The Military - Military
From its earliest days as an isolated outpost of Spain, San Antonio has enjoyed a long and distinguished history as a military base. Small garrisons of Spanish troops were dispatched to Bexar to guard the first colonists and the early missions. In 1721 the Marques de San Miguel de Aguayo, governor of the “New Philippines,” commanded the construction of a permanent barracks of adobe, a fort, and the Plaza de Armas, a parade ground that later became Military Plaza.
These early Spanish regiments never attained sufficient size to end the raids by the Apache and Comanche. In 1730 Apache attacked the garrison, killing 15 soldiers. A desultory war of raid and counterattack continued for the next 150 years before San Antonio’s survival was assured.
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: The Military
Address: 1212 Stanley Rd.
2. Brooks City–Base
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: The Military
Telephone: (210) 536-1110
Address: 8081 Inner Circle Rd.
Description: Brooks offerings include Hangar 9, a World War I wooden hangar that is now a National Historic Landmark. It holds exhibits on the history of Brooks, manned flight, and aerospace medicine. The museum includes a gift shop. There is no admission charge. The museum operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the annex and gift shop stay open until 5 p.m.
3. Lackland Air Force Base
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: The Military
Telephone: (210) 671-3055
Address: 1701 Kenly Ave.
Description: Lackland is the home of the US Air Force History and Traditions Museum at 2051 George Ave., Building 5206. The museum is dedicated to the history of military aviation, with 30 aircraft on display covering the period from World War I to the present. There is also a museum gift shop. Admission is free, but groups of more than 15 require an appointment.
4. Randolph Air Force Base
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: The Military
Telephone: (210) 652-4407
Address: 1 Washington Circle, Suite 4
Description: Tours of the “Showplace of the Air Force” must be scheduled at least 3 weeks ahead of time by writing or calling the above address. Tours normally last approximately 2 hours.