Water is the lifeblood of civilizations. Nowhere is this more true than in the heart of South Texas, where the San Antonio River has been both the spring and springboard to the development of San Antonio and its second most popular tourism attraction...the River Walk.

The stream, known to the Payaya Indians as Yanaguana, was variously utilized over the first three centuries by Franciscan missionaries, explorers, soldiers, and even a settlement of Canary Islanders.

Through the late 1800s and early 1900s, San Antonio's increasing population and expanding boundaries experienced an increasing degree of problems brought about by flooding. In fact, if flood control measures had not been taken in the 1920s, later commercial development along the river would have never happened.

Engineers in 1919 struck an ominous chord with a study predicting that heavy flooding of the San Antonio River could damage the city severely. It was a warning that came through with devastating results.

On September 9, 1921, a cloudburst over the Olmos Basin and San Antonio River put 9 feet of water on Houston Street downtown, which resulted in flooding that killed 50 people and caused millions in property damage.

Expedient remedies were called for by many of the frightened residents and businessmen who wanted to ensure that such a tragedy would not reoccur. For three years after the calamity, flood control plans were worked on by city officials and the Army Corps of Engineers, whose plans called for straightening the river in several spots.

In their desire to preserve the natural course of the river and prevent the demolition of historic sites called for in the plans, Miss Emily Edwards and a band of concerned women organized in March 1942 to form the San Antonio Conservation Society. Their imaginative efforts included staging canoe rides for commissioners to demonstrate the river's natural beauty and the need to preserve it for future generations.

Six months after forming the Society, the women also crafted and staged an elaborate puppet show for City Commissioners on September 24, 1924. In the short puppet play, titled "The Goose that Lays the Golden Egg," Mr. San Antonio (downtown businessmen) described the Goose (the river):  

I could make big deals
If I had all of her gold
And, Wife, you'd never miss her
when new highways roll.

Mrs. San Antonio then wisely urged the commissioners to "spare this Goose for future use." In response, Mayor Tobin delayed a council vote on the most controversial aspect of the flood control plan: the filling of the scenic river bend area.

In the meantime, one battle was lost by the Conservation Society. In preparation for the building of a flood bypass channel, the old City Market House an Market was torn down in 1925.

Final flood control plans published in 1926 called for an even less satisfactory approach: draining the river bend and making it a storm sewer with a street over it. Edwards, the Conservation Society and other concerned groups mounted vigorous opposition and stopped the river bend "cover up" from taking place -- a second time!

By 1926, the commissioners were receptive to the moral story presented to them two years earlier and the final flood control plan was approved. The plan would aid the river bend during periods of heavy rainfall by utilizing a new bypass channel. A floodgate and two dams helped accomplish this goal and the bypass channel was completed in 1929. The major feature of the plan, the building of Olmos Dam, was completed in 1927 north of the downtown area, in Olmos Basin.

Then an imaginative young dreamer came along. Robert H.H. Hugman, who had fished along the river as a young boy, approached the people involved in the river battle with his ideas for the river. The architect envisioned the banks of the Paseo del Rio (River Walk) as a world apart from the city's streets -a balance between commercial and park-like atmospheres . His plan, titled "The Shops of Aragon and Romula," was presented in 1929 to Mayor Chambers, two city commissioners, property owners and civic leaders.

In "A Dream Come True: Robert Hugman and the San Antonio River Walk," local author Vernon Zunker describes the architect's efforts to persuade City Hall of his plans:

Gondolas were part of Hugman's presentation...and he told an amusing story about them. I called on a public official in 1929 who was a very smart businessman, but had little formal education. I told him of my dreams for developing the river called Shops of Aragon and Romula (for lack of a better name, and it did sound romantic), and I mentioned gondolas quietly gliding on the water as part of an imaginary setting. He thought the entire idea was fine, but then he said, "Oh, we won't need to buy any gondolas; we can get a pair and raise our own."

Hugman's plan to convert the River Walk took much more than a vision. The Depression made it difficult for any group to commit funds to beautify the river. Hugman spent six years keeping the vision alive.

