Staff cared for two stray cats and buried them on-site with their own gravemarkers when they died. The designation was made in July 2015. "Personally, they didn't treat me mean," Aldridge said, before adding, "But the helpless and really insane were treated in a brutal manner. Recently, BuzzFeed got a chance to checkout the hotel IRL and learn some fun, fascinating, and ~spooky~ facts . Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. San Fernando Cathedral is one of San Antonio's most recognizable landmarks, as well as one of its oldest. 541-301-8460 scary facts about san antonio Licensed and Insured scary facts about san antonio Serving Medford, Jacksonville and beyond! As the legend goes, God struck down on her then for her actions. 13. There are bullet holes in the bar, and the legend is that they are from Rough Riders before they shipped out to Cuba. 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. There, the skinny, nearly 7-foot-tall teenager led his team to a 36-0 state championship record in 1989 (they had a 68-1 record over two years). 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 adds We are now down to a sinking lifeboat. There have been sightings of angry female spirits, as well as unexplainable paranormal phenomena such as objects flying off the shelves or hearing sounds with no distinct source. At the haunted Devil's Bridge in San Antonio, Texas, the legend stands true. to non-locals, of course. The largest Mexican market outside of Mexico is the Historic Market Square. She was so desperatedesperate for his love and a possible marriagethat the widow took matters into her own hands. Read more 0 Country Spirit - La Mansion Boerne, Texas 75 miles from Uvalde, TX The spinning room is an absolute must do. DICE Dental International Congress and Exhibition. It is technically regarded a city park and is most-loved for its walking path. Legend has it that if you position your car over the tracks, and put your car in neutral, the ghosts will push the vehicle the whole way across in an attempt to protect you from any imminent danger. Patience who were legitimately in need of aid, as well as those who suffered more undiagnosed diseases like seizures. Shelly Duvall, best known for her Earth-shaking screams in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," lives in nearby Hill Country. The highest temperature ever recorded was 111 F on September 5, 2000. Next time you stay at a Hilton, remember that Conrad Hilton, the founder of the hotel chain, was born in San Antonio, N.M. 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. All things considered, La Villita might just be the most haunted neighborhood in San Antonio, if not Texas. 6. The hospital was essentially a self-sufficient village with crops, livestock and a lake for fishing. 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. 149 reviews of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Since this is Texas, you can imagine their size. 7. In the 1730s, 655 out of the 857 Coahuiltecans died; by the 1780s, only some-eighty members of the tribe still lived. or the impoverished themselves. For many San Antonio locals, roads paralleling highways are access roads, not a feeder or frontage road. But for some strange reason, San Antonio, Texas, never seems to make the cut for being one of America's Most Haunted Cities . 8. . Similarly to Voodoo, those who practiced Santera used drumming and dance to communicate with their ancestors and the deities of theRegla de Ocha. All over the world, former "insane asylums" have considered to be some of the most paranormally active locations. The building which houses the institute a striking example of Brutalist architecture. 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. Households with a computer, percent, 2017-2021. The four abandoned buildings near the site of the hospital actually belonged to the Bexar County Juvenile Home for Boys. She scrambled back to the river, but her children were nowhere in sight. A current employee said of the SASH, "I work there. The number one haunted place is the Driskill in Austin. she exclaimed in delight, just before she explained what she had done. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. 2. The Alamodome opened on May 15, 1993, and cost $186 million to build. It was because of the devastating results of the spread of smallpox that tribes like the Comanches and Apaches finally agreed for treaties and truce. (Want to find out a little more about our upcoming ghost tours in San Antonio? Autor de la entrada: Publicacin de la entrada: junio 16, 2022 Categora de la entrada: jobs hiring 16 year olds with no experience Comentarios de la entrada: apartments copperfield apartments copperfield The horrific "treatments" that the patients of these institutions were subjected to is often thought to be the source behind this paranormal phenomenon. But, once again, don't do anything dumb like try to trespass on private property. . Learn strange and interesting facts about San Antonio's history and find out the basics of paranormal investigation and spirit communication. River City. Let's not forget the Alamo, which rumor has it is also haunted. Discover the city's hidden sights Learn the history of San Antonio What's Included Guided walking tour Knowledgeable Tour Guide Fun & unique experience to tell your family and friends Gratuities Meeting And Pickup Meeting point Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours 204 Alamo Plaza suite j, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA Open in Google Maps He suffered from maniacal-depressive type of mental-illness. The root of this was caused by a shortage of nurses, as explained by Carrie Williams, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services (which oversees the San Antonio State hospital): We have a total of 83 nurse positions at the hospital (SASH), and 12 