20 Abandoned Places in San Antonio, TX 2024
Texas in the United States is a gem to paranormal activists, as this state is full of nearby ghost towns and battlefields. Many long-abandoned places in San Antonio have given this city the title of the scariest city in Texas.
San Antonio is rich in history. This town has seen many battles, like the Battle of the Alamo and Salado. With war comes a march of death, and the souls of the long-dead soldiers still roam in many corners of this city.
Like Abandoned Places in NJ, the city has many abandoned buildings. Whether the flour mills or the best mercury mine, time has taken a toll on all of them. Some sites are being renovated, and some places still stand in ruins.
List of Top 20 Cool Abandoned Places in San Antonio
1. Devil’s Den San Antonio
The Devil’s Den is a trail for early-stage mountain bikers. Many people have an eerie feeling of being watched and someone is walking in the woods.
The Story Behind
In 1907, two high school kids were murdered, and it was said to be ritualistic. Some say the boys were sacrificed in some satanic cult.
You can find many abandoned demolished structures in this area, and no one knows what it was. Before the city cleaned up Devil’s Den and turned it into a trail, it was a dumping zone for illegal items, especially drugs.
How to reach
Devil’s Den is just 14 miles from the San Antonio bus stop and can be reached by car via I-10 W and I-410 W. It will take 18 minutes. Cycling there via W Woodlawn Avenue will take a little over one hour.
Location: Ingram Road, Northwestern, Leon Valley, Texas 78238, United States.
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2. The Pro Plus Flour Mills San Antonio
The Pro Plus Flour Mill of San Antonio has been abandoned for many years, and this Mill was used to produce Pioneer Flour. As a deserted place, this place has grown in popularity among youngsters.
The Story Behind
Pro Plus Flour Mill, or Liberty Mill, started its business in 1916 and was owned by C.H. Guenther & Sons. The current owner plans to turn this Flour Mill into a residential place. However, the city board has opposed considering the Pro Plus Flour Mill as a landmark of San Antonio.
As this is private property, entering this place will need prior permission.
How To Reach
This Flour Mill is at 902 Morales in San Antonio, Texas. Nearly 1.7 miles away from the San Antonio Bus stop. Drive via E-Commerce Street for 8 minutes to get to the place.
Location: 129 E Guenther St, San Antonio, TX 78204, United States
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3. Saint John Seminary San Antonio
St. John Seminary was a catholic school in San Antonio nearly 100 years ago. This place has been left abandoned for many years now.
The Story Behind
St. John Seminary has around six different buildings. Some of them are missing windows, even walls. This place also had a church.
Recently, Mission DG has restored this place into a class-A apartment community with around 230 units.
How To Reach
St. John Seminary is only 2.7 miles from San Antonio. Drive via S St Mary’s St and Roosevelt Ave for 8 minutes or cycle via Mission Road. Cycling will take around 17 minutes.
You need permission to enter this place as it is being redeveloped.
Location: San Antonio, Texas 78210, United States
4. Hot Wells Hotel Ruins
Hot Wells Hotel was the most luxurious place for celebrities back in the day. It was believed that sulfur-infused water could heal any wound. San Antonio has the same running underneath, which was the primary source of the Hot Wells Hotel and Spa.
In 2019, the authority refurbished this place into a public park named Hot Wells of Bexar County. Entry is free.
The Story Behind
Hot Wells Hotel is now in ruins despite being cramped with influential people like politicians and celebrities. Due to some unknown reason, this place kept catching fire. It’s been burned at least four times, and the damage was beyond repair.
This place is rumored to be haunted by past guests who couldn’t relinquish the luxury. You can hear stories of a woman looking through a window at night. Many people have caught feelings of someone roaming on the grounds.
How To Reach
The ruins of Hot Wells Hotel and Spa are located 5.6 miles from San Antonio. Drive through I-37 S for 9 minutes or take the bus of route no. 242 to reach the place.
Location: S Presa Street, San Antonio, Texas 78214, United States
5. San Antonio’s Infamous Ghost Tracks
The haunted railway tracks lie south of San Antonio, the cross-section of Villamain and Shane, near San Juan Mission. The stories of this place are infamous and known by every person living in San Antonio.
