Alamo Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Alamo in 1836
The fortress known to history as “The Alamo” was originally built by the Spanish in the 18th Century. Named Mission San Antonio de Valero by Franciscan officials, the mission occupied this site from 1724 until it was closed in 1793. The mission compound encompassed modern Alamo Plaza. The church was never completed and lacked a roof at the time of the famous 1836 siege and battle. Today this building is recognized world-wide as the Shrine of Texas Liberty. The structures shown in the illustration are (left to right) the Long Barrack, the front of the church, and the Palisade Wall.
February 25, 1836
To Major General Sam Houston
... Our numbers are few and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force very soon; but I shall hold out to the last extremity, hoping to secure reinforcements in a day or two. Do hasten on aid to me as rapidly as possible, as from the superior number of the enemy, it will be impossible for us to keep them out much longer. If they overpower us, we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope prosperity and our country will do our memory justice. Give me help, oh my Country! Victory or Death!
William Barret Travis
Lieut. Col., Commanding
Erected by The Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is February 25, 1836.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 29° 25.553′ N, 98° 29.19′ W. Marker was in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It was in Alamo Plaza. Marker was on Alamo Plaza, on the right when traveling north. Marker is next to the exterior SW corner wall of the Long Barrack of the Alamo Mission compound. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Birthplace of Freemasonry in West Texas (here, next to this marker); Masonic Heroes of the Alamo (here, next to this marker); Part of the San Antonio de Valero Mission (here, next to this marker); The Alamo 1900 (here, next to this marker); Clara Driscoll, Saviour of the Alamo (here, next to this marker); The Alamo 1891 (a few steps from this marker); Ruins of the Habitations of the Friars and Indians (a few steps from this marker); Cannon From the Battle of the Alamo (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Also see . . . The Alamo. (Submitted on May 17, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,877 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 13, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on January 13, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on May 17, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 7. submitted on February 11, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.