The San Antonio River Walk is perhaps one of the most well-known downtown strolls in the nation. With millions of visitors enjoying the stretch of the San Antonio River winding its way through the city today, it’s not surprising that civic leaders have embarked on a long term project to add miles of refurbished riverfront on either end of the traditional River Walk.

After a devastating flood in 1921, plans called for the rerouting of the bend of the San Antonio River that flows through downtown. Architect Robert Hugman argued that rather than filling in the bypassed bend, through creative use of dams it could be engineered and developed as a commercial amenity for the city.

The first major renovation took place in the 1930’s, courtesy of financing from a city bond issue and funds from a Work Projects Administration grant. The water depth was adjusted to allow small boat navigation and a network of walkways and small stone bridges were added that still characterize the unique aesthetic of the River Walk, also known as Paseo del Rio.