12. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. Weaver H. Baker (Chairman of the State Board of Control) was put in charge of the investigation, though little was ever actually done to help the people held at the San Antonio State Hospital. Patrick O'Brien had been institutionalized at the San Antonio State Hospital for a total of eight times from 1966-1975. . According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the 21-story building was opened in Jan. 1928. Who is haunting this hollowed ground? 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. It was originally opened in 1929 and is now a historical landmark. (In Austin, just up I-35, you're likely to hear them called frontage roads. 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. it is not just relegated to one section of town. Countdown City. Aldridge, not willing to take that sort of verbal abuse, responded with similar language. 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. Her writing has been published in numerous venues from computer magazines to life coaching websites to mindfulness publications such as Elephant Journal. 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. It's also reported that you can hear ghostly footsteps from the fallen soldiers and men crying. The creepiest San Antonio ghost stories offer a chilling glimpse into the . For over a decade William fought for his freedom, only to be selfishly blocked by those (his siblings) who were interested in keeping him locked away. That's a San Antonio fact! We've shared some San Antonio facts and a few San Antonio secrets that help to make this great city such a fascinating place. They have seen soldiers, cowboys, Native Americans, and priests. This Plaza, perhaps more than any other, has had numerous of ghostly sightings surface. And did we mention the creator of Gatorade was from San Antonio? Rose Fisher Harrison, referred to as a little old lady and a helpless invalid in newspaper accounts, had lost control of her limbs and could no longer take care of herself. . In Browne, Sr.s will, William was given a share in a very valuable deal of property. It is for this reasonor at least one of the main reasonswhy Ghost City Tours has decided to launch ghost tours in San Antonio, starting in the beginning of May 2016. The Menger Hotel in San Antonio is rich in history. The cathedral was founded in 1731 by a group of families from the Canary Islands. Another food favorite in San Antonio: barbacoa and Big Red. Texans love their homegrown fast food joint, Whataburger, based in San Antonio. Stonehenge II is in Ingram, northwest of downtown San Antonio. Anticipating a reunion with her lover, the widow turned her back on her children floating down the river, and hastened to the wealthy man's house. Eurgh! scary facts about san antonio. Putting your car in park, you wait, hoping to feel your car be shoved up and over the tracks. 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. 13. davenport, fl crime rate P.O. 42 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for 2023. Alyssa Medina is the Video-On-Demand Producer and has worked at KSAT since 2016. Come and check it out. Our Haunted History. 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. The attendants then cornered him. Odditorium, the exciting movies that you ride at Ripley's 4D Moving Theater and our larger-than-life Louis Tussaud's WaxWorks. San Antonio, Texas. Like the French Quarter that rests alongside the Mississippi River, the King William District also lays along a river (the San Antonio River). Flash forward and its easy to see why the city has kept this bold nickname: With 133,000 people hitting town each year to attend the graduation of students from military training, the USAF Airman Heritage Museum being right here, Fort Sam Houston being one of the Armys oldest posts, and over 300 years of military history, this is one city you really dont want to mess with. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Cade was a professor of medicine and nephrology at the University of Florida when he was doing research about the football team and why players didnt urinate after a game. The building which houses the institute a striking example of Brutalist architecture. But he was physically healthy.". Hot Wells Hotel & Spa Ruins. 4. The Alamo City holds another Guinness World Record, we are home to the tallest cowboy boots sculpture. 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. Just south of San Antonio , Texas, is the site of Texas' most famous ghost story. 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. Discover the most luxurious apartments in Austin, where scenic beauty meets state-of-the-art amenities. 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). Even so, the hospital almost always surpassed capacity. scary facts about san antoniocabo marina slip rates. And one thing you're always asking for is, "Where can I stay in your cities that is haunted?" He lunged at his wife and two daughters with a knife, slashing their throats and dragging their bodies to the second floor where he stashed them in a closet. Along the Riverwalk you'll find the Arneson River Theater, which became famous worldwide for being featured in the film Miss Congeniality. However, if you are a stickler about it, San Antonio got their area code first in the early '90s and 210 actually counts down to zero instead of just one, so San Antonio wins! The hospital officials may want to forget the "long train of abuses," but the souls of these departed patients will never let that happened. facts. . 204 Alamo Plaza. The Deuce Dime. 8. 