Kinda hard to do… I’ll explain. As part of our trip to San Antonio, we visited the Historic site of the Alamo. It was really an odd experience. I have visited many historical sites pertaining to just about every aspect of American history, but this one was oddly unique. First off, it’s right in the middle of the city… literally. Surrounded by tall buildings and businesses on every corner. Most historical places we have gone to are usually set apart from commercial development and are also generally preserved intact as to the events that gave it the historical importance. Neither was the case here… the site was not preserved as to the appearance that it had at the time of the Alamo Battle, nor was it preserved as a complete entity, since only a small fraction of the Alamo complex was actually preserved. The actual Alamo chapel was reconstructed to it’s appearance prior to the battle ( the actual chapel was at the time of the battle, already in ruins and had no roof) , and in addition to the small portion of the complex that was saved, additional buildings such as a modern gift shop, information center, library, and museum we added to the small section of property that was saved and set aside, somewhat taking away from the historical preservation of the property. All this was such a contrast to the atmosphere inside the reconstructed chapel where they wanted to convey the feeling of a “shrine” to the battle… no photography or loud talk… and don’t touch the walls or anything else. In contrast to the whole “shrine” reverence thing… it’s had to imagine that the courtyard where most of the battle took place, and most of the Texans made their last stand and died… is now the commercial street zone mostly occupied by Ripley’s amusements… go figure. Perhaps years ago many wrong decisions were made as to preservation, that could not be undone… really kinda sad that the importance of this site was so belittled in years past and it has become what it is today. But that’s just my impression of the site and how it went from what is once was, to what it is today.
The Real Alamo ( reconstructed )
The Movie Alamo built as it was at the Alamo Battle
Chapel and Courtyard ( movie location )
as it looked during the battle.
Courtyard, buildings, and walls no long exist at the real Alamo
What was, and what’s gone forever.
Historical Preservation gone amiss.
The Chapel as it existed at the time of the battle.
( at the movie set )
Looking towards the front doors
roof having been long gone.
Looking towards the back where cannons were placed.
Earthen ramps raised ground level for the cannons.
All the walls are now gone… see the chapel to the right.
( this scene at the movie site )
Chapel is almost all that remains at the original Alamo site.
The Movie set reproduction of the Alamo is much more historically accurate and reminisce of the real Alamo as it existed at the time of the battle. Locate in Brackettville, Texas, about 2 hours west of San Antonio.
The History of the Battle of the Alamo…
well… yall can get that right to the internet…
or Netflix and get the John Wayne Movie!
