San Antonio Texas History

Before European explorers arrived to the area, Native Americans lived along what is today called the San Antonio River (named during the Feast of St. Anthony). The Indians called it “Yanaguana” meaning “clear waters.” In 1691 the Spanish arrived with missionaries and established the first mission in 1724, the Mission San Antonio de Valero which later became the Alamo; four more missions were built. In 1793 all the missions are secularized and closed down by order of the Spanish government; the lands were distributed to the mission Indians. In 1836 during the Texas Revolution, almost 200 people attempted to defend the Alamo against General Antonio López de Santa Anna and 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. Inside were Jim Bowie, renowned knife fighter, and David Crockett, famed frontiersman and former congressman from Tennessee. Although the Texans lost the battle, the Alamo represents a universal struggle for freedom against overwhelming odds and is the Shrine of Texas Liberty. As the second largest city in the state, it is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas with a low cost of living. As a major vacation destination, over 20 million visitors travel here each year to discover its history, culture and natural wonders.