City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation

Did you know that the Bexar County Courthouse is one of 18 Richardsonian Romanesque courthouses in Texas designed by architect James Riely Gordon? Twelve of them are still standing. The Bexar County Courthouse was completed in 1896 and features native Texas granite and red sandstone carved with intricate details. J. Gordon Riely worked in harmony with the Texas climate, designing his courthouses for passive ventilation and natural light.

🗺️ This property is designated as a local landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore its history and learn about other landmarks on the Texas Historical Commission's Atlas Map: atlas.thc.texas.gov/Map

The Majestic Theatre was built in 1929 in the Spanish Mediterranean architectural style by architect John Eberson. It was the first fully air-conditioned theater in the state of Texas! Its “atmospheric” design, complete with a star-painted ceiling, transports guests into a star-lit courtyard surrounded by copper lanterns, tile murals, exotic birds, and imported palms.

The theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1991, and recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1993.

Image credit – Portal to Texas History

Majestic & Empire Theatres

Preservation Month 2026 is a wrap, but our specialists support historic property stewards year-round. Here's what a recent applicant had to say about working with our team:

“I have worked with many public and private organizations, and yours is one of the most helpful to both improving the community and making it worthwhile for investors. Thank you for your efforts.”

Ready to get started? Reach out — we'd love to help!

📞 210-207-0035
💻 sa.gov/historic

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! The History Here marker commemorating The Gay Strip was installed at the intersection of N Main and Evergreen within the Pride Cultural Heritage District in October 2025.

The Pride Cultural Heritage District was established during Pride Month 2025 to recognize the LGBTQ+ community’s contributions along N Main Avenue and the surrounding area.

Read OHP’s Pride Cultural Heritage District Report to learn more at ScoutSA.com/culturalheritagedistricts

Learn more about The Gay Strip by reading our blog:
https://www.scoutsa.com/blog/the-gay-strip-at-n-main-avenue

Happy Pride! 🌈

THERE’S A STORY HERE: San Antonio’s unique tradition of celebrating Spurs wins is said to have originated during the 1999 NBA Finals against the Knicks! What is your favorite story about celebrating your favorite San Antonio sports team? Let us know at scoutsa.com/survey or comment your story below!

The City will cheer on the Spurs during Game 1 of the NBA Finals with a FREE Watch Party in Legacy Park (103 W Houston) starting at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 3rd!

We hope to hear honking afterward!

Downtown - City of San Antonio

The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) is scheduled to hear cases tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3, in the Board Room at 1901 S Alamo, at 3:00 PM.

➡️ To watch and listen to this meeting, visit www.sanantonio.gov/DSD/Boards/MeetingVideos.

➡️ To view the current agenda, and staff recommendations, please visit the City’s SASpeakUP Portal. www.saspeakup.com/

➡️ Provide public comments by 4:00 PM today on any items listed on the current agenda. Or speak in person at the hearing tomorrow at 3:00 PM.

The HDRC agenda can be found in "Meetings & Events" or alphabetically under "Boards and Commissions". Agendas can be viewed in HTML. Once in the html agenda, hover over an item until a light blue box surrounds it, then click. A light gray box should appear below the item with option to view or download the attachment. This attachment includes the case details, staff's recommendation and the exhibits provided to the public. The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) is scheduled to hear cases today, Wednesday, DATE, in the Board Room at 1901 S Alamo, at 3:00 PM.

➡️ To watch and listen to this meeting, visit www.sanantonio.gov/DSD/Boards/MeetingVideos.

➡️ To view the current agenda, and staff recommendations, please visit the City’s SASpeakUP Portal. www.saspeakup.com/

➡️ Provide public comments by 4:00 PM today on any items listed on the current agenda. Or speak in person at the hearing tomorrow at 3:00 PM.

The HDRC agenda can be found in "Meetings & Events" or alphabetically under "Boards and Commissions". Agendas can be viewed in HTML. Once in the html agenda, hover over an item until a light blue box surrounds it, then click. A light gray box should appear below the item with option to view or download the attachment. This attachment includes the case details, staff's recommendation and the exhibits provided to the public.

Meeting Videos You can watch Development Services board meetings online. You can also view past meeting videos.

When we invest in preservation trades, we invest in long-term resilience—skilled workers, stronger communities, and historic places built to last.
Pictured: Students at 's Rehabarama, a one day event of volunteers providing free maintenance and repair work in San Antonio's legacy neighborhoods. Funds raised by PoP support these hands-on trainings and workshops.

May is Preservation Month! PoP is celebrating by highlighting how the places we protect spark joy, inspire wonder, and connect communities to our shared history. This year’s theme, All People Are Created Equal, centers the sites and stories that tell the full American story.