| Copyright 2007 by Dale Cox All Rights Reserved |
The Alamo - San Antonio, Texas
ExploreSouthernHistory.com
The Alamo: The Early Years
| The Alamo Chapel and Long Barrack This view shows the facade of the well-known chapel of the Alamo, along with the adjacent structure known by the Texas as the "long barrack." |
At the time it was constructed, the mission compound we know
today as the Alamo was located on the outskirts of the small
Spanish settlement of San Antonio de Bexar. Authorized in 1716, the
present site of the mission was selected in 1724 and the
cornerstone of the complex was laid twenty years later in 1744.
During its early career, the Alamo was known as the mission of San
Antonio de Valero and functioned along the lines of most such
establishments. Resident friars ministered to local residents, many
of whom were Native American, and the mission was very much a
religious community complete with fields and workshops.
After twenty years of declining fortunes, however, the mission of San
Antonio de Valero was abandoned in 1793 and allowed to slowly
deteriorate. In 1803, however, the mission was reoccupied for
service as a military post. Its initial garrison was Second Flying
Company from the Alamo de Parras area of Mexico. This has
prompted some to speculate that the "Alamo" name originates from
the use of the mission by this company. Others believe it may refer
to a grove of cottonwood trees that grew at the site. "Alamo" is the
Spanish word for cottonwood.
Following the 1803 military occupation of the mission, the Alamo
remained an important fort and post on the Texas frontier for many
years. Alterations were made to the original mission compound over
the next three decades, but it never was converted into a particularly
strong fortification. Its dimensions made it too large to be defended
by a small force and the design was much more ecclesiastical than
military.
When most people think of the Alamo today, they think primarily of its
famed chapel. In reality, however, the chapel was just a small part of
a much larger complex. Adjoining it was a large rectangular
compound surrounded by a masonry wall. A number of buildings
bordered this compound and were used as offices, barracks,
storehouses, etc., by the various soldiers who occupied the post.
In December of 1835, during the early days of the Texas Revolution,
the Alamo was seized by Texan forces following a brief siege of San
Antonio.
The Texas then occupied the old mission and began to try to
strengthen the defenses and mount artillery. The process was still
underway when the army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
marched north across the desert and appeared on the outskirts of
San Antonio.
today as the Alamo was located on the outskirts of the small
Spanish settlement of San Antonio de Bexar. Authorized in 1716, the
present site of the mission was selected in 1724 and the
cornerstone of the complex was laid twenty years later in 1744.
During its early career, the Alamo was known as the mission of San
Antonio de Valero and functioned along the lines of most such
establishments. Resident friars ministered to local residents, many
of whom were Native American, and the mission was very much a
religious community complete with fields and workshops.
After twenty years of declining fortunes, however, the mission of San
Antonio de Valero was abandoned in 1793 and allowed to slowly
deteriorate. In 1803, however, the mission was reoccupied for
service as a military post. Its initial garrison was Second Flying
Company from the Alamo de Parras area of Mexico. This has
prompted some to speculate that the "Alamo" name originates from
the use of the mission by this company. Others believe it may refer
to a grove of cottonwood trees that grew at the site. "Alamo" is the
Spanish word for cottonwood.
Following the 1803 military occupation of the mission, the Alamo
remained an important fort and post on the Texas frontier for many
years. Alterations were made to the original mission compound over
the next three decades, but it never was converted into a particularly
strong fortification. Its dimensions made it too large to be defended
by a small force and the design was much more ecclesiastical than
military.
When most people think of the Alamo today, they think primarily of its
famed chapel. In reality, however, the chapel was just a small part of
a much larger complex. Adjoining it was a large rectangular
compound surrounded by a masonry wall. A number of buildings
bordered this compound and were used as offices, barracks,
storehouses, etc., by the various soldiers who occupied the post.
In December of 1835, during the early days of the Texas Revolution,
the Alamo was seized by Texan forces following a brief siege of San
Antonio.
The Texas then occupied the old mission and began to try to
strengthen the defenses and mount artillery. The process was still
underway when the army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
marched north across the desert and appeared on the outskirts of
San Antonio.
 | |  | |  |
| The Aquecia of the Alamo A surviving feature of the original mission complex, the aquecia was a small canal used to bring water to the mission. |
| Rear of the Alamo Chapel This is a view of the rear or back wall of the Alamo chapel. The distinctive cross shape of the church can easily be seen here. |
| Note: The photographs on this page were taken by Bruce Schulze. Please do not reproduce them without his permission. Be sure to visit his website at: |
