In 1718 Father Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares established the first Mission San Antonio de Valero, near present-day San Pedro Springs (one mile northwest of downtown). In 1793 the mission was secularized and control passed to local authorities, and before long it played host to the first of many military garrisons. Here in March 1836, the Battle of the Alamo took place in which the Mexican army defeated a smaller force of Texans.

Most commonly known as the Alamo, the third site of Mission San Antonio de Valero was an important part of missionary work in Texas before becoming the site of many military garrisons.

This beautifully reconstructed mission offers expansive grounds and many Spanish architectural details, carved in limestone from the banks of the San Antonio River.