of those are vacant, plus we have several nurses out for an extended period of time due to medical reasons. she then added. Eurgh! There will even be equipment you can use at the end of the tour. In 2014, Shaq came back to the Texas state basketball tournament for a reunion with his former high school teammates, still towering over them like he did 25 years ago. It was named the most romantic city in America by Amazon based on the number of romantic books and movies purchased. O'Brien was arrested by the police for murdering his parents, William and Mary, who were reportedly stabbed so many times that they looked like they had each been blasted with a shotgun. But San Antonio has four other historical missions, too: Mission San Juan, Mission San Jos, Mission Espada, and Mission Concepcin. Or, are you new and want to get the lay of the land? Paranormal investigators flock to places like the Menger Hotel or Military Plaza; and at any time of night, people can be seen standing by the illuminated Alamo, wonderingjust maybeif they might spot the specter of Davy Crockett who defended the historic church against the Mexican General Santa Anna in 1836. 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. SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the worlds largest marine life parks. It's said that some of the most haunted places in the world are theaters and the former Alamo Street Theater (now a hot dog place called Frank) is no different. At one time, San Antonio was considered the Wild West. Visit a city rich in history and booming with modern attractions. Library membership is free to all Bexar County residents. 2.64. For hundreds of years, ghost stories have been told by the locals in San Antonio. . It was purchased from near Charolotte, TX in 1988. Patients were being turned away at the door. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987, where he held mass in . Rhett Rushing, a folklorist at University of Texas San Antonio's Institute of Texan Cultures, told the online newspaper, mySA, a few years ago that "San Antonio [is not only] predisposed to ghost stories because of its cultural history, but the large mix of cultures over hundreds of years makes this a ghost lover's paradise.". And we have no community-based alternatives, no step-down units, no residential treatment facilities., Judge Oscar Kazen who presides over Bexar County's Mental Health Court, commented, Its only in the last couple of years that weve been able to convince University (Hospital) to begin taking unfunded involuntary patients". But the Terrell Castle has secretsghostly secrets. Otherwise, let us continue on the path of finding out why San Antonio is just so very haunted . In the past, the spirit in the booth, would play tricks on whomever was operating the projector. Today, still, those who died continue to haunt the property. SAN ANTONIO San Antonio is -- in our opinion -- the best city in the state. The share holdings would have made William a fantastically wealthy man. Those ghost stories haven't slowed down since. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the 21-story building was opened in Jan. 1928. Erica Hernandez, Digital Journalist/Courthouse Reporter. ", Another current employee added, "There's Death around We hear and see things., For the most part, it seems that many of the employees of the Hospital are perturbed by the paranormal events, but arent willing to. Finally, in the year 1910, William Browne was granted a hearing to determine if he was now sane. As was done in the day, William was asked a series of perplexing questions. ", Just before Christmas of 2014, the hospital announced that they were unable to admit any more patients. The respective tribes were warriors who reportedly stole their horses, their goods. All in all, there are now some 20,000 works at the McNay. The San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo reuse the same dirt every year. One of the spirits that have been sighted at the Aztec Theatre, is a phantom operator located in the projection booth. He also still holds the state record for number of rebounds in a season, with 791. The San Antonio Spurs have won five championships and are the only former ABA team to win an NBA Championship. 7. From prestigious and historic palaces holding a number of grizzly ghosts, to cathedrals where darker things roam at night. 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. 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. 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. New You.". 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? Still, we tell you all about its less than respectable past. That's a San Antonio fact! 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 Stories of seeing the ghosts of the diseased have been reported throughout the city of San Antonio. The Menger Hotel in San Antonio is rich in history. Most people are aware of the fact that San Antonio, Texas, has a significant paranormal presence. No doubt the bus driver did everything he could, but there was nothing to be done. it really should be. Before the San Antonio built River Walk, the area was a place to stay away from due to high crime and river rats. (Seizures were often deemed to be the sign of an overwrought, mentally unstable individual). It's enough for them to throw the child into a restraining mechanical chair." June 30, 2022 . Nevertheless my turn came: One day some of the attendants tried to force me to mop up the floor. Security guards in Alamo Plaza have seen the ghosts of what must be hundreds of people. SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the world's largest marine life parks. Thus, ghosts are the reason why the Alamo still stands today. More recently, Chinese and Vietnamese, as well as Hindi, displaced those. San Antonio is the oldest city in Texas and celebrated its 300th anniversary on