Photo of the Hannah Landa Memorial Branch Library's exterior.

Landa Library & Trinity University

Photo of the Hannah Landa Memorial Branch Library's exterior.
Hannah Landa Memorial Branch Library

Trinity University, one of the top liberal arts universities in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report, is situated in the historic Monte Vista neighborhood, not far from downtown. (Take the number 5 VIA bus north up McCullough and ask the bus driver to please let you off at the Bushnell intersection.)

The bold among you may not hesitate walking up to someone’s front door and asking them if you may take a tour their beautiful home, but for those of us who are not so bold, the Landa Library at 233 Bushnell provides a vicarious glimpse into what it might be like to live in such a grand abode.

Photo of the interior of Landa Library.
Moroccan tiles cover the interior staircase. Sit in the ornate furniture to feel like royalty.

Hannah and Harry Landa lived in the two-story Mediterranean-styled home designed by Ernest B. Hays from 1929 until 1942, when Ms. Landa passed away. In 1946, Harry gave the home and its grounds to the City of San Antonio to be used as a memorial library and children’s playground in Hannah’s honor. The library opened in 1947.

Thanks to community support, the library’s grounds underwent a major renovation in 2008. Patrons may now enjoy an expanded children’s playground, a Carlos Cortés-designed faux bois pavillion, a community garden and strategically placed benches that are just right for curling up with a good book.

Photo of the grounds and playground at Landa Library.
All ages will enjoy the Landa grounds.

Landa’s grounds are also a perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. We’ve been known to grab “para llevar” (to go) tacos at nearby Panchito’s Mexican Restaurant and eat them under one of the library’s stunning oak trees or in the gorgeous pavillion. Cortés, a local artisan, was just featured in Martha Stewart’s September 2010 magazine for designing an absolutely beautiful dining room table for Martha’s home.

Photo of the Carlos Cortés-designed faux bois pavillion at Landa Library.
Cortés’ work has Martha Stewart’s stamp of approval.
A photo of the close up of the faux bois pavillion at Landa Library.
Perfect place to picnic!

After you’ve toured the exterior and interior of Landa Library, which provides a great selection of books, free Internet, children’s activities and nice selection of current magazines, walk east down Bushnell onto the grounds of Trinity University. Walk up the stairs through the George Storch Memorial Building and take a right. From this vantage point, you’ll understand why Trinity is known as the Skyline Campus.

Photo of downtown San Antonio take from Trinity University, the Skyline Campus.
Trinity University, the Skyline Campus (click to enlarge)

My family rang in 2000 here with some close friends, and we were given front-row seats to downtown’s memorable millennial firecrackers. With your back to downtown, walk up more stairs to Trinity’s tower, designed by noted San Antonio architect O’Neil Ford, who also designed the Hemisfair tower, a.k.a. the Tower of the Americas.

Photo of Trinity University's tower.
O’Neil Ford-designed tower at Trinity U.

Trinity is known for hosting famous authors, artists, musicians and noteworthy people in the news, like current and former heads of state and journalists, throughout the year. Check out the university’s website to see what’s on the agenda. At the tower, hang a left and go to the north side of the Margarite B. Parker Chapel. There, you will find an entrance into a peaceful garden, a secret hideaway to gather your thoughts before heading off to your next stop in oh-so-senSAtional San Antonio, Texas!

Photo of the Margarite B. Parker Chapel Garden at Trinity University.
Catch your breath in the soothing Margarite B. Parker Chapel Garden at Trinity!

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been home ever since. For even more ideas of fun things to do and see in San Antonio, visit Barnes & Noble, The Twig or Whole Earth Provision Co. to purchase Denise’s book, “100 Things To Do in San Antonio Before You Die” . Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to design/lead a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!

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