Located 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas, 78205 in the Heart of Downtown San Antonio
Originally erected by Franciscan Missionaries in 1718, The Spanish Mission was named, "Mission San Antonio de Valero". After over 300 years the Historical site is a global icon and especially important to the community and culture in San Antonio, as well as throughout Texas.
Timeline of The Alamo
1519-1716 Age Of Exploration
1716-1793 Mission San Antonio De Valero
1793-1821 Birth of a Fortress
1821-1836 The Battle of The Alamo and The Texas Revolution
1836-1877 Under Military Occupation
1870- Present Commercial Development and Historical Preservation
(The Alamo)
Founding Mission San Antonio De Valero
Fray Antonio de San Buenaventura y Oliveres and Fray Francisco Hildalgo had issues sustaining a mission in northern Mexico, this led Oliveres to pick San Antonio as the new location after he visited the area on an 1709 expedition. Oliveres thought San Antonio could become a bridge to Spanish missions established in East Texas. The location was ideal due to the location being on the San Antonio river, and the local indigenous people seemed open to the benefits of a nearby mission. The Mission San Antonio de Valero was soon established in 1718, and sought to convert locals to Christianity and into Spanish citizens. The mission’s location changed from one unsatisfactory location to another, which was eventually abandoned in 1724 due to a hurricane. The last location began construction in 1740 but suffered from collapsed walls and arches for the vaulted roof. The church was never completed during its mission lifetime. In 1793, The Spanish crown issued a secularization order in 1793, which entailed the mission's inhabitants to receive land and goods acquired by the mission to continue building the San Antonio community. The mission soon fell into disuse. (The Alamo)
Militarization of the convent
In the early 1800’s Spain sent it’s soldiers into the San Antonio, and Texas regions to guard its territorial claims from French, American explorers, and colonists. The Spanish military occupied the old San Antonio de Valero mission and converted it into a military garrison and frontier outpost. A Spanish Cavalry unit named “Alamo Company” due to being from Alamo de Parras, or “La Segunda de Compañía Volante de San Carlos Parras”, established the old convent into barracks, and the first Texas hospital on the 2nd floor. The site was occupied by the Alamo Company all through Mexico’s fight for Independence from Spain, about 32 years (1803-1835). Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821.
Role in the Texas Revolution
After 11 years Mexico finally gained independence from Spain in 1821. Northern frontier protection of Mexico was soon necessary, and the Mexican government established various laws to allow Texas colonization among Mexican peoples. The vast land and opportunities lead many immigrants to move to Texas, and San Antonio. People like Stephen F Austin, helped immigration by way of colonies and land grants. The natives of Texas and immigrants soon enjoyed a life away from Mexico’s capital. Their autonomy was challenged after the election of Santa Anna as president in 1833. Mexico fell into civil war after Santa Anna’s views changed from federalism to centralism. Texas was joined by the neighboring state of Coahuila, forming Coahuila y Texas after Santa Anna’s laws slowed the influx of immigrants and stifled Texas’ autonomy.
The Mexican army was sent to Gonzales, Texas to recover a loaned cannon the town used for protection against aggressive natives. 18 men stood on the opposite site of the river in Gonzales and refused to hand the cannon over. Mexico’s army was soon called for a parlay after they searched for a way to cross the river. The people of Gonzales refused to return the cannon citing to uphold the Constitution of 1824, there were about 180 men on the other side of the river and the Mexican army had 100 Dragoons (mounted infantry). That foggy night Gonzales men went looking for the Mexican army but after confusion both sides fell back to wait for dawn. October 2nd, 1833, both armies met in a field. Texas fired the first shot at the Mexican army, creating the Texas Revolution. After the failed parlay the fighting continued, and the outnumbered Mexican army retreated back to Bexar.
