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. Apparently, at least. 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. 11 Things You Didn't Know About San Antonio - Matador Network So many bizarre things (all about headless chickens) and some very authentic things (George Washington's hair). Not far from the San Juan Mission is an intersection of the roadway that is crossed by railroad tracks. Flickr/brianmoranhdr 3. The man was horrified. Before she was admitted, a doctor made a comment to police, saying of Mrs. Harrison, "She's so oldwe want the young ones.". Over 100 locally-owned businesses provide a unique shopping experience. The Riverwalk. 23. This post is proudly produced in partnership with, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, 9 San Antonio Airbnbs Within Walking Distance of the Riverwalk and Downtown, 7 Idyllic Destinations for a Family-Friendly Thanksgiving Vacation ThisNovember, 11 Things You Didn't Know About San Antonio, 12 Things You'll Only Understand if You've Visited San Antonio, 11 Ways a Trip To San Antonio Will Surprise You. Checkout. 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.. Neighborhood: Central San Antonio. A case of heartbreak and hopelessness, anger and betrayal led to one horrific night when a bankrupt businessman's mental state snapped. If you're local to San Antonio, Texas, you've probably spent a night or two driving out to Shane Road. (Seizures were often deemed to be the sign of an overwrought, mentally unstable individual). 3. 25+ Things to do in San Antonio for first time visitors - Go City Adrenaline-seekers will want to map their day at SeaWorld around the many thrill . He is a brilliant man, but a terribly sick man." Party held to celebrate Mission World Heritage status. Military City, USA. 20. Not yet. Gatorade was invented by San Antonio native Robert Cade. "Personally, they didn't treat me mean," Aldridge said, before adding, "But the helpless and really insane were treated in a brutal manner. mobile app. 6. The 20 Creepiest San Antonio Urban Legends If you run across a group of women hiking in San Antonio without shirts on, don't ogle. Stonehenge II is in Ingram, northwest of downtown San Antonio. 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. Speaking of big, how could we forget Buc-ee's, the favorite waystation of Texas travelers? New Orleans attracts fans of the macabre with its haunted houses, voodoo museums, and labyrinthine cemeteries. No doubt the bus driver did everything he could, but there was nothing to be done. Follow thislink!). Interesting facts about San Antonio | Just Fun Facts The Alamo City holds another Guinness World Record, we are home to the tallest cowboy boots sculpture. Welcome to the Huebner-Onion Homestead: one of the most haunted houses in San Antonio, Texas, but a place that you visit only at your own risk. 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). The self-guided bullet, capable of hitting laser-designated targets more than a mile away, is a product of New Mexico's Sandia Labs. Nah, it's actually (maybe) worse. It was the place of "Manifest Destiny," which brought countless of America's roughest citizens west to the open expanse of Texan land. A woman left a comment on their facebook page, saying the her beloved brother was is in the facility, and that she was not able to get a hold of him. Read more about the best haunted hotels in San Antonio, Read more about the haunted Spanish Governor's Palace, Read more about the haunted San Fernando Cathedral, Read more about the real story behind the Haunted Railroad Tracks, >Read more about the urban legend of La Llorona, Read more about the ghosts of the Alamo Street Theater, Read more about the strange events and ghosts of the San Antonio State Hospital, Read more about the ghosts of the Majestic Theatre, Read more about the Urban Legend of Midget Mansion, Read about the hauntings and legend behind The Devil's Bridge, Read more about the ghosts of the Institute of Texan Cultures, Read more about The Ghosts of the Empire Theatre, Read more about The Ghosts of the Aztec Theatre, Read more about The Haunted King William District, Read more about The Haunted Chinese Graveyard, Read more about The Huebner-Onion Homestead. At the time Chino entered the hospital he was not physically ill, but a mere three days later he died. The attendants then cornered him. The head of the San Antonio Paranormal Investigations, Guillermo Fuentes, has been referenced as saying that one of the reasons why San Antonio is so haunted is because the ghosts feel as though they have some form of ownership over the land. 24. River City Ghosts: San Antonio Apparitions | GetYourGuide 1.) 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels Its official: Lanier HS sets tamale-making record. There will even be equipment you can use at the end of the tour. 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. If you live there, you know how haunted San Antonio is. Also in 1964, case worker, Helen Cloud Austin, became the first African-American to become a member of the hospitals elite staff. 