Before Covid really hit, my family was planning a short spring break trip to San Antonio and the San Fernando Cathedral was on the list, especially as we were wary of indoor events. Unfortunately I feel that some of its majestic structures get hidden away because of the lights that are displayed on it, making it more recognizable by those than its’ actual architecture.

La Villita is one of San Antonio’s first neighborhoods and the vision that Ford had in the restoration to “[make it ] a symbol and monument to those simple people who had made possible the great city which had grown up around it“. Again, for being called the grandfather of modern architecture, his works have such a charm to them that hide away the standard sharp ideas of modern architecture like Le Corbusier.

Because of the work O’Neil Ford did in the restoration of La Villita and the San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, he was bestowed the honor of a National Historic Landmark, the only person to have received that honor still to this day.

Sources: https://www.trinity.edu/news/oneil-ford and https://www.lavillitasanantonio.com/History

Featured Image: https://havingfuninthetexassun.com/2021/05/31/this-free-light-show-on-the-san-antonio-riverwalk-is-a-must-see-when-visiting-the-alamo-city/