Claude B. Aniol

“ Travelers in cars, on trains, in busses—campers, hikers, fishermen, hunters—will find here the information they need. How far to the next town; what kind of road; are there hotels, campsites; what should we see; are there side trips; what are the traffic and game laws? These are the first considerations of travel.
But the book contains more than that. The authors are not Baedekers descending for a moment on some foreign spot. They are writing also for the historian today and tomorrow who would know how the states appear to the people who inhabit them. ”

“ Claude B. Aniol, one of America’s foremost photographers, is eminently qualified by his intimate knowledge of San Antonio, his home, to portray in superb photographs this dynamic and busy, yet always picturesque city.
American Guide Series
America is being rediscovered today. In every state of the Union, in large cities, tiny villages, on the open highway, members of Federal Writers’ Projects are revealing the riches of the land. The American Guide Series is a heartlifting experiment in co-operative literature. ”

“ Mexico achieved her independence from Spain in 1821 and San Antonio and Texas came under the domination of the newly formed Mexican government which put forth inconsistent confused policies. The earlier liberal grants to the Anglo-Americans were questioned. Following a series of revolutions begun in 1829, unscrupulous rulers successfully seized power in Mexico. Their unjust acts and despotic decrees led to revolution in Texas. ”

“ Located in Military Plaza is the Spanish Governors’ Palace, a restoration of the historic building used by the Spanish governors and vice-governors of the province.
In the keystone over the entrance is the Hapsburg coat of arms bearing the date 1749. Philip V of Spain, founder of the Canary Island settlement in San Antonio was a descendant and heir of the Spanish Hapsburgs.
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The arrangement and furnishing of the ten rooms in the Spanish Governors’ Palace give a picture of home life in the better class Spanish homes of the day. ”

“ When the roof line was reached, dirt for the dome was piled higher and moulded so that each stone could be locked in place. With the roof completed, the dirt was dug out from beneath and the balance of the building finished. The single tower of San Jose rises to the height of the average seven and one-half story building, and the hemispheric dome of the church is almost as high.
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The richly ornamented facade of San Jose is considered one of this Mission’s most notable features. ”

“ No permanent settlement was established, however, but later other expeditions passing this way encamped here. The French explorer and trader, Louis Juchereau de Saint Dennis, claiming his interest to be the establishment of trade relations between Louisiana and Mexico, stopped near the headwaters of the San Antonio River in 1714, admired the charms of the place, and declared the location to be an ideal spot for founding a permanent community. St. Dennis’ activity in the area aroused the Spanish authorities. Rivalry for the possessions of Texas broke out anew. ”

“ One wonders why the Mission, dedicated to St. Francis, founder of the order of Franciscans, should be referred to as St. Francis of the Sword. Tradition has it that the tower was built in the form of the hilt of a sword. One’s imagination is to project the length of the blade to complete the similarity to the whole weapon.
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A number of the original statues of the Franciscans can still be seen in the chapel of Mission Espada. These are hand carved of native wood, with movable limbs. The heads have glass eyes and separately cut teeth.
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A fortified tower has thirty-six-inch walls. ”

“ Field investigators, cartographers, writers, editors, photographers, business supervisors have contributed to the task of producing guide books which shall be accurate, timely, convenient, and entertaining. ”

“ This settlement was known as the “Villa de San Fernando”, and it is on the site of this original settlement that the Old San Fernando Cathedral stands today. This little villa in the wilderness formed the nucleus about which San Antonio gradually developed. Many prominent citizens today are descendants of these early settlers. ”

“ The niche within the triangle above the ornamental entrance of Conception once held a statue. The coat of arms and symbols of the Order of St. Francis are carved in the center of the arch. Here and there can still be seen spots of what were once vivid frescoes adorning the mission front.
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Conception from the south side presents the Moorish dome with its wide stone serrations. ”