Visit the Alamo Texas

“When I finally stood in the Plaza, able see The Alamo all at once, I almost felt dizzy. My eyes were tracing the limestone roofline while my head was swimming in the mythic story – trying to stretch the small building into something that would loom with the weight of what had transpired here over one hundred and fifty years ago.”

“In the sacristy where the women and children hid during the battle (only one was killed, small comfort), I stopped to reflect on the awe and sadness that seems to infuse all battlefields. In the long barracks, we watched a short film giving an overview of the battle, and I was struck breathless at the parallels between this and Kings Mountain—only in this case, the defenders were the rebels and not the loyalists, but the battle of the Alamo certainly provided the fuel to galvanize the Texas army into defeating the Mexican army shortly afterwards, who outnumbered them 2-to-1.”

“After going inside, it was impossible to see anything for several minutes, since the inside of the building was very dark and I had just come in from the sunny daylight. There were historic documents in glass cases, but it was difficult to see them, and I couldn’t figure out what they were. Sure, there were signs that said things like “Land Grant 1832,” but what did that mean? What was the significance of the land grant? What did the land grant achieve? The complete lack of context regarding nearly every exhibit on the Alamo grounds was absolutely maddening.”

“Like so many other visitors to San Antonio, after checking into our hotel, we headed straight for the Alamo. I’d been told several times there wasn’t much left of the famous fort, so I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much there was to see. [...] Crossing Alamo Plaza, which would have originally been the main open area inside the fort, I tried to block out all the other tourists and imagine being there back in 1836.”

“Something draws me to the Alamo when I’m in San Antonio. I can’t stay away. Ever since my first visit sometime in the 1980s, I have found myself not only going there again and again, but taking people to see it. [...] The 18th century relic is situated in the middle of a vibrant Texas city. It’s hard to think of it as an outpost in the middle of Spanish-held territory as it once was. [...] Behind the familiar facade, there’s a park-like setting. When we visited, it was filled with families enjoying the pleasant weather.”