Around San Antonio

1519 Spain claims the region comprising the present state of Texas. 

1691 Site of San Antonio visited by Franciscan friar on the feast of St Anthony and named San Antonio de Padua in his honor. 

1718 Presidio San Antonio de Bexar and Mission San Antonio de Antonio de Valero {The Alamo} are established on the San Antonio River. 

1724 Following a severe storm, San Antonio de Valero is moved a short distance north to it’s present location. 

1754 Construction started on the present Alamo chapel. 

1793 Mission Valero is the first Texas mission to be closed. Its lands are divided up among the surviving convert Indian families. 

1801 The Second Company of San Carlos del Alamo de Parras occupies the Mission Valero as a garrison. Thus the name “ The Alamo “ . 

1812 Mexico wins independence from Spain. San Antonio under the rule of Mexico. 

1822 Stephen F. Austin brings the first 300 Anglo families to help Mexico settle Texas.

1824 Mexican constitution promises Texas statehood. 

1834 Following a series of revolutions Santa Anna is elected president and starts to centralize the Mexican government. 

1835 First shots of Texas revolt fired at Gonzales. By December, Texian forces have captured Goliad and San Antonio. 

1836 Santa Anna invades Texas. Texas declares independence. Siege and Battle of the Alamo.

1836 Battle of the Alamo from February 24 to March 6 - 183 defenders lose their lives to Santa Anna’s troops.

1836 Santa Anna defeated at San Jacinto on April 21. 

1846 After being an independent republic for nine years, Texas annexed to the United States. War between United States and Mexico. 

1850 U.S. Army repairs the Alamo. First roof and now famous hump erected over chapel facade. 

1861 War between the States. Alamo used by Confederate Army. 

1876 Ft Sam Houston constructed. 

1877 Railroad arrives in San Antonio. 

1888 Alamo chapel having been used as a warehouse is sold by Catholic Church to the State of Texas. 

1905 State of Texas grants custodianship of the Alamo to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.