San antonio the grand opening of the renovated hot wells of bexar county is scheduled for next week. Family of former hot wells owner recalls his 35 years of working to maintain the. The history of hot wells and whats in store for its future as part of the county park is detailed on. An ivycovered arch bridge dedicated to tejano music singer and legend rosita fernandez. It was from 1894 to the early 1920s, a spa, hotel, bathhouse, and health resort along the san antonio river in the southside of san antonio, texas. Many traveled to the hot wells resort via their own private rail car, after southern pacific railroad tycoon e. The park, hot wells of bexar county, is on the site of the former. The hot wells site, nestled right off the san antonio river, was host to various attractions, but the sites heyday happened at the turn of the 20th century, when it was promoted as a health spa. There is more to san antonio history buffs than just thee missions.
San antonio after decades of delays and false starts, a legend is being brought back to life in south san antonio. Hot wells conservancy was created to preserve the vestiges of the historic hot wells hotel and provide educational, cultural and environmental programming. By 1908, the hotel had expanded to become one of the largest in the southwest, and the site became a popular destination for the powerful and famous of the day. Its sulfurous baths brought the toast of hollywood and high society including charlie chaplin and teddy roosevelt to. New county park infused with memories of the old hot wells resort. San antonio s historic hot wells opening kicks off. The hot wells park opened to the public on april 30, 2019. The oncefamous hot wells bathhouse gets a facelift san. A historical property preserved by the county for everyone to enjoy. Crumbling hot wells transforms into san antonios newest. Scott huddleston is a staff writer in the san antonio and bexar county area. Hot wells was from 1894 to the early 1920s, a spa, hotel, bathhouse, and health resort along the san antonio river in the southside of san antonio, texas. History and archaeology of the hot wells hotel site, 41bx237 sfa.
Hot wells of bexar county is the countys newest park located in precinct 1 at 5503 s. The hot wells conservancy and the county are already planning multiple uses for the park to provide programming in partnership with groups like the national park service, the san antonio river. Longawaited hot wells park, site of former resort, opens rivard. President theodore roosevelt and porfirio diaz, a president of mexico. The hot wells san antonios newest park laura en route. San antonio expressnews file photo room key boxes at the counter inside the hot wells hotel. At ruins of historic hot wells resort, finally signs of. Bexar county celebrates opening of hot wells park san antonio. Without knowing the history of this place, you might escape its lure. Fun facts and hidden histories rybczyk, mark louis, rivard, robert on. At ruins of historic hot wells resort, finally signs of life emerge.
The hot wells hotel and spa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the hot wells site on the san antonio river was home to several versions of a health spa and resort that piped sulfurous water from a hot edwards well to healthinducing swimming pools and baths. Once you visit, youll know why everybody loves hot wells. Longawaited hot wells park, site of former resort, opens. Zillow has 8 homes for sale in hot wells san antonio matching. The hot wells conservancy brings the splendor of the old and the new to the city. San antonios historic hot wells opening kicks off private. On tuesday, there will be a grand opening celebration for hot wells park, a. Much of the sites history has been defined by fire. Crafted from the dreams of two texas cattlemen in 1909, the st. Although many early newspapers, books, and deed records were. Discover hot wells hotel and spa in san antonio, texas.
There once was a famous hotel on the south side of san antonio. Hot wells of bexar county bexar county, tx official website. Hot wells hotel and spa san antonio, texas atlas obscura. The historical resort has been a work in progress for years and the renovations are ready for. Anthony hotel was the first true luxury hotel in san antonio and has remained one of the finest expressions of. Now ruins, this site is home to the newest park in the city. Within two years, the propertys first owner had established the luxurious hot wells hotel, spa. Otto koehler purchased and expanded the property and built hot wells hotel. Once a hotel frequented by the rich and famous including rudolph valentino, theodore roosevelt, cecil b. In 1892 the southwestern lunatic asylum later known as the san antonio state hospital drilled a. Harriman commissioned a side track built to the site. The building fell into ruins after several fires in the early and mid1900s. Motel 6 san antonio downtownalamodome, san antonio. Book of lists book of lists unlimited manage your account.
Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Plans are underway in 2015 to restore hot wells to the glamour of its heyday, when international visitors included u. Hot wells at bexar county san antonio 2020 all you need to. Hot wells of bexar county grand opening set for next week. The hot wells resort was once the crown jewel of san antonios south side. Bernhardt, all that remains of the hot wells hotel and space in san antonio, texas, is.
Archaeological research, the university of texas at san antonio, conducted a surface survey and test excavations at the hot wells hotel site in south san. Its a great piece of history of san antonio, wolff said. Hot wells has been a natural draw since sulfur springs were first discovered on the site in 1892. Hot wells is an historic ruin with a fascinating story and a beloved icon of san antonio. Trails and texas only unesco world heritage site, the san antonio missions, a.
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