Alamo Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Defense of The Alamo

“Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat; The Alamo had none.”

Photographed by Kathy Walker, July 14, 2007

1. The Defense of the Alamo Marker

Inscription. The Alamo in 1836 consisted of this church, the convent and a large rectangular area or plaza, an enclosure of about six acres surrounded by walls with barracks on the west side of the plaza. On February 23, 1836 Colonel William Barret Travis entered the Alamo with an approximate force of two hundred men. The siege commanded by General Santa Anna and an army of several thousand Mexican soldiers lasted nearly two weeks. At dawn on Sunday, March 6, the final assault was made, and in less than an hour the defenders slain, later the bodies were burned by order of General Santa Anna. This victory in defeat was the means of uniting the colonists in a determined effort to resist further oppression and by armed force secure permanent independence.

“It was here that a gallant few, the bravest of the brave, threw themselves between the enemy and the settlements, determined never to surrender nor retreat. They redeemed their pledge to Texas with the forfeit of their lives - they fell the chosen sacrifice to Texas Freedom.” — Newell

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, Mexican-American. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1806.

Location. 29° 25.545′ N, 98° 29.19′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It

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is in Alamo Plaza. It can be reached from the intersection of Alamo Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Founding of the Mission and Origin of Name (here, next to this marker); Letter From The Alamo (here, next to this marker); The Birthplace of Freemasonry in West Texas (a few steps from this marker); Masonic Heroes of the Alamo (a few steps from this marker); Cannon From the Battle of the Alamo (a few steps from this marker); The Palisade (a few steps from this marker); Clara Driscoll, Saviour of the Alamo (a few steps from this marker); The Alamo 1900 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Alamo in 1836 (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . The Alamo Website. In the early 1800s, the Spanish military stationed a cavalry unit at the former [Misión San Antonio de Valero]. The soldiers referred to the old mission as the Alamo (the Spanish word for “cottonwood”) in honor of their hometown Alamo de Parras, Coahuila. The post’s commander established the first recorded hospital in Texas in the Long Barrack. The Alamo

Photographed by Kathy Walker, July 14, 2007

2. The Alamo

was home to both Revolutionaries and Royalists during Mexico's ten-year struggle for independence. The military—Spanish, Rebel, and then Mexican—continued to occupy the Alamo until the Texas Revolution. (Submitted on July 22, 2008.)

Entrance to The Alamo’s Gift Shop. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, July 14, 2007

3. Entrance to The Alamo’s Gift Shop.

Tree on Grounds of The Alamo. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, July 14, 2007

4. Tree on Grounds of The Alamo.

Cactus on the grounds of the Alamo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, July 14, 2007

5. Cactus on the grounds of the Alamo

The Six Flags of Texas image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, July 14, 2007

6. The Six Flags of Texas

Tour guide at the Alamo with the six flags of Texas in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,554 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 16, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.