The Story Behind
The story goes far back and has turned into folklore. It said a bus full of students got stuck on the railway tracks. The driver ( or a nun, says some sources) failed to pull them out and got hit by a train, killing everyone on that bus. Anyone who parks a car on the railway tracks gets pushed down to safety. Unknown tiny handprints can be seen on the back of the vehicle.
Some say they have seen a little girl’s silhouette with a teddy bear and even captured some pictures.
These stories have attracted many people to this spot. Now, Union Pacific is installing two miles of a sidetrack to ease train passing.
How To Reach
San Antonio’s infamous Ghost Tracks are nearly 11 miles from San Antonio Bus Stop. Driving for 15 minutes via I-37 S or cycling via Acequia Trail for 49 minutes will take you there.
Location: 2902 Shane Road, San Antonio, Texas 78223, USA
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6. Bexar Juvenile Detention Center San Antonio
Bexar County Juvenile Home started its journey in 1915 as a home for older people named Poor Farm. Later, it changed into a juvenile home for boys. This place is long abandoned and has become a hub of paranormal activities.
The Story Behind
Bexar County Juvenile Home made the news for its brutality in its days. One boy committed suicide, and another boy was killed by his inmate.
Many visit this place for an adrenaline rush and have reported several abnormal encounters. Some have heard distant screaming and unexplained footsteps.
How To Reach
Bexar County Juvenile Home is 3 miles from San Antonio. Driving via S St. Mary’s Street will take 8 minutes, and availing of a bus will take nearly 2 minutes. Cycling via Mission Road will take more or less 16 minutes.
Location: 600 Mission Road, San Antonio, Texas 78210, United States
7. Mariscal Mine
Mariscal Mine was one of the largest of the nine mercury mines constructed in the West; it closed in 1923 and is now in ruins. Mariscal Mine is in Big Bend National Park, open to visitors.
The Story Behind
The Mine was excavated for Cinnabar, the ore of Mercury. This mining severely affected the workers’ health, poisoning and respiratory diseases.
This place was abandoned due to out-of-date machinery and a significant drop in the Mercury market. The ruins now stand as a reminder of Quicksilver King of Texas. This place has caution signs warning people of Mercury radiation.
How To Reach
Driving via I-10 W will take nearly 10 hours to get to the Big Bend National Park.
Location: Big Bend National Park, Texas 79834, United States
8. Hotel Menger
The Menger Hotel is situated on The infamous Alamo Battlefield. Many stories go about this battlefield being haunted by dead soldiers.
The Story Behind
Menger Hotel was built by a German immigrant, William Menger, and the man breathed his last in this hotel in 1871. In 1924, Mengar was caught in a devastating fire.
This hotel is rumored to be haunted by more than thirty ghosts. Incidents like beds levitating off, strange noises, and pale faces on mirrors keep happening.
How To Reach
Hotel Menger is 11 minutes walking distance from the San Antonio bus stop. Driving via W Market Street will take 2 minutes to reach the hotel, and Cycling there will take nearly 5 minutes.
Location: 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States
9. The Esquire Tavern
The Esquire Tavern started its business in 1933. It’s named among the oldest bars in San Antonio. This bar is a go-to place for local people on Halloween because of its spooky words on the street.
The Story Behind
So the story goes that the bar authority was involved in many illegal activities in the past. Many have reported seeing a ghostly woman in the basement.
How To Reach
The Esquire Tavern is 3 minutes from the San Antonio bus stop. Driving via W Market Street and E-Commerce Street will take just 2 minutes.
Location: 155 E-Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States
10. The Hanging Tree of Military Plaza
The Military Plaza of San Antonio has seen its fair share of blood in the past. It was functional since the 18th century.
The Story Behind
The military plaza has a great Oak tree in the heart of the place. Many criminals were hanged from this tree back in the day. After so much death, this tree has been nicknamed the Tree of Sorrows. Many rebels from The Mexican Rebellion were also hanged in this plaza.
How To Reach
The plaza is just 2 minutes walking distance from San Antonio Bus Stop.
11. The Aztec Theater
The Aztec Theater was the most well-known theater in San Antonio. Many workers have talked about unnatural disturbances while projecting a film.
The Story Behind
The Aztec Theater was built in 1926. Since then, this place has seen several events. Economical up-downs, two bombings, and the stabbing of an audience. The theater has been redeveloped from time to time.
Past workers reportedly haunt this place. Projection workers have complained about many paranormal phenomena. Many people hear Distorted voices, unexplained issues with lighting, footsteps, and even sighting a man standing beside the green room.
How To Reach
Aztec Theater is less than a mile away from San Antonio Bus Stop. Drive there via W Market Street and Navarro Street or walk via E-Commerce Street for 4 minutes.
Location: 104 N St Mary’s Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States
12. Majestic Theater
The Majestic Theater came into show business in 1929 and soon became the second-largest theater in the U.S.A. This theater was the first to offer an air-conditioned hall, and it’s still maintaining its reputation.
The Story Behind
The Majestic Theater has quite a reputation for paranormal activities. The story revolves around a magician with a stage name, “The Zoroastro,” who still haunts the stage.
There is a tale of a woman sitting in the same seat. You can hear rumors about a ballet troupe who died by falling off the overhead lights.
How To Reach
Walking to The Majestic Theater from the San Antonio bus stop via E Houston Street will take about 7 minutes. The distance is less than a half-mile, and driving there will take 2 minutes via W Market Street and Navarro Street.
Location: 224 E Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States
13. Old Lone Star Brewery
Lone Star Brewery is a much-known abandoned place in San Antonio. Many people go there to explore the brewery and fly their drones.
The Story Behind
Lone Star Brewery started its business in 1933. Since then, the brewery has changed hands and been renovated many times. Finally, it closed down in 1996.
Last year, it was combusted in a massive fire, and now only the central structure remains standing.
How To Reach
Old Lone Star Brewery is just over a mile from the San Antonio bus stop. Drive via Navarro Street and N St Mary’s Street for 8 minutes, or take a bus.
14. Victoria’s Black Swan Inn San Antonio
Victoria’s Black Swan Inn is named one of the top haunted places in San Antonio, TX. Many paranormal activists do ghost hunts and campouts at this place.
The Story Behind
In 1867, the Inn was built. Victoria’s Black Swan Inn witnessed a war between the Texans and Mexicans in 1842. The souls of dead soldiers still haunt the Inn.
The story goes that the owner hanged himself after the premature death of his beloved wife. Many have seen the woman roam in a white gown.
Black Swan Inn is open to the public for celebrations on Halloween. Many people go there to experience paranormal activities.
How To Reach
Victoria’s Inn is nearly 10 miles from the San Antonio bus stop. A drive via I-35 N for 15 minutes will take you there.
Location: 1006 Holbrook Road Ste A, San Antonio, Texas 78218, United States
15. San Antonio State Hospital
San Antonio State Hospital is an insane asylum that is still functioning. It was infamous for its violence and cruelty back in the 19th century. Many patients died there and still hadn’t left.
The Story Behind
This place has mistreated many patients who later died and couldn’t cross over. Some of them starved to death.
Many people have allegedly felt being watched, heard screams, and seen silhouettes of men and women. Stories of doors operating independently and unexplained footsteps have been going around for a long.
This place is not open to tourists; one can only admire its architecture from a distance.
How To Reach
San Antonio State Hospital is slightly over 6 miles from San Antonio Bus Stop. Take a drive there via I-37 S; it will take 10 minutes. You can also take bus services there.
Location: 6711 S New Braunfels Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78223, United States
16. Chapel of the Alamo Mission
The Alamo is said to be the scariest place in San Antonio. This place has a church, a museum, 300 Alamo Plaza, and an Alamo exhibit, which still holds the proof of the War of San Antonio. Along with reserved tours, this place is also known for ghostly activities.
The Story Behind
The Alamo remains bright in history with the battle cry “Remember the Alamo. ” The war, which took a significant role in the independence of Texas, also witnessed many deaths. Many of the corpses were buried, and some of them were thrown into the river.
The story of sighting pale-faced soldiers circling from the time of the war. Some say, still, at night, The Alamo comes alive.
How To Reach
The Alamo is a 4-minute drive from San Antonio Bus Stop via W Market Street. Bus service is available too, and Cycling takes 6 minutes, whereas walking to The Alamo takes about 15 minutes.
