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. Let's not forget the Alamo, which rumor has it is also haunted. Raul's physician, Dr. G. S. Bremont, said of his passing, "I was surprised when I learned Raul Chapa was dead." By area, its twice the size of Chicago. This thriving city in the heart of Texas has its own unique culture and a ton of great things to do and experience. . Take a trip to one of the haunted hotels; the Menger and the Crockett are both mainstays on ghost tours. And did we mention the creator of Gatorade was from San Antonio? 10. 8. Having just celebrated its 300th birthday, San Antonio is very old and the oldest cities tend to be the most haunted. It was determined players lost so much fluid that none was left to form urine and that is when he invented a drink that had salts and sugars which was the basis for Gatorade, according to the University of Florida. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is home to four of the citys five Spanish missions outposts that date back to the 17th century. He was also a smart kid, who was attending the University of Texas just before he was admitted into the San Antonio State Hospital. According to its former owners, the living are very protective of these energies. All over the world, some of the most haunted places are old bridges. Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987, where he held mass in . . Many historical buildings, hotels, museums and parks are reportedly haunted in the city. Shaquille ONeal, star of Kazaam (oh right, and also 15-time NBA All-Star), went to Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio. San Antonio Serves the Best Tex-Mex in the World. It was only then that the widow realized that she had drowned her children for nothing. He should have never been out on the streets. The term Alamo" actually means cottonwood in Spanish, named for the cottonwood tree where Spanish monks planned and decided to build the Mission San Antonio de Valero, the original name for the Alamo. If you select the Extended Tour route, enjoy an additional 30 minutes of blood-curdling stories to fuel . This mosaic is a replica of such a candle on a grand scale. 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. 4. Grunch. Just south of San Antonio , Texas, is the site of Texas' most famous ghost story. 1. There is some debate though that Frito pie was actually invented in New Mexico. The Alamo sits on an old cemetery active between 1724 and 1793, and there are almost 1,000 buried there. 10. Follow thislink!). Most people are aware of the fact that San Antonio, Texas, has a significant paranormal presence. 20. Seek medical attention if the bite looks serious. Is it because of outlaws like Bob Augustine who turned to violence as often as they turned to drink or women or alcohol? 3. The Tower of the Americas is a whopping 750 feet tall and provides a beautiful panoramic view of the city. On June 17, 1916, William's body was found floating on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. Disembodied footsteps and voices, a female spirit who seems to determined to appear at every performance. In 1923, local high school teacher Ellen Schultz wanted to start a museum in San Antonio, but was short on cash. Dallas was more well-known as the second-biggest big city in Texas (thanks to that old TV show named "Dallas"), but San Antonio is actually the second-largest city in Texas after Houston with almost 1.5 million residents. CA License # A-588676-HAZ / DIR Contractor Registration #1000009744 The Missions were chosen for their interweaving of Spanish and Coahuiltecan cultures. Today, theyre pretty much at the top of any San Antonio visitors to-do list the Alamo alone attracts over 2.5 millions visitors every year. Those who are admitted may have done so voluntarily, but more often than not the choice was not theirs to make. Rougarou. I refused. Turns out we really love our fried chicken-to-go, and the joint quickly expanded throughout San Antonio, and now has over 1,600 locations in some 30 countries around the world. 29. The reason why this is important to note is because most spiritual experts say that ghosts can not cross over water. Sightings of apparitions on translucent operating tables at the Emily Morgan have been reported, as well as hearing the disembodied moaning of the sick. 31. Do you know those tall votive candles with pictures of Mother Mary you can get at the grocery store for a buck? While the Alamo City has a lot of charm there are also a lot of wacky and unknown facts about the 7th largest city in the nation. Her writing has been published in numerous venues from computer magazines to life coaching websites to mindfulness publications such as Elephant Journal. For decency's sake, the road skirts around the paved-over cemetery so as not to disturb the dead. San Antonio is perhaps best known for being the location of the Alamo, but it's so much more than that. A rare photo of a therapy session at SASH, 1920s. It certainly seems to be the most haunted place in San Antonio. 1. The Alamo City is packed with ha. No doubt all have resulted in heightened paranormal activity in San Antonio, but there's also the fact that San Antonio's history is rich. 