San Antonio - Friday March 20
Today, Stanley went into downtown San Antonio. There are two main tourist attractions in downtown San Antonio: The Alamo, which is the most popular tourist destination in Texas, and The Riverwalk.
The Alamo was the location of a very famous battle. In late February and early March of 1836 (that's 171 years ago!) a small group of Texans (about 200) fought off over 2000 Mexican soldiers. This group of Texans was fighting Mexico for independence. Much like the United States fought England for independence, Texas, in the early 1800s, was actually part of Mexico! The group of Texans who fought at the Alamo included such famous people as David Crockett, Jim Bowie (pronounced Boo-ee), and William B. Travis. You will find street names and landmarks in and around San Antonio bearing the names of these brave men.
The Alamo was not built as a fort. It was built as a church (also knows as a Mission - there are four other Missions in San Antonio that are all over 300 years old!), but it is best known as being the fort which the Texans used to defend themselves from the Mexican army.
On March 6, 1836, the Mexican troops overpowered the defenders of the Alamo, and the Texans lost the battle. The Mexican army was eventually defeated 6 weeks later during the Battle of San Jacinto (which is close to Houston), and Texas became an independent country. In 1845, Texas joined the United States as the 28th state.
Because it used to be an independent country, Texans can fly their state flag at the same height as the American flag, or without the American flag at all. Schoolchildren in Texas also say the Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag and to the Texas flag every morning during school. The Texas pledge is as follows:
The Riverwalk is another famous landmark in San Antonio. The city of San Antonio was established in the 1700s on the banks of the San Antonio River. The river provided clean drinking water and irrigation for crops grown at the missions. The San Antonio River starts a few miles north of downtown, so it is not a large river. In fact, along the Riverwalk, it is only 3-5 feet deep in most places. The city grew up around the river, so there are many restaurants and shops along the Riverwalk. It is below street level, so people walking along the Riverwalk do not have to worry about cars. Since it is only 2 blocks from the Alamo, the Riverwalk also gets a lot of tourist traffic. There are barges which take visitors around the River while the drivers tell stories about San Antonio. It is a very relaxing place to have lunch or dinner.
Stay tuned for more of Stanley's adventures in San Antonio!
The Alamo was the location of a very famous battle. In late February and early March of 1836 (that's 171 years ago!) a small group of Texans (about 200) fought off over 2000 Mexican soldiers. This group of Texans was fighting Mexico for independence. Much like the United States fought England for independence, Texas, in the early 1800s, was actually part of Mexico! The group of Texans who fought at the Alamo included such famous people as David Crockett, Jim Bowie (pronounced Boo-ee), and William B. Travis. You will find street names and landmarks in and around San Antonio bearing the names of these brave men.
The Alamo was not built as a fort. It was built as a church (also knows as a Mission - there are four other Missions in San Antonio that are all over 300 years old!), but it is best known as being the fort which the Texans used to defend themselves from the Mexican army.
On March 6, 1836, the Mexican troops overpowered the defenders of the Alamo, and the Texans lost the battle. The Mexican army was eventually defeated 6 weeks later during the Battle of San Jacinto (which is close to Houston), and Texas became an independent country. In 1845, Texas joined the United States as the 28th state.
Because it used to be an independent country, Texans can fly their state flag at the same height as the American flag, or without the American flag at all. Schoolchildren in Texas also say the Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag and to the Texas flag every morning during school. The Texas pledge is as follows:
Honor the Texas flag
I pledge allegiance to thee
Texas, one state, under God
One and indivisible.
The Riverwalk is another famous landmark in San Antonio. The city of San Antonio was established in the 1700s on the banks of the San Antonio River. The river provided clean drinking water and irrigation for crops grown at the missions. The San Antonio River starts a few miles north of downtown, so it is not a large river. In fact, along the Riverwalk, it is only 3-5 feet deep in most places. The city grew up around the river, so there are many restaurants and shops along the Riverwalk. It is below street level, so people walking along the Riverwalk do not have to worry about cars. Since it is only 2 blocks from the Alamo, the Riverwalk also gets a lot of tourist traffic. There are barges which take visitors around the River while the drivers tell stories about San Antonio. It is a very relaxing place to have lunch or dinner.
Stay tuned for more of Stanley's adventures in San Antonio!
Labels: san antonio
posted by Scott at
7:08 PM
1 Comments:
I hope you get some clothes on ol' Stanley, pronto! I know it's warm in Texas, but he must be chilly!
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