Established in 1933, the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind began with the vision of one individual, Dr. Henry Wyneken, who wanted to organize a program to serve the blind in our community. With the help of others, Wyneken envisioned a program that would train, employ and educate not only the blind, but the public as well. For almost 77 years, the Lighthouse has been a San Antonio icon for training and educating both the blind and visually impaired, in addition to being a leader in manufacturing for the military and government agencies.
In the beginning, the Lighthouse offered part-time work for five people at a North Presa Street sewing plant where pillow cases were produced. Since those humble beginnings, it has served the community and the nation by manufacturing products during times of war and peace. For example, during World War II, the broom factory on San Fernando Street, the mop factory on Olive Street and a new sewing plant at Lexington and St. Mary’s Street were producing vast numbers of laundry bags, mops and brooms. These small and scattered sites have today been consolidated at the 60,000 sq. foot facility on Roosevelt Avenue which employs more than 500 and manufactures more than 80 products including highlighters, mechanical pencils, pens, helmet chin-straps for the Army and Marines, jackets for the Navy, spill kits and absorbent pads, Army Combat Shirt and insulation blankets for Boeing’s KC-135. We also have an 8000SF facility on Eads Avenue where we are currently manufacturing the helmet chin-straps.
In 1997, the Lighthouse established partnerships with the Army and Air Force by opening retail operations. The S A Lighthouse currently has 13 stores on 11 military installations across New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. The military now depends on the Lighthouse to ensure that deployed soldiers are equipped with proper uniforms and gear. |
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The history of the Lighthouse is sprinkled with the generosity of community leaders who either donated land or gave their financial and business support to its success. From Dr. Frederic Oppenheimer, who donated the North Presa Street location to G.S. McCreless and the Jewish community, who helped secure the current 2305 Roosevelt site, the Lighthouse has been a community project of great economic importance for more than seven decades.
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While the products and manufacturing jobs may have changed over time, the Lighthouse’s focus on providing opportunities for people who are blind has remained steadfast. In 1978, the Rehabilitation Center opened for business offering job counseling, technology training, Braille instruction and vocational evaluations. In 1997, the Lighthouse established partnerships with the Army and Air Force by opening retail operations on 10 military installations across New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. The military now depends on the Lighthouse to ensure that deployed soldiers are equipped with proper uniforms and gear. |
What hasn’t changed over time is the sense of community found here by individuals who are looking for someone to give them a chance to demonstrate what they can do – a place to belong, a place to work, learn and grow – and that is what the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind offers – a community of hope, understanding and independence. |
