Clashing Over Urban Redevelopment
1947-1958

1947
Blum Street neighborhood of adobe houses razed for Joske’s parking despite appeal of Conservation Society and other local organizations.

Mary Kenney elected Conservation Society president.

1948
Conservation Society begins annual preservation awards program.

San Pedro Park kept from becoming junior college campus after the Conservation Society’s resolution on the subject is sent to the mayor and city commissioners.

Agnes Virginia Temple elected Conservation Society president.

1949
Conservation Society purchases Bombach building at Villita and South Alamo streets.

Floy Edwards Fontaine elected Conservation Society president.

1951
Ethel Wilson Harris elected Conservation Society president.

Texas Under Six Flags theme used for Conservation Society master plan to save endangered landmarks.

German-English School placed under Conservation Society custody.

1952
French style Guilbeau House (1847) sold by city and razed, despite earlier promises to save it as museum.

Outcry fails to prevent razing of 1859 Vance House, deemed one of state’s finest buildings, for Federal Reserve branch bank.

Steves Homestead at 509 King William Street donated to Conservation Society by Edna Steves Vaughan.

1953
Conservation Society begins eight years of Arbor Day tree sales.

Conservation Society begins campaign to save Jose Antonio Navarro House complex.

Eleanor Freeborn Bennett elected Conservation Society president.

City plans underground parking garages beneath Travis Park, Main Plaza, Alamo Plaza and part of La Villita. Conservation Society backs suit filed by Maverick heirs to avoid 1,100-car Travis Park garage contract.

1954
Restored Steves Homestead opens to public as house museum.

Second night added to A Night in Old San Antonio in La Villita.

1955
Court rules against Conservation Society-backed Travis Park suit, but Good Government league sweeps to city hall victory and Travis Park garage contract is voided.

A Night in Old San Antonio attendance exceeds 10,000.

Wanda Graham Ford elected Conservation Society president.

1956
Third night added to A Night in Old San Antonio.

1957
Texas Supreme Court rules Travis Park garage contract illegal under city charter, ending threat of garages beneath city parks.

Conservation Society purchases 25 acres near Espada dam for Acequia Park.

Helen Bechtel elected Conservation Society president.

1958
Fourth night added to A Night in Old San Antonio in La Villita.

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