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Discover the Alamo: Top 5 Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Legendary Landmark!

illustration of the-alamo
Dive into the lesser-known tales of the Alamo with these intriguing fun facts that uncover hidden secrets and put a fresh spin on Texas' most iconic historical landmark.

1. Ozzy's Alamo Incident

When the Prince of Darkness met the shrine of Texas liberty, things got a little...wet and wild: Ozzy Osbourne, British heavy metal singer, infamously relieved himself on the Centotaph, a 56-foot-tall monument in front of the Alamo, whilst intoxicated in 1982 – leading to his arrest, a near-riot at a concert, and a temporary ban from city-owned facilities in San Antonio, before eventually making amends by donating $10,000 to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Source => expressnews.com

2. Coonskin Cap Craze

Before fashion was a "catwalk," it was a raccoon's runway: In the 1950s, coonskin caps, inspired by Davy Crockett's portrayal in the Disneyland TV series, became a wildly popular accessory among children, with boys donning faux fur versions and girls sporting all-white "Polly Crockett" hats. This furry fashion statement can be traced back to American Indians and European pioneers, who wore them as hunting caps, and has since cemented its place in the iconic American frontiersman image.
Source => americanhistory.si.edu

3. Tejanos in the Battle

Whoever said "remember the Alamo" must have had a Tex-Mex memory; because it wasn't just a black-and-white war between Texans and Mexicans: In reality, many Tejanos, or Mexican Texans, fought alongside the Texians as defenders, couriers, and noncombatants during the Battle of the Alamo. Some even played both sides of the border, fighting for the Mexican loyalists as well. So next time you think of the Alamo, don't forget the Tex-Mex blend of heroes who made history!
Source => tshaonline.org

4. Alamo's Religious Roots

Lo and behold! If you thought the Alamo was just for "remembering" and perhaps sparking a textbook yawn, think again: In reality, this hallowed Texan landmark began as an 18th-century Catholic mission to convert indigenous folks, before flexing its muscles as a military fortress—aimed at protecting Spanish settlers against the very same indigenous attacks!
Source => tshaonline.org

Pee-wee's Basement Truth

5. Pee-wee's Basement Truth

In a plot twist worthy of Pee-wee Herman's Big Adventure, it seems our bow-tie-sporting friend had reason to search the Alamo for a basement after all: there are indeed two hidden basements beneath the iconic Texas landmark—one housing a break room, restrooms, storage areas, and a resource library under the gift shop, and another beneath the rentable Alamo Hall, where fudge-making and document storage take place out of public view.
Source => sacurrent.com

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