Nestled within the vibrant city of San Antonio, Texas, the Japanese Tea Garden offers a serene escape and a rich tapestry of history. Located near North Saint Mary’s Street, this enchanting garden is a testament to community collaboration and the transformative power of vision. Its story begins in the late 19th century, intertwined with the development of Brackenridge Park and the industrious past of San Antonio itself.
The land where the Japanese Tea Garden now flourishes was originally part of a significant donation made in 1899 by George W. Brackenridge, president of the San Antonio Water Works Company. He gifted 199 acres to the City of San Antonio, forming the core of what is now the expansive Brackenridge Park. Officially opened in 1901, the park initially existed alongside an active rock quarry on city-owned land to its west. This quarry, leased to stone cutters since the mid-1800s, became a key resource for the Alamo Portland and Roman Cement Company (later Alamo Cement Company) starting in 1880. However, by 1908, the cement company relocated for expansion, leaving behind a significant landscape alteration within the park’s vicinity.
Adjacent to the abandoned quarry, towards the San Antonio River, lay an 11-acre plot owned by Emma Koehler, widow of Pearl Brewery owner Otto Koehler. In 1915, Mrs. Koehler generously donated this land to the city for public use. The presence of the former quarry presented an intriguing challenge to Ray Lambert, the City Parks Commissioner. Instead of seeing an obstacle, Lambert envisioned an opportunity.
Alt text: Serene stone arch bridge reflecting in the koi pond at the Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio, Texas.
Lambert’s innovative idea was to transform the rugged quarry into a beautiful lily pond, which ultimately evolved into the Japanese Tea Garden. Despite limited funds but armed with plans from his park engineer, Lambert embarked on this ambitious project. From July 1917 to May 1918, he utilized prison labor to reshape the quarry into an intricate garden. This transformation included the creation of winding walkways, elegant stone arch bridges, a picturesque island, and a traditional Japanese pagoda. Initially known as the lily pond, the area was quickly beautified through donations of bulbs from local residents. The city nursery contributed exotic plants, and the City Public Service Company provided the lighting system. Even the pagoda’s roof was ingeniously crafted from palm leaves sourced from city parks. Remarkably, Lambert completed this project with a mere $7,000 budget. By 1919, “The American City” magazine lauded San Antonio’s achievement, highlighting the “unique” municipal lily pond and Japanese garden.
Lambert’s vision for the garden continued to expand. In 1920, at the base of the old cement kilns, a charming village of small houses was constructed. The San Antonio Express described it as “another dream of the artist of the Lily Pool, Ray Lambert, Commissioner of Parks.” This village was conceived as a tourist attraction, intended to showcase and sell Mexican arts and crafts, alongside an open-air restaurant. While the duration of the village’s operation remains unclear, it added another layer of cultural interest to the evolving garden. Furthermore, at the garden’s entrance, artist Dionicio Rodriguez contributed a unique touch by replicating a Japanese torii gate in his signature style of concrete construction that mimicked the appearance of wood.
Alt text: Classic Japanese pagoda structure overlooking tranquil pond and lush greenery in San Antonio’s Japanese Tea Garden.
In 1926, the Japanese Tea Garden welcomed Kimi Eizo Jingu, a local Japanese-American artist, at the city’s invitation. Jingu established the Bamboo Room within the garden, offering light lunches and tea to visitors. Following Mr. Jingu’s passing in the late 1930s, his family continued to manage the tea garden. However, this period of Japanese influence was abruptly interrupted in 1942. Amidst the anti-Japanese sentiment of World War II, the Jingu family was evicted. Subsequently, a Chinese-American family took over operations, and the garden became known as the Chinese Sunken Garden until the early 1960s. In 1984, a significant turning point occurred when the area was officially rededicated as the Japanese Tea Garden. This ceremony was a poignant occasion, attended by the Jingu children and representatives from the Japanese government, marking a return to its original cultural identity.
The Japanese Tea Garden’s historical significance extends beyond its aesthetic beauty and cultural heritage. Recognizing its origins as a rock quarry integral to the cement industry’s development, and its subsequent transformation into a celebrated garden, the site has received several prestigious designations. It is recognized as a Texas Civil Engineering Landmark, a Registered Texas Historic Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, solidifying its importance in both engineering and cultural history.
Alt text: Picturesque waterfall feature flowing into a pond filled with colorful Koi fish at the Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio.
To ensure the garden’s continued vitality and beauty for future generations, a major renovation project commenced in May 2007. This revitalization focused on repairing the ponds and waterfall, and crucially, installing a recirculation system. This modern addition ensures a healthy environment for the Koi and aquatic plants that are essential to the garden’s ecosystem. This phase of restoration, costing $1,587,470, was a collaborative effort between the City of San Antonio, the San Antonio Parks Foundation, and the Friends of the Parks, highlighting the community’s ongoing commitment to this treasured space.
The San Antonio Parks Foundation played a significant role, contributing $100,000 towards the Garden’s Master Plan and an additional $800,000 for the vital restoration of the ponds and waterfall. The Foundation continues to actively fundraise for the ongoing enhancements of the Japanese Tea Garden, demonstrating a sustained dedication to its preservation and improvement.
The Japanese Tea Garden triumphantly reopened to the public on March 8, 2008. The grand reopening celebration featured Japanese songs performed by students from Tafoyalla Middle School, keyboard melodies by Carol Gulley, calligraphy and origami demonstrations, and even a large Koi-shaped cake. The closure period had been utilized by the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department and the San Antonio Parks Foundation to complete crucial infrastructure rehabilitation. This included upgrades to walkways, piping, filtration systems, wall repairs, and pond sealing. The revitalized garden now boasts lush year-round greenery and vibrant floral displays, complemented by shaded walkways, iconic stone bridges, a striking 60-foot waterfall, and ponds teeming with Koi. The entire renovation project totaled $1,587,470, funded through a combination of public and private sources, including the City of San Antonio, the San Antonio Parks Foundation, and Friends of the Parks.
The reopening ceremony was especially meaningful as it was attended by members of the Jingu family, including Mabel Jingu Enkoji, who was actually born in the Jingu House within the garden in the 1920s. Descendants of Ray Lambert, the visionary Park Commissioner who conceived of transforming the quarry into a “lily pond,” were also present, underscoring the enduring legacy of those who shaped the Japanese Tea Garden into the beloved landmark it is today, located near North Saint Mary’s Street in San Antonio, Texas. Visiting this tranquil oasis provides a unique opportunity to experience both the natural beauty and the rich history that converge in this special corner of San Antonio.
