Ron and Valerie Finch

FINCH’S FOLLY

There are many stories to Hemisfair 1968, and so many people played big and small parts in its creation and execution. One of those stories belonged to my Father-in-law, Arnold Finch. Here it is, in his own words:

“Prior to the Hemisfair ‘68/World’s Fair aka International Exposition opening, Mayor Walter McAllister and the Governor of Texas, John Connally, held a special meeting with certain San Antonio Realtors in the newly constructed Auditorium in the Hemisfair area. The purpose of the meeting was to ask the support of the realtors in pledging to said Hemisfair project. Both said the Hemisfair would be a great success, but that they needed our backing in the form of pledges to move forward with the plans. There was mention of making pledges ranging from $10,000.00 to $100,000.00. I pledged $25,000.00 after they said the City of San Antonio ‘would never call for the payment of the pledges’ inasmuch as this would only indicate that San Antonio Realtors were in support of the project. Life went on…

Towards the end of the Hemisfair, it was found out that it was losing money, a lot of money. The Manager of Hemisfair was spending money foolishly with everyone running around in new Oldsmobiles and an unlimited spending account. Well, to curb the excessive spending, the Manager and others were relieved of their duties and H.B.  Zachry took over for the duration of the Fair. Next thing I knew, we heard that they were calling for the honoring of the pledges, but at reduced amounts-$25.00 dollars of every $100.00 dollars pledged. I was lucky in some respects as my amount would be $5,000.00 instead of $25,000.00! I thanked my lucky stars I wasn’t in big like a friend of mine with his $100,000.00 pledge, which was now $25,000.00.

Needless to say, my family found out about it through my cancelled check. After that, every time the Mrs. or my daughter mentioned a trip to France and I was on the edge of saying no, I was reminded of my folly and the $5,000.00. San Antonio can brag about the success of Hemisfair, but if it had not been for Mr. Zachry I would have been stuck paying $25,000.00 and I would have lost my business and probably my family. I still hated to part with the money, as that amount of funds was a nice little nest egg to lose. The family always reminded me that the money could have paid for two luxury trips to France. In the end, I bit the bullet and they got their European trip, and we all erased it from our minds for the most part…but here I am putting it in my journal…”

-AF

Despite the initial sticker shock Arnold experienced being a supporter of the World’s Fair, it was a very positive time for our entire City. My Father-in-law and his family enjoyed their visits to Hemisfair, my family and I enjoyed our visits, as did many Texans. It really helped put San Antonio on the map, and our skyline was forever changed due to the construction of the Tower of the Americas. We love the rebirth of the area, and are glad to have played a very small part in its story. We love supporting Hemisfair and look forward to seeing what the future holds for us all.   -V. Finch