San Antonio Police History Archive

Photo crop exposure date: unknown. Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: See details.  A manipulated photographic production, depicting a scene that never existed. The upper half of photograph #1 was overlaid with a drawn scene of small dwellings and trees to make photograph #2. This manipulated photograph appeared in Combats and Conquests of Immortal Heroes by Charles Merritt Barnes (1910). (For further Information and a discussion of the techniques used, see the  Texas State Genealogical Society Quarterly “Stirpes” Volume 37, Number 2, June 1997 for article by F. Tucker)

Photo crop exposure date: unknown. Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: 1890-1892 Subject: Photo crop of the front (east elevation) of the City Hall/County Courthouse and Jail Compound (1852). The view is WNW from a point in Military Plaza. This is an excellent rendition of the facade that appears as stone blocks emplaced vertically at the front corners of the building. It is a cosmetic stucco application added in 1866. The photograph is also of interest as it is one of the very few examples of a hitching rail. Such Hollywood western staples apparently did not actually exist in front of businesses or saloons in the manner or construction as depicted in the movies. The two located in this photograph seem to have been of temporary construction and were, most likely, for the horses of the mounted officers. Notice that the wooden cross beam is above the level of the saddle. The animal is “hitched” to a much lower rope. The building is being razed. The foundation outline of the new City Hall can be seen clearly.

Photo crop exposure date: unknown. Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: 1866-1890. Subject: Photo crop of the San Antonio City Hall/Bexar County Courthouse and Jail Compound (1852). The view is NNW, taken from a point in Military Plaza. There is narrative evidence that there was an internal stairway, however, the only entrance to the jail yard was through the ground floor of the court building.

Photo crop exposure date: unknown. Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: December 1884-1889. Subject: Photo crop of Military Plaza and the San Antonio City Hall/Bexar County Courthouse and Jail Compound (1852). The Fashion Theater on the west side of the plaza is present. It opened 22 December 1884. The foundation work for the new City Hall has not yet begun as was mentioned by an article in the Express of 2 April 1889. The report of the City Engineer in the Mayor’s Annual Report states that the basement and one floor have been completed and a second floor is expected to be completed by April 1890. There appears to be no construction at the location of the Elmendorf building (1890) on West Commerce to Moke’s Cheap Store.

Photo crop exposure date: unknown. Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: 1880's. Subject: Poor photo crop of Military Plaza and the San Antonio City Hall/Bexar County Courthouse and Jail Compound (1852). Note the "Chili Queens" tables at foreground left.

Photo crop exposure date: unknown. Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: 1869 – 1889. Subject: Photo crop of West Commerce Street and the San Antonio City Hall/Bexar County Courthouse and Jail Compound (1852). The view is west along Commerce Street, taken from in front of Kalteyer’s Drug Store. The Three story Elmendorf building, just past Moke’s Cheap Store on the north side of Commerce is not present, It will be completed in 1890.

Photo crop exposure date: unknown. Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: 1890 – 1892. Subject: Very poor photo crop of the same exposure as Photograph #1.

Photo crop exposure date: unknown. Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: 1869 – 1889. Subject: Photo crop of West Commerce Street and the San Antonio City Hall/Bexar County Courthouse and Jail Compound (1852). The view is west along Commerce Street, taken from in front of Kalteyer’s Drug Store. The Three story Elmendorf building, just past L. Moke’s Cheap Store on the north side of Commerce is not present, It will be completed in 1890. This is a slighter wider crop of the same exposure as Photograph #7.