The Alamo's Early History

In 1519, a Spanish explorer and mapmaker led a Spanish expedition that, for the first time, mapped the coast of Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. Spain later claimed the area of present-day Texas as part of its territory.

Early colonists settled among varying bands and tribes of Indigenous people. Until supply routes were established, these colonists would not be able to rely on a steady supply of goods or support from their government.

In May 1718, Mission San Antonio de Valero was established. It was intended to have served its purpose within 10 years, but the San Antonio Missions persisted for a much longer period. Mission Valero was secularized in 1793.

Mexico declared independence from Spain in 1821 after 11 years of conflict. Colonists in Texas, as well as the native population, enjoyed a semi-autonomous way of life far from the capital in Mexico.

The Texas colonists’ autonomy was challenged with the election of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna as president in 1833. His political views prompted a Mexican civil war and the Texas independence movement. The Texas Revolution began on October 2, 1835.