May 1, 2018. We believe fully that the ghosts of San Antonio have their own story to tell and we hope to do the city's history justice in doing so. Each of these animals found in the wild are hiding disgusting, terrifying, or down right spooky secrets. The doctor then hollered at the attendants, "Lay off that boy, he's not crazy.". Neighborhood: Central San Antonio. All right reserved. Download the Rent. If you're local to San Antonio, Texas, you've probably spent a night or two driving out to Shane Road. Do you know those tall votive candles with pictures of Mother Mary you can get at the grocery store for a buck? Apparently, at least. Another food favorite in San Antonio: barbacoa and Big Red. 7. The Menger is considered the oldest hotel west of the Mississippi and one of the most haunted places in San Antonio. The term Alamo" actually means cottonwood in Spanish, named for the cottonwood tree where Spanish monks planned and decided to build the Mission San Antonio de Valero, the original name for the Alamo. 21. The 2,311 seat theatre was designed in 1929 by architect John Eberson, and was home to San Antonio's Symphony from 1989 to 2014. +. 3. Explore new recipes and memories with your neighbors! Effective May 1, 2013, the Local Preference Ordinance implemented the change in the law. The Milam building downtown was the first high-rise office building in the U.S. to have air conditioning. The famous boots outside North Star Mall are 35-feet, three inches tall and weigh more than 10,000 pounds. Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Once you've gotten some fudge and jerky at Buc-ee's, stop by Barney Smith's Toilet Seat Art Museum to gape and awe at this amazing collection of decorated toilet seats. The San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) is still in operation today at the same location of its conception at 6711 S New Braunfels Avenue. 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. Best Easy, Cheap Dinner Ideas for Your Family. This San Antonio walking ghost tour is for you if: You're looking for a high-quality ghost storytelling performance full of dark history and chilling ghost lore. In honor of the season of spookiness, here are 13 of our favorite classic San Antonio urban legends, scary stories, and tall tales. It officially became a public park in 1852. A number of Valley people died under mysterious circumstances at the San Antonio State Hospital, ranging from teenagers to the elderly. During his visit, he also deemed San Antonio the most Catholic city in the U.S. Archdiocese marks 25th anniversary of papal visit. Gunslingers like Bob Augustine terrorized the people of San Antonio, and indubitably still haunt the city's historic streets today. Countdown City. scary facts about san antonioeast chicago housing authority waitlist The Alamo City is packed with ha. 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. The bridge is close to where she suffered severe burns and disfigurement (making her look like a donkey) after either her husband or a malevolent stranger set fire to her house. They arrived at the Mission San Antonio de Valero, and realized that if they were to survive it was necessary that they dig canals, plant food, and protect themselves from anyone they deemed the enemy. 5. . 60-69: 9%. 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. According to its former owners, the living are very protective of these energies. And it is rich with death. Residents call them Jumping Spiders because they jump up to 25 feet! 27. 3.) 34. The settlers placed the poor on the outskirts of the city, in hope that the tribes would take the belongings of the impoverished . While the Alamo City has a lot of charm there are also a lot of wacky and unknown facts about the 7th largest city in the nation. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories. Patrick O'Brien had been institutionalized at the San Antonio State Hospital for a total of eight times from 1966-1975. One person who used to work at the hospital claims that the grounds are madly haunted, which makes complete sense. Now you can spend an evening here exploring local art, gawking at opulent mansions, and sipping a cold one at Blue Star Brewing on South Alamo. 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. 20. Unfinished business at the time of death tends to be the most common, along with unrequited love or a tragic ending. Dr. Bremont elaborated by saying that Raul's mental illness condition would not have caused his death. 14. Seven months later, Mrs. Harrison was dead. 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. According to its former owners, the living are very protective of these energies. So, she was brought to the hospital. Plan Your Trip We give you ideas and our favorite things to do, eat and see. The settlers' stamp of "ownership" did nothing to dissuade the onslaught of attacks from the Comanches and Apaches peoples. Built in 1859, today the hotel offers up luxurious rooms, a bar, and the beloved Colonial restaurant. No cause of death was given in the report or his obituary. The Myrtles Plantation. The Emily Morgan undergoes a multi-million dollar renovation and joins the DoubleTree by Hilton family. But, luckily, just then a doctor walked by. 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. Hotel Monteleone. He was also a smart kid, who was attending the University of Texas just before he was admitted into the San Antonio State Hospital. It certainly seems to be the most haunted place in San Antonio. Many people from across the city participated in the event that was put together by the culinary program at Lanier. [1] San Antonio's Emily Morgan Hotel Listed Among World's Most Haunted Hotels. It was only then that the widow realized that she had drowned her children for nothing. So, while The Cadillac Bar might be known for its delicious Mexican food and fresh margaritas, don't be alarmed if you happen to see something skirt past you . Yet, some locals pronounced it waterburger" when they were kids and still can't break the habit as adults. SeaWorld San Antonio is the largest marine-life park in the entire world. 