Posted on 08/20/2009 12:47:13 PM PDT by kingattax
SAN ANTONIO -- There's a new battle under way for control of the Alamo -- and just like the Texas legend, neither side shows any sign of surrender.
For more than a century, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas -- nearly 7,000 women who trace their pedigrees back to the origins of the Texas Republic -- have had total control of the Alamo, the state's most revered historic site. They maintain what's left of the old mission, manage its historic exhibits and run the gift shop. They don't charge admission, and the site doesn't cost the state government a penny.
Now a small group of renegade Daughters has broken away, saying the Daughters' outmoded traditions and iron grip on the "Shrine of Texas Liberty" are holding back progress and preventing much-needed preservation work from moving ahead. They liken their declaration of independence to Texas's own split from Mexico in 1836.
"We're still fighting for the same things," says Erin Bowman, the 60-year-old leader of the breakaway group, called Friends of the Alamo. Ms. Bowman's family has owned the same ranch in Independence, Texas, since the days of the Republic more than 150 years ago.
The Alamo has long inspired passion among Texans. Built in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries looking to convert the local Indians, the Alamo gained its place in Texas history in 1836, when about 200 Texas settlers died trying to defend the fort from Mexican forces. Among the dead: soldier Davy Crockett, famed knife-fighter Jim Bowie and Lt. Col. William Travis, who promised never to surrender or retreat. The battle cry, "Remember the Alamo!" helped inspire Texans to defeat the Mexican army a month later, securing Texas's independence
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Ya know, I don't think so. Between the new mall and shops and widening the street and parking, the Alamo itself is almost gone. Ripley's doesn't add much to the ambiance either. Son spent a week at the Menger last year so the window view was of the Alamo grounds. They weren't kept up and rather pitiful looking. I will give them kudos for blocking off traffic through La Villita but it's just not the same as it used to be.
Who could forget? :)
These threads so quickly turn that we sometimes don't notice that it was meant in humor, sorry.
The title fooled me. I thought the article suggested that Texas was actually going to secede in the near future.
Alamo basement ping....
Hurray for your post from a 7th generation Texas (at least)! I was trying to think of a snappy comeback for all these denigrating comments. They must not be native Texans or they would understand.
I guess when they go to see Plymouth Rock they would be let down because it’s “just a rock”.
And God gave us Texas women!
where my camera is not welcome, I am not either. I was content to get some great pictures of the outside, though.
The Alamo is best enjoyed in silence. You can almost hear the sound of Mexican cannon ball hitting the stone of the North wall. The continuous fire of the Mexican infantry as they advanced on so few defenders.
The rifle and musket shot of the defenders, the exposion of the cannon that killed Mr. Travis. The decreasing sound of our rifle fire as our men go down for the last time.
All of those men knew the score and they stood their ground and delivered.
It is holy ground.
While I’ve never been to the Alamo, I wonder if this spat is the result of a certain faction trying to make the exhibits more “politically correct.” You know, things like making the entire experience about the genocide of the Indians and the “theft” of land from a peaceable Mexican peoples. In other words, an apologetic memorial rather than a triumphant one.
First time I went as an 8 YO, I couldn't understand why it was in the middle of town.
Maybe you have to be a native born Texan to "get it." In Jr. Hi, I thought every school in the country taught Texas history!
May be that you have to be a native born Texan or from Tennessee to “get it.”
I thought about joining Daughters of the Republic of Texas. My Texas heritage is important to me, but I realized it was more like a sorority and that I would be one of the youngest members (and I am really a GDI at heart anyway).
My family was not here for the Texas Revolution, but they did settle in Nacogdoches in 1840.
Texans, especially men, talk in hushed tones when going through the ruins and it is rare to see one with the their cowboy hat on their head.
Actually, as of the last time I was there, there are signs posted noting that it was sacred ground and asking for the quiet and removal of hats. If you didn't, someone reminded you and it was not always a volunteer - it was just as likely another visitor.
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