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We were in our glory to finally be able to see The Alamo. The Mision San Antonio de Valero (1718)--later known as the Alamo-- was the first of five missions constructed in the early 1700's in an area first claimed by Spain. The mission was home to Spanish missionaries and their Native Indian converts for twenty years, then later used by a Spanish calvary unit in the early 1800's.
Today the Alamo comprises a little over four acres and is the top tourist attraction in Texas. Thousands flock here each year to see where a small number of Texian and Tejano's held out for thirteen days against an overwhelming force of Mexican soldiers led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
From what I've read, the Texas Revolution began when the government reneged on an agreement allowing settlers from outside this territory to occupy the land. Efforts were made to push them out and the settlers rebelled. Ben Milam in 1835 led Texian and Tejano volunteers against Mexican troops stationed in San Antonio. After searching the town and fighting house to house, General Martin Perfecto de Cos and his soldiers were forced to surrender.
This defeat could not be tolerated, so in 1836 Santa Anna surprised the patriots at the Alamo. Commander William Travis pleaded for help to the surrounding communities of Texas, but only 32 volunteers from Gonzales arrived--bringing the total force to less than 200.
The thirteen day siege ended in a massacre of the Texian and Tejano holdouts. Santa Anna eventually was defeated himself in April 1836.
There is no charge for admission. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 9am-5:30 pm; Sun. 10am-5:30 pm. Open daily except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A large gift shop has many souvenirs plus a postage machine for your postcards--you can mail your cards/letters and have them postmarked from the ALAMO.
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 A national shrine by TheWanderingCamel
The old stone church and the few simple buildings that make up the national shrine that is The Alamo are surrounded nowadays by beautifully tended and peaceful gardens but that wasn't the way it was back in March 1836 when a small band of men held out there against the army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna during the war that was raging between the Texians and Mexico. After 13 days which saw the death of all those defending the fort (including the small church which saw much fierce fighting) , the Alamo finally fell on March 6. The battle was lost but a legend was born that day that saw the names of the men who fell pass into the list of national heroes and the rallying cry of Sam Houston as he led the Texan Army to ultimate victory become a rallying cry for a whole nation - Remember the Alamo!
300 years of history are present in the Alamo. First a Spanish Mission (San Antonio de Valero, founded in 1718), until ownership was handed over to the mission converts, the mission buildings became a military barracks in 1803 - initially in the hands of the Mexicans, and then being taken by the men of the Texan Army who were to defend it to the death in the Texas Revolution as they fought for independence from Mexico.
Two of the original buildings are still standing - the church (now called the Shrine) and the Long Barrack (originally the "Convento") - both house exhibits and items from the siege and Texan history. There are more historical exhibits in another, much newer building also, as well as markers and the Wall of History in the garden. Alamo Plaza itself approximates the area covered by the old mission and the fort. Leave a Comment Address: 300 Alamo PlazaDirections: Open: 9 am-5:30 pm, Monday-Saturday (7pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during June, July and August); 10 am-5:30 pm Sunday. Closed: December 24 and 25. Free admission. Donations acceptedWebsite: http://www.thealamo.org/
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In 1724 as Mission San Antonio de Valero (Alamo) was constructed to house missionaries and there Indian converts. These occupants purpose was to farm the fields and learned to maintained there own governing. Then in the 1800's the Spanish established small cavalry there who named it Alamo meaning cottonwood and is the first recorded hospital. The Alamo served as home to the Spanish, Rebels, and Mexican military over period of time. Then Feb 23, 1836 substantial events started happening that lead up to a 13 day battle of Texas Independence, and on March 6, 1836 became the finally assault of the Mexican army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna soldiers that emerged on the mission of two hundred Texas volunteers who were desperately struggling for Texas independence. Yet, as sunrise fell that the battle was over losing all two hundred Texas Volunteers and including that of Jim Bowie and David Crockett to Santa Anna's assault. (Some dependence did survive)Although, the battle was lost but was the beginning of Texas Independence and the Alamo will be forever held as hallowed ground and a shrine to liberty. Leave a Comment Address: Alamo and CrockettPhone: 210-255-1391Directions: NW of the Riverwalk Mall, but you can exit onto Commerce from 281/37 freeway and head west and then turn right onto Alamo. Or exit Huston off of the 281/37 freeway.Website: http://www.thealamo.org/
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 In Honor Of Those Who
Died at the Alamo by VeronicaG,
1 more photos
This sculpture is referred to as the Alamo Cenotaph and contains all the names of those who died. A cenotaph is erected to honor a person or persons whose remains are elsewhere or unknown.
