What Is the Alamo?
For generations, imaginations have been captured by what is perhaps the embodiment of the American Old West–the Alamo. Even the name conjures up images of cowboys and men on horseback, grizzled soldiers fighting for their lives against an army from south of the border. But what exactly makes the Alamo one of the places that speaks of an entire era of American history? Features The Alamo was originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, a religious mission in San Antonio, Texas. The compound dates back to the eighteenth century, when it was built by the Spanish as a missionary outpost in hopes of converting some of the Native American residents to Christianity. As a mission, it was abandoned in 1793. Military Conversion Around the turn of the century, the Alamo became home to the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras, a division from the Mexican Army and the first military occupation of what had become a makeshift fort. It was held until 1835, when it was turned over to th