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. Heres a list of facts you may not know about: 1. It seems that no matter where one turns in the historic San Antonio district, ghosts have been sighted. First - we cannot stress this enough - do not trespass. . Residents call them Jumping Spiders because they jump up to 25 feet! Aldridge went on to explain, "I've seen attendants walk up and slap an inmate down on an impulsefor no reason at all. In 1910, the alleged "insane" Browne sued for having been incarcerated at the SASH. Throughout South Texas, there is nothing more terrifying that the shrill cry of a woman - the weeping is a premonition, for those who hear it are often doomed to a series of grave misfortunes. At the haunted Devil's Bridge in San Antonio, Texas, the legend stands true. Coincidently, (or not), his brother Albert was the Mayor of Brownsville, Texas, at the time of Williams death. Odditorium, the exciting movies that you ride at Ripley's 4D Moving Theater and our larger-than-life Louis Tussaud's WaxWorks. San Antonio has its own proud vibe, as well as slang (directions are often given based on whether the target destination is inside or outside the loop"). You can't talk about the most haunted places in San Antonio without mentioning the Alamo. Consider the dancing demon who woos pretty women out for a night on the town. 24 Haunted Hotels in America - Most Haunted Hotels in the US. San Antonio surpassed Dallas as the second biggest city in Texas after the 2010 census count. The worst being death of either yourself or a loved one. 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. It was equipped with plaster doves flying through the sky, fake peacocks perched on the towers. The attendants then cornered him. It was built in hopes of attracting an NFL team. The oldest cathedral in the state in San Fernando Cathedral. 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. When: January 27, 2023, 6:30 pm Where:City Cemetery #1, 01023-000-0010, San Antonio, TX 78203 Except that the mother and daughters had not been dead. 16. According to the Churchs website, George W. Church opened the location in 1952. Then theres the awesome local art which you probably wont find at MoMA like the contemporary Latino prints and Southwest art collections. This popular area has been around since the 1700s. Since 1918, our Believe It or Not Odditoriums have showcased the eclectically bizarre collection of Robert Ripley. He was promptly acquitted and released from prison, though not before a gathering mob came and brought him right back. Visit a city rich in history and booming with modern attractions. San Fernando Cathedral is one of San Antonio's most recognizable landmarks, as well as one of its oldest. 12. If you are a lover of nature and appreciate the gifts mother nature . Geoquono. She added, "My daughter has been treated worse than an animal. It is a spooky experience that you won't soon forget! 22. La Llorona has been depicted in various tales, but one thing is for certain: she drowned her children in a fit of anger and is now relegated to searching for them until Judgment Day. Stories of seeing the ghosts of the diseased have been reported throughout the city of San Antonio. Twelve years prior, Browne, alleged to be a heavy-weight drinker, was consigned to the asylum based on the recommendation of one Dr. Miguel Braragon. If you've lived in San Antonio for a while, you probably don't call it San Antone.". The city has a total area of 465.4 square miles; 460.93 square miles of San Antonio's total area is land and 4.5 square miles of it is water. The AC system kept temperatures to 80 degrees, a welcome relief for all those workers doingwhatever people did in offices decades before the first desktop computers. Eurgh! Welcome to the Huebner-Onion Homestead: one of the most haunted houses in San Antonio, Texas, but a place that you visit only at your own risk. * Bei Fragen einfach anrufen oder schreiben: +49 (0)176 248 87 424. this is the zodiac speaking game ending; nissan cvt transmission warranty australia In 1925, the state asylums decided to drop terms such as "insane" and "lunatic" from their names, and so, the Southwestern Insane Asylum officially became known as the San Antonio State Hospital. San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio is the oldest city in Texas and celebrated its 300th anniversary on May 1, 2018. Each of these animals found in the wild are hiding disgusting, terrifying, or down right spooky secrets. What puts this museum in the Top Ten Most Haunted Museums in the World? San Antonio sits on the Balcones Escarpment. . Nevertheless my turn came: One day some of the attendants tried to force me to mop up the floor. Subsequently, construction of five new buildings commenced on the property and were eventually completed by the year of 1939. As you're traveling throughout the city and talking to people, though, expect to pay your respects to American veterans on occasion. Effective May 1, 2013, the Local Preference Ordinance implemented the change in the law. . So, she was brought to the hospital. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Sitting on more than half an acre and built in 2005, a Terrell Hills home recently listed for nearly $2.9 million features, Charles Haarmann paid just $1,000 for a half-acre lot in what's now the King William Historic District. And in the many years following their deaths, the Hospital continues to play host to the ghosts of both the mentally ill as well as the people who were wrongfully checked in. A rendering of the Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. 12. That particular urban legend has been told over and over again, until the truth and the fiction blend into a haunted tale of ghostly children, suicide nuns and the living, who hope beyond anything to come face to face with an apparition. Stonehenge II is in Ingram, northwest of downtown San Antonio. Read more about the best haunted hotels in San Antonio, Read more about the haunted Spanish Governor's Palace, Read more about the haunted San Fernando Cathedral, Read more about the real story behind the Haunted Railroad Tracks, >Read more about the urban legend of La Llorona, Read more about the ghosts of the Alamo Street Theater, Read more about the strange events and ghosts of the San Antonio State Hospital, Read more about the ghosts of the Majestic Theatre, Read more about the Urban Legend of Midget Mansion, Read about the hauntings and legend behind The Devil's Bridge, Read more about the ghosts of the Institute of Texan Cultures, Read more about The Ghosts of the Empire Theatre, Read more about The Ghosts of the Aztec Theatre, Read more about The Haunted King William District, Read more about The Haunted Chinese Graveyard, Read more about The Huebner-Onion Homestead. 