The Historic Hugman River Walk tour provides residents and visitors a look into the rich history of the River Walk. In recognition of Robert Hugman’s vision for the River Walk, In May 2011, as part of Historic Preservation Month and Tourism Week, the City of San Antonio installed bronze plaques identifying original Hugman-designed features. The bronze plaques replicate the architectural seal used on Hugman’s original drawings.
Near each plaque is an interpretive panel with a QR (quick response) code, similar to a barcode. To access the tour on a smart phone or Mobile device, users must download a QR reader application to scan the codes on the interpretive signs along the River Walk. These interpretive signs are located between the south flood gate, near South St. Mary’s and Villita Street, and an original Hugman dam on the north at 4th Street near the Tropicana Hotel.
Navigating the nearly two-mile horse-shoe bend developed according to Robert Hugman’s 1929 design drawings, the application guides users to 12 points-of-interest, marked by the bronze Hugman seal. Between the 12 stops on the tour, smaller bronze plaques mark additional architectural elements that are original to Hugman’s design.
The tour was brought to life with text provided by renowned San Antonian historian Lewis F. Fisher and historic photos provided by the Institute of Texan Cultures, San Antonio Conservation Society, and Fisher. These elements allow the user to hear the stories and history of Mr. Hugman’s enormous contribution to the development of San Antonio’s historic River Walk.
The tour won an International Downtown Association Merit Award and most recently won 2 Bronze ADDY Awards (American Advertising Federation San Antonio) in the Mobile and Podcast categories.
This tour was developed in partnership with Downtown Operations, Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Office of Historic Preservation, the Downtown Alliance and local author/historian Lewis F. Fisher.
For more information, please visit http://hugmantour.com.
