About

Once a thoroughfare linking downtown to north San Antonio, the 2300-3100 blocks of North St. Mary’s (formally known as Jones Ave. and Rock Quarry Road) were lined with grocers, dry cleaners, pharmacies, mechanics, and the like to serve passers-by and neighboring Tobin Hill and Belmont Place (the River Road neighborhood).  The controversial construction of the North Expressway severed this artery and businesses folded.  

During this time, investors such as Hap Veltman (primarily known for San Antonio Country and the Bonham Exchange) and Bernard Lifshutz began buying up real estate on these blocks with the later intention of turning it into an entertainment district.  In 1983 several restaurants opened up that would officially change the make-up of the street.  Some of these were the St. Mary’s Bar and Grill, Nona’s, Tycoon Flats, Pearl's Oyster Co.

By 1985, the St. Mary’s Strip was in full motion as a destination for Roots music and nightlife.  But it's never been without its problems. The strip’s relationship with its residential neighbors has always been complicated as the two have struggled to find balance to coexist.

The St. Mary’s Strip History Project aims to tell this collective community story - of the residents, musicians and artists, business owners and staff, and patrons of the entertainment district.  Through use of oral history interviewing, storytelling, and digital exhibit creation with images, audiovisual media, and ephemera, the project seeks to document  the St. Mary’s strip’s complex history and how it has shaped and been shaped by the city of San Antonio. While primarily focusing on the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, the project will also explore the street’s earlier history and aims to act as a resource for the future.

Interested?  We could use your help!  We are interested in speaking to anyone and everyone about their experience with  and memorabilia from the St. Mary's Strip. Visit it our Gathering History page to learn more.

Why are you doing this project?

I was born and raised in San Antonio, with much of my upbringing being in Tobin Hill.  My grandparents lived on Mistletoe, and until I was seven, I lived in Tobin Hill and River Road area.  I moved back to Tobin Hill in my early 20s and lived there until I moved away from San Antonio in 2008.  When I returned to San Antonio in 2020, there were noticeable differences to the neighborhood.  The strip was going through major construction and most of the clubs I would frequent were closed or under new ownership.  Most notably, I was priced out of the area.  Then Covid happened.  I have a background in oral history and archives and I wanted to somehow begin to pull together a larger understanding of the neighborhood and the entertainment district.

What is Oral History?

Oral History is a field of study and method for gathering, preserving and interpreting the past. understanding experiences of the past.  Through recorded interview, oral histories focus not solely on events, but the meaning and reflection of people who experienced them.

What is a History Harvest? 

History harvests are community-based events in which members bring their paper and/or digital material with the intent of sharing and contributing to a community history project.  Material is scanned or copied and the owner's keep the original material.  Sometimes owner want to contribute the original material.

What are you going to show on the website?

The website will consist of digital exhibits, and eventually, oral history content.

Where are the items I share going to live?

If you share items through digital copies, they will be stored with me for the purpose of sharing on this website and social media.  If you donate physical material related to the music scene, they will be archived with TexPop.  Oral histories conducted will be archived with narrator approval at Trinity University.

Is there a date for completion?

There is not a date for completion.  But, this is my passion project. I work full-time, have a family, and sing in a band.  We're all busy and "history" is a slow process. 

This seems centered on the music and nightlife, what about the neighborhood?

This project is also an iterative process.  I know I have to earn long-time residents' trust before I can be seen as someone who wants to understand their perspective.  Music and nightlife is a gateway in beginning to explore the complexities of this topic.  Both perspectives are important.