Menger Hotel, San Antonio
The Menger Hotel, located at the heart of Alamo Plaza in San Antonio, stands as a storied landmark on the grounds of the Battle of the Alamo. This historic site became the stage for a remarkable transformation in 1858 when William and Mary Menger commissioned architect John M. Fries and contractor J. H. Kampmann to construct a two-story, 50-room hotel. By February 1859, the Menger Hotel opened its doors to great acclaim, becoming an overnight sensation in a city where lodging options were once limited to humble boarding houses and breweries.
William Menger鈥檚 vision for the hotel stemmed from the success of his German brewery, established in 1855 on the Alamo battlegrounds. The hotel quickly became a hub of activity and a pivotal part of the legendary Chisholm Trail during San Antonio鈥檚 cattle boom 1859. Cattle drovers flocked to the city to restock supplies, and The Menger offered not just accommodation but a meeting place for cattle barons and traders. Today, a Chisholm Trail marker in the hotel鈥檚 courtyard serves as a nod to this vibrant chapter of history.
Over the decades, the Menger Hotel has hosted a dazzling array of notable figures, including U.S. presidents from Ulysses S. Grant to Bill Clinton, military heroes like Sam Houston and Robert E. Lee, and cultural icons such as Oscar Wilde. Its legacy as a crossroads for influential personalities is matched only by its reputation for the supernatural. Dubbed 鈥淭he Most Haunted Hotel in Texas,鈥� the Menger is said to be home to 32 spirits, including Richard King, of the famous King Ranch, and Sallie White, a maid tragically murdered on the premises.
Rich in history and steeped in lore, the Menger Hotel remains a symbol of San Antonio鈥檚 past and present, blending its historic significance with modern charm. Whether drawn by its role in Texan history, its roster of illustrious guests, or its paranormal allure, visitors to the Menger find themselves immersed in a tapestry of stories that span over 160 years.
William Menger鈥檚 vision for the hotel stemmed from the success of his German brewery, established in 1855 on the Alamo battlegrounds. The hotel quickly became a hub of activity and a pivotal part of the legendary Chisholm Trail during San Antonio鈥檚 cattle boom 1859. Cattle drovers flocked to the city to restock supplies, and The Menger offered not just accommodation but a meeting place for cattle barons and traders. Today, a Chisholm Trail marker in the hotel鈥檚 courtyard serves as a nod to this vibrant chapter of history.
Over the decades, the Menger Hotel has hosted a dazzling array of notable figures, including U.S. presidents from Ulysses S. Grant to Bill Clinton, military heroes like Sam Houston and Robert E. Lee, and cultural icons such as Oscar Wilde. Its legacy as a crossroads for influential personalities is matched only by its reputation for the supernatural. Dubbed 鈥淭he Most Haunted Hotel in Texas,鈥� the Menger is said to be home to 32 spirits, including Richard King, of the famous King Ranch, and Sallie White, a maid tragically murdered on the premises.
Rich in history and steeped in lore, the Menger Hotel remains a symbol of San Antonio鈥檚 past and present, blending its historic significance with modern charm. Whether drawn by its role in Texan history, its roster of illustrious guests, or its paranormal allure, visitors to the Menger find themselves immersed in a tapestry of stories that span over 160 years.
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Menger Hotel on Map
Sight Name: Menger Hotel
Sight Location: San Antonio, USA (See walking tours in San Antonio)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Antonio, USA (See walking tours in San Antonio)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Antonio, Texas
Create Your Own Walk in San Antonio
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Antonio is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
San Antonio Introduction Walking Tour
San Antonio, one of Texas' major cities, boasts rich colonial heritage. The city was named by a 1691 Spanish expedition for Saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast day is June 13. At the time of European encounter, the area near the San Antonio River Valley was inhabited by Payaya Indians who called it Yanaguana, the "refreshing waters".
In 1709, Spanish Father Antonio de Olivares... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
In 1709, Spanish Father Antonio de Olivares... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
King William Historical District Tour
San Antonio鈥檚 first 鈥渟uburb鈥� and the very first historical district in Texas, revitalized during the 1960s, the King William District encompasses 25 blocks south of downtown and east of the San Antonio River.
Back in the late 1800s, it was the most elegant residential area in the city. Settled by German immigrants, the neighborhood was named after Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Back in the late 1800s, it was the most elegant residential area in the city. Settled by German immigrants, the neighborhood was named after Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
River Walk Tour
The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del R铆o or simply The River Walk) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of the city. A successful special-case pedestrian street, this walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting major tourist draws and attractions that add to its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles