maryejacobson

Google Street View (2011)   On the corner is the Old Alamo National Bank Building/Commerce Building, designed by architects Atlee B. Ayres and James Wahrenberger.

"The Alamo National Bank, chartered in 1891, built this elaborate Renaissance Revival style building on the south side of Commerce Street. "In an impressive engineering feat, construction workers raised the building onto rollers and moved it south twenty feet when Commerce Street was widened in 1913-1915. The upper three stories were added in 1916 after the move." No longer a bank, the property is now "The Vault", which serves as Boudro's specialty bar for large parties. You can go inside the actual vault, but it is too small for a table. [1] [2]

From what I've read, these buildings along East Commerce Street were designed and built in the 1880's. The Pancoast Building is still there. Designed by architect Alfred Giles for "A. Pancoast and Sons, Clothing Merchants and Tailors", the building is now condominiums. This building, along with others on the south side of Commerce Street, lost fifteen feet of its facade when the street was widened. The present facade was reconstructed, reusing the iron columns, and a plain third floor replaced the ornate cornice. [3]  

Well done!

From the National Park Service website:

'During the 18th century, the Spanish established a chain of missions along the San Antonio River. These missions became the foundation for the city of San Antonio. ... The goal of the missions was to spread the Catholic faith among the native inhabitants and to serve as a buffer against expansion by foreign invaders. The missions were primarily religious centers where the Coahuiltecan Indian population was instructed in the Catholic religion and taught European beliefs.

"Mission San Francisco de la Espada is the southern-most of the San Antonio missions. The mission was established in 1731 and was used by James Bowie, William Travis and the Texas army as a stronghold against the Mexicans during Texas' struggle for independence. Ruins of the mission walls, a granary, a convento (missionary quarters) and a fortified tower also remain. The mission's kilns are the only known lime kilns in Texas that survive from the Spanish Colonial period. The mission has been rebuilt throughout its history and is currently being restored by the Archdiocese of San Antonio."

 
Mission San Francisco de la Espada – Then and Now (100+ years later)

"Fourth Mission (1892) by Mary Jacobson      "Mission Espada (2011)" by Ellen Yeates