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Things You Should Not Miss
1. Take a guided tour of the Alamo and learn about the details
of the individuals who fought for Texas independence.
2. Take time to wander through the Alamo Gardens and reflect
of the tribulations of the men and women who took refuge behind these
walls during the battle.
3. Don't forget that the Alamo mission is not the only one located
within the confines of San Antonio. Visit the San Antonio
Mission National Historical Park, where four other missions tell the
story of the history of San Antonio, the Republic of Texas, and the
state of Texas. While less popular than the Alamo, nearly 1.1
million people visit these other sites per year.
4. Take a stroll down River Walk. Not far from the Alamo
historical site, River Walk has been a centerpiece of San Antonio
tourism since the days of HemisFair, the world's fair held in San
Antonio in 1968. It is a popular attraction with gondola
style boat rides, plenty of shops, and places to eat.
Lodging and Camping
San Antonio is a large metropolitan city with a variety of
hotels and motels. Check out the website of the San Antonio
Convention and Visitors Bureau or other links on this site to check out
the variety and availability.
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The Alamo Then and Now
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The Alamo Then |
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Alamo - Constructed in 1744, the mission church, as well as the Long
Barrack, which began its construction in 1724, was fortified by both
Mexican and Texas forces prior to the battle of the Alamo. In
December of 1835, Texas volunteers took control of San Antonio from
Mexican troops headquartered in San Antonio. They occupied
the Alamo and strengthened the mission's defenses. Two months
later, on February 23, 1836, the forces of Santa Ana returned and
attacked the fortifications. For thirteen days the fighting
continued, until a final assault on March 6 could not be held back, and
the Alamo was lost to Santa Ana's Mexican forces. Mexican forces
retained control of the Alamo until May of the same year when the
majority of the forces withdrew. Texas forces reentered the
city on June 4, 1836. The painting above by Percy Moran,
1912, reflects the intensity of the battle of the Alamo.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Photographs and Prints. |
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The Alamo Now |
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| The Alamo Mission - Open to the public as a living history site owned by the state of Texas, and run by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas since 1805, the 4.2 acre compound, including the church, the Long Barrack, and a gift shop museum tells the story of the battle and the fight for Texas independence. The site of the Alamo is located in a highly developed area of San Antonio, but once within the walls of the mission, the visitor is transformed into the time period and history of the Alamo. |
