Highland Park Neighborhood Association

HIGHLAND PARK HISTORY PROJECT

Two projects dig into history of Highland Park

Two groups are working together to document the history of Highland Park and assist each other.

CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HISTORY PROJECT: HIGHLAND PARK

The City of San Antonio Department of Planning is cataloguing 27,000 of the remaining 'original' residential and commercial structures of the City as a primary goal, and additionally aims to then record information about all structures dating before 1980.
This archive was prompted by concerns of various persons and organizations, who were concerned that knowledge of the city's history was being lost with each building burned or demolished. The City's Master Plan in 1997 provided for structures within the City limits (defined by an 8-league Spanish land grant) to be documented in a comprehensive historic structures survey. This was additionally expanded to include the City limits up to 1927.
The project is being undertaken by the Planning Department with the additional objectives of having documentation on file to support rapidly increasing numbers of applications for historical districts and conservation districts in San Antonio. It is planned that this collection will be a resource used to expedite the applications by avoiding the need to document each district separately during its application and review process.
When completed, the initial phase of the project will include documentation to support nominated historical districts (which require residences be at least 50 years old) as well as conservation districts (with a minimum requirement of 25 years of age).

Cherise Bell, the historian coordinating this project for the Planning Department, uses teams of 14 volunteers that commit to at least one day per month when they will photograph historical structures for a few hours from October to February (when the tree cover is lighter).
All supplies, including digital cameras, are provided by the Planning Department. Training in photographic techniques and 'quick tips' to identify historical housing styles is also provided.
For more information, use the link below to connect to: http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/survey_web/historic_survey.asp

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO PHOTOGRAPH STRUCUTES. Contact:
City of San Antonio Planning Department
Division of Historical Preservation and Design Historian Cherise Bell
cbell@sanantonio.gov

HIGHLAND PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HISTORY PROJECT

In 2003, Highland Park Neighborhood Association Board of Directors agreed to compile a concise history of the area for publication with a target date of October 2005.
A brief answer to the following questions is among the information being sought:

* Who were the original homeowners in Highland Park? Who developed each house, and what year was it completed? (This year may or may not be the same as that listed by the Bexar County Appraisal District. The older the house is, the more likely it is to differ.)

* What neighborhood groups were there, what were their purposes and activities, and who were the officers?

* What was life like for different types of persons during different decades?

* What natural resources have been enhanced, altered or eliminated since development began?

* Who were the persons displaced by contruction of interstate highways, and where did they move?

* What are some memories you have of projects and persons involved with the Highland Park Neighborhood Association?

* What types of traditions have there been?

* What do you remember about James Bode?

* How have the schools, churches, and other community institutions changed? Which ones have not changed, and in what way?

* What area businesses are no longer here, and what is the history of those who have endured?

* Do you have any information regarding the original streetcar lines in the area?

* Do you have documentation of the methods or agreements used to plan, develop and promote area housing?

* Do you have any documentation regarding the persons who came to the area for warm springs? Which springs in the Highland Park area are no longer being fed, and where are the remaining few that continue?

* How were residents of the area tied to significant cultural events?

* What information do you have that sheds more light on the history of Highand Park?

Please send your answers to any of these questions to:
HighlandParkNA@satx.rr.com

Some research about the Highland Park area, churches, schools and two internationally famous residents is on file in the Institute of Texan Cultures and the library of the San Antonio Conservation Society. Other information may be located in a variety of public and private institutions.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO CONDUCT RESEARCH.
Set your own agenda! Work when you want to! Learn something, have fun and make a permanent difference in your neighborhood!

To volunteer, contact:
Rachel Cywinski, Highland Park History Project Coordinator HighlandParkNA@satx.rr.com

Email us
HighlandParkNA@satx.rr.com

Highland Park history resources

San Antonio Public Library Texana and Genealogy
Institute of Texan Cultures (division of U.T.S.A.) Library
San Antonio Conservation Society Research Center
"History Detectives" interactive PBS television series
Highland Park resident Eugene Omar Goldbeck, photographer; TSHA
Photographs by Highland Park resident Eugene Omar Goldbeck
Gallery of photographs by Highland Park resident E. O. Goldbeck
E. O. Goldbeck photo of 21,765 troops forming Lackland AFB seal
City of San Antonio Historic Strucutures Survey
History of Highland Park and the Highlands area