- Title: Map of Alamo Heights and San Antonio Business Section with Road Map | Compliments of Bowden's Pharmacy
- Author: Southwell Map Company
- Date: c.1920
- Condition: Excellent - age related toning and original folds as issued
- Inches: 13 3/4 x 16 1/8 [Paper]
- Centimeters: 34.92 x 40.95 [Paper]
- Product ID: 308545
This folding brochure was produced for the neighborhood of Alamo Heights, officially incorporated in 1922. The map is oriented north toward the upper left, clearly marked by a compass rose, and features a grid system with labeled streets, avenues, boulevards, and distinct neighborhood sections such as Sunset Ridge and Terrell Hills. Notable landmarks and boundaries are depicted, including a prominent park area marked on the western edge. The map highlights a red-marked route leading "To Bowden's Pharmacy," located at 5202 Broadway, with the tagline "The Route of Service" emphasizing its commercial purpose. The clarity and precision of the streets, along with the vintage cartographic style, provide both a functional guide for navigation and a historical record of Alamo Heights’ urban development.
Verso
The central panel prominently features the title “Map of Alamo Heights and San Antonio Business Section with Road Map,” noting that it is a complimentary piece from Bowden’s Pharmacy at 5901 Broadway. Flanking this title are two main components: a comprehensive street index listing the names of local streets alphabetically, along with their corresponding grid locations, and two inset maps.
The upper right corner presents a “San Antonio Street and Road Map,” which outlines key routes in and out of the city and marks points of interest, functioning as a navigational aid for travelers. Below this is a “Map of San Antonio—Business Section,” offering a more detailed street grid of the downtown or commercial hub, with clearly marked roads and intersections.
Background on Creator
The Southwell Map Company was established in San Antonio, Texas, in 1866 and became well-known for producing detailed maps of San Antonio and its surrounding areas. Over the decades, the company published a range of city, business, and road maps, including many of the “Quick Finder” and “New Map” series popular in the early and mid-20th century. The company was led by multiple generations of the Southwell family, notably Charles R. Southwell in the first half of the 20th century. Southwell Map Company maps are notable for their clear cartographic style, navigational details, and business advertising, making them valuable records of San Antonio’s urban development. The Southwell Company still exists today, primarily as a manufacturer of Texas Historical Commission markers and cast bronze products, having been awarded its own historical marker after over 150 years in operation.