Location: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States
17. The Alamo Street Theater
The Alamo Theater was built by refurbishing the Alamo Methodist Church in 1976. Now it is known as the Frank Restaurant. Even after being redeveloped, this place is still rumored to be haunted.
The Story Behind
There are many ghost stories attached to this place. Margaret Gething died in this very place and still roams around. People say they can smell rosewater when she is nearby.
The ghosts of the Alamo Theater are reported to be friendly and harmless. Unexplained events like sudden temperature drops, flying utensils, and hushing voices have been experienced.
How To Reach
The Alamo Theater, a.k.a. Frank Restaurant, is a little over a mile from the San Antonio bus stop. A drive via S St Mary’s Street and S Alamo Street for 4 minutes or a bus of route no 51 will get you there.
Location: 1150 S Alamo Street, San Antonio, Texas 78210, United States
18. Emily Morgan Hotel
Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio is named for historic hotels that are reportedly haunted. This place was ghostly, from many mysterious sounds from different floors to an eerie feeling of someone in the room.
The Story Behind
Stories are told that a lady named Emily jumped to her death from this building. You can feel her existence in some of the rooms.
The hotel was a medical and psychiatric center in 1836, and many patients died during the War of San Antonio. It is said that the ghosts of nurses and patients still roam there. Incidents like seeing a shadowy figure, a singing voice, the smell of alcohol, and the sound of weeping from the floors made this place an attraction to paranormal activists.
Emily Morgan Hotel is open for booking if anyone seeks a paranormal experience. The best chances will be on the 3rd, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 12th floors.
How To Reach
Emily Morgan Hotel is less than a mile from the San Antonio Bus stop. A drive of 4 minutes via W Market Street and E Houston Street is needed to reach the place.
Location: 705 E Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States
19. The Crockett Hotel
The Crockett Hotel was established on the Alamo Battlefield. This place turned its 13th floor into a haunted house offering a tour.
The Story Behind
Built-in 1909, Crockett Hotel is rumored to be haunted by dead soldiers from the War of 1836. Many unexplained events, like the front door operating and spotting a woman in a bloody dress, gave this place its title. The woman was murdered by her husband in this same hotel.
The most active part of this place is the lobby and the bar, where soldiers can be seen in uniforms from The Alamo.
How To Reach
The Crockett Hotel is just 1 mile away from San Antonio Bus Stop. Drive via W Market Street for 5 minutes to get to the hotel. By cycle, it will take 7 minutes.
Location: 320 Bonham, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States
20. The Alamodome Stadium
The Alamodome is an indoor stadium located in downtown San Antonio. It is rumored to be haunted by many sights of mysterious activity.
The Story Behind
It’s said that a woman killed during the Alamo battle still haunts the place.
Another story of a construction worker who died falling off the building is heard. Many unexplained events have made the news, but the authorities remain silent.
How To Reach
The Alamodome is located nearly 1.5 miles from San Antonio Bus Stop. Drive for 4 minutes via W Market Street or walk for 23 minutes. On the cycle, it takes about 7 minutes.
Location: 100 Montana Street, San Antonio, Texas 78203, United States
Is it okay to go to abandoned places?
Abandoned places can still be private property even when not in use. So, asking for permission before entering is recommended. Be careful whether you are trespassing or not.
Also, be very careful about the construction status before entering it. Long abandoned buildings always have a risk of collapse.
What do you need to explore abandoned places?
First of all, you will need permission to enter any private property.
1. Do thorough research about the place.
2. Bring flashlights, water, and medical kits.
3. Keep an eye out for loose or falling stones.
4. Go in a group. Don’t wander alone.
5. Keep your mobile close.
Is exploring abandoned buildings illegal?
If the abandoned building is private property, entering without permission is illegal. You can be charged with penalties if caught.
Find Abandoned Places Near San Antonio, Texas
Use the following Google Maps to find these cool old abandoned places. Some places are haunted, scary, and creepy too.
Conclusion
Considering the number of haunted places, San Antonio can be called the scariest town in Texas. You will find many more besides these 20 abandoned places in San Antonio near me. Believers say the residents have made peace with the long-lost souls. According to the non-believers, these stories are just a marketing strategy to attract tourists. Debates will go on, but the places are worth a visit.
