Bridge in San Antonio, Texas, the legend stands true. There is no evidence to suggest whether William Browne won or lost his particular trial. Sadly, San Antonio had a very real angel of death in their midst at Bexar County Hospital, in the form of Genene Jones, who was convicted of poisoning somewhere between 11 and 50 infants. The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) is a museum and library located in the Texas Pavilion at HemisFair Park in Downtown San Antonio, Texas. It would be weird if there wasnt a single ghostly tale at the property. And through the years, the hotel has hosted infamous. Many historical buildings, hotels, museums and parks are reportedly haunted in the city. Theodore Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders at the Menger Hotel. But we had fun. 14. 3. The San Antonio Museum of Art, which opened in 1981 in the old Lone Star Brewery complex, may not serve up local brews, but its collection of 30,000+ objects spanning 5,000 years will probably quench a different kind of thirst. Built for the HemisFair in 1968, this museum offers exhibits about Big Foot as well as Texas' cultural past. The creepiest San Antonio ghost stories offer a chilling glimpse into the . 4. 2. It has been a battleground for warring nationalities, and the morality of the lawless gunslingers and the vigilant citizens hoping to enact order. All right reserved. San Antonio is home to the oldest miniature golf course in the United States at Cool Crest Miniature Golf. So, in an effort to fulfill the need for scariness in your life, we rounded up some of our city's many creepy AF urban legends. 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. But for some strange reason, San Antonio, Texas, never seems to make the cut for being one of America's Most Haunted Cities . He has a history of Violence. 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. No doubt all have resulted in heightened paranormal activity in San Antonio, but there's also the fact that San Antonio's history is rich. I've seen men stomped, and I've seen them force insane people to work.". However, if you are a stickler about it, San Antonio got their area code first in the early '90s and 210 actually counts down to zero instead of just one, so San Antonio wins! Most commonly, her spirit is seen kneeling on the ground, her arms submerged in the water as she searches for her children. They're hairy and have two large obvious eyes on the front (in addition to their other eyes) that watch you. San Antonio, Texas. 83.3%. 5. It was not the Comanche way to murder the people of the San Antonio villa and destroy them out rightno, it was better to allow them to work the fields and raise the horses, before the Comanches took what they deemed "theirs.". 3. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson got married at St. Marks Episcopal Church in downtown San Antonio. app for Android and iOS. . Our Haunted History. Patience who were legitimately in need of aid, as well as those who suffered more undiagnosed diseases like seizures. The SASH is one of ten state mental health facilities operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Is this because of the two lovers who parted ways here? Explore new recipes and memories with your neighbors! In 1893, he tapped architect, A midcentury Alamo Heights home recently listed for $2.1 million was once home to one of San Antonio's most-distinguished military leaders, according, An 8,800-square-food Terrell Hills mansion built for now-retired AT&T Senior Executive Vice President Richard G. Lindner and his wife has hit the, Members of San Antonio's Ukrainian community gathered with elected officials and others Thursday in front of City Hall for a candlelight vigil, What good is it to live in Mad Men-style home without a chance to engage in some serious leisure? Kids, for example, are warned not to trek out to the Ghost Tracks on the southeast side of the city, where, in the 1940s, a bus full of kids stalled while trying to cross the train tracks. He sealed them in with the turn of the lock, and then took his own life moments later with a pistol . The previous record was 13,000 tamales. Military City, USA. 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. At this haunted location, the living come second to the ghosts. After spending over a decade in the asylum, William Browne, was once again free to live his life. 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. Subsequently, construction of five new buildings commenced on the property and were eventually completed by the year of 1939. Otherwise, let us continue on the path of finding out why San Antonio is just so very haunted . The oldest cathedral in the state in San Fernando Cathedral. . 30. One of these poor souls was Chuauhtemco "Chino" Garcia, just nineteen-years-old, but a big boy, weighing in between 180-190 pounds. 