San Antonio, Texas

In 1718, at an Indian village at the southern edge of the Texas Hill Country, Spain established Mission San Antonio de Valero (later called the Alamo). A customary accompanying presidio (fort), San Antonio de Bexar (Bay-her), protected mission endeavors. Today's city and county names of San Antonio, are derived from those 18th-century Spanish beginnings that predate the founding of the United States by more than half a century.

Institutions of higher learning include the University of the Incarnate Word, Our Lady of the Lake Univeristy, St. Mary's University, National University of Mexico, Trinity University, San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip's College, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Some popular events include the the Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony in December, the Texas Folklife Festival in June, the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo in mid-February, the Starving Artists Show held at La Villita and along the River Walk each Easter, and the San Antonio New World Wine and Food Festival each fall.

Fiesta San Antonio spans 10 days the third and fourth weeks of April. This major event includes art exhibitions, the coronation of King Antonio, the Pilgrimage to the Alamo, concerts, parades, the "Night in Old San Antonio" festival and more.

The Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Baseball Stadium is the home for the San Antonio Missions. The beautiful facility is at Callaghan Road and U.S. 90 West.

San Antonio is noted for its excellent golf courses with numerous municipal courses throughout the city. The newest are the Palmer Course at La Cantera, La Cantera Golf Course near Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the Quarry Golf Course.