| 1912 |
|
The Alamo Heroes Monument Association is formed with the intent of building
a monument to the Alamo defenders. The group proposes an 800 foot high tower
on Alamo Plaza, but fails in the attempt to raise the two-million-dollar construction cost.
Proposed monument with the Alamo church visible in the lower left corner.
|
| 1921 |
| A flood devastates downtown San Antonio,
leading to various flood control proposals in the ensuing years.
Led by the San Antonio Conservation Society, preservationists
push for beautification of the neglected river. |
| 1926 |
|
The city of San Antonio initiates the acquisition of land
surrounding the Alamo with the purchase of commercial buildings
immediately south of the church.
|
| 1929 |
|
The State of Texas appropriates $250,000 for the purchase
of land adjacent to the Alamo.
|
| 1932 |
| The State of Texas allocates another $150,000
for the purchase of Alamo property. Clara Driscoll contributes
$65,000 to supplement the fund.
|
| 1935 |
| $3 million in federal money is authorized
for a celebration of the centennial of Texas independence. Of
that amount, $400,000 goes to San Antonio, including $75,000
for improvements to the Alamo. The money is used for a new roof
and floor for the church, and for a new museum building. |
| 1936 |
|
The centennial of Texas independence is observed. Over 10,000
people attend day-long ceremonies at the Alamo marking the
one hundredth anniversary of the March 6 battle.
Excavations within San Fernando Cathedral uncover a small
coffin containing human remains. Debate ensues over their
identity; the Archbishop of San Antonio, Arthur J. Drossaerts,
concludes that the remains are of the Alamo defenders, and
orders their ceremonial reburial in San Fernando two years
later.
|
| 1937 |
| With the acquisition of City Fire Station
No. 2, the purchase of property surrounding the Alamo is completed.
The framework of the two-story fire station is converted into
Alamo Hall, a single-story auditorium and meeting room. A new
museum building is constructed adjacent to the church, and opens
in the fall. |
| 1938 |
| The expanded Alamo grounds and its new
facilities are dedicated in October. |
| 1939 |
|
Development of the River Walk along the San Antonio River
begins, funded in part by the Works Progress Administration.
|
| 1940 |
|
The
Alamo Cenotaph, a memorial designed by San Antonio sculptor
Pompeo Coppini, is completed and dedicated.
Left: Rabbi Ephraim Frisch and San Antonio Mayor Maury Maverick are shown at the
Alamo Cenotaph dedication and Armistice Day ceremonies,
November 11, 1940.
Photograph by Harvey Patteson. From E.R. Rice, Cenotaph Dedication album.
|
| 1945 |
|
Clara Driscoll dies in Corpus Christi at age 64. After lying
in state in the Alamo church, she is buried in the Masonic
Cemetery in San Antonio.
Dallas physician William E. Howard donates his collection
of Texana to the DRT, opening the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library in Alamo Hall.
|
| 1950 |
| A new building for the DRT Library, adjacent
to Alamo Hall, is constructed with funding from Sallie Ward
Beretta of San Antonio in memory of her husband Mr. John King Beretta. |
| 1955 |
| At age 93, Adina De Zavala dies in San
Antonio on the eve of Texas Independence Day. Her funeral procession
passes in front of the Alamo on the way to St. Mary's Cemetery. |
| 1960 |
|
The
Alamo is designated a National Historic Landmark.
The world premiere of John Wayne's motion picture The Alamo
is held at the Woodlawn Theater in San Antonio, climaxing
four days of special events.
|
| 1961 |
| Air conditioning is installed in the Alamo
church. |
| 1965 |
| After several years of discussion and various
proposals, work begins on the restoration of the convento. |
| 1966 |
| The Alamo is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. |
| 1968 |
|
HemisFair '68, a six-month international exposition celebrating
the 250th anniversary of the founding of the city of San Antonio
is held in downtown San Antonio.
The restored convento is dedicated in February as the Long
Barrack Museum.
|
| 1977 |
| The Alamo Plaza Historic District is approved
by the National Register of Historic Places. The following year,
the San Antonio City Council approves a local historic district
for the plaza and surrounding area. |
| 1985 |
| An exhibit tracing the history of the Alamo
is installed in the Long Barrack Museum. |
| 1994 |
| The Alamo Plaza Study Committee is appointed
to draft recommendations on the future development of the area
around the Alamo. |
| 1995 |
A major effort to stabilize and preserve the Alamo church is initiated,
addressing the effects of time and the environment on the 250-year-old
building. |
| 1997 |
| The Wall of History, a permanent exhibit
outlining the history of Texas and the Alamo, is installed and
dedicated. |
| 2000 |
| Frescoes depicting red flowers, pomegranates
and other designs are discovered in the sacristy. |
| 2002 |
The Gallagher Building renovated and dedicated as a meeting room and office space for the Alamo complex.
A new amphitheater and education arbor are opened.
|
| 2004 |
| The Alamo, a new cinematic treatment of the siege and battle, premieres at San Antonio's Majestic Theater on March 27. |
| 2005 |
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas commemorate the centennial of their custodianship of the Alamo. A $500,000 upgrade of the Long Barrack exhibit is completed. |
