Ten Unusual Facts About the Alamo

Movies don’t tell the whole story.

Creative Commons: Tony in WA

“Remember the Alamo!’ is one of the most recognizable mottos in American and Texas history. But how much is accurately remembered about the Alamo? How much is “misremembered?” Let’s take a quick peek at some things that may, or may not have happened there.

1: The Confederacy used the Alamo during the Civil War.

As inspirational as the place is supposed to be, it didn’t seem to provide much of a home-field advantage for those controlling it.

2: There are various bits of debris in the walls of the Alamo.

Included in that debris are bits of broken glass from broken glass and beer mugs. How did they get there? When the US Army reinforced the walls, dirt from a nearby garbage dump was used. That seems like a strange way to treat a shrine.

3: The current walls and arches around the Alamo were built in the 1920s.

The original walls were long gone by that time. I wonder if any Mexican labor was used in the rebuild?

4: The Alamo has its own private security force.