The Alamo
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Location:	San Antonio, Texas
Coordinates:	29°25′30.46″N, 98°29′8.81″W
Built/Founded:	1744
Added to NRHP:	October 15, 1966
NRHP Reference#:	66000808 [1]
Governing body:	Daughters of the Republic of Texas
Alamo The Alamo in Texas

The Alamo (San Antonio de Valero Mission) is a former mission and fortress compound, now a museum, in San Antonio, Texas. ^[2] The compound, which originally comprised a sanctuary and surrounding buildings, was built by the Spanish Empire in the 18th century for the education of local Native Americans after their conversion to Christianity. ^[3] After its abandonment as a mission, it was used as a fortress in the 19th century and was the scene of several military actions, including most notably the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, one of the pivotal battles between the forces of the Republic of Texas and Mexico during the Texas Revolution.^[4] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2816x2112, 891 KB) Photo taken by me, July 2006. ... San Antonio redirects here. ... // Events The third French and Indian War, known as King Georges War, breaks out at Port Royal, Nova Scotia The First Saudi State founded by Mohammed Ibn Saud Prague occupied by Prussian armies Ongoing events War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) Births January 10 - Thomas Mifflin, fifth President... A typical plaque showing entry on the National Register of Historic Places. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Texas_blank_map. ... Image File history File links Red_pog2. ... San Antonio redirects here. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... An anachronous map of the overseas Spanish Empire (1492-1898) in red, and the Spanish Habsburg realms in Europe (1516-1714) in orange. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... This article is about the people indigenous to the United States. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Combatants Republic of Mexico Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas Commanders Antonio López de Santa Anna Pérez de Lebrón William Travis† Jim Bowie† Davy Crockett† Strength 6,000 in attack (1,800 in assault-see below) 183 to 250 Casualties 650 killed 974 injured 180 killed The... Capital Washington-on-the-Brazos, Harrisburg, Galveston, Velasco, Columbia (1836) Houston (1837–1839) Austin (1839–1845) Language(s) English (de facto) Spanish, French, German and Native American languages regionally Government Republic President1  - 1836-1838 Sam Houston  - 1838-1841 Mirabeau B. Lamar  - 1841-1844 Sam Houston  - 1844-1845 Anson Jones Vice... Combatants Texas Mexico Commanders Stephen F. Austin Sam Houston Antonio López de Santa Anna Martin Perfecto de Cos Strength c. ...

History

Active mission

The mission was authorized in 1716 by the viceroy of New Spain. It was established two years later in 1718 by Fray Antonio de Olivares, who brought Indian converts and records with him from Mission Francisco Solano near San Juan Bautista on the Rio Grande. Olivares named the mission after St. Anthony of Padua and the viceroy of New Spain, Baltasar de Zúñiga y Guzmán Sotomayor y Sarmiento, Marquess of Valero and second son of the Duke of Béxar (or Béjar). The present site was selected in 1724 and the cornerstone was laid on May 8, 1744. // Events August 5 - In the Battle of Peterwardein 40. ... Viceroys of New Spain Spanish Rule Before Appointment of Viceroy Hernán Cortés, as Governor-General . ... map of New Spain in red, with territories claimed but not controlled in orange. ... Year 1718 (MDCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Spanish missions in Mexico are a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Franciscans, Jesuits, Augustinians, and Dominicans to spread the Christian doctrine among the local natives. ... San Juan Bautista has several meanings: The Spanish translation of John the Baptist. ... “Río Bravo” redirects here. ... Events January 14 - King Philip V of Spain abdicates the throne February 20 - The premiere of Giulio Cesare, an Italian opera by George Frideric Handel, takes place in London June 23 - Treaty of Constantinople signed. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events The third French and Indian War, known as King Georges War, breaks out at Port Royal, Nova Scotia The First Saudi State founded by Mohammed Ibn Saud Prague occupied by Prussian armies Ongoing events War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) Births January 10 - Thomas Mifflin, fifth President...

The Alamo was the first in a chain of missions established nearby along the San Antonio River. Several of these other missions have been preserved as part of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.^[5] This article is about the river in Texas. ... San Antonio Missions National Historical Park preserves four of the five Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio, Texas. ...

Plaque and model of the Alamo Mission and surrounding grounds at the time of the Battle of the Alamo.