12. But while you're due to come across some interesting artifacts, many of them also happened to be haunted. He was also a smart kid, who was attending the University of Texas just before he was admitted into the San Antonio State Hospital. Technically, the bird itself is a San Antonio rumor, not a San Antonio fact, but people do claim to see this strange bird. Many historical buildings, hotels, museums and parks are reportedly haunted in the city. You can find out about some interesting San Antonio facts, as well as San Antonio secrets in our list below. Here's a list of facts you may not know about: 1. At one time, San Antonio was considered the Wild West. Racial desegregation began at the hospital in 1964, as the first African-American patient was admitted. San Antonio surpassed Dallas as the second biggest city in Texas after the 2010 census count. Thanks to its unique past, the city has no shortage of urban legends and ghostly encounters that have . The peace was short-lived, but with their ability to raid the frontier had been tremendously injured. Its altitude is approximately 662 feet (202 m) above sea level. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is home to four of the citys five Spanish missions outposts that date back to the 17th century. The next night when they saw him trying to escape, the mob of angry citizens allegedly captured him and dragged him to a chinaberry tree where they strung him up and hanged him without further delay. Aldridge's nervous condition was only getting worse, so he committed himself to the SASH as an ultimate last resort. Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Bexar County BiblioTech was the first library in the US to offer an exclusively digital collection and is still the only one to do so. 32. 23. Is this because of the two lovers who parted ways here? It was purchased from near Charolotte, TX in 1988. Our San Antonio Ghost Tours take you to the most haunted locations in the downtown area of San Antonio. None of their venoms are lethal (except for rare cases of allergy), but they can hurt like hades. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Explore new recipes and memories with your neighbors! And that open communication between the living and the dead? San Antonio Fact Sheet San Antonio at a Glance The River Walk More to Explore Eat A food and drink scene bursting with flavor and fun. she exclaimed in delight, just before she explained what she had done. The Alamodome opened on May 15, 1993, and cost $186 million to build. 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. San Antonio has its own Stonehenge! Let's not forget the Alamo, which rumor has it is also haunted. So many bizarre things (all about headless chickens) and some very authentic things (George Washington's hair). 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. What puts this museum in the Top Ten Most Haunted Museums in the World? 13. Auto Ads . 33. Coincidently, (or not), his brother Albert was the Mayor of Brownsville, Texas, at the time of Williams death. The Milam building downtown was the first high-rise office building in the U.S. to have air conditioning. 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. (Seizures were often deemed to be the sign of an overwrought, mentally unstable individual). There is, however, other evidence as to how his family felt about about poor Williamand that feeling was not warm or loving at all. The respective tribes were warriors who reportedly stole their horses, their goods. If you're interested in living in Countdown City," you can find lots of great apartments for rent in San Antonio. Even the building itself is impressive, dating to 1884. San Antonio's most iconic spot is said to still hold the spirits of the men violently killed while trying to defend the Alamo. Founded in 1717, it's . Another youth by the name of Raul G. Chapa entered the hospital after suffering a nervous breakdown, and was found dead eleven days after he was admitted to the institution. It is among the many historic buildings as well as one of many haunted locations in San Antonio. 3. San Antonio is home to America's second oldest park San Pedro Park is the oldest park in Texas and the second-oldest in the nation. Pterodactyls in San Antonio? A concerned mother commented. 70-79: 5%. Aldridge called out to him for help. But in Texas, the heavy influence of the Latin culture has also spawned stories of La Llorona, or the phantom banshee. The San Antonio Museum of Art, which opened in 1981 in the old Lone Star Brewery complex, may not serve up local brews, but its collection of 30,000+ objects spanning 5,000 years will probably quench a different kind of thirst. Another man from Brownsville, Texas, who according to newspaper accounts was a sane man, was Stephen S. Aldridge, who happened to be a veteran of World War II. As I mentioned, there were also speciousness deaths of the elderly. +. If you select the Extended Tour route, enjoy an additional 30 minutes of blood-curdling stories to fuel . The designation was made in July 2015. Rooms & Suites . By area, its twice the size of Chicago. Before it mysteriously caught on flames and burned to the ground, subsequent owners of the property heard the sounds of scratching and moaning as though the ghosts of the murdered women had never left the property . Take a peek inside the Menger Hotel, the "Most Haunted Hotel in Texas," and just a block away, peer into the Emily Morgan Hotel, one of the city's first hospitals and where many men and women lost their . 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. Along with the iconic Alamo, they were selected for UNESCO designation in 2015 after a successful campaign by city and state officials. San Antonio's history is peppered with ghostly lore just like the Haunted Tracks of Shane and Villamain. If you are a lover of nature and appreciate the gifts mother nature . 20. 2.64. Apparently, at least. Today, visitors to the Military Plaza where Bob Augustine was gruesomely hanged still swear that they hear the Rebel yell that he hollered after his capture. 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? But we had fun. The park located just north of downtown on North Flores Street and San Pedro Avenue is 46 acres and features the San Pedro Springs swimming pool. The settlers' stamp of "ownership" did nothing to dissuade the onslaught of attacks from the Comanches and Apaches peoples. Since San Antonio's official founding in 1718 by Spanish missionaries and soldiers, the land of the region has been a veritable battleground for territory. She was so desperatedesperate for his love and a possible marriagethat the widow took matters into her own hands. The history of the San Antonio State Hospital (originally called the Southwestern Insane Asylum), is one that is especially hard to grasp. 