Hey, history buffs. Submit your unofficial historical locations around town.
Have you ever looked at a local spot and thought, “This place deserves to be commemorated?” Our city is full of legendary locations – many of which are indicated by historical markers. Historical markers reveal significant places, streets, neighborhoods, buildings, businesses, and cultural events from the past or present. Think: The Tower of the Americas or Our Lady of the Lake University.
But not all significant areas get the attention they deserve. What about Liberty Bar where you can share some of the best brunch with friends in the former home of the benedictine nuns in the order of Saint Scholastica? Or what about the cow that welcomes you when entering the historic Lavaca neighborhood?We want to put these places on the map — literally.
Rules + details
Submit your historic place for a chance to be featured nationwide on our historical marker map. Our favorite submissions will then be featured in our newsletter, where we’ll put it to a vote. Who knows? Maybe it will receive an official historical marker.
Submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in our newsletter. These finalists will then go head-to-head in a vote for our readers’ favorite. The winner will be announced later in December. No promises that it will get an actual historical marker, but it will be one in our hearts.
Want to know more about official historical markers around town? Check out the San Antonio Historical Marker Database.
The results
The votes are in for the SATXtoday historical markers contest. Check out the finalists below, including the contest winner decided by your votes.
The Lavaca Vaca
“A metal cow statue and sign that welcomes everyone into the historic Lavaca neighborhood. She greets every passerby, dresses up for all the holidays, and even gives rides to small children.”
Southside Lions Park
One of the first official Pride events was a picnic held at Southside Lions Park and is estimated to have seen 300 people attend, bringing their own dishes to the potluck.
Winner: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery
An overwhelming majority voted for this cemetery to have a historical marker. Some of the heroes of the Alamo are buried there, along with the original owners of one of the most famous Texas boot companies. Many instrumental people in the history of San Antonio and Texas are buried there. It is a small cemetery, divided into 4 areas, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The cemetery was built to accommodate persons on foot, making it not accessible by car. There is a large cross and statue in the center, and was built originally for members of St. Mary’s church in San Antonio. It is a treasure.
It doesn’t stop there — we got more submissions than these. Just check out our map of unofficial historical locations — both locally and across the nation.
