Lake San Antonio Campground was one of San Antonio’s forgotten trailer parks, recreation vehicle parks, and campground that have been forgotten with time. Not much history is known about this campground, trailer park, and RV park. In fact not much history about this campground has been accurately preserved offline and online. This news article will discuss the history behind Lake San Antonio Campground.
Edgar K. Markwardt purchased 36 acres of land from James E. Mitchell and Richard J. Adams in 1983 for $128,250 dollars through a series of deeds. Edgar K. Markwardt paid $128,250 dollars to the Interfirst Bank Alamo Heights as part of the order. (Ref: Bexar County Land Deeds, Volume 2988, Page 933)
A lake was dug and a reservoir was dammed by Martinez Creek for a fishing ground in 1985. All temporary easements and permanent easements were deeded to San Antonio River Authority by Edgar K. Markwardt on a warranty deed in 1985. (Ref: Bexar County Land Deeds, Volume 3404, Pages 1846-1448)
An easement was granted to the Alamo Soil Conservation District and an undivided half (½) interest was transferred to San Antonio River Authority in 1985. Alamo Soil Conservation District is owned by San Antonio River Authority and City of San Antonio. (Ref: Bexar County Land Deeds, Volume 5559, Pages 315)
Lake San Antonio Campground was established by Edgar K. Markwardt in 1986. Lake San Antonio Campground was located on what was then a 155-acre complex. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-braunfels-herald-zeitung-jan-22-1987-p-11/)
“Lake San Antonio Campground is a 155-acre complex that will accommodate daily fishermen, RVs with complete hookups and those out on a picnic. Complete with food, bait, tackle and drinks, it is a one-stop facility for day long activity, including games for the kids if they don’t want to fish all day. Lake rules include no trot lines or jig fishing, no gasoline motors, and there is a limit of three bass and three catfish over 12” per person. Plans include chili cookoffs, horseshoe pitching tournaments and live country-western bands. Fees are $5 per adult per day and $2.50 for children under 12. If you want to look it over, take I-35 to Loop 1604, turn left on the north side of the access road at 1604 and 1-10 and go 3 miles. This Sunday features a free-to-all pancake breakfast from 9 am until 10 a.m. and a barbecue for fishermen from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Nonfishermen are admitted free with plenty of good picnic sites available.”
[Lake San Antonio, a relatively new innovation to this area, was the scene last Sunday of “Big Bertha's" initiation to the lake’s 44 acres. Bertha, a 35-pound yellow catfish, will be worth $200 to anyone lucky enough to catch her. She was put in the water at 2 p.m. and will join other yellow and channel cats, largemouth bass and crappie awaiting hooks and bait.]
[Another tagged fish, “Fast Eddy” who is Big Bertha’s long lost nephew, will be released at 2 p m and worth $100. They've been catching quite a few two-to six-pound bass lately. For more information call 661-6722. Looks like a good place to spend a pleasant family outing close to home. Bald eagles find winter homes throughout state. They’re here. American bald eagles, which symbolize everything from bourbon to national pride.]
By the mid-to-late 1980s, Lake San Antonio Campground had been known for their chili cookoffs, catfish sales, and pancake breakfast. Lake San Antonio Campground was a one-stop facility for day long activity.
A lawsuit was against Lake San Antonio Campground and Edgar K. Markwardt was launched in Keith Baker’s Small Claims Court in January 1991. Lon E. Grinage filed a lawsuit against Edgar K. Markwardt and Lake San Antonio Campground in Keith Baker’s Small Claims Court for a dispute over a small claim. Keith Baker’s Small Claims Court ruled in favor of the Plaintiff, Lon E. Grinage. Edgar K. Markwardt was ordered to pay $2,300 dollars in his favor. (Ref: Bexar County Court Deeds, Volume 5117, Page 1176)
Edgar K. Markwardt purchased 33.733 acres of land and 39.925 acres of land to expand Lake San Antonio Campground in 1991. (Ref: Bexar County Land Deeds, Volume 5030, Pages 502-512)
Many sporting events such as Special Olympics and Senior Olympics were held at Lake San Antonio from 1991 to 2001. (Ref: San Antonio Express-News, Sheriff's events aid Special Olympics, May 9, 1991)
However Lake San Antonio Campground would not be open forever. Lake San Antonio Campground was shut down in 2009 after San Antonio River Authority, Bexar County, and City of San Antonio found that residents had been living there without potable water, heating, or electricity. (Ref: https://missionwalk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Addendum-for-Hikers-Guide-March-2021.pdf)
A tax lien by Judson ISD was filed against Edgar K. Markwardt and Maxine Markwardt for the amount of $6,281.76 in included taxes, penalties, interest, and collection costs. He had been eluding his tax payments for some time. (Ref: Bexar County Court Deeds, Instrument #20110159488)
Edgar K. Markwardt and Maxine Markwardt sold their land to Olam Holdings, LLC on a warranty deed in 2018 for an undisclosed amount of money. Edgar K. Markwardt sold the land to pay off the taxes penalties, debt, fees, and interest he had been eluding for some time now. (Ref: Bexar County Land Deeds, Instrument #20110159488)
Olam Holdings, LLC currently owns all parcels of land which formerly belonged to Edgar K. Markwardt and Maxine Markwardt. Lake San Antonio Campground has ceased all operations and is now abandoned. Illegal dumping has taken place near the front entrance.
Lake San Antonio Campground was located at 7625 Interstate 10, Converse, Texas, US 78109. Their other address was 7625 Interstate 10, San Antonio, Texas, US 78109. Their phone number was 512-661-6722.
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