For us? You shouldn’t have.
We think living in San Antonio is the greatest gift of all, but our city has actually been on the receiving end of quite a few delightful donations. From statues to land donations and more, check out these four gifts given to the city.
Torch of Friendship | Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos gave the Alamo City the iconic twisting red statue — which symbolizes the intertwining cultures and experiences of the United States and Mexico and — in 2002. The artist behind this sculpture, Sebastian, also created the recent addition of “Door of Equality (La Puerta de Igualdad),” which can be found outside of the Central Library.
Phil Collins Collection | Ten years ago, the rockstar donated the largest-known private collection of Texan and Alamo artifacts to the Texas General Land Office, which preserves the Alamo. The collection includes hundreds of items, including an original Jim Bowie knife and pouch owned by Davy Crockett.
Brackenridge Park | The 340-acre park — which celebrated its 125th birthday last month — was donated to the city in 1899 by local businessman George Brackenridge, who intended for the land to become a “public space for the people of San Antonio.”
The Founders Monument | The Canary Islanders Descendants Association of San Antonio gifted the city with this statue, meant to depict the founding communities of the Alamo City: America Indians, Franciscan friars, Presidio soldiers, and Canary Islanders. San Antonio maintains sister city relationships with Canary Island cities Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to this day.
These extraordinary gifts not only add character and value to our city but also show how generosity can have a lasting impact. Do you know of another major gift donated to our city? Let us know.
