U. S. Mission Trail / The Mission Trail Today - The Spanish Missions in Texas

This site is owned, designed, and operated by Kenneth A. Larson who has over a third century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Ken also has experience in other areas of Design.

Select photographs of my many visits to The Missions of the United States South and Southwest built by Spain and Mexico between 1565 and 1823.
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2008 - 2012.
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San Antonio de Valero Mission (The Alamo)

Founded 1718
by XXXX
San Antonio

Personal Observations

More is known by the general public of the Alamo part of the history of San Antonio de Valero Mission than of the Mission history. When I visited during my Texas Mision quest, I was disappointed that almost all information and exhibits contained within the old church were of the Siege of the Alamo. When I asked a docent what structures still standing were from the original Mission, she told me, "Oh, it was never a Mission. They never finished the roof." A mission is the people and holy objects, not the building. It was the first Mission in San Antonio.

Mission Art & Photo-Art

History

> Mission San Antonio de Valero was established in 1718, the first of the San Antonio Missions. Later, after it was secularized, it gained fame as the Alamo, important in Texan independence.

Cenvento and Long Barrack

What is today the Long Barrack is the oldest building in San Antonio and began as the Convento, or prists' residence. It was built in 1724 as part of the Mission. After secularizing, the building was used as Spanish army barrack and hospital, later is was a fortesss, a United States Army quartermaster depot, a general store, and in 1905 became a shrine and museum. The Church and Long Barrack are the only remaining structures from the Mission and the Alamo.

The Alamo

the Siege of the Alamo 1836

When used as a fort by the Mexicans during the Siege of Béxar, a palisade (double log wall) was built across an open space betwen the old church and the Low Barrack. When the Texans took posession of the fort, they strengthened the fort. General San Houston wrote ..."that the Alimo was not built by a military people as a fortress..." lacking a structure with a commanding view. During the Siege of the Alamo, Colonel Crockett and his men were assigned to defend this section of wall. The Church and Long Barrack are the only remaining structures from the Alamo.

Address and Directions

Photography Gallery

xxxx Asistencia Main Page	Grounds	Church
	Exhibits	Cemetery

Alamo as seen from Tower of the Americas.

Sources:

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This web site started because of my love for the Spanish Missions in the United States. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. I don't allow paid advertising. This site is supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer and there haven' been many this year. I sell art at www.klimages.com. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ...

Or, donations can be mailed to the address on the contact page.

Or buy Gold Canyon Products from my wife at www.valleygirlcandles.com or art by myself at www.klimages.com.

This site began as a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.

Note: This is not the official site for any of the places shown in Places Earth. Places Earth is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, exhibits, and sometimes locations are subject to change without notice.

Support this Web Site This web site started because of my love for Architecture and interest in History. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. I don't allow paid advertising. This site is supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer and there haven' been many this year. I sell art at www.klimages.com. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ...
	Or donations can be mailed to the address on the contact page.

Or buy art by myself at www.klimages.com.

This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2004 - 2012, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.

This site is a non-commercial alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. There is no advertising and I make no profit. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.