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. "The staff is rude and unprofessional. Dallas is now the third-largest city in Texas followed by Austin, with Fort Worth closing in at fifth place. The attendants then cornered him. 24. New Orleans attracts fans of the macabre with its haunted houses, voodoo museums, and labyrinthine cemeteries. It's also reported that you can hear ghostly footsteps from the fallen soldiers and men crying. That's a San Antonio fact! Before the San Antonio built River Walk, the area was a place to stay away from due to high crime and river rats. Grunch. Next time you stay at a Hilton, remember that Conrad Hilton, the founder of the hotel chain, was born in San Antonio, N.M. Grocery store chain H-E-B's answer to Whole Foods, Central Market, is often called Gucci-B," a San Antonio fact. In honor of the season of spookiness, here are 13 of our favorite classic San Antonio urban legends, scary stories, and tall tales. Fritos were invented in SA, we have the oldest park in Texas and hold the world record for most tamales made. Children. Cade was a professor of medicine and nephrology at the University of Florida when he was doing research about the football team and why players didnt urinate after a game. As you're traveling throughout the city and talking to people, though, expect to pay your respects to American veterans on occasion. The Menger is considered the oldest hotel west of the Mississippi and one of the most haunted places in San Antonio. Dallas is now the third-largest city in Texas followed by Austin, with Fort Worth closing in at fifth place. Gunslingers like Bob Augustine terrorized the people of San Antonio, and indubitably still haunt the city's historic streets today. 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. Throughout South Texas, there is nothing more terrifying that the shrill cry of a woman - the weeping is a premonition, for those who hear it are often doomed to a series of grave misfortunes. Less than 25 years after the Battle of the Alamo, the Menger Hotel opened its doors to a motley bunch of travelers in San Antonio. 2023 RentGroup Inc. All rights reserved. San Antonio's history is peppered with ghostly lore just like the Haunted Tracks of Shane and Villamain. Weve had several nurses recently leave for other positions in the community.. Stepping into this museum is definitely a step back in time. The event is just one of many extravaganzas that occur every April during Fiesta, the biggest party youve never heard of. Aldridge called out to him for help. Party held to celebrate Mission World Heritage status. 1.) First - we cannot stress this enough - do not trespass. And it is rich with death. In 1923, local high school teacher Ellen Schultz wanted to start a museum in San Antonio, but was short on cash. 50-59: 12%. San Antonio's most famous haunted landmark. 70-79: 5%. If you want to learn more about the most haunted locations in San Antonio, please browse through the pages below. Most commonly, spirits may remain on the earthly plane for a few various reasons. But, once again, don't do anything dumb like try to trespass on private property. Between San Antonio and Seguin on I-10, near Exit 591 (Seen here flowing over FM 1518) Some have linked the creek's unusual name to the legend of La Llorona, the ghost who weeps for her lost. It's 90 percent as high and 60 percent as wide as the original in England. Tragedy underlies the history at this haunted location, and the stories which have emerged from previous owners tell us only one thing something exists here, at this abandoned property, and it's more than likely that it is not a spirit but something much darker. However, his brothers, Albert and James I. Browne, and sister Mrs. Caroline de San Roman took control of his share and also other property that William had himself owned. The halls of this institution are littered with the discarded memories of former patients. As I mentioned, there were also speciousness deaths of the elderly. 6. After murdering his parents in 1979, Hitlers Son (more commonly known as Patrick OBrien, who was not in fact Hitlers son) was once again checked into the State Hospital. Shaq played high school basketball at Cole High School and his team went 68-1 in two seasons and won the 1989 state championship. Outlaws made themselves home in San Antonio's saloons, gaming hells and dance halls, where excessive drinking led to violence and violence almost always led to death. Read more 0 Country Spirit - La Mansion Boerne, Texas 75 miles from Uvalde, TX While some guests claim that Teddy Roosevelt haunts the Menger, other visitors have . It is is the 7th most populous city in the United States and the second-most populous city in Texas (after Huston). 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. Dracula is based on a real person. Lanier High School holds the world record for the most tamales ever made. . Texans love their homegrown fast food joint, Whataburger, based in San Antonio. Spanish is the second-most spoken language in San Antonio, but with a diverse population, German, Polish and Czech are also popular languages in the region. