We headed out yesterday first for some history and then for some fun. We walked over to the Alamo (the only area at grade you can walk to in this city) to learn the rich history of Texas. After all this is where the independence of Texas was won, where Bowie and Houston died and where a historic building still stands. Lies all of them. Now growing up in Virginia, the most we ever learned about Texas in history was they were the willing provider of troops to the War of Northern Aggression, so I may have been a little light on the facts. Let's go through them.
First, the decisive battle of Texas independence was at the Battle of San Jacinto, which was fought after the full defeat of the Texans at the Alamo. And the only reason that the Battle of San Jacinto was the birth of Texas independence was because the Texans captured Santa Anna and he bargained his life for quasi-nationhood. The Alamo, while a brave last stand, was a huge loss in their was for independence.
Second, the only historically significant person who died at the Alamo was Davy Crockett and his bagpipe playing friend. It turns out he was tired of being a congressman and was looking for adventure. Looks like he found a little too much. Bowie was there and did die there, but he was bed ridden.
Last, most of the battle of the Alamo took place in the courtyard and outbuildings surrounding the chapel that we have all come to know at the Alamo. Where are these places now, below the city streets of San Antonio. In fact, the Alamo building as we know it was a roofless deserted chapel on the edge of the battle. The historic front and roofline was added by the federal government around 1850 after Texas was annexed.
But it really does have no basement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYfjq3ZYZbA
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