|
|
Five (Nearly
Forgotten) Buildings of San
Antonio
The Star, the
Pig, the Dealership, the Icehouse
and the Chinese Grocery
Fuel, Food, Transportation, Staples and Camaraderie
Photos by Mel
Brown, Sarah Reveley and Jacinto Guevara
Painting by Jacinto Guevara |
| Editor’s
Note: Back in 1968 I was crossing Canal Street in New Orleans
with a friend. A person who would now be called “homeless” tapped
my friend on the shoulder to ask for spare change. My friend, perhaps
thinking it was me – turned and in a gruff tone said: “What?!” The
would-be panhandler was surprised at the response and if he had intended
to ask for money, it was immediately forgotten. He stammered: “I j-j-just
wanted to let you k-k-k-know I was here.” These five featured buildings
arrived within a few days of one another with nothing much in common
other than they were all in San Antonio
and three of the five share the same neighborhood. It’s safe to say
they haven’t made the list of 100 must-see locations in San
Antonio, but seeing them together I was reminded of that long-ago
encounter on Canal Street. Collectively these buildings could be saying:
“We just wanted to let you know we are here.” |
Ice House
and Mon Chong Grocery
|
Photographer’s
Note:
“I was in San Antonio researching my
Eastside project and found this weathered old ice house on Hackberry
Street. That's Kenneth Dominique in the lower frame looking at the
classic San Antonio structure. These
buildings blanketed that city at one time but are now mostly gone.
The cast concrete sign manages to stay put as has the terra cotta
tile roof. I know where one other store is and it's a bit larger.
I must have driven past that old Ice House a million times but cannot
honestly say that I recall its being there. Some blocks down from
there it happened again when I saw the old Mon Chong market also on
Hackberry. I simply do not remember it - and I grew up about 8 blocks
from it. It's obviously been shut a long time and I'm now told there
are no surviving family members among the Chinese
community in SA.” - Mel
Brown, March 2008 |
The
ice house cast cement signage.
Mel Brown
2007 photo |
Photographer’s
Note:
“They call it "The Big Pig" but [in reality] it was the baby pig,
the “Big Pig” was BIG. It was across the street from the old drive-in
theater, I remember it was a big deal when Papa would drive by it.”
The South Presa Pig Stand boasts the biggest porker of all, with a
pig statue/building (with door and windows), which is thought to have
served as a carhop shelter in days gone by. The “Big Pig" evidently
escaped his pen and was discovered in the early '90s, sitting forlornly
on a vacant lot near the Missions, where he had been serving as living
quarters. He was moved, spiffed-up and now dons seasonal decor next
to the South Presa Pig Stand location.” – Sarah
Reveley, March 2008 |
| This former filling
station probably dates to the late 20s or early 30s. It has recently
been restored as a tax filing / check cashing business. A twin (with
portico) stands at the entrance of the King William District. |
Former
Texaco Station on East Houston and N Olive
TE Photo March 2007 |
| Westside (Prospect
Hill) car dealership circa 1924 |
| The
budding artist/ herpetologist Joaquina Guevara paused at the store
during her 2008 San Antonio tour. |
|
|
