LA VILLITA

An ancient neighborhood, or barrio, La Villita was probably a village that sprang up as part of the original Alamo mission and dates back at least to 1793. It was the site of Santa Anna's cannon battery, which was aimed at the Alamo fort. Legend says that La Villita became the neighborhood for the families of Spanish soldiers who married Indian women and were not accepted by the hidalgos of San Antonio proper. After the 2nd World War, the neighborhood was saved from becoming a slum by the efforts of mayor Maury Maverick, whose family gave popular culture the term "maverick." La Villita was preserved as a historical and arts quarter. It is the site of the granddaddy of all Fiesta San Antonio events, A Night In Old San Antonio ("NIOSA" as the locals call it), a week-long party during the annual spring celebration.