The Texas army once again won against the Mexican army in the Grass Fight battle on November 26th, 1835. The Battle involved the Texans’ army thinking the Mexican army was bringing payroll to San Antonio de Bexar, but was actually bringing grass and hay as the Mexican cavalry was in short supply for the upcoming winter. Texas soon began preparing the Alamo for a counter-attack after General Cos’ soldiers were gone. The Texans began to fortify both Alamo and town. San Antonio de Bexar was an incredibly vital city, located on the river, as well as the main roads leading into Texas. The location was important to maintain supply and communication lines, and protect settlements located to the East. Texans worked to repair entrenchments and fortifications constructed by the Mexicans.
13 Day Siege of the Alamo
Santa Anna’s Army marched toward Texas, while General Cos’ went toward the Rio Grande to Mexico, they planned to end the Texas Revolution. On February 23, 1836, Santa Anna and his forces began to arrive in San Antonio de Bexar. Members of the Texan army entered the heavily fortified Alamo. The Alamo had about 150 men and 18 serviceable cannons. Commander James Bowie, a famous adventurer and knife fighter, called for a parlay as the Mexican Army approached. Chief engineer of the garrison, Green B Jameson met with Mexican officials. Sana Anna’s terms were to surrender at discretion. The second Alamo Commander, William B. Travis shot a 18-pound cannon in response. Santa Anna ordered a red flag to be flown from San Fernando church to show no quarter would be given as the siege of the Alamo had begun.
On February 24th, 1836 one of the most famous letters in American history was written by William B. Travis as the garrison was surrounded by Santa Anna’s army and the Texans army outnumbered. The letter was a plea for aid at the Alamo garrison and addressed, “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World.” The letter ended with, “Victory or Death.” and left the Alamo as the siege continued.
March 1st, 1936, 32 men from Gonzales arrived bringing the Defenders up to nearly 200 men. On March 2nd 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. March 3rd, Courier James Butler Bonham came with word from Robert Williamson informing Travis help was on the way. The help was too late. On March 5th, 1836 Santa Anna held a war council and planned a four pronged attack on the Texan’s garrison.
Battle of The Alamo
Dawn of March 6,1836, The Battle of the Alamo commenced after 13 long days. Fighting lasted about an hour and a half and by daybreak all Defenders were killed, including David Crockett, a former Tennessee Congressman. The Alamo Defenders were from all over the world and their loss was deep. Santa Anna ordered for their remains to be burned.
Battle of Coleto Creek at Goliad
Texans suffered another defeat on March 19th-20th 1836 under James Walker Fannin after they engaged with General Jose Urreas’ army outside the town of Goliad at the Battle of Coleto Creek. The Texas army surrendered, was marched to Presidio La Bahia and on March 27th, 1836, executed. The army included Fannin and over 300 men were killed, and Texans began to flee towards Louisiana.
General Sam Houston and the Texan Army marched behind the Texas civilians. At the end of March Santa Anna left the Alamo to search for the provisional government of Texas. The new constitution was signed by the Delegates between March 1st-17th, of 1836. The provisional government had a meeting in Washington on the Brazos river and declared Texas’ independence.
The Battle of San Jacinto and Texans Victory
April 21st, 1836, Sam Houston and his forces attacked on the Banks of San Jacinto, shouting cries of, “ Remember The Alamo! Remember San Jacinto! God and Texas!”. The Texans army defeated Santa Anna’s army in the Battle of San Jacinto after only 18 minutes. The next day, April 22nd, Santa Anna was captured and brought to Sam Houston. The Republic of Texas was born after an agreement was made and the Texas revolution changed Texas history.
Republic of Texas
Not much is known about the Alamo’s use during the Republic of Texas as it soon fell into disrepair with collapsed walls and arches. The Alamo was largely undisturbed until Texas gained US statehood in 1845.
US Army
The US army began to occupy Alamo Plaza in October 1845. Companies A and G of the US army’s second Dragoons marched into San Antonio from Fort Washita, Arkansas shortly before Texas statehood. Official transfer from “nation” to “state” was on February 16, 1846 in Austin, Texas.
