From Warehouse to Shrine

As the twentieth century approached, the Alamo Shrine was surrounded by commercial property and original parts of the mission were in danger of being lost forever. Adina De Zavala, granddaughter of the first vice president of the Republic of Texas, recognized the importance of preserving the site and brought the project to the attention of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The organization adopted the Alamo as a project and by 1904 persuaded the state to purchase the remaining property north of the Shrine. On January 26, 1905, Texas law granted the Daughters of the Republic of Texas custodianship of the Alamo, to be maintained without charge to the state as a sacred memorial to the Alamo defenders. Clara Driscoll also played an important role, bringing leadership and financial aid and personally making up a shortfall on the down payment for the Long Barrack property in 1903 before the state appropriated funds to complete the purchase and reimburse her. Many changes followed after 1905, including acquisition of surrounding land to Bonham and Crockett Streets and property facing Alamo Plaza for park lands, restoration of the old San Antonio Fire Station as a meeting hall, construction of the Alamo Museum and Gift Shop, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, office and maintenance buildings, restrooms, and a greenhouse, and restoration of the Long Barrack as a museum. A dispute arose over preservation plans, and after removal of the commercial facade began in 1912, Adina De Zavala fought unsuccessfully to prevent destruction of the Long Barrack's upper portion; the second story was removed and the remaining walls stood unchanged for many years. Over time the grounds reached their present configuration of 4.2 acres, while much of the original Alamo grounds was covered by the city of San Antonio. Today the Alamo is known worldwide as a symbol of patriotism and the Shrine of Texas Liberty, visited annually by more than 3 million people.

San Antonio, Texas · United States