San Antonio Historical Association

Formed in 1940, the San Antonio Historical Association holds regular meetings to hear presentations on local history.

Formed 1940.

The San Antonio Historical Association was formed in 1940 when Dr. Pat Ireland Nixon organized a meeting of San Antonio residents interested in the study of Texas history. A charter and by-laws were approved and Joseph W. Schmitz, S.M. was elected as the first president, presiding over an organization of fifty-two charter members.

The Historical Association began holding six meetings each year (eventually increased to seven), at which a speaker would address a Texas history topic. The January meeting consisted of a dinner, at which the retiring president would act as the featured speaker. Speakers appearing at regular Association meetings over its history have included such distinguished members and guests as Walter P. Webb, Carlos E. Castañeda, J. Evetts Haley, Joseph W. Schmitz, Martin L. Crimmins, Chris Emmett, C. L. Sonnichsen, H. Bailey Carroll, P. I. Nixon, C. Stanley Banks, Carl Hertzog, Hobart Huson, Maury Maverick, Guido Ransleben, Frank Wardlaw, Joe B. Frantz, Sue Flanagan, T. R. Fehrenbach, Henry Guerra, and Félix D. Almaráz, among others.

In addition to its research and study activities, the Association has frequently taken public stands on the preservation of historic sites and documents, historical markers, and other issues concerning the historical community.