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. The peace was short-lived, but with their ability to raid the frontier had been tremendously injured. San Antonio is the oldest city in Texas and celebrated its 300th anniversary on May 1, 2018. it really should be. >34 San Antonio Facts That Only Real Locals Know are True, 11 Really Cool Communal Kitchens Weve Spotted in Apartments, Do Not Share or Sell My Personal Information. This man who fought in WWII, said of the hospital, "Never again do I want to experience the sight of such cruelties." 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. #1 Rated Ghost Tour In San Antonio, TX - River City Ghosts 28. Rumored to be haunted by the spirits of young children, as well as the victim of a heartless murder, the vibrant paranormal activity here clearly demonstrates that not all of its ghosts are able to forget what happened to them in life. The largest Mexican market outside of Mexico is the Historic Market Square. Along with the iconic Alamo, they were selected for UNESCO designation in 2015 after a successful campaign by city and state officials. He told her that she was mad, insane, and that he would have nothing to do with her. Texans love their homegrown fast food joint, Whataburger, based in San Antonio. A number of Valley people died under mysterious circumstances at the San Antonio State Hospital, ranging from teenagers to the elderly. The MOST HAUNTED Places in San Antonio - Ghost City Tours And then there's La Llorona, the "Weeping Woman," who lingers near the water. The settlers placed the poor on the outskirts of the city, in hope that the tribes would take the belongings of the impoverished . . 18. This Buc-ee's location is the world's biggest convenience store. 15. Explore new recipes and memories with your neighbors! Gunslingers like Bob Augustine terrorized the people of San Antonio, and indubitably still haunt the city's historic streets today. It was reported on March 6, 1910, that a man was held at the asylum for twelve years. It's a good habit and a San Antonio fact to shake your shoes out before you put them on. 4. 10 Texas Ghost Legends That Will Give You The Chills - Wide Open Country 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. As you're traveling throughout the city and talking to people, though, expect to pay your respects to American veterans on occasion. (To be fair, Central Market is a bit pricier than H-E-B but is a little cheaper than Whole Foods.). The Train Tracks Legend has it, back in the 1930s or '40s, a bus filled with school children was crossing the tracks at Shane and Villamain Roads when it stalled. Ghost Children upon San Antonio's Railroad Tracks Mission San Juan, San Antonio, Texas. Menu Close. In Browne, Sr.s will, William was given a share in a very valuable deal of property. The highest temperature ever recorded was 111 F on September 5, 2000. The term O'Niner" refers to residents of the exclusive 78209 ZIP Code that includes the upscale neighborhood of Alamo Heights. 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. The 20 Creepiest Scary Facts to Spook Your Friends 2022 The McNay Art Museum brought modern art to Texas in 1954, when Marion Koogler McNay, an art teacher and heiress to an oil fortune, donated her San Antonio mansion to the art cause. The Emily Morgan undergoes a multi-million dollar renovation and joins the DoubleTree by Hilton family. 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. 2022 Ghost City, Ghost City Tours. Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Bexar County BiblioTech was the first library in the US to offer an exclusively digital collection and is still the only one to do so. (Want to find out a little more about our upcoming ghost tours in San Antonio? 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. 19. Best Easy, Cheap Dinner Ideas for Your Family. 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). But at almost every old bridge, there are rumors that the Devil himself was involved with its construction. Turns out we really love our fried chicken-to-go, and the joint quickly expanded throughout San Antonio, and now has over 1,600 locations in some 30 countries around the world. Aside from the Alamo, the Riverwalk is San Antonio's most famous attraction. The SASH is one of ten state mental health facilities operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). If you are a lover of nature and appreciate the gifts mother nature . +. The famous boots outside North Star Mall are 35-feet, three inches tall and weigh more than 10,000 pounds. The horrific "treatments" that the patients of these institutions were subjected to is often thought to be the source behind this paranormal phenomenon. This time it was for good. 80+: 3%. It was named the most romantic city in America by Amazon based on the number of romantic books and movies purchased. The area was an early settlement dating back to 1729 when the Canary Islanders settled in San Antonio. 