♦SAN ANTONIO. One of the most colorful and interesting cities in America. Settled in 171S by the Spanish (same year as New Orleans by the French) San Antonio became a Spanish capital and a mission center. Five missions were located along the San Antonio river in 171S, 1720 and 1731, later to develop into extensive properties with fine church and other structures. Buildings and ruins remain as relics of an heroic and romantic past. Five mission establishments were built at San Antonio and reports made in 17-15 and in 17G2 give dnta respecting them. Mission San Antonio de Valero. (The Alamo). See page 23. Mission San .Jose y do Sau Miguel Aguayo. See page 23. Mission Nuestra Seiiora de la Purislma ConccpeiOn de Acuna. In 17-15 the church was half completed; in 17G2, completed. A record says the corner stone was laid May 5, 1731. Mission San Juan de Capistrano. In 17-15 the buildings were of thatch; in 17G2 a temporary apnrtmcnt 25 varas (G9.-1 ft.) long was used. Mission San Francisco de la Espada. In 1715 the stone church was in progress; in 17G2 the church was still in progress. The missions were officially abandoned in 1791. The irrigating aqueducts of San '.luan and of Espada still irrigate the old mission lands. The other mission aqueducts have given way to the growing city. By 1730-17-10 these aqueducts and canals were extensively developed. The' engineering skill carrying the waters around the hills and over valleys testifies again to the intelligence that guided all those works; this may be observed today at the San Junn and the Espada aqueducts. San Antonio is among the hills, scenic drives are in all directions: its river starts from springs within the city: the climate is dry. the sunshine constant, it is an all-year outdoor country with all outdoor sports pleasantly provided for in the parks, public places and reservations. San Antonio became the crossroads and market place of the Southwest during the turbulent Spanish, Mexican and later pioneer period of Texas, Mexico and California: it was the capital of the cattle kings of Texas and here too the United States has its greatest military reservations with all arms of the service maintaining big properties—the stable climate and the varied types of country permit all kinds of training and maneuvers all the year round. Southward are farming and citrus fruit areas; northward and westward big cattle and goat ranches and rugged hills. Good drinking water in this country. Hotels—-BLUE BONNET, 220 rms. aU with bath, new, » equipped, well located, unchanging rates $2.50 and *>•00. Singleton hotel system—CROCKETT, 150 rms., near Alamo, moderate, large sun parlor lounge, AAA headq.. free parking—GUNTER, 550 rms. all with hath, enlarged and completely modernized, center of activities. OST headq. Baker hotel system—HAMILTON, 65 rms., moderate priced, quiet street, nice hotel—JEFFERSON, 70 rms., moderate priced commercial in business center—MENGER, 300 rms., 200 with bath, a noted tourist hotel many years, spacious lobbies, patio, old southern dinners. Baker hotel system— PLAZA, 500 rms. all with bath, new, splendidly equipped modern hotel home—ROBERT E. LEE, 200 rms. all with bath, new, well liked, well equipped, $2.50 down. Percy Tyrrell hotel system—ST. ANTHONY, 450 rms., fine hotel, spacious lobbies, large veranda facing park—TRAVELERS, 150 rms., comfortable, popular commercial hotel centrally located. All well regulated, well located hotels. -Nicd^ free municipal camp in^tiver^le grove at Josephm^^i^^^our private cabin-^mtps, nearly 300 cabins and apmts. near Brackenridge Park, with ejy»y-T?on^nien(^ of the best auto camps in the Ur'^tTwell-cquipped, home-ltife^aqmits. and cabins. For pleasant auto service—Jamison’s at 3rd and^ Broadway and Lowry’s at 1227 Navarro. Jamison has filling sta., washes, greases, carries accessories and Hood tires. Lowry has filling sta., quick tire service, accessories and Kelly tires. The men are efficient and attentive. Inf—Old Spanish Trail headquarters at Gunter Hotel. S. A. Automobile League. (AAA) Crockett and St. Anthony hotels: Chamber of Commerce. Aztec Bldg. THRU THE HILLS San Antonio to El Paso—582 miles - Road Conditions This section is usually driven without hardship in two and hree days. Well graded, well maintained gravel prevails>. 80 nl. are paved, out from San Antonio and out fro"' rhe roadbed Is broad, grades and curves are U Roosevelt for 12 ml. the Llano River is forded * >n under-water concrete bridges; between the fords the old trail Is maintained. A new road Is to l»e "ith its spring water and shady groves Is enjoyed b> most people. Dry weather prevails in »cst Texas. Description of Country The Old Snanish Trail westward from San Antonio cuts lirectly thriAlie Texas IIIU Country to El Paso. The mileage Is shortened anil tlic traveler enjoys the '• hJ['" “niJ"p?tr“