Classic photos of Woodlawn Lake capture the character of San Antonio life

Woodlawn Lake has long been a favorite of San Antonio summer weekends. Check out these archive photos from back in the day. Woodlawn Lake has long been a favorite of San Antonio summer weekends. Check out these archive photos from back in the day. Photo: San Antonio Express-News Photo: San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 77 Caption Close Classic photos of Woodlawn Lake capture the character of San Antonio life 1 / 77 Back to Gallery

No place in San Antonio has drawn generations of family weekends like Woodlawn Lake. Flip through any S.A. family photo album, and chances are there's a snapshot or two of toddlers feeding ducks, teens lazing on the pier and granddads fishing.

The vision of 19th century real estate developers, Woodlawn Lake was built to attract residents to what was then a subdivision on the rural west side of San Antonio. Through the years, it featured vaudeville acts and outdoor movies, added fishing piers, boat docks, running trails and raspa trucks.

The gallery above showcases the park in its heyday as the city home for Fourth of July fireworks to its lowest, littered periods and the revival that flowed through the 1980s.

If you have a favorite Woodlawn Lake memory, share it in the comments, or email it with your photos to news@mysanantonio.com.

jmscott@mysa.com