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The Alamo is where history happened. The city grew up around it.
What would you have them do- tear it all down and rebuild it out to the boonies?
The Alamo was a far-flung Spanish mission when the battle for Texas freedom occurred there in 1836; all the defenders were killed but became martyrs for the cause of Texas independence.
The Alamo is now an oasis in the center of a modern city; since 1905 the Daughters of the Republic of Texas have lovingly cared for the preservation of the Alamo and its grounds, and their care shows.
The grounds are exquisitely landscaped, preserving native Texas plants, and there are fountains and other water elements. The main shrine is quiet and cool, with plaques honoring the defenders and flags representing all the states from which they came. There’s a room with relics from Bowie and Crockett, and a “no photographs” policy keeps the shrine sacred. Other interesting buildings at the site include the Long Barracks, which houses a museum with historical artifacts and also shows a film, and the extensive gift shop, where visitors can buy Alamo souvenirs. There’s a remarkable monument to the defenders in front of the Alamo, and the historic Menger Hotel also borders on Alamo Plaza.
If the viewer isn’t Texan or isn’t educated in Texas history it probably doesn’t speak to them as much as to a Texan or a Texas history buff.
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I thought it very nice.
They refer to it as a shrine. People talk in whispers there without much, if any, prodding from the attendants. And a male would not not want to forget to remove his hat upon entering. There was a time that they would be stopped and asked to remove it or leave - maybe they still do.