In the heart of San Antonio’s South Side lies a neighborhood that defies stereotypes and embraces change while holding onto its roots. Harlandale is more than just a place; it’s a community that has shaped lives and fostered connections for generations. For one resident, Vincent Lazaro, Harlandale is a place that he couldn’t stay away from, despite the paths his life took him on.
The Where I Live series by the San Antonio Report invites locals to share their neighborhood stories. If your story is chosen, you could receive a $250 stipend. Have you experienced the unique charm of Harlandale?
Harlandale: A Neighborhood of Memories and Community
Vincent Lazaro’s journey took him from Harlandale to prestigious institutions like Yale, Columbia, and Harvard and into a legal career. Yet, he found himself drawn back to the neighborhood that first shaped him. As Thomas Wolfe famously wrote, “you can’t go home again.” But Lazaro’s experience challenges that notion.
Harlandale may not be the most glamorous neighborhood in San Antonio, but it’s a place where community thrives. It’s a place where neighbors know each other by name, where children ride bicycles down tree-lined streets, and where Friday night football games bring everyone together. It’s a place where the past and present coexist, creating a unique sense of belonging.
The Landmarks of the Past
Some of Lazaro’s earliest memories are tied to places that no longer exist. The laundromat on Pleasanton Road, Wilson’s Book Store, the Dairy Queen at Cliff and Flores, and the Sears store on Military Drive have all faded into memory. Yet, these places hold a special significance, representing the backdrop of Lazaro’s childhood and the lessons he learned there.
Wilson’s Book Store, in particular, was a place of endless possibility. It was there that Lazaro first discovered the world of superheroes, long before they became billion-dollar film franchises. These stories sparked his imagination and hinted at larger worlds beyond his neighborhood.
The Heart of Harlandale: Harlandale High School
The heart of Harlandale is its high school, a place where generations of students have walked the halls. The school’s motto, “Once an Indian, Always an Indian” reflects a lifelong attachment to the place and the people who shared it. For many residents, graduation doesn’t end their connection to the school; it’s a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Lazaro’s research into San Antonio’s public schools led him to realize that the values he carried with him to Ivy League campuses were first learned in Harlandale. Discipline, perseverance, curiosity, and faith in education were all nurtured in this community.
The Spirit of Harlandale: Community and Belonging
What keeps Lazaro in Harlandale is not nostalgia; it’s the sense of community that the neighborhood offers. It’s a place where people invest in each other’s lives, where small acts of friendship and generosity build strong bonds. It’s a place where you’re known, where you belong.
Harlandale may never have become the neighborhood its developers envisioned. It may not have the prestige of San Antonio’s most celebrated enclaves. But prestige and belonging are not the same thing. For Lazaro, the streets of Harlandale are the place that first taught him who he was and where he belonged.
As Lazaro reflects on his journey, he realizes that while the laundromat, Wilson’s Book Store, Dairy Queen, and Sears may only survive in memory, the essence of Harlandale endures. It’s a place where community is built through countless small acts of friendship, generosity, and trust. It’s a place where you can go home again.