Mission San Antonio de Valero (Alamo)


San Antonio, Texas

Photographed at Alamo, San Antonio, Texas
  			    

Establishment and Re-establishment


Construction and Inventory
	       

Battle of the Alamo


Establishment and Re-establishment


Return to Top San Antonio de Valero was founded on May 1, 1718 by Fr. Antonio de Olivares, a member of the College of Queretaro. He deserves to be called the founder of the City of San Antonio because it was he who talked the viceroy into ordering the founding not only of the mission, but also the Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar and the Villa de Bexar. The mission had three different sites over a seventy-five year period.

1718-1719

The first site was approximately two miles south of San Pedro Springs on the west side of the San Antonio River, by the Governor's Palace.

1719-1724

The second site was on the east side of the river close to the spot where old Joseph's Church is now. This transfer was made during the summer of 1719.

1724-1793

The third site, where the mission is currently located, is one third of a mile north from the second site. The mission was moved here in 1724.

Construction and Inventory


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A stone chapel with a tower, which had been constructed at the mission's second site, was still standing in 1756. It was called Capilla de la Santa Cruz. The first church at the third site was most likely made of adobe and had a thatched roof. The second church, made out of stone, was commenced on May 8, 1744, with the laying of the first stone. There was a two-story convento, or residence for the missionaries, built by that time. The convento had already been commenced in 1727. The second church, which was built of stone and completed before 1757, had fallen down. The third church, which was also made of stone, was being built. The third church is the Alamo we know today. The church was going to be of cut stone with a transept and two towers, but unfortunately it was left incomplete when the mission was secularized in 1793. The building was leased by the bishop to the U.S. Quartermaster Corps, who put a roof on it in 1847. The Alamo was sold in 1883, and in 1905 the state of Texas gave the former mission to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who still maintain the building and grounds today.

The mission's fields produced about 700 bushels of corn each year. It would have been more had it not been for the work of various insect pests.

An inventory taken in 1727 stated that Mission Valero had:
  • about 450 cattle
  • about 550 sheep and goats
  • 11 horses
  • 12 mules
  • 22 burros
  • 21 yoke of work oxen
  • plows, hoes, shovels, scythes, other farming equipment.

    • Battle of the Alamo


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    General Santa Anna led his troops along the Caminos Reales from Mexico to San Antonio, where he spent thirteen fateful days. While waiting outside the Alamo, twelve days passed and on Sunday, March 6, 1836, Santa Anna moved his troops forward to attack the Alamo. Santa Anna, as commander of the reserves, watched from a point of safety.

    The Texans were prepared for battle. The Mexican forces then began scaling the walls, and the Texans retired to a large building used as barracks. The Texans fought bravely, but in little more than an hour the last of the defenders had fallen.

    Santa Anna suffered the loss of many men, and was delayed for more than two weeks. The army of the Napolean of the West was no longer held in awe. Of the 189 Texans, not one survived. Perhaps the best way to sum up the Alamo is in the words of William B. Travis:


    Fellow Citizens and Compatriots:

    I am besieged with a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for twenty-four hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the wall. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his honor and that of his country.
    VICTORY OR DEATH. 
    				 William Barret Travis 
				 Lt. Col. Comd't

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