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. See the haunted side of San Antonio on this ghost-themed bus tour. The San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) is still in operation today at the same location of its conception at 6711 S New Braunfels Avenue. But at almost every old bridge, there are rumors that the Devil himself was involved with its construction. If either of these spiders bites you, do seek immediate medical attention. The legend tells of a school bus that stalled on the railroad tracks at Villamarin and Shane in the 1940s, and was hit by an oncoming train (all occupants of the bus were killed instantly). she exclaimed in delight, just before she explained what she had done. Fortunately, they aren't after humans and if they bite you, it's usually not serious. 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. 16. Haunted San Antonio Tours SA is one of the most haunted cities in the US of A. The Emily Morgan undergoes a multi-million dollar renovation and joins the DoubleTree by Hilton family. 210-223-4361. The murder victim, identified as Elizabeth Short, was a young actor, and the public became entranced with the murder, nicknaming her The Black Dahlia. You'll hear the stories of San Antonio's haunted history while standing in the very places these haunting events take place. In 1979, a 300-pound man named Patrick O'Brien (a 36-year-old recluse), told police after his arrest that he was the son of Hitler and the father of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. However, he had no interest in her two children and refused to marry the widow because of them. 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. The share holdings would have made William a fantastically wealthy man. 60-69: 9%. With spiders that jump 25 feet, massive reptilian birds possibly flying overhead and a whole host of other strange and delightful things, San Antonio is a fun, adventurous place to live and work. And that open communication between the living and the dead? It certainly seems to be the most haunted place in San Antonio. . Aldridge spent three months in the San Antonio State Hospital in 1944. it is not just relegated to one section of town. But the Majestic Theatre is also home to more than a few ghosts, those who have made themselves comfortable in the grand Majestic. 29. Years of fighting rose up among the different nationalities. San Antonio lies at a mean elevation of 198 meters (650 feet) above sea level. La Llorona has been depicted in various tales, but one thing is for certain: she drowned her children in a fit of anger and is now relegated to searching for them until Judgment Day. Each time the Mexicans went to try to destroy the building, ghostly specters, some with flaming swords in hand, allegedly scared off the would-be arsonists. He told her that she was mad, insane, and that he would have nothing to do with her. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories. The number one haunted place is the Driskill in Austin. A local hiking group, Hiking Heroes, organized such a hike in October 2021 to raise funds for a local breast cancer nonprofit. San Antonio Fact Sheet San Antonio at a Glance The River Walk More to Explore Eat A food and drink scene bursting with flavor and fun. The respective tribes were warriors who reportedly stole their horses, their goods. scary facts about san antonio. The AC system kept temperatures to 80 degrees, a welcome relief for all those workers doingwhatever people did in offices decades before the first desktop computers. For those which are currently abandoned, paranormal investigative groups flock to them to uncover the sometimes tragic events which occurred to them. This city knows how to throw a party, and we decided to invite 30 countries to come celebrate with us during HemisFair 68. To prep for the bash, San Antonio built the 750-foot Tower of the Americas, which, at the time, was the tallest observation tower in the country (its taller than the Space Needle). For hundreds of years, ghost stories have been told by the locals in San Antonio. An oncoming train sped down the tracks, its pace so furiously fast that there was no chance to evacuate the children, or even the driver, off of the stalled bus. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. However, to hear the whole story about San Antonio's most haunted places, take a ghost tour on your next trip to San Antonio. A rendering of the Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. The hospital officials may want to forget the "long train of abuses," but the souls of these departed patients will never let that happened. . He damned her to walk the earth forever, always to be looking for her murdered children . 11. Are you visiting San Antonio? 