麻豆APP

The Alamo. Photo by BrendaAly –

Top 10 Sensational Facts about Alamo

The Alamo is one of the most well-known monuments in the state of Texas and has a very interesting history and battle associated with it. It has long been an attraction for people to visit as tourists. The Alamo, which is now the location of a museum is located in San Antonio.

To understand early Texas history and Texan independence, a visit to the Alamo is essential. Visitors are free to tour the grounds on their own or sign up for a guided or audio tour.

The mission complex is a stopover on most sightseeing and hop-on hop-off bus tours, which often include stops at Mission San Jose, Market Square, and Mission Concepci贸n.

Travelers can even combine a visit to the Alamo with a cruise along the San Antonio River Walk, or, for those interested in the Alamo’s ghostly residents, visit the complex as part of a haunted San Antonio tour.

1. The Alamo was built by the Spanish to educate people

Mid-Alamo Canyon from halfway down the South Rim, looking north. The white scar on the far side of the canyon is the trail to the north rim. The canyon is 500 feet (150 m) deep at this point. Photo by Chris Light –

The Alamo was built by the Spanish Empire in the year 1744 and was originally made up of a sanctuary and the surrounding buildings. It was used mainly for educating the Native Americans about Catholicism and Christianity after their conversion.

2. It was a missionary area that was used by the Catholic Church

The Alamo Texas. Photo by Christy –

The Alamo used to be called the Mission San Antonio de Valero and was among several missions that the Spanish government formed in East Texas. It was used by the Catholic Church to teach people the doctrines of the Church and was also a fortress. In 1793, the mission was actually abandoned and then ten years later became a fortress for the Mexican Army. Many people say that it was probably this group that gave the site the name Alamo.

3. Conversion to Military Fortress

San Antonio Texas June 1993. Visiting the Alamo. Photo by Creative Commons –

The Mission San Antonio de Valero was secularized in the year 1793and no longer governed by the Church. Most of the tribes of Texas had been Christianized by that time and there was little other use for the mission. The archives of the mission were moved to the nearby San Fernando Church. Part of the complex was used as a hospital and was considered the first hospital in San Antonio.

4. It was surrendered to Texan forces in 1835

Night view of Alamo Texas. Photo by Creative Commons –

The Alamo was surrendered by Mexican forces to General Martin Perfecto de Cos in 1835 in the middle of the Texas Revolution. Many improvements were made to the fortress using parts gathered from a church that had fallen down in the complex. Cos retreated from the complex after an attack by Texan forces.

5. The Alamo was strengthened by the soldiers

Biblioteca Municipal El 脕lamo. Photo by Creative Commons –

After Cos left the Alamo, many Texans believed that the war was over and that there were no more Mexican forces in Texas. 300 of the 400 total soldiers stationed in the Alamo were taken to attack Matamoros.

 James Neill was in charge of the remaining 100 men and asked for reinforcements, but the Texan government was not yet well organized and couldn鈥檛 send backup. The remaining soldiers strengthened the Alamo and set the canons left behind by Cos on the walls.

6. Battle of the Alamo

The Alamo. The photo was taken by Tony Kent –

On February 23, 1836, the Mexican army started a siege on the Alamo for thirteen days. They blocked off the water supply through the irrigation ditch that lead into the complex. The siege ended on March 6th when the Mexicans were victorious at the Battle of the Alamo. This was a very historic battle in the Texan Revolution. All of the men were killed and their bodies were piled up and burned.

7. End of the Texan Revolution

This is the La Bastida Map, drawn for General Vicente Fisiloa of the Mexican Army in March 1836. The map shows the location of the Alamo Mission in relation to the town of San Antonio de Bexar (listed as Bejar). It was published in the mid-1800s as part of General Filisola’s memoirs. The photo was taken by an unknown Mexican Army soldier –

The Alamo was further fortified by the Mexican army after the Battle of the Alamo, although there are no records of what parts were rebuilt and strengthened. When the Mexican army was defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto, the revolution was officially over and the troops stationed at the Alamo agreed to leave Texas. The retreating Mexican armies destroyed many parts of the Alamo and some of the rubble was even sold to whoever wanted it.

8. Return to the Roman Catholic Church

The Bank of Alamo building in Alamo, Tennessee, United States. The photo was taken by
Brian Stansberry –

The Alamo was officially returned by the Republic of Texas to the Catholic Church in 1841. When Texas become part of the United States, the complex was still in ruins and was overgrown by weeds.

9. Governed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas

Display of items of the Mexican army from the Battle of the Alamo on display at the Museo Nacional de las Intervenciones (ex Monastery of Churubusco) in Coyoacan borough, Mexico City. Photo was taken by Thelmadatter –

After their formation in 1892, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas began to try and preserve the Alamo. They became permanent custodians of the property and quarreled over how to restore the buildings. Other attempts were made to transfer the Alamo to control by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, but none has ever been successful.

10. The Alamo is made use of now in a modern way

The Alamo is pictured at Dusk. The photo was taken by KelliMays –

The Alamo is a very popular attraction now and over 4 million people visit it each year. The museum is very popular, but there is really very little to see at the Alamo now. A history of destruction and rebuilding has wreaked havoc on the complex.