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#23 The Golden Age of Entertainment Along the Creek

La Edad de Oro del Entretenimiento a lo Largo del Arroyo

THE BUSY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT west of San Pedro Creek was the center of cultural, social, and economic life for Spanish-speaking San Antonians. While some had long family histories in the city, many others were refugees from the Mexican Revolution of 1910. It was here that Italian bootmaker turned theater operator, Sam Lucchese, opened Teatro Zaragoza in 1912, followed by his grander Teatro Nacional. These theaters presented silent and talking films along with elaborate variety shows featuring popular Mexican performers. Gaetano “Tano” Lucchese carried on his father’s business and opened Teatro Alameda in 1949 to showcase Mexico’s finest entertainers and films. The Alameda continued to operate after smaller theaters shut down due to competition from television and other entertainment venues. Finally, as downtown declined, this symbol of San Antonio’s multi-cultural heritage closed in 1990. Through the efforts of Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, and other partners, the theater was renovated in the early 2000s to once again serve as a community cultural center.

Courtesy: Zintgraff Collection, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Courtesy: Zintgraff Collection, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.

Teatro Nacionál opened at the corner of Santa Rosa and West Commerce streets in 1917. This 1937 view shows the theater two years before it was remodeled and enlarged according to plans by Straus Nayfach.

Source: San Antonio Light, March 9, 1949; Courtesy: Hearst Media Corporation
Source: San Antonio Light, March 9, 1949; Courtesy: Hearst Media Corporation

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Courtesy: San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation
Courtesy: San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

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EL CONCURRIDO DISTRITO COMERCIAL al oeste de San Pedro Creek era el centro de la vida cultural, social y econ6mica de los habitantes de San Antonio de habla hispana. Si bien algunos tenfan una larga historia familiar en la ciudad, muchos otros eran refugiados de la Revoluci6n Mexicana de 1910. Fue aquf donde el zapatero italiano convertido en administrador de teatros, Sam Lucchese, inaugur6 el Teatro Zaragoza en 1912, seguido de su magnffico Teatro Nacional. Estos teatros presentaban pelfculas mudas y habladas jun to con elaborados programas de variedades con artistas mexicanos populares. Gaetano “Tano” Lucchese continu6 con el negocio de su padre y abri6 el Teatro Alameda en 1949 para exponer a los mejores artistas y pelfculas de Mexico. La Alameda continu6 funcionando despues de que los teatros mas pequefios cerraron debido a la competencia de la television y otros lugares de entretenimiento. Finalmente, cuando el Downtown de la ciudad decay6, este sfmbolo de la herencia multicultural de San Antonio cerr6 en 1990. Gracias a los esfuerzos de! Condado de Bexar, la Ciudad de San Antonio y otros socios, el teatro fue renovado a principios de la decada del 2000 para volver a servir como un centro cultural comunitario.

Courtesy: Zintgraff Collection, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Courtesy: Zintgraff Collection, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.

El Teatro Nacionál abrió en la esquina de las calles Santa Rosa y West Commerce en 1917. Esta vista de 1937 muestra el teatro dos anos antes de que fuera remodelado y ampliado segun los pianos de Straus Nayfach.

Source: San Antonio Light, March 9, 1949; Courtesy: Hearst Media Corporation
Source: San Antonio Light, March 9, 1949; Courtesy: Hearst Media Corporation

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Courtesy: San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation
Courtesy: San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

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Weekend Celebration of Phase 1
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