SATEXFolder-SA09121912AlamoNatBanksetback

San Antonio

Photo crop exposure date: Unknown
Exposure date (or window) of subject photo: 1914-1915  
Subject: Photo crop of Alamo National Bank. View is SSW.  Taken from a building across Commerce showcasing the widening of Commerce Street and particularly the raising and moving of the Alamo National Bank at the SW corner of Commerce and S. Presa. It is said that the 8000-ton building was raised by 1800 screw jacks, placed on 1600 rollers and then pushed back 17 feet. That much is fact. The legend says it was all done while not disturbing bank business inside. Another part of the same legend says once it was on the rollers it was drawn over and let down onto blocks of dry ice which as they evaporated, allowed the building to settle.