September 19, 2005
The Alamo San Antonio, Texas
The centerpiece of San Antonio remains the Alamo, the old stone mission at 300 Alamo Plaza that is the lodestone of Texas history. In 1836 Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie and 187 other defenders died at the hands of Santa Anna and the Mexican Army. But their deaths inspired the famous battle cry that Texas shouted in defeating Santa Anna's army later at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Today, with 2.5 million visitors a year, the Alamo is the state's top tourist attraction. Inside are exhibits on the Bowie knife; artifacts from a recent archaeological dig relating to the retreat of Santa Anna's army back to Mexico; and pieces commemorating William Barret Travis, the garrison's doomed commander. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30. Admission is free. Information: (210) 225-1391, www.thealamo.org
June 26, 2005
What To Do In San Antonio Texas
By Jim Yardley - Today, San Antonio remains unique, if not undiscovered. For decades, in fact, much civic energy has been dedicated to making certain that San Antonio gets discovered, and as a result the city is now a favorite tourist and convention destination.
Fiesta is a San Antonio celebration in which schools close and city employees get the day off for the Battle of Flowers parade. Local officials say that more than 3.5 million people participate, from the volunteers who stage events to the tourists who attend the parades. That is far different from the first Battle of Flowers Parade in 1891, when a women's charitable organization rode past the Alamo in horse-drawn carriages. There is no shortage of fake royalty as various private organizations crown various monarchs, including King Antonio, who presides over the River Parade, and El Rey Feo, the Ugly King, at the Fiesta Flambeau. The Alamo San Antonio, Texas