River Walk

River Walk untangles the story of the evolution of San Antonio's River. It is a visual tour de force as well. Of the 230 illustrations, many in color, dozens are newly uncovered historical images never before published. Five million visitors each year make San Antonio's River Walk one of the top travel destinations in Texas. Yet how the river was revived from the sluggish trickle of a century ago to become a world-renowned model for river development has remained a little-known story. This book greatly expands on San Antonio historical writer Lewis F. Fisher's earlier work, Crown Jewel of Texas, long out of print. River Walk sheds new light on nearly-forgotten conflicts and issues critical to the River Walk's evolution, and illuminates current concerns that influence ongoing development. It includes the most complete account—dramatically illustrated—of the Flood of 1921, San Antonio's greatest cataclysm, which led to flood control measures that made the River Walk possible. Architectural drawings from the 1930s by Robert Hugman reveal the careful detailing of favorite River Walk landmarks. Contemporary color photographs display new features gaining similar renown. Written in a concise and entertaining manner, and carefully documented, River Walk: The Epic Story of San Antonio's River is an authoritative work that will be welcomed on both bookshelf and coffee table.