Why go
The lanes preserve traces of one of San Antonio's early neighborhoods. Look beyond the shops to compare modest adobe-era forms with later houses shaped by European immigrants. The Arneson River Theatre connects the district to the river, making La Villita a natural link between downtown history and a River Walk stroll.
What to look for
- Small historic buildings that show different periods and scales of neighborhood life.
- The connection from La Villita's lanes to the River Walk and Arneson River Theatre.
- Arts spaces within the preserved district, whose occupants may change.
The full story
La Villita began as one of San Antonio's early settlements on the south bank of the river. The area held simple brush dwellings associated with soldiers at Mission San Antonio de Valero, now known as the Alamo. After an 1819 flood damaged much of the neighborhood, residents built more substantial adobe homes. Later in the 19th century, immigrants from Germany, France and Italy joined the neighborhood. Their different means and building traditions help explain the varied scale of the surviving houses. By the early 20th century, the area had declined. As work on the River Walk began, the city launched a preservation effort in 1939, with arts and crafts training tied to the restoration. That history is the reason to look at the buildings as well as the galleries: La Villita is a preserved piece of the city that grew beside the river.
Useful to know
- Walk through La Villita while moving between the Alamo area and the River Walk.
- Allow extra time only if a current gallery program or event interests you.