Before we begin, let us set the tone for this story: Alexa, play “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
Now that we have the good vibes and funky grooves going, it’s time to ask, “Do you remember the 21st night of September?” We’re here to take a look back into Alamo City history, and see what was happening the week of Sept. 21 in various years.
1921 | The remnants of a hurricane moving toward the city dropped 7 inches of rainfall on San Antonio in devastating flash floods, resulting in the later construction of the Olmos Dam and the River Walk’s development for flood control and other purposes.
Jack Dempsey and Gus Wilson face off in front of referee Ray Newman.
Photo via Library of Congress
1925 | American professional boxer Jack Dempsey exchanged punches in a boxing exhibition against his trainer and frequent sparring partner, Gus Wilson, in San Antonio, with Ray Newman as referee.
San Antonio College’s appearance has undergone a few changes over the years.
Photo via San Antonio College Centennial Newsroom
1925 | San Antonio College opened its doors as the University Junior College with an enrollment of 200 students. Fun fact: It’s the oldest public two-year college in Texas that’s still in operation.
A two-place Stearman-Hammond airplane is shown in Stinson Field in San Antonio.
Photo via UTSA Libraries Special Collections
1937 | Two unnamed men refuel a Stearman-Hammond airplane built in 1929 in the Alamo City’s Stinson Field — a spot critical to the evolution of military air power — in September 1937.
1940 | Alamo Stadium was dedicated with a high school football doubleheader that pitted Jefferson High School against Corpus + Brackenridge High School against Houston Reagan.
In 1968, two monorail trains collided at HemisFair, resulting in the closure of the monorail system.
Photo via Portal to Texas History and UT San Antonio Libraries Special Collections
1968 | Two mini-monorail trains collided on an elevated track in a fatal crash at HemisFair. The park’s monorail system used open-air passenger trains on a 1.5-mile elevated track around the fairgrounds, but it was discontinued after the incident.
1978 | Felix Stehling opened the first Taco Cabana restaurant at the corner of San Pedro and Hildebrand Avenues. The restaurant remains there to this day.
What an eventful trip down memory lane. Did we miss a special event this week in San Antonio history? Let us know. Stay groovy, San Antonio.
