The Feb. 9, 2008 San Antonio Express-News ran the article "Women battled over the fate of the Alamo's Long Barracks" by Scott Huddleston.
I had never heard of this aspect of the Alamo.
One hundred years ago, Adina De Zavala, all 5'3" of her barricaded herself in the Long Barracks and stayed for three days and, as a result, saved the Alamo's oldest structure. She is thought to be the first person to use civil disobedience to preserve Texas history.
In 1908, San Antonio was using its first bonds for streets and replacing horse-drawn fire pumpers with motor vehicles. What little was left of the Alamo was an eyesore. The church had been saved, but many wanted to level the Long Barrack as they were unaware of its importance.
For thirty years, its exterior had been covered by a dry goods store.
Clara Driscoll, the "Savior of the Alamo" had put up funds in 1903 to buy the building and raze it. She only wanted the church. She and De Zavala led warring factions of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Adina De Zavala lost a court fight to save it and on Feb. 10, 1908, she barricaded herself in the building. "There was nothing else for me to do but to hold the fort," she said in a 1935 interview. It worked.
The dry goods store was torn down in 1912. However, in a sneaky move, the Long Barracks' second story was razed in 1913.
De Zavala went on to form the Texas History and Landmarks Association which has put 38 markers at historic sites around the state.
Quite a Remarkable Woman. -- the Old Coot
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