Bexar County

The year is 1718. Spanish explorers, led by Martín de Alarcón, trekked through the heart of what is now Texas, their sights set on a strategic spot along the San Antonio River. They called it Presidio San Antonio de Béjar, and it was here that Bexar County’s story began. Bexar County, named after this very presidio, was once a vast expanse of land, encompassing nearly all of present-day Texas and even parts of New Mexico. Imagine the vastness, the untamed wilderness stretching as far as the eye could see. The heart of Bexar County was, and still is, San Antonio. Early on, it wasn’t the bustling city we know today. It began as a humble villa, Villa de San Fernando de Béjar, established in 1731. Imagine those first 55 Canary Islanders who braved the unknown to build a life here. Life in early Bexar County was a tapestry woven with threads of Spanish, indigenous, and later, Anglo-American cultures. The discovery of oil in 1889 marked a turning point, fueling industries and attracting new residents. Today, Bexar County is a vibrant blend of history and progress. The echoes of those early days reverberate in the preserved Spanish missions, the stories of Texan independence, and the county’s diverse population.