2. Learn strange and interesting facts about San Antonio's history and find out the basics of paranormal investigation and spirit communication. With a population of over 1.4 million, its the seventh-largest city-proper in the country and is gaining on all six above it. 10 Fun Facts About San Antonio - OnlyInYourState One of the spirits that have been sighted at the Aztec Theatre, is a phantom operator located in the projection booth. No cause of death was given in the report or his obituary. Spooky SA: 13 Urban Legends, Obscure Stories, & Unexplained Phenomena Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2017-2021. It would be weird if there wasnt a single ghostly tale at the property. 50-59: 12%. The hospital was built on 640 acres, and had the capacity to hold up to 500 patients. True Adventures. The stories from The San Antonio Missions represent divergent and significant points of view: 17th Century explorers - Native American groups of the Southwest - Early Texas history - Spanish colonization - Stone masons and builders of the Missions - Battles of opposing interest - There is also the point of view of the land and creeks and pecan Our Haunted History. 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. Local Adventures Explore, shop, drink and dine like a local. Something to Remember. Your guide, a sinister fellow who proclaims to be in tune with the afterlife, leads you on a chilling exploration of the city's famed haunted sites including the Menger Hotel, the old Red Light District, the former Bexar County Jail, an historic cemetery, and more. But we didnt stop with office buildings San Antonio is home to countrys first air-conditioned bank, hotel, and Catholic Church. Technically, the bird itself is a San Antonio rumor, not a San Antonio fact, but people do claim to see this strange bird. You might also hear San Antonio called the Deuce Dime" based on that same area code. All in all, there are now some 20,000 works at the McNay. San Antonio's Midget Mansion has also been called the Gillespie Mansion and the Donore Manor, but despite the different names this urban legend is perhaps one of the most gruesome in all of Texas. Most commonly, her spirit is seen kneeling on the ground, her arms submerged in the water as she searches for her children. 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." There has to be a reason, he has said, that almost every part of San Antonio has claims to ghost stories . Even so, the hospital almost always surpassed capacity. You can't talk about the most haunted places in San Antonio without mentioning the Alamo. And through the years, the hotel has hosted infamous. 2. William's body also had third-degree burns, as his son Patrick had attempted to electrocute him prior to the stabbing. 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. Nevertheless my turn came: One day some of the attendants tried to force me to mop up the floor. 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. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson got married at St. Marks Episcopal Church in downtown San Antonio. Way to up the bar, San Antonio. The oldest cathedral in the state in San Fernando Cathedral. Yet, some locals pronounced it waterburger" when they were kids and still can't break the habit as adults. All right reserved. Thankfully, Browne was successful in answering all of inquiries to the judge's satisfactionhe thus was legally restored as a sane man. Long before soldiers were shouting Remember the Alamo, Spanish soldiers had set up fort in San Antonio to protect their lands in the New World. 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 . 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. The Menger is considered the oldest hotel west of the Mississippi and one of the most haunted places in San Antonio. 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! Se Habla Espaol 210-223-4361. and looked just like a fantasy Mediterranean Sea. 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. But, once again, don't do anything dumb like try to trespass on private property. 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. 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. But much like New Orleans and its connection with Voodoo, San Antonio had Santera orRegla de Ocha. Thus, it's reasonable to believe that many of the departed souls that passed away throughout the history of the area remain trapped in King William, making it the most haunted district in San Antonio. Get a glimpse of the dark underbelly of San Antonio history as each haunted location ratchets up the tension of the tour. That the grounds directly in front of the Alamo church were once a burial ground in the eighteenth century probably doesn't help matters either. The devil impressed San Antonio women with his dancing back in the '70s Back on Halloween 1975, many locals said a handsome man dressed in all white showed up to El Camaroncito Night Club.. Yes, San Antonio has a museum dedicated entirely to artsy toilet seats. 25. 21. 