SAPL : February 17 In San Antonio History...

Press release from the San Antonio Public Library:

Andrew Crews

17 February 2022

1984
The 70-year old exhibit hall at the Kendall County Fairgrounds in Boerne is destroyed by fire. The cause is later determined to be arson.

1991
The Finck Cigar Company building, built in 1882, is illegally demolished at 7:45 on a Sunday morning. A construction company crew discovered at the debris-covered site of the designated city landmark was cited for allegedly violating the city code by not having a demolition permit. Just weeks after the demolition, State Sen. Frank Tejeda filed a bill requiring responsible parties to rebuild historic buildings that are damaged or destroyed, or pay an amount equal to the estimated replacement cost to be used for preservation projects. But since the bill was not retroactive, it could not be used to make anyone pay the estimated $200,000 it would have cost to replace the Finck Building. In the end, the joint venture paid a $25,000 fine to the city for the demolition.

2021
As a result of leaks and damage to water pipes from the winter storm, the San Antonio Water System issues a precautionary boil water notice to customers. Thousands of San Antonio customers have had little to no water pressure for over 24 hours.

This press release was produced by the San Antonio Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.