San Antonio, TX

As the former capital of the Spanish province of Texas, San Antonio possesses a vibrant history and culture. When Spanish explorers began expeditions to the area in the late 17^th century, it was occupied by the Yanaguana American Indians. The city was founded in 1718 by Father Antonio Olivares, who established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the “Alamo.” The mission would gain worldwide fame during the Texas Revolution as the site of a crushing defeat of the Texian Forces at the hands of the Mexican Army in March 1836. Only a month later, at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto, Texian troops under General Sam Houston yelled, “Remember the Alamo!” to boost morale and confidence, and they ultimately prevailed over the Mexicans and brought the war to a close.

Following the Mexican-American War of the mid-1840s and the American Civil War of the early 1860s, San Antonio finally found prosperity as a center of the regional cattle industry. Rail service began in February 1877 and more than 8,000 people turned out to welcome the arrival of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad. The very first train to arrive in San Antonio was called the Sunset Limited, and the name is still used today by Amtrak. San Antonio eventually became an important crossroads for numerous railroads, including the Southern Pacific (SP), Missouri Pacific, Texas & Pacific, and Missouri Kansas Texas Railway.

Many reminders of those heady railroad days remain in San Antonio, including the SP’s famous Sunset Station, considered one of the most impressive in the South. Designed in the Spanish Mission Revival style, it opened to the public in 1903 and includes broad, unadorned stucco walls, an arcade, and low-pitched clay tile roofs. It was known as the “Building of 1,000 Lights” due to the many electric lights installed during its construction. In 1972, it played a starring role in the film The Getaway with Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw.

Attracting tens of millions of tourists each year, San Antonio is the heart of Tejano culture and tourism. Every April, the city celebrates the Fiesta San Antonio, a 10-day festival honoring the city’s diverse cultures. Visitors can also experience the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, a staple of Texan cowboy culture, each February.

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In cooperation with the National Park Service, a limited edition National Parks Passport Cancellation Stamp has been created with the Amtrak 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train.  The cancellation stamp will be available for one year and only at select stops along the tour—such as this one.   Collectors will appreciate this cancellation stamp as a unique addition to their National Park Service passport. Find out more information on the National Park Service Passport Cancellation program.