San Pedro Park
In 1729 King Philip
of Spain set aside the San Pedro Springs site as a "public place" in a
land grant to the people of San Antonio, making it the second oldest
public park in the nation after the Boston Common, which had been
created in 1660. Camino Real (The King's Highway) was one of many important old roads that radiated from this area.
Early in its history (1718), the Alamo was located in the park area but was later moved to its present location, and a military outpost was established at San Pedro Springs for the benefit of the Canary Island colonists. In the 1730's, an acequia was built to carry water from the springs toward the city for irrigation and household use. By the 1870's, the springs provided water for boating, fishing, and swimming. A municipal swimming pool was built in the park in 1922.
In February 1836, Santa Anna's army bivouacked in the park during the siege of the Alamo.