|
|
Education & Tours - Historical
Site Visits
|
|
TEXAS STAR TRAIL
A Downtown San Antonio Walking Tour
 You
can walk the Texas Star Trail beginning at
any point along its 2.6 mile length. The route can also be abbreviated,
or walked in sections. Each of the numbered locations is marked with a
large red & blue aluminum Texas Star Plaque. Street addresses are also
listed for those who wish to drive the route. Small star markers, with
each star pointing direction, connect the large markers. |
|
The Alamo
Texas Star Trail
A Sesquicentennial Project of the
San Antonio Conservation Society
Alamo Plaza
This site has been the
focal point of the city of San Antonio from its earliest days as a
mission outpost of New Spain to its importance today as the heart
of downtown. In 1724 the Mission San Antonio de Valero was moved
here, after having been briefly located at two other sites
following establishment in 1718. When an earlier 1744 church
building collapsed, a new structure was begun in 1758.
Various epidemics depopulated the mission, and, by 1778, there
were not enough Indians to work the fields, which extended in all
directions from the mission buildings here. All of the area east
of the river that is included in this tour was first part of one
of the labores, or fields, of the mission.
 The
Alamo, 1758
318 Alamo Plaza
In 1793, Mission San Antonio de Valero was secularized and lay
abandoned for seven years. Then, in 1801, a company of Spanish
soldiers from San José y Santiago del Alamo Parras in northern
Mexico was quartered at the old mission. From this troop comes the
name of the plaza and "The Alamo."
The Texas Revolution and the famed battle of the Alamo in 1836
took its toll on the structure - and the city. The Alamo was
leased by the U.S. Army from the Catholic Church in 1850. John
Fries, architect, and David Russi, stonemason, were retained to
renovate the buildings. They created the distinctive parapet that
so many identify with the Alamo and San Antonio.
The chapel was purchased by the State of Texas in 1885, and more
of the property acquired in the early 20th Century. Custody of the
entire site was given by the State to the Daughters of the
Republic of Texas in 1904. Today, the chapel is a shrine to the
heroes and museum exhibits interpret the story of the Alamo and
the famous battle. It is open to the public.
The locations shown on this map mark the structures, sites and
events associated with the Battle of the Alamo and the fight for
Texas independence.
The locations shown on this map mark the structures, sites
and events associated with the Battle of the Alamo and the fight
for Texas independence.
A. Ruin
of the Mission church. Three cannons were mounted on a
platform at the rear.
B. Low double stockade patched with dirt, enclosing
old mission graveyard. This area was defended by Davy
Crockett.
C. Old mission convent, downstairs barracks and
armory, upstairs hospital. Courtyard in back formerly had
two-story arched corridors.
D. Corral enclosed with Picket Fence.
E. Adobe houses.
F. Battery of Cannons, called Teran by the Mexicans.
On the ramp of this position Col. Travis was killed.
G. Battery of cannons called Forten de Condelle by
the Mexicans.
|
H. West wall of the plaza. Formerly Mission Indian
houses, some with arched corridors.
I. Location of a 18-lb. cannon, the largest in the
fort.
J. Jail.
K. Main gates with tower, defended by two cannons in
an extended earth work.
L. Interior barricade defending main gate.
M. Low Barracks.
N. Well.
O. Unmounted cannons.
P. Centopath Monument.
Q. Acequia irrigation ditch.
|
Seventy-nine more historic sites are described in the
Texas
Star Trail walking tour.
Please contact the San
Antonio Conservation Society for brochures.
more historical site visits
|
|
|
|
