pictures from our past- our world-
Fiesta Time
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Many of our large American cities stage annual festivals
whose roots reach deep into its past local tradition and history. San
Antonio's annual party is called, Fiesta, or sometimes by its
traditional longer title, "Fiesta de San Jacinto" denoting its
purpose, to honor the heroes of the Texas Revolution, and particularly
those who died at the Alamo in 1836. The event comes each spring in April,
almost always in the week of April 21st, the anniversary date of the decisive
battle that won Texas Independence..
The celebration began in 1891 when the United States President visited the city. As a part of the welcome it is said that the ladies of the city promenaded around Alamo Plaza pelting one another with flowers. According to one account they were in their carriages driven by their husbands or boy friends throwing the flowers as they passed close to one another. This event was styled the "Battle of Flowers" and it became the name of the principal parade staged each year on the Friday of Fiesta week. Some of the earliest photographs in the Album appear to involve the Fiesta. In 1908 on the day of one of the major events Edward Arnold appears to have arrived early at the Alamo Plaza site and shot the picture of the the old Alamo chapel that appears to the left. We know this picture was taken during Fiesta Week because of the lone star decoration hanging from near the top of the facade. Then this star decoration was an established Fiesta custom. Other pictures on the same page indicate a gathering crowd as the day progressed as if for a parade or other event. Unfortunately these pictures are in very poor condition with much image deterioration. |
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To the Right are two pictures from an early Fiesta parade. The first picture shows what appears to be a float pulled by a small horse or donkey. We can see what seems to be the back legs and torso of the draft animal that is being led by the attendant in white. The second picture shows a small float. The animal pulling it is obscured by the fog like deterioration of the image in that area. I cannot be entirely sure of the location of these pictures. In later years Frank Brothers was a men's clothing store located on the west side of Alamo Plaza about 2 blocks south of the Alamo. That would be just north of the Alamo and Commerce street intersection. There is also opinion that the pictured building is the 19th century structure at the southeast corner of Alamo Plaza and Houston Streets. I am not sure In any case note the prominence of the cigar advertising. |
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This picture is entitled "Carnival, 1911 meaning Fiesta, 1911. This is definitely the southwest corner of Alamo and Houston Street. Edward Arnold made the shot from one of the upper floors of the Post office, possible using his Railway Mail Service credentials to obtain entrance to private office areas where he made the picture from an upper floor window. Note this would seem to be a substantial crowd for a small city of no more than 100 thousand. Is a parade in progress or is it one big block party? The sign on the balcony clearly readable from the enlargement says, "Kum Right Inn." Also judging by the number of people on the upper balconies, our city would seem lucky that a major municipal accident did not occur.
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The final two pictures are from the WWI era. Though they are undated
they are near the end of the album with other pictures from the
later period. Also these pictures show military units. In the
1940's, 50's, and 60's military participation in fiesta parades were
common. But I can not be sure they were in fact from the April,
events. They could possibly have been a special WWI event like a
celebration following the November, 1918 armistice..
The Fiesta is still an annual event and can be expected to be scheduled about the third week in April of each year. Readers are invited to visit The Fiesta de San Jacinto web page below. Click Here to visit The Fiesta de San Jacinto Association |
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