New Things to Learn, Old Things to See
SAN ANTONIO—
As the first full day of sessions came to an end, some physical therapists stopped to chat with ADVANCE editors about what they hope to learn in their sessions. You'll be able to check out their video interviews next week.
Yet, as attendees absorb new ideas, theories and techniques, plenty of sights in historic San Antonio encourage them to pay homage to what has gone before. As they left the convention center, they flocked to the river walk, ducking under trees for shade, feeding the ducks or watching the riverboats row by. Others relaxed in the park surrounding the statue of Samuel Compers, the founding president of the American Federation of Labor. Still others stepped inside "the jewel in the heart of San Antonio," the ornate St. Joseph's Downtown Church, founded in 1868 by German Catholic immigrants.
Right in the heart of the southern city, there's the Spanish Governor's Palace, which served as the 18th century home of the colonial governor when Mexico still held claim over the state. Guenther House, located in the King William historic district and built by the founder of Pioneer Flour Mills, serves as a museum, restaurant and gift shop. Aztec Theatre, built in 1926, shines in its restored form with a special effects show and movies accompanied by the original Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ.
And of course, the Mission Trail encompasses the true roots of San Antonio's founding. The trail includes five missions, established by the Catholic Church and the Spanish government, along a nine-mile stretch of the San Antonio River. All except the Alamo exist as active Roman Catholic parishes.
Mission San Antonio de Valero, now known as the Alamo, began in 1718. Mission San Jose, whose architecturally striking Rose Window has brought it prestige, came two years later. A church, grape arbor, Indian quarters and convent ruins still remain. Mission San Juan de Capistrano, established in 1731, offered the best farmlands, which enabled it to share produce with areas east to Louisiana and south to Mexico. Mission San Francisco de la Espada, originally founded in East Texas in 1690 but relocated to the river in 1731, still retains an irrigation canal that carries water to farm fields. Mission Concepcion, completed in 1755, has kept many of its original structures, including its stone church.
Conference attendees will certainly head home with a head full of new knowledge. But a touch of San Antonio's old charm and historic significance will surely return with them as well.