Special Collections adds Patsy Pittman Light’s architectural slides to the General Photograph Collection

Patsy Light recently donated her photographs of San Antonio structures.  The images, dating mostly from 1997, document the built environment of the city from Spanish Colonial to modern times.   Patsy served as an instructor and tour guide for an Elderhostel program sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin.  For several months each year, intellectually curious seniors from around the country visited San Antonio for a week of sightseeing and lectures.  Patsy used the slides for presentations on San Antonio’s architecture before taking the groups on bus tours.  

These are a few of the more than 900 slides in the series.

Gargoyle on the 1926 Gothic-revival Emily Morgan Hotel
(formerly Medical Arts Building).  Photo 122-0080-08

Medallion, by Tiffany & Co., on an elevator door in the Tower Life Building
(formerly Smith-Young Tower).  Photo 122-0113-16

Terra-cotta ornament and a brass wall sconce on the 1929
Nix Professional Building.  Photo 122-0081

Sandra Cisneros House, King William Historic District, shortly after it was painted the
vivid periwinkle purple that drew national attention following a ruling that it was not
appropriate for the neighborhood.  Photo 122-0066-05

Mural of a 1955 Oldsmobile, by Andrew Perez, on a wall of the Gunn Building on Broadway. 
Photo 122-0088-01

Liberty Bar in the Boehler Building on East Josephine Street.  Photo 122-0165-05

Late 18th century Zambrano-Rosengren House, River Road Neighborhood.  Photo 122-0168-01

Westside house with a capilla (yard shrine) next to the porch.  Photo 122-0188-01

Craftsman bungalow, Highland Park.  Photo 122-0134

1996 Linda Pace House, Terrell Hills. Photo 122-0145