ALAMO VILLAGE CLOSES ITS GATES

[Rich Curilla]

Here is an announcement made by the Shahan/Wardlaw family today at Alamo Village:



Alamo Village closes it’s gates. The End of an Era.


With the passing of Texas Icon, Virginia F. Webb Shahan, a difficult business decision has been made by family members. Alamo Village is closed to the general public. Our gates have been open to the visiting public and to the film industry for fifty years.

At this time, we choose to close the gates of Alamo Village in order to reconstruct management and possibly redirect our efforts toward new positive goals. The future possibilities for this historical movie set are many. At present time, managers and owners continue with sound decision making even in the midst of a troubled economy. Our future goal includes the pursuit of continued business relations within the film industry, producing more and even larger trail drives and promoting individual group tours. As decisions are finalized, announcements will be made to the general public.

“To the multitudes of visitors, businesses, employees and dear friends who have contributed to the success of Alamo Village throughout these five decades, we offer our heartfelt gratitude and a sincere Texas thank you.” God Bless us one and all.

[rriddle3]

This is very sad news, but not entirely unexpected after the news of Mrs. Shahan's passing. I took my daughter there in 1995 after we had been in San Antonio visiting the Alamo. It was such a great feeling to walk through the buildings and set where the actors had walked back in 1959. Hanging above my mantle is a large print from a 35mm photo I took of the church's facade. I certainly hope that things will work out to re-open to the public in the near future.
BTW, are there any figures on how many visitors came through in a year's time?

[Herb]

This is sad news, I can't help but think about the wonderful people that worked there - and one in particular.

While my primary desire to go there was the obvious one, and thats where I spent my time. I always wanted to spend more time in the "town" mentally picturing,and picking Rich's brain about two of my favorite Westerns, that were filmed there - "Two Rode Together" and "Bandolero".

[Kevin Young]

To many memories to even hope to sort out. Not unexpected but still a shock to the system.

[Paul Sylvain]

Wow! In January or February 1995, just a couple of months of moving to San Antonio, my wife and I drove out to Alamo Village. It was quite a thrill to walk the Alamo grounds and getting a feel for what the real Alamo must have been like. I had seen Wayne's Alamo so many times, that it was a special treat thinking I was where this movie had been made.

It was weird pulling right up to the south wall "gate". We were the only souls there that day and had the place to ourselves. I also remember having to stop for one of Happy's longhorns to move from the middle of a small bridge creek crossing, on the dirt road leading to the set.

One visit and so many memories. Hard to believe the movie set has been there 50 years. Amazing.

Paul