You’re looking at SA skyline history. | Photo by @chandramaharzan, via Unsplash
Did you know San Antonio is home to the Alamo?
Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there are plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky + unconventional, we put together a list of San Antonio’s history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.
Either way, test your local knowledge with these 20 interesting facts.
San Antonio is home to the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico. El Mercado shopping district at the Historic Market Square boasts an impressive collection of 100+ restaurants, artisanal shops, and fresh produce stands. We can easily spend hours exploring the three-block outdoor plaza.
The San Antonio Missions are part of 24 World Heritage Sites located in the United States.
Our annual Holiday Gift Guide is making a comeback, and we want to feature your business.
We know, we know — it’s only September. But the early bird gets the worm, right?
That’s why we’re offering 20% off inclusion in our 2025 guide now through Wednesday, Oct. 1. Secure your spot to promote your business’ one-of-a-kind gift, festive product, or unique service.
CPS Energy has acquired four Southeast Texas power plants in a $1.3 billion expansion of its portfolio. The plants are located in Harris, Brazoria, and Galveston counties, and the transaction will be finalized in 2025’s third quarter according to a CPS spokesperson. (KSAT)
Award
It’s just days away. The San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Avery Johnson, Mario Elie, Jaren Jackson, Will Perdue, Antonio Daniels, Gerard King, and Brandon Williams are scheduled to work that evening.
Plan Ahead
This is not a drill: Steve Martin and Martin Short are coming to the Majestic on Wednesday, Jan. 29. These two comedic titans have been touring together since 2015. You won’t want to miss them talking about Hollywood culture + the fickle nature of celebrity. Tickets start at $96.
Sports
The San Antonio Spurs, alongside HemisFair and the McCombs family, have officially launched Red McCombs Community Court at Tower Park. It’s officially the first publicly accessible basketball court in downtown’s HemisFair district. Funding for the $1.8 million project was obtained through gifts from the McCombs Foundation and Spurs Give. (Yahoo Sports)
Announced
All five Salad and Go locations in San Antonio that have launched since 2024 will be shuttering soon after CEO Mike Tattersfield announced the company will be closing 41 of its restaurants in Texas. Multiple locations in Houston, Austin, and Dallas will also be impacted. (MySA)
Closed
Bill Miller BBQ has closed its downtown location on Santa Rosa Avenue after 50 years. With close to 80 locations across San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi, the news arrives just as the company is in the process of building a two-story headquarters on the West Side. (San Antonio Business Journal)
Edu
School Discovery Network and AIM team up tonight at 6 p.m. to offer a free town hall about education savings accounts. Students with documented disabilities could qualify for up to $30,000 of vouchers for the 2026–27 school year to be used for therapies, tutoring, private school tuition, and more.
Theater
The Magik Theatre’s latest production for children and adults alike, “Red Riding Hood,” opens Saturday, Sept. 27 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 12. This retelling of the classic fairy tale — in which the wolf’s scariest quality is his ego — is recommended for family audiences ages 5 and up.
Sports
Host Jeff Garcia and Dr. McCorkle dissect San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan’s calf strain and Dylan Harper’s thumb surgery, providing crucial insights into recovery timelines. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Show
Road trip, anyone? “Peter Pan” is flying to the stage at Dallas’ Winspear Opera House Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21. This isn’t your typical tale — it’s better. Pro tip: Snag a season pass for VIP perks (think: the best seats, exclusive savings, behind-the-curtain experiences, and more).*
Why are the same firms that backed Uber, Venmo, and eBay also backing Pacaso(Nasdaq ticker reserved: $PCSO)? Because it’s disrupting the $1.3 trillion vacation home market with co-ownership, already earning $110 million+ in gross profit in under five years. (And until midnight, you can join the 10,000+ shareholders.)†‡*
Jobs of the Week
We’ve rounded up all the best technical writer jobs in San Antonio in one place — so you don’t have to.
It’s that time again:Registration is open for the annual Race the River event through the heart of downtown San Antonio. The event, which takes place on Friday, Nov. 7, offers a three-mile amateur or five-mile pro option.
Pro tip: The cost to compete is $20, but register early to make sure you secure a spot.
A great deal on a clothes steamer. Snag HiLIFE’s portable, handheld steamer while it’s 35% off — the steamer is quick to heat up, easy to use, and perfect for garment touch-ups without hauling out the ironing board.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Speaking of fun facts: Did you know San Antonio holds the world record for most tamales made in a 12-hour period?
You can try some of the very best I have ever tasted at La Monita Tortilleria, located right in the heart of the city at 3202 Guadalupe St.
Pro tip: They also sell some of the city’s most delicious barbacoa and carnitas by the pound, so grab some while you’re there.
‡‡Finance “investment method” disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals. Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar success. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
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