Visiting San Antonio (Texas)…

Remember the Alamo! by Visiting it & the Famed Riverwalk

Every since someone I used to work with moved to San Antonio, I’ve wanted to go and visit this unique town. Everyone I know who has visited San Antonio really enjoyed it.

From the famed Riverwalk to the Alamo, from the many nearby golf courses…to the shops and restaurants, there is something for everyone to do while in the area. In fact, you’ll find you didn’t have enough time to see it all and do it all. So, you’ll just have to go back again.

Let’s start with some American history and the Alamo (this is the Spanish word for cottonwood) It was originally named the Misión San Antonio de Valero and was home to missionaries and their converts for almost 70 years. Building began at its current site in 1724, and, in 1793, Spanish officials distributed land from five missions and gave them to the remaining Indians. These residents continued to work in the fields which were now their own and became part of the San Antonio community. In the 1800’s the Spaniards stationed a cavalry unit at the former mission and the soldiers there called it Alamo after their hometown Alamo de Parras, Coahuila.

The Alamo was home to the Royalists and the Revolutionaries during Mexico’s long struggle for its independence. The military, first Spanish, Rebel and finally Mexican continued to occupy it until the Texas Revolution. 

San Antonio and the Alamo were crucial to the Texas Revolution. In December of 1835, both the Texian and Tejano volunteers fought against Mexican troops quartered in the city. After five days of intense house-to-house fighting, General Marín Perfecto de Cós and his soldiers surrendered. Victorious, the volunteers then occupied the Alamo —and strengthened its defenses beyond what had been done during the recent battle.