Alamo Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
James Bowie
(1796-1836)
— Frontiersman, Entrepreneur, Soldier and Alamo Defender —
Photographed By James Hulse, December 16, 2021
1. James Bowie Marker
Bowie traveled to Texas in 1830 after experiencing several business setbacks. He quickly established a connection to Martín de Veramendi, a powerful San Antonio de Béxar merchant-politician, by marrying his daughter Ursula. This alliance would be cut short when Martín and Ursula died of cholera in 1833.
A natural leader, Bowie played an important role in the Texas Revolution. Concerned over the defense of Béxar, General Sam Houston sent Bowie and a small band of volunteers to investigate the situation. Once there, the town's commander, James C. Neill, and Bowie declared that they would "rather die in these ditches than give up this post to the enemy." Bowie and William B. Travis served as co-commanders of the Alamo until Bowie became so ill that he was confined to his sickbed, where he was killed on March 6, 1836.
Artist: Deborah Fellows
Donor: Valero
Erected by The Alamo Organization.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is March 6, 1836.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Susannah Dickinson (here, next to this marker); Emily West Morgan (1815-1891) (here, next to this marker); Alamo Sesquicentennial Monument (here, next to this marker); Hendrick Arnold (1804-1849) (a few steps from this marker); David Crockett (a few steps from this marker); William Barret Travis (a few steps from this marker); John William Smith, 'El Colorado' (a few steps from this marker); Colonel William B. Travis (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Also see . . . Bowie, James (1796–1836).
He was fond of hunting and fishing, and family tradition says that he caught and rode wild horses, rode alligators, and trapped bears. When grown, Bowie was described by his brother John as "a stout, rather raw-boned man, of six feet height, weighed 180 pounds." He had light-colored hair, keen grey eyes "rather deep set in his head,"(Submitted on December 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)a fair complexion, and high cheek-bones. Bowie had an "open, frank disposition," but when aroused by an insult, his anger was terrible. Source: The Handbook of TexasPhotographed By James Hulse, December 16, 20212. The James Bowie statue and Marker
Public Domain - George Peter Alexander Healy, circa 1830s
3. James Bowie
Photographed By James Hulse, December 16, 2021
4. The James Bowie statue and Marker near the north wall
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 20, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