11 facts about San Antonio, TXSan Antonio is having a birthday, and it's a big one the Alamo City is turning a whopping 300 years old. Tragedy underlies the history at this haunted location, and the stories which have emerged from previous owners tell us only one thing something exists here, at this abandoned property, and it's more than likely that it is not a spirit but something much darker. Checkout. 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! He also had a nervous condition that needed to be attended to. Robert Pugh, the head of the Bexar County Mental Health Department, said of Patrick, "He is a very, very sick man. In 1979, a 300-pound man named Patrick O'Brien (a 36-year-old recluse), told police after his arrest that he was the son of Hitler and the father of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. Who is haunting this hollowed ground? Though the blisters scabbed some ten days later, smallpox remained the biggest killer in San Antonio. He added, "Chapa was not a violent mental case. In addition to experiencing other apparitions and ghostly sounds, such as footsteps and ethereal voices, many people to this day see a ghost guard who stands on the roof of one of the Alamo buildings, especially on rainy, cold evenings. Otherwise, let us continue on the path of finding out why San Antonio is just so very haunted . 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. The cathedral was founded in 1731 by a group of families from the Canary Islands. Not once did he stay for longer than a period of ninety days, which begs the question: if the Hospital had kept Patrick institutionalized, would he have been driven by some unseen force to brutally stab his mother and father? Staff cared for two stray cats and buried them on-site with their own gravemarkers when they died. If the dirt wasnt recycled it would cost nearly $25,000 to purchase new dirt every year. But the fight for land did not stop there, because soon the Texans wanted their independence from Spain and, later, Mexico. William's body also had third-degree burns, as his son Patrick had attempted to electrocute him prior to the stabbing. 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 . The 2,311 seat theatre was designed in 1929 by architect John Eberson, and was home to San Antonio's Symphony from 1989 to 2014. 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. Charles Doolin invented Fritos in 1932 and his mother Daisy reportedly invited Frito pie also in the 1930s. It's enough for them to throw the child into a restraining mechanical chair." During his visit, he also deemed San Antonio the most Catholic city in the U.S. Archdiocese marks 25th anniversary of papal visit. See the haunted side of San Antonio on this ghost-themed bus tour. It was no long after this time that Williams father died. The San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo reuse the same dirt every year. 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. This post is proudly produced in partnership with, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, 9 San Antonio Airbnbs Within Walking Distance of the Riverwalk and Downtown, 7 Idyllic Destinations for a Family-Friendly Thanksgiving Vacation ThisNovember, 11 Things You Didn't Know About San Antonio, 12 Things You'll Only Understand if You've Visited San Antonio, 11 Ways a Trip To San Antonio Will Surprise You. San Antonio's history is peppered with ghostly lore just like the Haunted Tracks of Shane and Villamain. For more information read our privacy policy. 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. Patience who were legitimately in need of aid, as well as those who suffered more undiagnosed diseases like seizures. 18. It is among the many historic buildings as well as one of many haunted locations in San Antonio. If you are using a screen reader, or are having difficulty reading this website, please emailaccessibilityfeedback@rent.com. True Adventures. In its many years, the Aztec Theatre's stage has been rumored to be "graced" by spirits and haunted by overworked projection operators whose experiences and struggles were the stuff of blues legends. Most commonly, her spirit is seen kneeling on the ground, her arms submerged in the water as she searches for her children. But what it has been known for in the last century is for being home to many of San Antonio's ghosts. 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. Rumored to be haunted by the spirits of young children, as well as the victim of a heartless murder, the vibrant paranormal activity here clearly demonstrates that not all of its ghosts are able to forget what happened to them in life. There is, however, other evidence as to how his family felt about about poor Williamand that feeling was not warm or loving at all. Not because I didn't want to workit was because I was afraid of my heart.". Hot Wells Hotel & Spa Ruins. Yes, theyre a staple Mexican food, and yes, were totally obsessed with them. It also served as the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining and Doctor Sleep. 17. And through the years, the hotel has hosted infamous. Flickr/brianmoranhdr 3. Spanish is the second-most spoken language in San Antonio, but with a diverse population, German, Polish and Czech are also popular languages in the region. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. In 2014, Shaq came back to the Texas state basketball tournament for a reunion with his former high school teammates, still towering over them like he did 25 years ago. MY RESERVATION . (Seizures were often deemed to be the sign of an overwrought, mentally unstable individual). After murdering his parents in 1979, Hitlers Son (more commonly known as Patrick OBrien, who was not in fact Hitlers son) was once again checked into the State Hospital. You can find a great apartment for rent in San Antonio there or check out these other great places to live in San Antonio. Are you visiting San Antonio? Dracula is based on a real person. 