06.06.2024

Today’s Forecast

A centuries-old history lesson

Learning about the Espada Aqueduct and Dam in San Antonio

The Espada Aqueduct is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Park, and National Historic Landmark. | Photo by the National Park Service

San Antonio has a plethora of fun facts, but did you know the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the US is located in the Alamo City? We’re taking you on a field trip to learn about this elder waterway and its impact on the San Antonio Missions.

Go with the flow

The TL;DR on aqueducts is that these are man-made waterways — usually in the shape of bridges — designed to carry water from a source to a different destination. Fun fact: The word “aqueduct” stems from Latin aqua + ducere, meaning “to lead water.”

Constructed in the 18th century (between 1740 and 1745) by the Spanish, the Espada Aqueduct carries water across six miles south from Piedras Creek to Mission Espada. At the time, the new irrigation route was used for the mission’s farm land and allowed the commune to have a source of running water.

Make it a picnic and listen to the flowing waters of the Espada Dam in San Antonio.
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Photo by the National Park Service

A dam miracle

The Espada Dam was essential to the mission’s survival, as it worked in tandem with the aqueduct to supply drinking + irrigation water. The dam still diverts water into the Espada Acequia System, and can be seen today via a short walk from the parking lot. It’s also the last surviving Spanish-built dam in San Antonio.

The aqueduct is still used to water the San Juan Farm and is managed by the San Antonio Food Bank.

Plan your visit

Check out these historical structures for yourself and visit the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pro tip: Park your car at 9045 Espada Rd. and go for a nature hike — you may see turtles sunbathing or other unique native wildlife.

Asked

What century was the Espada Aqueduct constructed?

A. 17th century
B. 18th century
C. 20th century
D. 16th century

It's Thursday trivia

Events

Thursday, June 6

Lattes and LinkedIn | Thursday, June 6 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Chicago Title, 15727 Anthem Pkwy. #210, San Antonio | $7 | Spice up your LinkedIn profile and learn tips + tricks to land your next job
Downtown Pickle | Thursday, June 6 | 4-8 p.m. | Gensler, 229 E. Houston St., San Antonio | Free | Team up for a friendly tournament with a chance at raffle prizes like Spurs tickets and an Apple Watch while supporting the Thrive Youth Center.
Gallery Talk | Thursday, June 6 | 6-7 p.m. | McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio | $0-$10 | Join a community of art enthusiasts in a discussion about the current exhibition “de la Torre Brothers: Upward Mobility.”

Friday, June 7

San Antonio Cup of Capital | Friday, June 7 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Tech Port, 3331 General Hudnell Dr., San Antonio | Free | Enjoy coffee as you network with local entrepreneurs, investors, and members of the Capital Factory community.
Party on the Plaza | Friday, June 7 | 7-11 p.m. | Tower of the Americas, 739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd., San Antonio | Free | Make your way downtown for a night of live music by the Mark Odom Band, family-friendly games, caricature drawings, bull riding, and a moon bounce.
Single Release Party | Friday, June 7 | 9 p.m. | The Lighthouse Lounge, 1016 Cincinnati Ave., San Antonio | $5 | Jam out with the band Los Juanos as they celebrate its latest music release, “Fin Del Mundo.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

Matching ‘fits for Father’s Day (plus 30% off)

Match your mini-me this Father’s Day. | Photos provided by Harlestons

Parents, is there anything cuter than matching your mini?

Harlestons is now offering matching polos and swimwear for dads and sons to share the same swag — just in time for Father’s Day. (Nope, it’s not too late to order his gift.)

Bonus: All swim — men and youth — is 30% off.

Shop the sets. What better way to celebrate than twinning?

(T)win Father's Day

News Notes

Closing

La Amistad Tortilleria is closing its doors after 40 years in business. The barbacoa spot took to Facebook to announce the closure and thanked its patrons + community. Grab fresh flour tortillas and barbacoa before its last day on Sunday, June 30.

Transportation

VIA is seeking public input for its proposed service changes on Monday, June 10 at its Metro Center Board Room (1021 San Pedro Ave.). Stop by at 5:30 p.m. to share your voice about the August changes that include an added VIA Link service and bus reroutes.

Weather

The Alamo City broke another heat statistic. June’s all-time heat index record broke on Tuesday with a reading of 117°. The kicker? Summer doesn’t officially start until Thursday, June 20. Make sure you’re wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated when going outside.

Drink

Drink of the summer alert. R+R Collective Co. announced the return of a seasonal favorite — the Creamy Guava Matcha. Visit its Southtown outpost (1010 S. Flores St.) to try this drink for a limited time.

Arts

Game of Shrooms is happening this Saturday, June 8 across the world. It’s an Easter egg hunt for mushroom-inspired art. The initiative invites local artists to hide fungi-full works and giving clues to the whereabouts via social media. Check the map to find the 11 spots in San Antonio.

Open

Extra Fine Bakery’s sophomore location is now open at 812 S. Presa St. You can visit daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch. Need more coffee recommendations? Check out our guide.

Sports

Learn about what former Longhorn Xavier Worthy brings to the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Home

Did you know you can bring all your debt under one roof by borrowing from your home to pay off high-interest loans, bills, and credit cards? Calculate your payment.*

Number

27,000: That’s the number of trees that are cut down each day to make toilet paper. This luxury three-ply bamboo toilet paper is changing that. It feels just like regular high-end TP, but doesn’t harm trees. Use code 6AM30 for 30% off through midnight. Learn more + shop.*

Drink Up

Own a local beverage business? Offer a drink deal to our readers during Drink Up Week from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. Whether it’s BOGO smoothies or 20% off wine bottles, drop your deal into this form by Friday, June 28 and let’s get this party poppin’.

Eat

Late night deliciousness

Where to grab a late-night meal in San Antonio

Dust off your Spanish skills to order like a pro at Taquitos West Ave. | Photo by SATXtoday team

We’ve been doing all this late-night snackin’ — that’s how the Harry Styles song goes, right?

With the sun setting later than some of our favorite restaurant’s daily operating hours, we’ve been finding ourselves constantly looking for the best food options after dark.

Rather than taking a trip to Mickey D’s around the corner, we’re rounding up a list of local eateries open late in the Alamo City.

Make it by midnight

Barbaro, 2720 McCullough Ave. | Mon.-Thurs., 4 p.m.-midnight + Fri.-Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight | Dig into one of its wood-fired pizzas — City Editor Nicholas recommends the Carbonara.

The after(hours) party

Hanzo, 7701 Broadway, Ste. 124 | Sun.-Tues., 5 p.m.-1 a.m., Wed.-Thurs., noon-1 a.m., Fri., noon-2 a.m., Sat., 5 p.m.-2 a.m. | Get an order of the Firecracker Shrimp and wash it down with a Punch Drunk Love.

13 more spots for the munchies

The Buy

Six & Main is turning 2. Celebrate with us and enjoy 25% off sitewide. Use code BIRTHDAY25.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicholas

From the editor

I recently visited Civic Park for its Movies by Moonlight and was flabbergasted when I saw they brought an actual DeLorean from “Back to the Future.” Catch a showing of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” next week on Tuesday, June 11.

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