The Illustrated Alamo 1836: A Photographic Journey by Mark Lemon

Using a scale model and digitally enhanced photographs, author and historian Mark Lemon brings to life the Mission San Antonio de Valero of 1836. Hardcover, 9" X 12", 176 pages, ISBN 978-193333718-0.

All that remains today of the Alamo of 1836 is the church and part of a barracks. Historians and others fascinated with the dramatic story of the Alamo have long debated the appearance and details of the Mission San Antonio de Valero and surrounding structures and topography. This book allows the reader to envision the Alamo like never before.

 

Begun in 1718 the mission was never actually completed. Over the years the site served as a cavalry garrison, Mexican fortress, Texian fortress, and U.S. Army storehouse. Today the remnants are preserved and maintained by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas as a shrine to the Texian defenders of 1836.

 

In his effort to illustrate the Alamo and its surroundings as they would have existed in 1836, Lemon consulted all available historical documentation, including archaeological reports, historical sketches and contemporary maps, as well as experts on the Texas revolution and the Alamo. Using this information, Lemon constructed a 1:48 scale model of the entire Alamo compound. Then graphic design specialist William Hamilton merged realistic backgrounds with photos of the model. The result is amazing, lifelike images that give the reader a completely fresh perspective. The Alamo compound is divided into eight sections, each one thoroughly illustrated with these digitally enhanced photographs, as well as sepia wash drawings and diagrams of the layout.

 

Numerous appendices of supplementary information are included, including a discussion of the history of the Alamo and its roles over the years both before the Texas Revolution and afterward.