In 1936, the year of the Texas Centennial, Jack White, owner of the White Plaza Hotel, visited City Hall to urge clean-up and beautification of the river. Congressman Maury Maverick, Mayor C.K. Quin and a group of citizens headed by White pushed for more river development, which culminated in the first funds becoming available in 1938 from the Works Projects Administration ($375,000), and from a bond assessment of property owners ($75,000) between Jefferson and River Villita Streets.

The river development project broke ground in 1939 with Hugman as architect. Robert Turk was selected as superintendent for the construction project.

"Thirty-one stairways to the River Walk were designed by Hugman. No two are alike," wrote Zunker in his book, depicting Hugman as a man whose attention to detail helped make the Paseo del Rio unique.

An outdoor theatre was planned by Hugman for live radio broadcasts of musical and dancing programs. The Arneson River Theatre was maned in honor of Edward P. Arneson, the project's supervising engineer who died in 1939 before the project was completed.

Every attempt was made to preserve the trees which lined the banks of the river. Horticultural additions included 11,734 trees and shrubs, including 1,500 banana trees. Seventeen thousand feet of walkways were built and 1,489 yards of carpet grass were planted.

Because of conflicts with some city officials, Hugman was relieved of his commission in March 1940. The work was carried on by another architect, J. Fred Buenz, until the project's completion in March 1941.

At this point, the River Walk consisted of walkways, stairways to street level, footbridges, rock walls lining the banks and the Arneson River Theatre. Also completed at this time was the restoration of the homes in the area known as La Villita, adjacent to the river and the Arneson River Theatre.

The onset of World War II largely accounted for the great slowdown in River Walk development. In 1945, the year of the war's conclusion, funds were approved for the first major extension of the River Walk. These were used to develop the river from the northern end of the central River Walk loop, to the site of what would become in 1962 the city's first riverfront hotel, El Tropicano (now the Holiday Inn Riverwalk North).

Two exceptions to the slowdown caused by wartime were the opening of Casa Rio Mexican Restaurant in 1946 (the first on the river), and Lung Jeu Restaurant in 1959.

From the beginning, Hugman had continuously stated the need for commercial growth of the River Walk. According to historian Vernon Zunker, Hugman "near the end of his life observed the rapid development of the River walk and continued to reiterate the need for balanced development, development that would not dwarf the River Walk's parklike setting."

In the 1940s and 1950s, most businesses still treated the river as their back door. The area was long perceived as so unsavory that it was off limits to members of the Armed Services.

The city's Parks and Recreation Department, the agency responsible for maintaining and operating the River Walk, has been vitally important in preserving the lush landscaped charm of the River Walk. Department staff have consistently enhanced the river's beauty through extensive horticultural planning.

In 1956, Bob Frazer, then head of the department, established a small botanical garden on the River Walk that featured philodendrons, plus more banana and palm trees. It would take Frazer and his staff the next six years to complete a major River Walk landscaping program that included more than 17,000 trees, shrubs, vines, and ground cover. Frazer added a further note of protection in 1957 when he assigned the Park Rangers to patrol the river.

In 1959, another major series of events in River Walk history commenced when visionary businessman David Straus, under the auspices of The Chamber of Commerce, formed the Tourist Attraction Committee to look at economic development along the river. Over the next several years, Straus' personal efforts to find buyers for River Walk properties, help develop river businesses and launch an updated, redesigned river barge operation , are just a few of his many contributions.

With funds provided by the city and The Chamber, The Chamber of Commerce commissioned a 1959 report from Marco Engineering Company of California (major designers of Disneyland) to explore the river's commercial potential. Completed in 1961, the Marco report suggested that all buildings backing up to the river be developed in an early Texas or Mexican style. The report also suggested that as many buildings as possible be rehabilitated to provide basement space opening at river level to accommodate retail and entertainment facilities.

The Marco report did not meet with universal acceptance. Some leaders felt the Marco plan lacked sensitivity to the real nature of the architectural heritage of San Antonio and criticized some aspects of the plan as being too carnival-like in its conception.

