National Register Listing

Blue Star Street Industrial Historic District

a.k.a. Blue Star Arts Complex

1432 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX

The Blue Star Street Industrial Historic District is a collection of four commercial/industrial warehouse buildings constructed between 1917 and 1934 at the northeast comer of the old San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway Yards as a terminal freight railway facility of the San Antonio Belt and Terminal Railway Company.

The Blue Star Street Industrial Historic District consists of four commercial/industrial warehouse buildings constructed between 1917 and 1934 at the northeast comer of the old San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway Yards as a terminal freight railway facility of the San Antonio Belt and Terminal Railway Company. The warehouses were built by private businesses on land leased from the Railway Company which, in return, received rent based on land value and switching fees for use of its railroad sidings. A wide variety of tenants ranging from produce dealers to chemical companies built warehouses that continued in railway ownership until 1967. Never fully vacated, the property was purchased in 1985 by developers of the Blue Star Street Industrial Historic District- taking its name from the site's main north/south street which led to the Blue Star Grain Company property.

The complex is an early, intact example of railway construction designed for freight shipment, and satisfies Criterion A in the areas of Commerce and Transportation at the local level of significance. As an industrial area and centralized point for distribution of agricultural products and freight, the buildings also relate to the statewide historic context of Development of the Railroad in Texas. 1836-1945. The period of significance is 1917, the first date of construction, to 1943, fifty years at the time of nomination. Significant dates of 1917 and 1934 indicate the years of most active development in the complex.
Bibliography
Allhands, J.L. Railroads to the Rio. Salado: Anson Jones Press, 1960.

Allhands, J.L. Uriah Lott. San Antonio: The Naylor Company.

Burkholder, Mary V. Down the Acequia Madre. San Antonio: Privately published, 1976.

Davis, EUis A. and Edwin H, Grobe (comp, and ed.) New Encyclopedia of Texas. Dallas: Texas Development Bureau.

Hedge, John W, and Geoffrey S. Dawson. The San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway.
Local significance of the district:
Commerce; Transportation

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

commerce transportation
The Johnson Space Center, located in Houston, played a crucial role in the development of the U.S. space program. It was here that NASA trained its astronauts and mission control teams, and it continues to be an important center for space research and exploration today.
Texas random facts
Bexar County, Texas, holds a significant place in the history of the Lone Star State. Native American tribes thrived in the region for centuries before the arrival of European explorers. In 1718, the Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known as the Alamo, which became a symbol of Texas' fight for independence. The area came under Mexican control after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

During the Texas Revolution in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo took place, where a small group of Texan defenders valiantly fought against Mexican forces. Although the defenders ultimately lost, their bravery and sacrifice galvanized the Texan cause. Soon after, the Republic of Texas was established, and Bexar County was officially created in 1837, named after San Antonio de Béxar.

Bexar County played a vital role in the westward expansion of the United States. It became part of the United States when Texas joined as the 28th state in 1845. The county saw significant growth with the construction of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the influx of European immigrants. In 1968, HemisFair '68 brought international attention to the county, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and attracting visitors from around the world. Today, Bexar County is known for its vibrant tourism industry, robust military presence, renowned healthcare institutions, and prestigious educational establishments.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Bexar County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The region that would become Bexar County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan and Lipan Apache.

  • 1718: The Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known today as the Alamo, in what is now downtown San Antonio. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonization in the area.

  • 1821: Mexico gained independence from Spain, and the region came under Mexican control.

  • 1836: The Battle of the Alamo took place during the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan defenders fought against Mexican forces. Though the defenders were ultimately defeated, their resistance became a symbol of Texas independence.

  • 1837: The Republic of Texas officially established Bexar County, naming it after San Antonio de Béxar, the former Spanish name for the area.

  • 1845: Texas joined the United States as the 28th state.

  • 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Bexar County remained part of the Confederacy.

  • Late 19th-early 20th century: The county saw growth and development with the expansion of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the arrival of European immigrants.

  • 1968: HemisFair '68, a world's fair, was held in San Antonio, bringing national and international attention to the city and the county.