City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation

06/19/2026

Juneteenth – June 19 – is the day we celebrate freedom in Texas because on this day in 1865 a General Order announcing the end of slavery was read in Galveston, over two years after President Lincoln’s enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation.
There are many celebrations honoring this freedom throughout the month.
Check out the Bexar County Juneteenth Commission's work, programs, and ways to get involved. www.bexarcountyjuneteenth.com/2026events

Two festivals are happening this weekend! The Juneteenth Festival, and Freedom Family Fest. Check the website for details!

📸by Juneteenth San Antonio Texas

Bexar County Juneteenth
Check out the work of the Bexar County Juneteenth Commission, their programs, and how to get involved https://www.juneteenthsanantonio.com/

06/18/2026

Completing projects at your historic property is easier than you think: we approve 97% of the requests we receive, with most handled through administrative review.

Have questions about working on your historic property? Don’t know if your property is designated historic? Reach out to connect with a Specialist!

📞 210-207-0035
💻 [email protected]

06/16/2026

The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) is scheduled to hear cases tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17, in the Board Room at 1901 S Alamo, at 3:00 PM.

➡️ To watch and listen to this meeting, visit www.sanantonio.gov/DSD/Boards/MeetingVideos.

➡️ To view the current agenda, and staff recommendations, please visit the City’s SASpeakUP Portal. www.saspeakup.com/

➡️ Provide public comments by 4:00 PM today on any items listed on the current agenda. Or speak in person at the hearing tomorrow at 3:00 PM.

The HDRC agenda can be found in "Meetings & Events" or alphabetically under "Boards and Commissions". Agendas can be viewed in HTML. Once in the html agenda, hover over an item until a light blue box surrounds it, then click. A light gray box should appear below the item with option to view or download the attachment. This attachment includes the case details, staff's recommendation and the exhibits provided to the public.

You can watch Development Services board meetings online. You can also view past meeting videos.

06/14/2026

If you own a historic home and are considering exterior improvements, the review process may seem unfamiliar at first - but we're here to help.

The good news is that the vast majority of requests receive approval. In fact, more than two-thirds of all applications can be reviewed and approved directly by the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) staff, without the need for a public hearing.

Our team is committed to making the process as clear and straightforward as possible, helping homeowners make smart investments that maintain the character and value of their properties. Reach out to OHP early in your project - we're happy to answer questions and guide you through each step.

📞 210-207-0035
💻 [email protected]

06/10/2026

Share your place-based stories via There’s a Story Here (TASH)!

Highlight your favorite taco spot, the place where you and your family spent holidays, or any other location you'd like to commemorate on our Discovery Map, a living collection of local history and culture shaped by the people who know it best.

"Little Storytellers" from the gifted and talented program at the Advanced Learning Academy (ALA) contributed to TASH by researching and sharing San Antonio landmarks. They wrote captivating narratives that are now featured as new TASH pins on the Discovery Map. www.scoutsa.com

Thank you, ALA Gators, for documenting these spots and contributing to our local markers program!

This past Saturday, the halls of Brackenridge HS were filled with innovation, history, and architectural wonder! We are bursting with pride for our 90+ ALA Elementary GT students who represented our school at the annual SAISD GT Showcase.

This year’s theme, "Structures," took our students on a deep dive into architectural history and the importance of preservation.

Here’s how our ALA scholars stood out:

Upper Elementary: Our young architects used 3D design to envision and build entirely new structures, blending technology with creativity.

Lower Elementary: Our storytellers researched local landmarks and wrote captivating narratives for the City of San Antonio’s "There’s a Story Here" website.

It has been an incredible year of discovery, and seeing hundreds of students from across the district come together to show off their hard work was truly inspiring.

Congratulations to all of our GT students on a successful showcase! Your hard work, research, and passion for San Antonio’s history truly shined.

Thank you Mrs. Tondre for always going above and beyond for our Gators.

06/09/2026

🌈 This month, we proudly celebrate one year since the Pride Cultural Heritage District was officially designated by the Historic & Design Review Commission. This district honors the history, contributions, and lasting impact of San Antonio’s LGBTQ+ community and the area known as the Gay Strip.

As we recognize this milestone, we also celebrate the History Here marker at Main and Evergreen, which helps share and preserve these important stories for future generations. ❤️

Here's to a year of honoring a legacy that continues to shape San Antonio with pride.

Learn more about the Pride Cultural Heritage District: 🔗 https://www.scoutsa.com/culturalheritagedistricts

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

Thinking about making changes to your historic home?

The Office of Historic Preservation is hosting a free webinar that walks you through the design review process in clear, easy-to-understand steps. You'll learn about the application process, typical timelines, and everything you'll need to ensure a smooth, successful approval.

Whether you're a homeowner, contractor, or other professional, this session is a great opportunity to get informed, feel prepared, and move forward on your project with confidence.

📅 Friday, June 12
🕰️ 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 Virtual
🎟️ FREE
🔗 SASpeakUp.com/presacademy

06/07/2026

Did you know that the Bexar County Courthouse is one of 18 Richardsonian Romanesque courthouses in Texas designed by architect James Riely Gordon? Twelve of them are still standing. The Bexar County Courthouse was completed in 1896 and features native Texas granite and red sandstone carved with intricate details. J. Riely Gordon worked in harmony with the Texas climate, designing his courthouses for passive ventilation and natural light.

🗺️ This property is designated as a local landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore its history and learn about other landmarks on the Texas Historical Commission's Atlas Map: atlas.thc.texas.gov/Map

06/05/2026

The Majestic Theatre was built in 1929 in the Spanish Mediterranean architectural style by architect John Eberson. It was the first fully air-conditioned theater in the state of Texas! Its “atmospheric” design, complete with a star-painted ceiling, transports guests into a star-lit courtyard surrounded by copper lanterns, tile murals, exotic birds, and imported palms.

The theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1991, and recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1993.

Image credit – Portal to Texas History

Majestic & Empire Theatres