Events & News

1945
The San Antonio Public Library purchases a rare first edition King James Bible and other rare books with money donated by the estate of Harry Hertzberg.

1886
The heat during the past few days has been intense and many citizens have been overcome by it. Care in exposure and drinking is necessary to avoid danger.

1922
San Antonio’s first radio station (WJAE) begins broadcasting, but lasts only a few months.

1893
Concluding events of the jubilee celebration at St. Mary’s College were held on the college grounds. A concert, directed by H. Gaudin, was on the program.

1953
Contributions totaling $8,000 for improvement work at San Jose Mission were assured today.

1934
Scores of striking pecan shellers menaced with stones and sticks the manager of a San Antonio pecan-shelling company.  The manager stayed the crowd by brandishing a pistol until police arrived.

1898
The pictures of some of San Antonio’s prominent citizens will be shown in Riverside Park in the Edison picture machine, as well as others, among which is the Battleship Texas.

1936
County Clerk George Surkey said today that so many people are getting married while drunk that he would issue no marriage licenses after 5 p.m. daily and none on Sundays unless he personally knows the applicants.

1906
The school board has ruled that starting this fall, the high school course will be lengthened from three to four years.  The additional time is considered necessary to master the difficult courses.

1915
Police cars were equipped with sirens similar to those used by the fire department. They were to be used only while the cars were responding to emergency calls.

1928
Before the end of the week the city expects to own all of the land necessary for the right-of-way of the crosstown flood prevention channel.  The channel will run from the back of the Public Service Company across Commerce, Market and Dolorosa, connecting with the river again in the rear of the Plaza Hotel.

1895
Ground is broken for the main building of Our Lady of the Lake Academy.  Originally, the name was to be “St. Mary’s of the Lake” but Bishop Forest persuaded Mother Florence that there were so many St. Mary’s in San Antonio that another name might be more appropriate.  With that, the name was changed to Our Lady of the Lake.

1945
While people took to the streets to celebrate Japan’s acceptance of surrender terms, effectively ending World War II, burglars ransacked houses and apartments left vacant by celebrants. A total of $425 in cash and numerous articles were reported missing.

1955
World War II war hero Audie Murphy is in San Antonio for the world premiere of his autobiographical movie, “To Hell and Back,” at the Majestic today.

1935
Mayor C. K. Quin Monday ordered a series of mural paintings taken from the walls of the foyer of the Municipal Auditorium, after their presence was protested by the American Legion Central Council of Bexar County. The paintings by Xavier Gonzales, were criticized for containing hidden Communist symbols.

1918
Married women will hereafter be permitted to secure positions to public schools of the city as the result of the action taken today at a meeting of the San Antonio School Board.  The action was taken as a “war time necessity” with the provision that each applicant be passed upon individually.

1927
With approximately 100 artesian wells pumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of water daily, it is only a matter of time until the San Antonio River dries up, acting Mayor Phil Wright declared today.

1902
J.A. Berry, foreman on the work at the Carnegie Library, celebrated arrival of his first-born son yesterday afternoon. When the quit work whistle blew, Berry assembled the workmen in the main buildings where a copious spread of beer and lunch was served.

1858
Vance & Bros. give one lot of land, for the erection of an Episcopal place of worship, to St. Mark’s congregation. Mr. S. A. Maverick also donates four city lots for church purposes.

1926
Installation of the flood gates in the Olmos creek dam north of the city was begun today, assuring San Antonio permanent protection from floods.

1936
The city’s first parking meters arrive and are installed.

1891
Since the passing of the ordinance on August 4, there are now 16 licensed “bawdy houses” or brothels in the city.

1874
Pope Pius IX creates the San Antonio Catholic diocese as part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

1929
Studer Camera Company is established by Ben Studer in a small building on the front of a lot at 2118 Main Avenue.

1856
The San Antonio Herald, a weekly newspaper, published by J. M. West  & J. P. Newcomb, ceases publication.