535,610. He was promptly acquitted and released from prison, though not before a gathering mob came and brought him right back. 1. scary facts about san antonio - jvillejanitorial.com Before the famous fried chicken chain was located on every other corner, there was one small walkup location across the street from the Alamo. These days, its home to works from some of the best artists of all time, like Picasso and Georgia OKeeffe. The San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo reuse the same dirt every year. She has lived in South Jersey, Michigan, Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin (Texas), Florida and just outside of Annapolis, MD off the Chesapeake Bay in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. They have seen soldiers, cowboys, Native Americans, and priests. . to non-locals, of course. The team went into the NBA in 1976. But the land was already populated by the Coahuiltecan people, and so the Spanish soldiers made them intoreducidos(indentured servant). The San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) is still in operation today at the same location of its conception at 6711 S New Braunfels Avenue. A relief on his part, no doubt, since hed been locked away in the asylum for a dozen years. On June 17, 1916, William's body was found floating on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. Do you want to experience the ghosts of San Antonio's most haunted places? 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. In honor of the season of spookiness, here are 13 of our favorite classic San Antonio urban legends, scary stories, and tall tales. Churchs Chicken first opened in San Antonio and the first location used to be across the street from the Alamo. . Though the blisters scabbed some ten days later, smallpox remained the biggest killer in San Antonio. They were created by Austin-born artist Bob Daddy O Wade and were placed in January of 1980. Take a trip to one of the haunted hotels; the Menger and the Crockett are both mainstays on ghost tours. "The staff is rude and unprofessional. 42 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for 2023. . 149 reviews of Ripley's Believe It or Not! SeaWorld San Antonio is the largest marine-life park in the entire world. 26. Subsequently, construction of five new buildings commenced on the property and were eventually completed by the year of 1939. Library membership is free to all Bexar County residents. Below are just a few tales from the past. WHERE: Meet at the Sisters Grimm Tours & Gift Shop located at the back of the Menger Hotel down Blum Street located at: 204 Alamo Plaza Suite #T San Antonio, TX 78204. 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. The Myrtles Plantation. Haunted Places in San Antonio - YouTube Plan Your Trip We give you ideas and our favorite things to do, eat and see. This thriving city in the heart of Texas has its own unique culture and a ton of great things to do and experience. 20 Interesting Facts About San Antonio | Isolated Traveller 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. But the fight for land did not stop there, because soon the Texans wanted their independence from Spain and, later, Mexico. The event is just one of many extravaganzas that occur every April during Fiesta, the biggest party youve never heard of. The spinning room is an absolute must do. The Japanese Tea Garden. Two spiders you should definitely steer clear from in San Antonio are the Black Widow Spider and Brown Recluse Spider. 60-69: 9%. 3. Dallas is now the third-largest city in Texas followed by Austin, with Fort Worth closing in at fifth place. 16 Creepy Stories And Urban Legends From California - Ranker SAN ANTONIO San Antonio is -- in our opinion -- the best city in the state. 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. 22. facts. She was so desperatedesperate for his love and a possible marriagethat the widow took matters into her own hands. A local hiking group, Hiking Heroes, organized such a hike in October 2021 to raise funds for a local breast cancer nonprofit. 300 coffins found inside a convent attic. 10 Most Insanely Haunted Places To Visit In San Antonio Called Midget Mansion (because the mother and father's smaller statures), rumors have been told of satanic rituals since having been performed at the house. Grocery store chain H-E-B's answer to Whole Foods, Central Market, is often called Gucci-B," a San Antonio fact. Read more 0 Country Spirit - La Mansion Boerne, Texas 75 miles from Uvalde, TX Influenced by Roman Catholicism, Santera had passed through the Caribbean into southern Texas by slaves from Yoruba, Africa. For more information read our privacy policy. Test your knowledge against this list. The four abandoned buildings near the site of the hospital actually belonged to the Bexar County Juvenile Home for Boys. His reasoning is the city's closeness to water, which might act like a spark or energy-source for paranormal phenomena. San Antonio has its own Stonehenge! It doesn't seem to matter if you're downtown, out at one of the Missions, or in the out-laying areas, you're never far from somewhere haunted. Over 700 people were put in jails across the state during this period. 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. 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.. 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.