The German Influence on San Antonio
by Avery Reed Moore
MacArthur High School, 12th Grade
The German contribution to San Antonio is apparent. This is displayed in our architecture, our city’s legislature, and even our local businesses. Many of San Antonio’s most integral citizens were either German immigrants or direct descendants of German settlers.Julius Berend was born April 30, 1817 and was to become a major player in the cultural and intellectual aspects of the German San Antonio. Mr. Berend opened the first bookstore in San Antonio, “The Old Curiosity Shop” in 1854. He also contributed to the “Casino Club”, which was to be the focal point of German society in San Antonio.When you think of our city, the unique architecture comes to mind. Buildings like the Menger Hotel, the Lone Star Brewery, and the King William area, that was often referred to as “Sauerkraut Bend” due to its predominantly German population and the area’s beautiful German architecture. All of the areas mentioned were either built or modified by the same German immigrant, John Charles Dielmann. Mr. Dielmann also built religious structures and department stores in town, such as the Temple Beth-El and almost all of the Joske’s Department Stores.What is a city without structure? Charles Louis Wurzbach, for whom the Wurzbach Parkway was named, assembled and codified the laws of San Antonio as the city’s attorney from 1872-1855.Another German institution in San Antonio is our food. Many German eateries still exist in San Antonio, but none quite as original as “Schilo’s German Delicatessen”. Fritz Schilo came to Texas in the mid-1800s, as did many Germans at that time. Mr. Schilo and his family moved to Beeville, where he opened “Schilo’s Saloon” in the early 20th century. In 1914 Fritz moved “Schilo’s” and the family to San Antonio where he re-opened the saloon on Commerce Street. Unfortunately for them, yet fortunately for us, prohibition was enacted in 1917 and forced the saloon to close its doors. That year “Papa Fritz”, as he was often called, opened “Schilo’s German Delicatessen”. That same year they moved next door to “Schilo’s” present day location on E. Commerce Street. As most resilient Germans did Mr. Schilo survived the depression, with hard work and good food, as did the deli. During this period “Schilo’s” famous hot lunches and “Mama Schilo’s” split pea soup became a San Antonio staple. The deli’s menu has become legendary, including such menu items as their amazing barrel root beer, delicious bakery fresh breads, and my personal favorite: the egg salad sandwich on rye with a deviled egg and peach cobbler for dessert.Fritz Schilo’s son, Edgar Schilo took over the deli when his father passed away in 1935. “Mama Schilo” and Edgar then moved the deli to the current location in 1942 adjacent to the now bustling “River Walk”. After the move, ownership and operation was handed over to the third generation of Schilos.Today “Schilo’s” deli is no longer owned by the family, but by another well-routed German family. The charm of “Schilo’s” is here to stay, because the deli still retains the spirit of the industrious German settlers who chose San Antonio as their home.Copyright San Antonio Founders Day Alliance 2006
www.SanAntonioFoundersDay.org
