Post Office Murals - 3 (San Antonio, Texas)

The mural in the federal building and courthouse in San Antonio is an absolute wonder. "San Antonio's Importance in Texas History" is the title of this giant fresco (meaning painted directly upon the wet plaster of the wall) circles around all four walls of the post office lobby.  Howard Cook, the artist, was paid $12,000 for his commission and was required to use scaffolding in order to paint the masterpiece.  It took two years for him to complete the work.

Each of the 16 panels with a short description follows.

Staring in one of the corners of the foyer are the first and last panels.  The first, on the right, depicts Spanish conquistadors, priests, soldiers, and native people along the San Antonio River.  The left represents agriculture as an industry in the area.

Franciscan friars instructing indigenous people in agriculture and religion; construction of the missions.

Canary Island settlers trading in San Antonio Plaza.

The light streaming through the arched windows in the late afternoon made my photo-taking somewhat difficult.

Mexico gains independence from Spain 

and the area is now under the control of the Mexican government.

Stephen F. Austin brings the first pioneers.

Left:  Death of Ben Milam.

Right:  Colonel William Travis draws a line in the dirt with his sword and asks for volunteers to stay at the Alamo and fight.

(Note:  Ben Milam's leadership helped inspire fellow Texans to retake San Antonio in 1835 at the Siege of Bexar and to ultimately win independence.

Only one man crossed Travis' line in the dirt to indicate he would not fight for Texas independence.  Also pictured are Jim Bowie, known for his famous Bowie knife, to the left of Travis and Colonel Davy Crockett to the right.

Left:  The Texans make their last stand at the Battle of the Alamo.

Right:  The capture of Santa Anna; Sam Houston being treated for a leg wound at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Sam Houston presents his sword to the cabinet members

of the first congress of the Republic of Texas,

symbolizing the change of leadership.

The Council House Fight, where 30 Penateka Comanche leaders and warriors, as well as some five women and children of the tribe, 

were killed by Texas troops in 1840, 

an event which hardened Comanche hostilities.

Texas is annexed by the United States.

Longhorns being driven to market. 

Left:  Coming of the industrial area.

Right:  Cattle ranching and vaqueros.

Cook won the national mural competition sponsored by the Treasury Department's Fine Arts Section for his artwork.  The mural was restored in 1999.