This week marked 55 years since HemisFair '68 opened in San Antonio.
While the World's Fair left enduring landmarks in SA — the Tower of the Americas, Institute of Texan Cultures and Convention Center, to name a few — many of the event's offerings were packed up when it ended on Oct. 6, 1968.
These vintage photos show what it was like when HemisFair was in full swing. The shots document attractions ranging from the iconic monorail and skyride to tech demonstrations and carnival fun on Fiesta Island.
In addition to crowds of regular visitors, celebrities of the time, including Princess Grace of Monaco, Pat Boone, President Lyndon B. Johnson, Glen Campbell and others, appeared at HemisFair.
All photos and caption courtesy of UTSA Libraries Digital Collections.
These vintage photos show what it was like at HemisFair '68 in San Antonio
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Apr 7, 2023 at 11:25 am
Scroll down to view images
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
United States Pavilion, exterior of Confluence Theater
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
Diners view a panorama of the city from the top of the Tower of the Americas Restaurant
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Fiesta Island rides and San Antonio Convention Center Arena
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Fiesta Island, rides and games area at HemisFair'68, showing Ferris Wheel at night
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Fiesta Island, rides and games area at HemisFair'68 showing ride "Flight to the Moon"
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Pat Boone (center) tours HemisFair'68
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
Aerial view looking south toward HemisFair '68
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Couple at outdoor dining table at the Cafe de Paris
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Mini-monorail passes Fiesta Island
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
Girl uses a "light pen" to draw a design that a computer instructs a Jacquard loom to replicate in a four-inch swatch of woven fabric in the IBM Durango Pavilion
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
Current models of Ford automobiles on display at Ford Motor Company Pavilion
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Mariachi group on floating stage outside Mexico Pavilion
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Audience watching mariachi group on floating stage outside Mexico Pavilion
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
U.S. Rep. Henry B. González cuts ribbon opening HemisFair'68 at one of the simultaneous gate-opening ceremonies
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
HemisFair '68 crowd shot, with monorail, Ferris Wheel, and arena in background
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
Flamenco dancers perform in Migration Courtyard at U.S. Pavilion
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / General Photograph Collection
Bird's eye view of Goliad Food Plaza and carnival from Tower of the Americas
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
Skyride at HemisFair '68
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
Lone Star Brewing Company Pavilion
UTSA Libraries Digital Collections / Zintgraff Studio Photographic Collection
Visitors use IBM 2260 video display terminals at the IBM Durango Pavilion
Chava Communications
Read our sister publications
© 2024 San Antonio Current
