One of San Antonio’s first neighborhoods, La Villita was originally a settlement of primitive huts for the Spanish soldiers stationed at the Mission San Antonio Valero (the Alamo). After a flood in 1819, brick, stone, and adobe houses replaced the earlier structures. In 1836, La Villita was the site of General Santa Anna’s cannon line, in the Battle of the Alamo, and a map from early that year sho
wed the village to be of considerable size. Late in the 19th century, European immigrants from Germany and France moved into the area. These pioneers became San Antonio’s business leaders, bankers, educators, and craftsmen. The cultural mix at this time is best illustrated by the variety of architectural styles reflected in La Villita’s buildings, portraying the evolution from palisado to Victorian Houses. In 1939, as ground broke on the San Antonio River Walk development, Mayor Maury Maverick acted to preserve this colorful part of San Antonio’s history. Today, La Villita is a thriving art community that stands as a monument to San Antonio’s past. La Villita has five outdoor plazas, the Cos House, and Bolivar Hall to host your wedding, reception, birthday party, retirement celebration, and much more. Additionally is the world-famous Arneson River Theatre where Fiesta Noche del Rio performs, as well as many other music events, ballets, plays, weddings and ceremonies, and much more! La Villita Historic Arts Village is owned by the City of San Antonio, managed by Center City Development and Operations Department. For parking information, please visit https://sapark.sanantonio.gov
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