The Japanese Tea Garden has a glorious history of over 90 years, from the time it was an operating rock quarry to today, as one of the most loved, educational and cultural resources in San Antonio.
The quarry was shaped into a complex that included walkways, stone arch bridges, an island, and a Japanese pavilion. The garden was termed the lily pond, and residents donated bulbs to beautify the area. Exotic plants were provided by the City nursery and the City Public Service Company donated the lighting system. The pavilion was roofed with palm leaves from trees in City parks.