Alligator Garden Traditional Cache
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Thought I would bring you to an interesting old site in San Antonio. The ruins that you see here are those of a place that long time SA residents may remember as The Alligator Garden.
It was originally built in the Depression era to help the Witte museum financially.
When the Great Depression seemed an insurmountable challenge, an unemployed herpetologist appeared at the museum and won the approval of Mrs. Quillin and her board for his unlikely proposal to construct a reptile garden. On opening day, 800 visitors paid 10 cents to see rattlesnakes and alligators corralled near the banks of the San Antonio River. Surprisingly, a rattlesnake fry held in 1934 also proved popular, and the unique fundraiser continued for 16 years. While these non-traditional fundraisers sustained the museum throughout the Depression, more traditional attractions were also introduced.
In the 1950's the name was changed to the Alligator Garden. You can see the original pit where the alligators were kept, along with several holding ponds.
The area is fenced off now and it doesn't seem that the Witte museum has any plans to redevelop this spot.
When I was there, the gate was open and I was free to go inside and wander around the ruins. Quite interesting.
San Antonio Area Geocachers
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