After some debate, agreement was reached that the Marco plan should not be adopted in its entirety, but that it be used as a basis for further development action. Some of the plan's recommendations, such as forming a merchants association and holding frequent festivals were utilized later by civic planners.

In 1962, Straus, along with Harold Robbins, manager of The Chamber's tourism department, visited Carmel, California, and the Vieux Carre Commission in New Orleans to look at ordinances guiding development. Straus employed this information to formulate a 1962 ordinance for San Antonio that established a River Walk District and a River Walk Advisory Commission.

The first River Walk Commission (appointed by the City Council and headed by Walter Mathis) joined forces with the Chamber of Commerce Tourist Attractions Committee (headed by Straus) to commission a Paseo del Rio Master Plan from the San Antonio Chapter of the American institute of Architects (AIA). AIA in turn appointed a committee to do the work, headed by architect Cyrus Wagner.

The final Paseo del Rio Master Plan included drawings, a scale model, land use plan, the basis for planning districts, and a capital improvement program for public and private development. In addition, a set of recommendations for municipal improvements helped lead to a $30 million municipal improvements bond issue passed in 1964.

The Paseo del Rio Association was formed as part of the Chamber of Commerce in March of 1964. The Association would eventually become independent of the Chamber in 1968.

The second major extension of the River Walk was completed in 1968, just in time for the opening of San Antonio's World Exposition, HemisFair, chaired by civic leader Marshall Steves. This extension opened into the city's new convention center complex.

What HemisFair brought to San Antonio was world attention for the first time. It brought thousands to the city, most of whom had never seen the city's River Walk. HemisFair, in a way, was the introductory unveiling of San Antonio, the Alamo, and the exciting River Walk.

A third major improvement was the extension south toward the King William Historic District. It was completed by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1971.

A joint planning effort by six local government entities in 1973 resulted in the River Corridor Feasibility Study. The Study's "River Corridor Plan" provided a long-term framework for development decisions along the river.

An important cultural addition to the River Walk came in 1974 when the San Antonio Conservation Society bought and restored the old Ursuline Convent, located slightly upstream from the main River Walk business corridor. The newly refurbished complex opened shortly thereafter as the Southwest Craft Center.

Since 1962, eight hotels and a major shopping center have been built and currently anchor positions on the River Walk. They opened in the following order: El Tropicano, 1962 (reopening in 1991 as the Holiday inn Riverwalk North); Hilton Palacio del Rio and Hotel La Posada, 1968 (La Posada reopening in 1970 as La Mansion del Rio); Travelodge an the River, 1971: Marriott Riverwalk and the Hyatt Regency San Antonio, 1979; Holiday Inn Riverwalk, 1987; and Marriott Rivercenter and Rivercenter Mall, 1988.

Restaurants of all sizes, shapes and culinary colors abound. More than 50 dining establishments are present along the River Walk. Casa Rio Restaurant was the first, opening in 1946. Every year brings in new prospects. Recently, the Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood have joined in the success.

Events produced by the Paseo del Rio Association are direct descendants of those envisioned by people who desired to use the waters of the San Antonio River in creative ways. These events periodically lend an additional ambiance to the River Walk.

To keep up with the latest events happening in the River Walk area, the Paseo del Rio Association publishes a monthly magazine titled Rio. Rio has been published monthly since 1968. The magazine is free and can be found in many establishments along the downtown area.

Events that have stood the test of time include the River Walk Holiday Parade and River Lighting Ceremony. Since 1940, the Texas Cavaliers have provided San Antonio with the Fiesta River Parade.

Other events produced by the Paseo Del Rio Association include Las Posadas (first produced at street level by the San Antonio Conservation Society in 1965, then combined with the Paseo del Rio Association's fourth annual Fiesta de las Luminarias in 1971) ; St. Patrick's Day River Dyeing (1967), Fiesta de las Luminarias (first produced in 1968); Great Country River Festival (1969); Fiesta Mariachi Festival (1972); Maybe Annual Miller Lite River Walk Mud Festival (1987)8 and River Walk Mardi Gras (1990).

