There’s one place in Texas that people will never forget after visiting: The Alamo. While the Disney film that came out a couple of years ago was largely forgettable, the actual building and the story behind it is something ingrained in the memory of every Texan. First built (as it stands today) as a Roman Catholic mission in 1724, the historic building is best known as a fortress during the Lone Star Republic’s battles with Mexico during the Texas Revolution, where it changed hands between both sides several times—most notably in 1835 when it was surrendered to the Texas Army, and in 1836 during the infamous Battle of the Alamo. Today, it stands as a museum and a reminder of why you “Don’t mess with Texas.”
Originally named Mission San Antonio de Valero in 1718, the structure was likely given its current name by the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras, a Mexican army battalion, who occupied the compound surrounded by a grove of cottonwood trees known as álamo in Spanish. Today, this humble, historic building near the heart of downtown is surrounded by high rises and San Antonio hotels, and is a must-see when in town. You’ll always remember the Alamo after visiting it, and there’s no better time than now during the 174th anniversary of when the battle first began.
A compound made of a few different structures that included a chapel and both upper and lower barracks (in case you’re wondering, there is no basement in the Alamo), the story behind it is well known. Disregarding orders from Texan General Sam Houston to abandon and burn the fortress, Colonel James Bowie chose instead to fortify the mission and defend it with his group of 100 men against the advancing Mexican General Santa Anta and his vast army of soldiers. Santa Anta laid siege to the Alamo for 13 days that included the blocking of an irrigation ditch, causing dire circumstances for the men, women, and children defending and taking refuge in the fortress.
On March 6, a fierce battle broke out, with the Texans retreating into the compound’s chapel. Many of them carved small holes in the walls so they could fire on the rush of Mexican soldiers, while some rooms even had trenches dug inside them as a final defensive position. The flights of bullets and cannon balls littered the air, and the final assault was a bloody one, with the remaining 11 Texans barricaded by sandbags within the chapel before being overrun. But there were great losses on the other side as well, as 600 soldiers, more than a third of Santa Anta’s army, were killed or wounded—an enormous casualty rate compared to the small number of men defending the Alamo.
The Alamo was held by the Mexican army until the Texas Revolution ended a few months later. But before abandoning it, they followed the orders that Bowie never did, tearing down walls and lighting fires throughout the complex, leaving only a few structures in tact. Following its extensive military use, today it serves as a museum, preserving one of the most important landmarks in Texas. Tours take an estimated four million annual visitors enjoying San Antonio vacations through the chapel where the battle ended, as well as the Long Barracks. Paintings, weapons, and other artifacts are on display along with a large diorama that shows how the compound originally looked and a Wall of History that tracks the site from its origins to today.
While touring the Alamo, you’ll hear numerous stories about the brave soldiers who fought to the bitter end. This includes the aforementioned James Bowie and his famous knife, Davy Crockett and his Tennessee Volunteers, William B. Travis, and some of the few survivors, including Robert Evans and Joe, Bowie’s African-American slave.
A few things to note when visiting the Alamo – one is that visitors are expected to remove their hats and speak in low tones as a token of respect, a tradition dating back to 1913 that was established by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Also, no photos are allowed to be taken inside, so you’ll have to remember the Alamo just by memory alone.
Image credit: aceros de hispania