After 1765, the missionary activity began to wane and in 1793 the mission was abandoned, with the archives being removed to nearby San Fernando Church. In 1803, the abandoned compound was occupied by the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras, a company of Spanish soldiers from Álamo de Parras (in the modern-day Mexican state of Coahuila). ^[6] It is believed by some historians that the name "Álamo" derives from this. ^[3] An alternate theory of the origin of the name is that it derives from the Spanish word álamo (cottonwood), after the grove of nearby trees.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1639x1470, 192 KB) Summary Photo taken by Richard Chambers in San Antonio Texas while visiting for Easy Company Reunion (Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division aka Band of Brothers) in 2005. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1639x1470, 192 KB) Summary Photo taken by Richard Chambers in San Antonio Texas while visiting for Easy Company Reunion (Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division aka Band of Brothers) in 2005. ... Year 1765 (MDCCLXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1793 (MDCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos or Mexico) comprises 31 states (estados) and one federal district (Distrito Federal), which contains the capital, Mexico City. ... Coahuila (formal name: Coahuila de Zaragoza) is one of Mexicos 31 component states. ... Species Populus deltoides L. Populus fremontii [[]] Populus nigra L. This article is about the poplar species. ...

Battle of the Alamo

Main article: Battle of the Alamo

The building was occupied by Mexican forces almost continuously until December 1835, when it was surrendered to Texan forces by General Martín Perfecto de Cos during the Texas Revolution. Two months later, on February 23, 1836, Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis entered the Alamo with a force that later totalled approximately 187 men to defend it against the advance of the Mexican army. Approximately 6,000 Mexican soldiers under the command of General Antonio López de Santa Anna laid siege to the fortress for 13 days. The siege climaxed on March 6 and resulted in the death of all of the Texan defenders. Mexican casualties probably amounted to approximately 200 killed and 400 wounded.^[4] Combatants Republic of Mexico Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas Commanders Antonio López de Santa Anna Pérez de Lebrón William Travis† Jim Bowie† Davy Crockett† Strength 6,000 in attack (1,800 in assault-see below) 183 to 250 Casualties 650 killed 974 injured 180 killed The... | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Martín Perfecto de Cos (1800 – 1854) was a 19th-century Mexican military general. ... Combatants Texas Mexico Commanders Stephen F. Austin Sam Houston Antonio López de Santa Anna Martin Perfecto de Cos Strength c. ... is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... William Travis William Barret Travis (August 1 or 9, 1809 – March 6, 1836) was a 19th Century lawyer and soldier. ... Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón (February 21, 1794 – June 21, 1876), also known simply as Santa Anna, was a Mexican political leader who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government, first fighting against independence from Spain... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The restored church building at the Alamo in San Antonio

Although the military significance of the battle has been debated by scholars, the bravery of the Texan forces and their sacrifice inspired the battle cry "Remember the Alamo" used in the subsequent battles of the Texas Revolution.^[7] Since that time the structures that remain have traditionally been regarded with reverence by Texans as illustrated by the words of Edward Burleson in 1842. personal pic of Alamo taken Fall 1998 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A battle cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same military unit. ... Edward Burleson (December 15, 1798–December 26, 1851) was a soldier, general, and statesman in the state of Missouri, the Republic of Texas, and later the U.S. state of Texas. ...

Citizens, the feelings inspired by events within these consecrated walls, of so recent date fills my bosom with emotions. This sacred spot, and those crumbling remains, the desecrated temple of Texian liberty will teach a lesson which freeman can never forget. And, while we mourn the unhappy fate of Travis, Crockett, Bowie, and their brave compatriots let it be the boast of Texians that though Thermopylae had her messenger of defeat, the Alamo had none.^[4]

Later use and restoration

After the siege, the building was nearly in ruins. Little attempt was made to restore it, and on January 13, 1841, the Republic of Texas passed an act returning the sanctuary of the Alamo to the Roman Catholic Church. After the annexation of Texas, the United States claimed the ruined building, which was used for quartermaster purposes by the Army until the Civil War. During the Civil War the Confederacy used the building, but after the war, the United States government reclaimed the building and used it until 1876.^[8] is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1841 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Catholic Church redirects here. ... Quartermaster is a term usually referring to a military unit which specializes in supplying and provisioning troops, or to an individual who does the same. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem (none official) God Save the South (unofficial) The Bonnie Blue Flag (unofficial) Dixie (unofficial) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Religion... Year 1876 Pick up Sticks(MDCCCLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The ownership of the building was in dispute for much of the later half of the 19th century. In April 23, 1883, the State of Texas officially purchased the church building from the Catholic Church and gave it to the city of San Antonio with the provision that the city should pay for the care of the building. From the 1890s through 1905 two women made themselves responsible for the preservation of the site: historian and teacher Adina De Zavala, and philanthropist Clara Driscoll, who acquired the site with her own personal funds. The two women later clashed over the treatment of the convent. Driscoll wanted it torn down. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see 1905 (disambiguation). ...

