This is one of most asked questions we are asked on a daily basis here at San Fernando Cemetery II. To most callers, they think the San Fernando Cemetery II is the oldest cemetery in the city. Truthfully no, although it seems that way for the most part due to the multitude of burials here at this cemetery. San Fernando Cemetery I is perhaps the oldest in the city and the smallest in size. It is situated on approximately 12 acres which has been in existence since 1840. It is the burial ground of pioneer Texans and Alamo heroes. Col. Jose Navarro, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and brother of Eugenio Navarro, whose body lies in the old San Fernando Cathedral, is interred at this historic cemetery. Also in San Fernando Cemetery I is the grave of John Twohig, banker and famous host, in whose house, La Casa del Rio, were entertained warriors and rulers. Sam Houston, Zachary Taylor, Robert E. Lee and General Grant, all these were his guests in the old Spanish house by the river. In San Fernando Cemetery I also is found the grave of Don Antonio Menchaca, who fought in the battle of San Jacinto, and of Francisco Ruiz, signer, as was Navarro, of the Declaration of Independence and as alcalde of San Antonio during the revolu-tion, said to have buried the dead of the Alamo. Here, too is the grave of Bryan Callaghan, longtime mayor of San Antonio.

This cemetery originally was located within the walls of the Alamo, on ground of what is now the foundation of the old Main Post Office building. San Fernando Cemetery I holds the graves that make San Antonio forever a mecca to those who hold sacred the memory of the makers of Texas and the veterans of its wars. Even today we still have burials and families still visiting their loved ones at this historic cemetery.