2. Things To Do Real Experiences. A vintage postcard showcasing the Hot Wells resort in its original form. In Browne, Sr.s will, William was given a share in a very valuable deal of property. What puts this museum in the Top Ten Most Haunted Museums in the World? 2.64. Before she was admitted, a doctor made a comment to police, saying of Mrs. Harrison, "She's so oldwe want the young ones.". Unsurprisingly, his nickname was Vlad the Impaler. 22. Follow thislink!). scary facts about san antoniocabo marina slip rates. In fact, men like Bob Augustine were so feared that even after committing murder all he had to do was inform the jury and judge that if they deemed him guilty, Augustine would return and kill each and everyone of them. Get a glimpse of the dark underbelly of San Antonio history as each haunted location ratchets up the tension of the tour. 20. Originally built up by German immigrants in the 1860s, the King William Historic District is 25 blocks of style clearly influenced by its European founders. It's not just the Texan soldiers who died there in a stand-off with the Mexican army in 1836. The population dwindled, and the foreignness of the disease affected the local tribes the most. Stephanie Brail Stephanie Brail has a diverse background as a writer and holistic health expert with a previous incarnation as an internet consultant/web developer. The area was an early settlement dating back to 1729 when the Canary Islanders settled in San Antonio. 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." Hotel Monteleone. 2. At this haunted location, the living come second to the ghosts. Aldridge's nervous condition was only getting worse, so he committed himself to the SASH as an ultimate last resort. A horrifying description that does little to paint the State Hospital in a good light during the 1940s. This is where the story gets a little strange, and its necessary for us to rewind a bittwelve yearsto not longer after William was put in the Southwestern Insane Asylum in the first place. People have been seeing a massive, reptilian bird flying around the city for decades, and it's bigger than a pterodactyl more of the size of a pteranodon with wingspans of 15-20 feet. The park located just north of downtown on North Flores Street and San Pedro Avenue is 46 acres and features the San Pedro Springs swimming pool. The biggest of these three scorpions is the Giant Hairy Scorpion, which can grow as large as 4 inches has dark hair all over (ugh). San Antonio is the oldest city in Texas and celebrated its 300th anniversary on May 1, 2018. Sculptor Bob Wade gave each one a crisscrossed steel skeleton, over which a concrete-fiberglass mixture was poured. 3. In fact, its the second-biggest city in Texas. Their online reviews are quite eerie. It's a scary place. Whether it is the water-source or not that creates the hub of ghostly activity, Ghost City Tours' General Manager, Gretchen, who grew up in San Antonio, has repeatedly said that one thing that makes San Antonio different is that the entire city has hauntings. 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. After expansion in the 1920s, the original Southwestern Insane Asylum (now the San Antonio State Hospital) continued to grow ever larger. San Antonio surpassed Dallas as the second biggest city in Texas after the 2010 census count. She was so desperatedesperate for his love and a possible marriagethat the widow took matters into her own hands. The highest temperature ever recorded was 111 F on September 5, 2000. William's body also had third-degree burns, as his son Patrick had attempted to electrocute him prior to the stabbing. He was close to a Ph.D. in mathematics. SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the world's largest marine life parks. 3.) At 750 feet, San Antonio's Tower of the Americas is taller than the famous Seattle Space Needle, making it the perfect place to get a panoramic view of the city. Fritos and Frito pie were invented in San Antonio. Adults. . Visit a city rich in history and booming with modern attractions. . +. 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. 31. Tourists flock to San Antonio for delicious food, the River Walk, and the bright atmosphere which makes the city so lively and beautiful during the day-but for visitors interested in spooky legends, there are plenty of haunted places in San Antonio to explore after dark.. With 300 years of turbulent history since its beginning in 1718, it is no surprise that San Antonio is one of the most . But what it has been known for in the last century is for being home to many of San Antonio's ghosts. Today, visitors to the Military Plaza where Bob Augustine was gruesomely hanged still swear that they hear the Rebel yell that he hollered after his capture. Think you know everything there is to know about San Antonio? 20. 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. . ), 11. Not far from the San Juan Mission is an intersection of the roadway that is crossed by railroad tracks.