The Alamo
This site has served as a focal point for the city of San Antonio from its earliest days as a mission outpost of New Spain to its present importance in the heart of downtown. The Mission San Antonio de Valero, originally established in 1718, moved here in 1724, after having been unsuccessfully located at two other sites. The missionaries began construction of a stone church in 1744, but its walls later collapsed, prompting reconstruction that remained half-completed by 1777. Through the years, various epidemics depopulated the mission and, by 1778, there were not enough Indians to work the mission fields.
In addition to being the location of a mission and fortress, the plaza provided space for a city market for many years. The famous “chili queens” first set up their stands in this location. In 1888, Alderman Anton Wulff called for the building of four paved streets around the plaza with a landscaped garden in the center. He installed iron benches in the garden at his own expense. The Cenotaph (empty tomb), commissioned by the U.S. State of Texas Centennial in 1936, was dedicated in 1940. Local architects Adams and Adams provided the structural design for the monument, which sculptor Pompeo Coppini conceived and executed.
In addition to being the location of a mission and fortress, the plaza provided space for a city market for many years. The famous “chili queens” first set up their stands in this location. In 1888, Alderman Anton Wulff called for the building of four paved streets around the plaza with a landscaped garden in the center. He installed iron benches in the garden at his own expense. The Cenotaph (empty tomb), commissioned by the U.S. State of Texas Centennial in 1936, was dedicated in 1940. Local architects Adams and Adams provided the structural design for the monument, which sculptor Pompeo Coppini conceived and executed.
-
Open or Close
Click photo to enlarge
26-A, Ernst Raba Collection, San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation Library
90.42, San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation Library
90.41, San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation Library
96.284, San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation Library
87.967, San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation Library
-
Open or Close
The Alamo
300 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78205
-
Open or Close
Once you have visited this site,
click below to find other locations near you:
-
Open or Close
Alamo Plaza Mobile Tour
Go deeper and explore the Alamo in a new way...right from your mobile phone!
map
Copyright © 2013 San Antonio Conservation Society.