161 Recommended Theater Shows from $36.99 per adult The Haunted Ghost Bus Tour in San Antonio 267 scary facts about san antonio Call us today! Thus, ghosts are the reason why the Alamo still stands today. (To be fair, Central Market is a bit pricier than H-E-B but is a little cheaper than Whole Foods.). The park spans about 416 acres according to SeaWorld San Antonio.. 20. Opening Hours: Week Days Monday Friday : 8:AM-6:PM +1 877-351-6883. Discover Old San Antonio's most haunted places and uncover the history that lies waiting for those who dare to enter their doorways. Yes, San Antonio has a museum dedicated entirely to artsy toilet seats. There has to be a reason, he has said, that almost every part of San Antonio has claims to ghost stories . The golden age of the paperback has ended, so why not borrow e-readers from the library and attend book club meetings streamed online? Though the story dates back to 1550, the Texan culture inherited the legend through right of passage. Sculptor Bob Wade gave each one a crisscrossed steel skeleton, over which a concrete-fiberglass mixture was poured. From ghostly legends passed down through the generations, to the more concrete sightings at locations like the Emily Morgan Hotel or the Alamo, it's safe to say that while San Antonio might not always be considered one of America's Most Haunted Cities . They're hairy and have two large obvious eyes on the front (in addition to their other eyes) that watch you. The collision was inevitable. The oldest cathedral in the state in San Fernando Cathedral. Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987 and held a mass where more than 350,000 people showed up. 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. It's not uncommon to hear that New Orleans is haunted, or that Savannah is teeming with paranormal activity. As you're traveling throughout the city and talking to people, though, expect to pay your respects to American veterans on occasion. New You.". Patience who were legitimately in need of aid, as well as those who suffered more undiagnosed diseases like seizures. I've seen men stomped, and I've seen them force insane people to work.". The spirits of San Antonio are some of the strangest out there. 1) The Menger Hotel. 14. 10. The worst was yet to come. This case was one of those "stranger than fiction" stories. Another San Antonio fact is it's also the second-largest city in the south and the seventh-largest city in the United States. 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. The park spans about 416 acres according to SeaWorld San Antonio. Download the Rent. Nah, it's actually (maybe) worse. But, luckily, just then a doctor walked by. Here's a list of fun facts about San Antonio. Easterseals San Antonio Rehabilitation Center Reach us at 2203 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78229 Phone: 210-614-3911 Contact Us Visit Our Other Locations . And it seems that though ghosts roam the halls, no one feels all to comfortable to discuss the phenomena that occurs daily. As the legend goes, God struck down on her then for her actions. Library membership is free to all Bexar County residents. San Antonio surpassed Dallas as the second biggest city in Texas after the 2010 census count. "The staff is rude and unprofessional. As of April 2019, the population of San Antonio is about 1.5 million people. Blood was spilt on the grounds of San Antonio, and it is said that the souls of the victimsthough all are victims in their own rightcontinue to haunt the city. Are you visiting San Antonio? William I. Browne was released from the Southwestern Insane Asylum (SASH), on orders by County Judge Phil Shook based on the illegal restraint of liberty. Disembodied footsteps and voices, a female spirit who seems to determined to appear at every performance. 541-301-8460 scary facts about san antonio Licensed and Insured scary facts about san antonio Serving Medford, Jacksonville and beyond! And through the years, the hotel has hosted infamous. It's a good habit and a San Antonio fact to shake your shoes out before you put them on. Two spiders you should definitely steer clear from in San Antonio are the Black Widow Spider and Brown Recluse Spider. Every year the Texas Cavaliers River Parade takes the term parade float and interprets it literally. Neighborhood: Central San Antonio. She added, "My daughter has been treated worse than an animal. Upon Aldridge's refusal to mop the floor, one of the attendants directed profanity at him. 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. Thus, it's reasonable to believe that many of the departed souls that passed away throughout the history of the area remain trapped in King William, making it the most haunted district in San Antonio. Shaq gives Cole Cougars shoutout before state tournament. SAN ANTONIO When it comes to the top 20 most haunted places in Texas, San Antonio makes up 35% of that list, according to Yelp. Because apparently there an unspoken code that only the crazies could be mistreated. 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. 18. Sadly, San Antonio had a very real angel of death in their midst at Bexar County Hospital, in the form of Genene Jones, who was convicted of poisoning somewhere between 11 and 50 infants. San Antonians know a thing or two about heatwhich prompted us to learn about cold. Way to up the bar, San Antonio. 80+: 3%. (Want to find out a little more about our upcoming ghost tours in San Antonio? It also served as the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining and Doctor Sleep. The air-conditioning design was created by Willis H. Carrier of the Carrier Engineering Corporation. Schultz and her students sold flowers (bluebonnets, to be specific), baked cakes, and put on small plays to raise enough money to get started. A number of Valley people died under mysterious circumstances at the San Antonio State Hospital, ranging from teenagers to the elderly.