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. Recently, BuzzFeed got a chance to checkout the hotel IRL and learn some fun, fascinating, and ~spooky~ facts . (To be fair, Central Market is a bit pricier than H-E-B but is a little cheaper than Whole Foods.). Or are the souls here so desperately restless than visitors really should head the sign: Do Not Trespass? But the Majestic Theatre is also home to more than a few ghosts, those who have made themselves comfortable in the grand Majestic. San Antonio loves creepy stuff. The spirits of San Antonio are some of the strangest out there. Less than 25 years after the Battle of the Alamo, the Menger Hotel opened its doors to a motley bunch of travelers in San Antonio. You probably know the Alamo it was a mission and fortress compound established in the 1700s and the site of the infamous Battle of the Alamo in 1836. 32. 9. It's a scary place. Book Now. 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. scary facts about san antonio Call us today! 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. The creepiest San Antonio ghost stories offer a chilling glimpse into the . 1.) 10. Your guide, a sinister fellow who proclaims to be in tune with the afterlife, leads you on a chilling exploration of the city's famed haunted sites including the Menger Hotel, the old Red Light District, the former Bexar County Jail, an historic cemetery, and more. Along with the iconic Alamo, they were selected for UNESCO designation in 2015 after a successful campaign by city and state officials. Haunted San Antonio Tours SA is one of the most haunted cities in the US of A. San Antonio surpassed Dallas as the second biggest city in Texas after the 2010 census count. Churchs Chicken first opened in San Antonio and the first location used to be across the street from the Alamo. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson got married at St. Marks Episcopal Church in downtown San Antonio. The CEO of the Center for Health Care Services, Leon Evans, said of the problem at SASH, Weve been underfunded in behavioral services in Texas so long, and we dont think outside the box. Evans goes on to say, Our funding is in silos, and weve got people taking up beds at the state hospital that dont belong there, people with Alzheimers and closed-head injuries, taking up civil beds. The Deuce Dime. The hospital officials may want to forget the "long train of abuses," but the souls of these departed patients will never let that happened. The park spans about 416 acres according to SeaWorld San Antonio.. 21. Another food favorite in San Antonio: barbacoa and Big Red. The self-guided bullet, capable of hitting laser-designated targets more than a mile away, is a product of New Mexico's Sandia Labs. He lunged for a chair, grabbing and positioning it before him to protect himself from their attack. Computer and Internet Use. The value of these holdings grew steadily over the next decade, while William Browne continued to sit and wait for a possible release from the Insane Asylum. In Browne, Sr.s will, William was given a share in a very valuable deal of property. 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 doctor then hollered at the attendants, "Lay off that boy, he's not crazy.". [1] Download the Rent. But we had fun. People have been seeing a massive, reptilian bird flying around the city for decades, and it's bigger than a pterodactyl more of the size of a pteranodon with wingspans of 15-20 feet. 0. Most commonly that is where ghosts reside. Muscles began to spasm and tire easily; the pain in your lower back rendered you useless. +. 41.7%. You can find out about some interesting San Antonio facts, as well as San Antonio secrets in our list below. Aldridge's nervous condition was only getting worse, so he committed himself to the SASH as an ultimate last resort. Plain and simple. 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. The San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) is still in operation today at the same location of its conception at 6711 S New Braunfels Avenue. If you're local to San Antonio, Texas, you've probably spent a night or two driving out to Shane Road. This man who fought in WWII, said of the hospital, "Never again do I want to experience the sight of such cruelties." Of course, San Antonio has its famous River Walk, which is a great place to enjoy a nice meal or stroll with a loved one, but many other fun happenings abound in this city in south-central Texas. Countless newspaper accounts have reported on the horrific conditions at the San Antonio State Hospital since its construction--and for many years, those who were sent there were deemed to be "on the march of death." O'Brien was arrested by the police for murdering his parents, William and Mary, who were reportedly stabbed so many times that they looked like they had each been blasted with a shotgun. ", Just before Christmas of 2014, the hospital announced that they were unable to admit any more patients. Kids, for example, are warned not to trek out to the Ghost Tracks on the southeast side of the city, where, in the 1940s, a bus full of kids stalled while trying to cross the train tracks. Before the famous fried chicken chain was located on every other corner, there was one small walkup location across the street from the Alamo. Built in 1859, today the hotel offers up luxurious rooms, a bar, and the beloved Colonial restaurant. So, too, was the fact that there were no survivors following the crash. The district's history of hauntings even predates its conception, reaching back to when the area was nothing but farmland.