28. Stepping into this museum is definitely a step back in time. San Antonio's history is peppered with ghostly lore just like the Haunted Tracks of Shane and Villamain. This mosaic is a replica of such a candle on a grand scale. There is one house more beautiful, it's said, more elegant than all the others: The Terrell Castle, which also goes by the name of the Lambermont House. 19. Go on a ghost tour to learn about the city's haunted history and hear some spooky stories. Think you know everything there is to know about San Antonio? Aldridge's nervous condition was only getting worse, so he committed himself to the SASH as an ultimate last resort. Aside from the Alamo, the Riverwalk is San Antonio's most famous attraction. So obsessed, in fact, that a local high school made 17,106 tamales thats 2,420 pounds in 10 hours during a tamalada. Here's Where To Get Itand Where To See Whats Tex-Next. The golden age of the paperback has ended, so why not borrow e-readers from the library and attend book club meetings streamed online? 19. San Antonio Is the Original American Melting Pot. It's not just the Texan soldiers who died there in a stand-off with the Mexican army in 1836. Sculptor Bob Wade gave each one a crisscrossed steel skeleton, over which a concrete-fiberglass mixture was poured. San Antonio has its own Stonehenge! Shaquille ONeal, star of Kazaam (oh right, and also 15-time NBA All-Star), went to Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio. Check out our tours of haunted San Antonio. 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. Here's Why. If you live there, you know how haunted San Antonio is. Aldridge called out to him for help. Ghost Children upon San Antonio's Railroad Tracks Mission San Juan, San Antonio, Texas. Charles Doolin invented Fritos in 1932 and his mother Daisy reportedly invited Frito pie also in the 1930s. It's a good habit and a San Antonio fact to shake your shoes out before you put them on. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson got married at St. Marks Episcopal Church in downtown San Antonio. 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. Of course, San Antonio has its famous River Walk, which is a great place to enjoy a nice meal or stroll with a loved one, but many other fun happenings abound in this city in south-central Texas. 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). 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. 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. . During the Civil War, the park was used as a prisoner of war camp. 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. 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. Some people use baby powder on the car to show the ghostly handprints of the spectral children as in one viral video. A concerned mother commented. In addition to experiencing other apparitions and ghostly sounds, such as footsteps and ethereal voices, many people to this day see a ghost guard who stands on the roof of one of the Alamo buildings, especially on rainy, cold evenings. Aldridge, not willing to take that sort of verbal abuse, responded with similar language. For more information read our privacy policy. At this haunted location, the living come second to the ghosts. 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. Its altitude is approximately 662 feet (202 m) above sea level. 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. 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. Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987 and held a mass where more than 350,000 people showed up. The term O'Niner" refers to residents of the exclusive 78209 ZIP Code that includes the upscale neighborhood of Alamo Heights. The streets surrounding the tracks are named after the children who died, and people have reported their windows splintering and breaking from the outside-in by an unseen force, as though something or someone wanted to be noticed. Grocery store chain H-E-B's answer to Whole Foods, Central Market, is often called Gucci-B," a San Antonio fact. 4. Stories such as these are told and re-toldfor the locals of San Antonio, it's no secret that the nearly three-centuries-old city is rife with paranormal phenomena. 16. 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. If she had to choose between gambling in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, shed skip the gambling and see a show in Vegas and go to the beach in Atlantic City. (In Austin, just up I-35, you're likely to hear them called frontage roads. Not long after the Battle of the Alamo took place, stories about ghosts and hauntings started to be told by the people of San Antonio. You can find out about some interesting San Antonio facts, as well as San Antonio secrets in our list below. They're hairy and have two large obvious eyes on the front (in addition to their other eyes) that watch you. 10. A few days later, flat red spots appeared your face before showing on your hands and on your neck and on your torso. 20. A local hiking group, Hiking Heroes, organized such a hike in October 2021 to raise funds for a local breast cancer nonprofit. The murder victim, identified as Elizabeth Short, was a young actor, and the public became entranced with the murder, nicknaming her The Black Dahlia. It was reported on March 6, 1910, that a man was held at the asylum for twelve years. The displays are professional and interactive - obviously designed by professionals. If you select the Extended Tour route, enjoy an additional 30 minutes of blood-curdling stories to fuel . 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.