Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 112: The Matamoros Expedition
 
In December 1835, trust is breaking down between Texas revolutionaries and sympathetic Mexican federalists. Trust is even breaking down between the Texans themselves.
 
We reveal the controversial choice to try a second time to take the fight down to Mexico, how it changed the course of the Texas Revolution, and unknowingly set ...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 111: Austin's Texian Army

Considered the Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin led the Texas Army from Gonzales into San Antonio – bringing the Texas Revolution to the Alamo’s doorstep.
 
We reveal why Austin was chosen to lead the volunteer army, why he left town on the brink of battle, and the impact he made as the army took control of the Alamo. Featurin...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 110: A New Chapter Of Alamo History
 
As we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States, we here at the Alamo are thankful and humbled for the time we get to spend with you, our Alamo supporters, every single week. And there’s someone new to Team Alamo who’d like to thank you, too.
 
We introduce you to new Alamo Trust, Inc., President and CEO Hope Andrad...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 109: The Tampico Expedition

In November 1835, the Texas Revolution is still in its early days. There’s still hope a Mexican Republic could still be salvaged.
 
We reveal the alliance between revolutionary Texans and Mexican federalists, why they took the fight deep into Mexico, and how the disastrous results impacted the course of the revolution. Featuring th...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 108: The Alamo Cenotaph Restoration

The Spirit of Sacrifice, commonly known as the Alamo Cenotaph, has stood proud and tall for 85 years. Built in memory of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Battle of the Alamo, time had taken its toll on the marble monument.
 
We reveal the painstaking efforts over the past year to restore the Cenotaph in place, t...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 107: The Alamo’s Quartermaster Depot Era
 
As we approach Veterans Day here in the United States, we’re celebrating the Alamo’s strong ties to the U.S. Army. When Texas joined the United States in 1845, the Alamo served as an Army outpost and depot for the next 30 years.
 
We reveal the indelible mark the U.S. Army left on the Alamo, how the Alamo witnessed bo...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 106: A Filmmaker's Blockbuster Alamo Donation
 
The filmmaker behind classic comedies like “Airplane!” and “Naked Gun” also happens to be a David Crockett enthusiast. After all, the Hollywood heavyweight was raised on watching Fess Parker play the famed Alamo Defender in Walt Disney’s “Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier.”
 
We reveal how he’s become...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 105: The Battle Of Concepción

In October 1835, the Texas Revolution is in its early days and the front lines are moving ever closer to the Alamo.
 
We reveal the battle that took place at one of our sister missions in San Antonio, what it divulged about the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, and the rift left in its wake among top Texas leaders. Featurin...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 104: The Alamo Love Triangle
 
Most Alamo enthusiasts know the Alamo Church did not have a roof during the 1836 Battle. What’s lesser known is why.
 
We reveal the love triangle that changed the course of Alamo history, the crime of passion that led to a master stone mason fleeing town, and the aftermath that left the fated church unfinished. Featuring the Ala...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 103: Archaeological Finds Near The Alamo Church
 
For the past six months, the Alamo’s archaeology team has been excavating the area just outside the Alamo Church: the perimeter of one of the world’s most famous historic structures.
 
We reveal the astounding discovery from the Spanish Mission, the pieces of weapons unearthed from the world-famous Battle of th...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 102: The Battle Of Gonzales

“Come and take it!” Those four words and a gunshot marked the beginning of the Texas Revolution on October 2, 1835 – 190 years ago today.
 
We reveal what led to the Battle of Gonzales, how its battle cry evokes the spirit of the American Revolution, and what became of the cannon at the center of this fight. Featuring the Alamo&apo...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 101: Safeguarding The Alamo's Artifacts Against Every Scenario
 
From power outages and pipe breaks, to floods and fires: the Alamo, like any museum or cultural site, must be prepared.
 
We reveal how the Shrine of Texas Liberty safeguards artifacts against the worst-case scenario, what our experts have learned from disasters far and wide, and what you ca...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 100: The Texas Centennial
 
It’s a big day for us at the Alamo Podcast. Not only are we celebrating our two-year anniversary – it's our 100th episode. We are marking the occasion with a special look at the Texas Centennial.

We reveal how the Lone Star State celebrated 100 years of independence, where on Alamo grounds you’ll see symbols of the milestone, ...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 99: The Republic Of Texas Navy
 
The Texas Navy safeguarded the Texas coastline for nearly 10 years - a proud, if lesser known, facet of the fight to forge and maintain a free and independent Texas.
 
Wee reveal the humble origins of the Texas Navy, the expensive yet effective efforts to bolster the seafaring force, and how a power struggle between its command...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 98: The Travis Letter's Journey Home

With the Alamo under siege, Lt. Col. William Barret Travis penned a letter to the people of Texas and all Americans in the world. His passionate plea for help is now one of the most treasured artifacts in all of Texas.
 
We reveal the successful effort to bring the Travis Letter back home to the Alamo, for good: the p...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 97: What Is A Mission?
 
Before it was a world-famous battle site, and before it was called the Alamo, the land we know today was a humble Spanish Mission - a place to expand an empire – through faith and education.
 
We reveal what is a mission: why they moved around, how San Antonio came to have so many, and the legacy of people who called our missions home....

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 96: The Texans & The Comanches
 
The Comanches rode through history on horseback, earning a reputation as formidable foes on the frontier. The Indigenous tribe both served as witness and played an active role in every era of Texas history.

We reveal how the Comanches first encountered Spanish settlers, the part they played in the fight for Texas independe...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 95: How Texas Saved Samuel Colt
 
An impossible gun that could shoot five or six times before reloading. An inventor from Connecticut made it possible at a time when the young Republic of Texas needed weapons.
 
We reveal why making this impossible gun nearly broke Samuel Colt, and how a Texas Ranger with ideas to make it better reversed his fortunes, saved th...

Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 94: Where's The Basement? Pee-Wee's Impact At The Alamo
 
Starting this week, a new treasure goes on display at the Alamo. It’s not a battle weapon or a document. It’s a red Schwinn bicycle made famous by Pee-wee Herman as his unforgettable quest to find his missing bike takes him, of all places, to the Alamo.
 
We reveal how this bicycle has driven ...