There was plenty to celebrate in 2024, it seems, as many San Antonio institutions were celebrating milestone anniversaries this year.
The Report covered as many as possible in the last 12 months.
Here’s a recap of those notable business and nonprofit anniversaries we wrote about, and a few we think deserve mention before the year is out.
Did we miss any?
In a city as old and rich in heritage as San Antonio, it’s always possible we overlooked a few milestones; if so, give us a shout!
Thrif-T-Mart, 64 years
In October, the city inducted this long-running neighborhood grocery mart into the San Antonio Legacy Business Program.
Conservation Society of San Antonio, 100 years
In 1924, 13 determined women set in motion the preservation of countless structures and cultural assets in San Antonio by establishing one of the first conservation groups in the nation.
Martinez Social Club, 112 years
Where is the “best floor in Texas?” It might be right here near China Grove, where one of the oldest dance halls in Texas has been operating for well over a century.
Lucy’s Cakes, 50 years
The bakery that’s been helping San Antonio celebrate birthdays and anniversaries for five decades marked its own founding this year. “When you come in, you receive joy,” said longtime customer Amparo Leticia Navarro.
Soular Therapy, 25 years
Fragrance maker to the stars of the global hotel industry and beyond, San Antonio-based Soular Therapy marked its 25th year in business with the sweet smell of success.
Urban-15, 50 years
One July day in 1974, three musical quintets and dancers occupied an abandoned Clark Field at the University of Texas at Austin to perform an original composition by then-student George Cisneros. The rest is history.
Children’s Rehabilitation Institute Teletón USA, 10 years
The enchilada-red CRIT has offered comprehensive, family-centered care for children with neurological, muscular and skeletal disabilities for a decade.
Ruby City, 5 years
What began as a dream image in the mind of art collector and philanthropist Linda Pace became a world-class contemporary art museum space along San Pedro Creek. Designed by noted architect David Adjaye, the museum opened in 2019.
Spurs Youth Basketball League, 35 years
When at age 12 Yolanda Rodgers began hooping in a league run by the San Antonio Spurs, the organization’s founder showed up to lead a clinic — and it was none other than assistant Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich.
Sam’s Burger Joint, 25 years
Sam’s Burger Joint and Music Hall is a San Antonio institution, its iconic neon sign a beacon for entertainment in what was once a blighted part of downtown and now better known as a heralded destination called the Pearl.
Camp Founder Girls, 100 years
In 1924, when the national Camp Fire Girls organization denied her inclusion because of her color, San Antonian Mattie Wilson Landry founded her own group, Camp Founder Girls.
Earle Cobb Dance Studio, 95 years
Established by Earle and Dorothy Cobb in 1929, the dance studio in its early years was popular for its ballroom dance lessons. Today, in a new location on the far North Side, it is run by the Cobb’s energetic granddaughter, providing lessons in ballet, tap and jazz across generations.
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 10 years
“A decade ago, we opened our doors with a vision of transforming San Antonio’s cultural landscape,” CEO Mike Fresher said, detailing the economic impact of the performing arts center, a $150 million expansion to the former San Antonio Municipal Auditorium a decade ago.
Archdiocese of San Antonio, 150 years
Established by Pope Pius IX in 1874 and now led by Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, the Archdiocese of San Antonio marked its 150th year in 2024. San Fernando Cathedral, its mother church, is even older, built in 1750.
American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, 30 years
It was 30 years ago that four tribes of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation came together to found AIT-SCM and ensure that their fellow Texans were aware that Native Americans remain a vital part of the state’s population and its history.
MG Building Materials, 52 years
The family-owned building materials company was founded in San Antonio by Maurice Grothues and his four sons in 1952.
Trinity Baptist Church, 75 years
Established in 1949, the church once led by prominent pastor Buckner Fanning celebrated its 75 years of serving the community in June.
Alterman, 101 years
One of San Antonio’s oldest and largest electrical contractors got its start in 1923 and in the late 1930s was awarded the San Antonio River beautification project. Today, the company established by Nathan Alterman is employee-owned.
Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, 100 years
The 21-county service organization for youth marked its 100th birthday by opening the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Centennial Museum.
Del Rio Tortilla Factory, 50 years
The San Antonio tortilleria at 1402 Gillette Blvd. started by Paul and Esther Perez in 1974 is now led by their daughter.
Bolner’s, 70 years
The San Antonio-based supplier of spices and seasoning was founded as Bolner’s Fiesta Products by Clif Bolner in 1954.
SAY Sí, 30 years
The creative youth development program located at 1310 S. Brazos St. was launched as an umbrella program under the King William Neighborhood Association in 1994.
San Antonio Sports, 40 years
A small group of local leaders known informally as the Fried Chicken Gang launched the San Antonio Sports Foundation in 1984 to attract and support major sporting evens in the city.
VelocityTX, 40 years
The nonprofit organization previously known as the Texas Research & Technology Foundation was established in 1984 to advance San Antonio’s life science industry.
Carver Community Cultural Center, 95 years
The center dedicated to showcasing through art diverse cultures with an emphasis on African and African-American heritage turned 95 this year. In early December, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Conversation on Race convened a panel of local nonprofit leaders at the Carver to discuss the effects of historical racial bias and its continued emergence in present-day issues.
COPS/Metro, 50 years
The community advocacy organization COPS/Metro, recently celebrated its 50 years in San Antonio, counts among its accomplishments major improvements to public infrastructure and the creation of a nationally recognized workforce development program.
Correction: This story was updated to correct Bolner’s founding year.
