Tower of the Americas
One of the tallest free standing structures in the world, the Tower of the Americas is a popular attraction for visitors to San Antonio. Rising 750 feet over the city, the Tower of the Americas features an observation deck and a revolving restaurant. The tower held the record for the tallest structure of its kind in the United States for almost 30 years, from its completion in 1968 until 1996. In 1996, the title went to the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada which also features a revolving restaurant. The Tower of the Americas remains among the top ten tallest structures in the state of Texas.
The Tower Life Building
Among one of the oldest high rise buildings in San Antonio, the Tower Life Building opened in 1929. A classic example of neogothic architecture, the tower rises over 400 feet and has earned a listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Weston Centre
The second tallest high rise building in San Antonio, the Weston Centre rises over 470 feet above East Pecan Street into the city’s skyline. With its granite and limestone exterior, the Weston Centre is a classic example of postmodern architecture. Completed in 1989, the Weston Centre borders on San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk.
San Antonio Sports Teams
While not a major sports market, San Antonio does have its share of professional sports teams. The biggest franchise in the city belongs to the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. Founded in 1967, the Spurs were originally part of the Dallas and Texas Chaparrals of the now-defunct American Basketball Association. The play in the ATT Center which is also home to the San Antonio Silver Stars of the Women’s National Basketball Association and the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey Association.
The Mission San Antonio Valero
Commonly referred to as the Alamo Mission, this was the sight of a legendry siege by the Army of Mexico. For 13 brutal days in the early days of 1836, the brave defenders at the Alamo held off the Mexican Army. The Mission’s defenders included members of what historians have come to call the Texas Revolution.
After a long struggle to gain territorial independence, Texas succeeded in driving the Mexican Army out of what was referred to as Mexican Texas. The so-called Texians had mustered an army to repel attempts by Mexico to retake the region. The commander of the Texian army, Sam Houston ordered that the mission be held. Houston would go on to become the first president of the Texas republic. After Texas gained statehood, Houston would serve as the state’s first member of the United States Senate and eventually governor of Texas.
During the siege of the Alamo Mission, several legendary figures were involved as commanders on both sides. The well known outdoorsman David Bowie and Lt. Colonel William Travis commanded the Texian army garrison inside the mission. Outside the mission, the Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana commanded the assault force tasked with taking the mission.
Badly outnumbered and outgunned, the running battle eventually saw the Alamo Mission fall and virtually all of its defenders killed. The casualty list included both Bowie and Travis, and almost 250 of the mission’s defenders.
