Chinese Sunken Garden Gate
Also known as: Japanese Sunken Garden Gate
Why it's listed
Concrete has been sculpted into the look of rough timber at the entrance to the Japanese Sunken Garden in Brackenridge Park, San Antonio. The gate was completed in 1942, when the garden was called the Chinese Tea Garden. Four tree-trunk posts with branch-like brackets carry a stack of three upturned palapa-style roofs reminiscent of a Torii gate. The surfaces show carved worm holes, knots, lichen patches and wooden wedges, and relief Chinese calligraphy translated as "China Garden" appears on the right post. The overall height is about 16 feet. Dionicio Rodriguez signed the left handrail, and family testimony says Maximo Cortes designed the gate. The garden occupies an old cement company quarry that became part of the park. The gate was listed for its artistic value as a work by Rodriguez, and it is among his few known commissions from a municipality. It remains in good condition, with strong colors.
Significance in brief: The gate is nominated under Criterion C in the area of Art as a unique and significant work by San Antonio sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez. It is described as one of his most exuberant works. It is also among the only known Rodriguez projects commissioned by a municipality.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04001167, listed October 22, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Brackenridge Park, 400 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio |
|---|---|
| County | Bexar County |
| Listed | October 22, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04001167 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1942 |
| Architect / builder | Dionicio Rodriguez |
| Architectural style | Other: Faux bois sculpture |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The gate is described as in good condition, with its tan and yellow colors still strong. Its current function is listed as Recreation and Culture / Work of Art. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Brackenridge Park |
| Coordinates | 29.46278, -98.47752 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04001167.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7413336
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.