The Alamo was soon set to be utilized by the US QuarterMaster who entered a lease with the city of San Antonio and Archdiocese of the city to rent the Church and Long Barrack to aid in the new fight against Mexico in early 1846.
The Mexican- American war erupted due to border disputes and lead to the Alamo and San Antonio to function as a staging point for supplies and men to aid in the war leading them to be vital to the effort. The long barracks were used as offices and quarters while the Alamo church became roofed for the first time in its history and given a second floor to house supplies. The Mexican-American war ended on February 2nd when the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty was signed. The Alamo later resumed as a staging point for settlers going West and the US army.
The US Army changed the Alamo in a few major ways.
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Long Barracks repaired after walls were fixed and new plaster added and used as officer quarters, offices, and workshops.
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New windows and doorways added
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Evidence of a staircase on southern end of exterior
The last major change the US army made to the structure was adding the parapet to the church, which completed the famous iconic silhouette it has now.
American Civil War
Texan confederates seized all federal property from the Alamo Quartermaster depot after Texas joined the Confederacy on March 23rd, 1861. Little is known about the Alamo during their period. In April of 1865 Union soldiers occupied San Antonio and the Alamo when the civil war ended.
US Army Returns
The Alamo church was a supply hub and sadly caught fire in 1861, The fire ravaged the church’s interior and the surrounding structures in Alamo Plaza had to hold the army’s supplies. For nearly 10 years the Army used Alamo Plaza as their main hub to transfer goods throughout Texas and Western US.
The US army soon left the Alamo due to all locations being spread across San Antonio and needing a more central location. In 1875, General E.O.C Ord. was given command of the District of Texas and he supervised and allocated funds for the construction of a permanent garrison soon named Fort Sam Houston. The US army no longer needed storage in Alamo Plaza and the buildings were commercialized.
Merchants
In 1877, the US Army moved to the new garrison and the Long Barrack was sold to Honore Grenet, and the Alamo church rented out to him by the Catholic church to use as a warehouse. Grenet added a wrap-around porch and castle-like towers to the roof of the long barrack. Grenet passed in the early 1800’s and the building was sold to the Hugo, Schmeltzer & Company, who expanded the barracks' use as a general store.
Saving the Alamo
In 1883, the State legislature directed a bill to the State to purchase the Alamo church from the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Texas gave the city of San Antonio full responsibility in maintaining the old structure. Adina De Zavala, granddaughter of the first Vice President of the Republic of Texas sent a request in 1892 to Hugo, Schmeltzer, & Co. that they wouldn’t sell the property without letting her know. De Zavala soon created her own chapter of DRT (Daughters Republic of Texas) and was joined by heiress Clara Driscoll.
Clara Driscoll’s grandfather fought at San Jacinto and she used her wealth to help De Zavala purchase the Long Barracks, she was reimbursed by Texas. The State soon gave the DRT custodianship of the Alamo church and Long Barracks. De Zavala felt the Long Barracks deserved the same recognition as the church while Driscoll believed the Alamo’s Church should be the main focal point, leading to discourse between the two women. The remaining intact wall of the Long Barrack was shortened and the courtyards and area behind the church were given established gardens so visitors could come and reflect.
The Alamo Today
Three buildings stand where the East Wall of the original Alamo compound originally stood, The Crocker Block, The Palace Building, and The Woolworth Building. The United States Courthouse and The Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building is at the original location of the North wall. Only two Alamo buildings stand at present, The Long Barracks and Church. In 2011, The Texas General Land Office was given authority over the Alamo by the Texas legislature. The Alamo and four other San Antonio missions were granted UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2015. Now preservation experts are working to conserve the Alamo’s church, barracks, and legacy for future generations.
Works Cited
The Alamo. “Remember The Alamo.” The Alamo, https://www.thealamo.org/remember.
National Park Service. “Mission San Antonio de Valero, The Alamo.” National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/travelspanishmissions/mission-san-antonio-de-valero-the-alamo.htm.
Photos by Ashley Benavidez