The Alamo and surrounding area circa 1920.

On January 25, 1905, the Texas Legislature passed a resolution purchasing a part of the mission occupied by a business concern, with the further instruction that the purchased property and the church building be put in the custody of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who currently maintain the buildings and welcome visitors. Disputes over the ownership of the compound persisted throughout the 20th century. In 1908 De Zavala barricaded herself in the building for three days in a successful attempt to prevent commercial exploitation. The building has been restored on several occasions, most notably for the Texas Centennial in 1936. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on December 19, 1960. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1905 (disambiguation). ... Texas Senate in session The Texas Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. ... The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) is a sororal association dedicated to perpetuating the memory of Texas pioneer families and soldiers of the Republic of Texas. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Year 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1918, Private David B. Barkley, the U.S. Army's first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient, lay in state at the Alamo, before his burial in nearby San Antonio National Cemetery.^[9] Others who had had the honor of lying in state at the Alamo were Major General Frederick Funston in 1917 ^[10], and Clara Driscoll in 1945.^[11] 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... David Bennes Barkley (c. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... Hispanic (Spanish: ; Portuguese: ; Latin: , adjective from Hispānia, the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula) is a term that historically denoted relation to the ancient Hispania and its peoples. ... The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ... San Antonio National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the city of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Brig. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ...

In popular culture

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• In March 1982, singer Ozzy Osbourne was arrested for urinating on the cenotaph in front of the Alamo. He was then banned from performing in San Antonio for the next ten years. In his book, Off the Rails, Rudy Sarzo quotes Ozzy saying, "Sorry mate, I thought it was a bloody Taco Bell!" to the Texas Ranger that caught him.^[12]
• The lack of a basement in the Alamo became a pivotal plot-point in the 1985 film Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.^[13]
• The comedy movie Viva Max! (which is set in the Alamo) caused controversy when the Daughters of the Republic of Texas tried to prevent any filming of the building for the movie.^[14]
• Patsy Cline performed a popular cover^[15] of the Bob Willis classic ballad about The Alamo called "San Antonio Rose".^[16]
• Comedian Dave Gardner made a record in 1961, titled "Coward at the Alamo," about a soldier who decided to leave the scene rather than risk the inevitable defeat by the Mexican Army. The "coward" tells the others, "Now it's all your fault we're in this mess in the first place! If you hadn't confiscated all that tequila back in San Antone, they wouldn't be tryin' to bust in here now and get it all back!"
• In the game Red Alert 2 President Dugan hid in the Alamo from Yuri's clones.

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Ozzy redirects here. ... The Cenotaph, London A ceremony at the Cenotaph, London, on Sunday 12th June 2005, remembering Irish war dead Memorial Cenotaph, Hiroshima, Japan A cenotaph is a tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person or group of persons whose remains are elsewhere. ... Rudy Sarzo, bass guitar player, was born in Cuba in 1950 and subsequently left that country in 1961. ... Pee-wee escapes from Warner Bros. ... Viva Max! is 1969 comedy film directed by Jerry Paris. ... Patsy Cline (b. ... // Brother Dave Gardner David Gardner (June 11, 1926--September 22, 1983), known as Brother Dave Gardner, was a U.S. comedian and singer. ... Confiscation, from the Latin confiscato join to the fiscus, i. ... Various brands of tequila Tequila is a spirit made primarily in the area surrounding Tequila, a town in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, 65 km northwest of Guadalajara and in the highlands of Jalisco, 65 km east of Guadalajara. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Bexar County Government  - Mayor Phil Hardberger Area  - City  412. ... Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 was the follow up to Red Alert. ...

References

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

Texas Portal

• The Alamo as cinematic subject
• Alamo Village, a preserved movie set
• Spanish missions in Texas

Image File history File links This image, including all photography and graphics used in it, was taken and created by myself, Shem Daimwood. ... Typically, The Alamo refers to the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, in direct reference to a building refered to as the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. ... Alamo Village is the name of a movie set and tourist attraction in Brackettville in west Texas in the United States. ... The Spanish Missions in Texas comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans, but with the added benefit of giving Spain a toehold in the frontier land. ...

External links

• Daughters of the Republic of Texas: Welcome to the Alamo
• Alamo History
• National Historic Landmarks Program: Alamo
• The Alamo: A Scale Model and a Model for Teaching Research Skills by By Dan Arnsan
• Alamo de Parras and history of the Alamo before 1836
• The Official Google Earth 3D Model of the Alamo

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