Commerce Street Bridge, 1914
This is the site of an early river crossing between the Villa of San Fernando, the first civil settlement of San Antonio, and the Mission San Antonio de Valero (Alamo). A graceful iron bridge erected in 1880 preceded this concrete structure. The iron bridge was named for famed writer Sidney Lanier who loved this spot. A 19th century trilingual sign told citizens in English, German, and Spanish to walk horses over the bridge to avoid a fine.
The Native American Indian statue, “First Inhabitant,” on the opposite side of the bridge was designed in 1914 by Waldine Tauch and cast by Hannibal Pianta, both noted San Antonio sculptors. The statue originally featured two drinking fountains, which vandals damaged shortly after installation. The Commerce Street Bridge was originally known as Jones Bridge for San Antonio’s mayor A.H. Jones.
The Native American Indian statue, “First Inhabitant,” on the opposite side of the bridge was designed in 1914 by Waldine Tauch and cast by Hannibal Pianta, both noted San Antonio sculptors. The statue originally featured two drinking fountains, which vandals damaged shortly after installation. The Commerce Street Bridge was originally known as Jones Bridge for San Antonio’s mayor A.H. Jones.
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89.176c, San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation Library
49-B, Ernst Raba Collection, San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation Library
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Commerce Street Bridge, 1914
500-546 E Commerce St
San Antonio, TX 78205
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