Over the years, the San Antonio River walk has spawned thousands of inquiries from fascinated tourists to civic entrepreneurs seeking ways to cultivate similar economic river communities in their own cities. Only the last 74 years can truly answer their inquiries. The development of the River Walk has been based on balanced doses of capitalism and ambition, mixed with the interests of conservation and preservation. Development of the River Walk has been built on civic pride, set upon by dreams and supported by early measure's taken to ensure a city's survival. San Antonio is one place where tourists and locals alike can stroll down the River Walk and enjoy what nature has to offer.

Information provided by  The Paseo del Rio Association, 110 Broadway, Suite 60, San Antonio, Texas 78205; (210) 227-4262; Fax (210) 212-7602.  [Revised 2/26/97]

RIVER WALK HISTORY

The San Antonio River Walk is one of the world's great urban linear parks. To give you a basic overview of its evolution, here is a chronology reproduced from the book "Crown Jewel of Texas: The Story of San Antonio's River":

8,000 B.C.- Paleo-Indian hunter-gatherers settle in Olmos Basin and along San Antonio River, called Yanaguana

1535- Explorer Cabeza de Vaca crosses San Antonio River

1691- Headwaters area named for St. Anthony of Padua

1718- Spaniards establish, at first near San Pedro Springs, Mission San Antonio de Voters (the Alamo) and a presidio

1720- Mission San Jose is first of four Spanish missions established along the river south of  San Antonio

1776- Spanish acequia system completed

1819- Devastating flood leaves 16 dead

1842- Commerce Street gets river's first vehicle bridge

1845- Serious flood brings call for dam on Olmos Creek

1849- Polluted river water causes cholera epidemic, 600 die

1865- Serious flood causes three deaths

1869- First municipal flood control effort begins

1871- Houston Street gets river's first iron bridge

1891- New water system drills artesian wells, lowers river

1900- Drought, increased water use first dry up headwaters

1904- Citizens protest cutting trees beside river; city does first riverbank landscaping

1905- First Fiesta river parade

1907- Electric lights decorate river; second river parade

1911- San Antonio River Improvement League formed; artesian well first augments river flow; businessmen commission engineering study of draining and paving the Great Bend

1912- First detailed river beautification plan

1913- River Commissioner George Surkey begins major city river beautification project; two serious floods

1920- Boston's Metcalf & Eddy does river flood control study

1921- Citizens protest cutting trees beside river for flood control; flood devastates city, 50 deaths

1924- City begins major flood control project

1926- Nearly-complete Olmos Dam dedicated; channel straightening and cutoffs, including Great Bend's, begin

1928- City hall rejects plan to drain and pave Great Bend

1929- Losoya Street extension over Great Bend defeated; flood control project completed; Robert Hugman proposes new river beautification plan

1933- City master plan recommends preserving Great Bend without such commercial intrusions as in Hugman plan

1936- Venetian Night revives interest in Hugman plan

1939- Jack White gets WPA to undertake Hugman plan

1941- WPA finishes project; first annual Fiesta river parade

1946- Casa Rio Restaurant is first business on River Walk

1951- River Authority begins extended flood control project

1962- City forms River Walk Commission to oversee growth

1963- City backs architects' plan to revitalize River Walk

1964- Paseo del Rio Association formed

1968- HemisFair, two new hotels energize River Walk; river extended to new Convention Center 1974- First annual Christmas lighting along Great Bend

1979- New surge of hotel, river development begins; Left Bank condominiums reflect increase in riverside housing

1980- City begins River Walk rehabilitation project

1988- Rivercenter Mall opens on a new river extension

1990- Increasing development brings noise control ordinance

1993- New river development studied north of River Walk

1997- Three-mile flood tunnel completed beneath downtown

This information is explained in detail in "Crown Jewel of Texas: The Story of San Antonio's River" by Lewis F. Fisher (ISBN 0-9651507-1-2), which has 128 pages in hardback with 96 illustrations, 6 maps, notes, a bibliography and an index.

If you wish to order a copy, you may contact The Greater San Antonio Chamber's Publications Dept. at (210) 229-2104, infostore@sachamber.org.