The base of the monument is 12' x 40' and comprised of Texas pink granite, while the sculpture itself is of gray Georgian marble and rises 60 feet. The theme of the piece is "Spirit of Sacrifice" and depicts a figure rising from the grave. Beneath this figure, heroes of the Alamo and of Texas encircle the monument.
See picture #2 for a more detailed look of the Texas heroes.
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 by ATXtravelerLeave a Comment
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"The Alamo was already a hundred years old at the time of the siege and battle. It was founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission for the purpose of Christianizing the Indians indigenous to the area. The Indians themselves built the mission under the supervision of the Spanish priests and it was named Mission "San Antonio de Valero." The church was designed without the benefit of a master engineer, the roof collapsed almost immediately, and this portion of the mission was never actually completed..
In 1821, Mexico won her independence from Spain and claimed all the land that Spain owned that included Texas. In 1824, Mexico created a democratic constitution based on the United States Constitution. Mexico opened Texas for colonization, offering land very cheaply to new settlers. Many people both Americans and Europeans, relocated to the area which offered the opportunity for a fresh start. In 1833, a Mexican general, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, was elected President of Mexico, but it wasn't long before he turned his presidency into a dictatorship. He began to collect high taxes and passed harsh and unreasonable laws, making the settlers very unhappy with their new home. By 1835 many colonists began to threaten revolt. Alarmed by these threats Santa Anna sent his brother-ln-law, General Martin de Cos, to reinforce the Alamo General Cos arrived in San Antonio, quartered himself and his troops in the Alamo, and converted the old mission into a fortress. He added some 21 cannons which he placed around the walls and began to prepare for a siege and battle. Declaring martial law, he jailed people for no reason and soon the threat of revolution became a reality. Almost two months after Cos' arrival.." Leave a Comment
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 Alamo Plaza by GUYON
I did not shoot indoor pictures in the Alamo because it was prohibited and even I am an unruly Frenchman I did not dare to take one.
Nearby, in the RiverCenter, the Imax proposes a re-enactment film (45 min) for 8$. at 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, 5PM, 7PM.
I have recorded the 2 films about Alamo : the one of John Wayne which is far from the truth and the more recent one (2004) which fits better with history . Leave a Comment
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You can't go to San Antonio and not see the Alamo - that would be like going to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower. And I have to admit, in order to prepare for my trip to San Antonio, I rented the movie "The Alamo", which isn't a great movie, but at least I got the basics of what went on during the battle and it made my visit to the Alamo more interesting.
The Alamo started out as a mission, which explains its rather small smize, and it is located smack in the middle of downtown. The shrine and the gardens that surround it are beautiful, and the barracks contain a very informative display that will help you learn more about the battle. It's up to you whether you want to make it a long or short visit, but I would definitely recommend going - plus, admission is free! Leave a Comment Address: 300 Alamo PlazaPhone: 210-225-1391Directions: NW of the Riverwalk Mall, downtownWebsite: www.thealamo.org
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 The Grounds by Jmill42Leave a Comment Address: 300 Alamo PlazaPhone: 210 225-1391
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 alamo burial site by doug48Address: commerce streetDirections: south side of commerce street between alamo and bowie streets. across the street from the rivercenter mall.Website: http://www.thealamo.org/
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