Post by Hiram on Feb 25, 2011 1:58:41 GMT -5
Many forum members have undoubtedly seen the headless Alamo statue that is displayed in the Long Barrack patio. The "story" connected to the statue is that it was found just south of the Alamo and apparently came from Mission San Antonio de Valero.
This week, a fellow Alamo Education staff member met a visitor who told him that her father had donated the statue to the Alamo. The visitor's grandfather owned some property just south of the city. In 1921, the city suffered through a deluge unmatched in size or fury until the 1998 and 2002 storms. As a result of that storm, 51 people were confirmed dead, 23 missing and damages were estimated at $3.7 million. Here's a link with more information on the disaster. goo.gl/1CaOq
One of the structures damaged to the point of having to be razed and rebuilt was St. Mary's Catholic Church, located on (naturally) St. Mary's Street. For those unfamiliar with St. Mary's Street, it more or less shadows the course of the San Antonio River, particularly from 9th Street south. The church is almost sitting "on top" of the river, its a stone's throw distant.
Much of downtown San Antonio was literally swept southward. Accordingly to the family, the statue was found after the waters receded on their property and they simply kept it. Eventually, the son (father of the visitor) donated the statue to The Alamo.
Is it possible that the statue might have come from one of the other missions? Of course. They're all located fairly close to the river, but none as close as St. Mary's Church. It would seem more likely that it came from downtown San Antonio (which in high water is similar to a chute) as opposed to coming from one of the missions south of downtown which are located in more open areas (at least in the early 20th century.)
I know there are ASF members who have taken measurements of the statue and the niches located in the Alamo facade and have concluded that the statue would indeed fit, but that's the only part of the story that fits. According to the family, the statue didn't show up on their property until the early 1920s. The statues from Mission San Antonio were vandalized in 1842 (prior to the Somervell/Mier Expedition.) So if in fact the statue did come from the Alamo, where was it for the 79 years between 1842 and 1921?
There is a general tendency to try and link everything and everyone to the Alamo. From a random pistol that "once belonged to Moses Rose" to "my great-great-great aunt's first husband convinced Davy Crockett that he should come to the Alamo," the stories abound. A busted statue from a late 19th century church is not nearly as interesting as a busted statue from the former mission made famous as the Alamo.
This week, a fellow Alamo Education staff member met a visitor who told him that her father had donated the statue to the Alamo. The visitor's grandfather owned some property just south of the city. In 1921, the city suffered through a deluge unmatched in size or fury until the 1998 and 2002 storms. As a result of that storm, 51 people were confirmed dead, 23 missing and damages were estimated at $3.7 million. Here's a link with more information on the disaster. goo.gl/1CaOq
One of the structures damaged to the point of having to be razed and rebuilt was St. Mary's Catholic Church, located on (naturally) St. Mary's Street. For those unfamiliar with St. Mary's Street, it more or less shadows the course of the San Antonio River, particularly from 9th Street south. The church is almost sitting "on top" of the river, its a stone's throw distant.
Much of downtown San Antonio was literally swept southward. Accordingly to the family, the statue was found after the waters receded on their property and they simply kept it. Eventually, the son (father of the visitor) donated the statue to The Alamo.
Is it possible that the statue might have come from one of the other missions? Of course. They're all located fairly close to the river, but none as close as St. Mary's Church. It would seem more likely that it came from downtown San Antonio (which in high water is similar to a chute) as opposed to coming from one of the missions south of downtown which are located in more open areas (at least in the early 20th century.)
I know there are ASF members who have taken measurements of the statue and the niches located in the Alamo facade and have concluded that the statue would indeed fit, but that's the only part of the story that fits. According to the family, the statue didn't show up on their property until the early 1920s. The statues from Mission San Antonio were vandalized in 1842 (prior to the Somervell/Mier Expedition.) So if in fact the statue did come from the Alamo, where was it for the 79 years between 1842 and 1921?
There is a general tendency to try and link everything and everyone to the Alamo. From a random pistol that "once belonged to Moses Rose" to "my great-great-great aunt's first husband convinced Davy Crockett that he should come to the Alamo," the stories abound. A busted statue from a late 19th century church is not nearly as interesting as a busted statue from the former mission made famous as the Alamo.
