ANCIENT SPANISH GATES AT ST. AOGUSTINE
Tli<* Old Spanish Gates nt St. Augustine. Around the walls was a moat filled with water and a hedge of Spanish bayonet nlants. A description in 1783 says entrance was by a drawbridge over the raoat and thru the gate. The sentry boxes uro visible at the gate. Near by Is old Fort San Marco (Ft. Marion now) on interesting example of medieval castle and fort, living quarters, barracks and dungeons.
(Republished from San Diego Magazine)
■Building of Old Spanish Trail as Thrilling as the Romance of its Padres and Conquistadores
By HARRAL AYRES, Managing Director, Old Spanish Trail
that meeting of 419 enthusiasts met at (II Mobile in 1915 and organized the “Old Spanish Trail” project I doubt if any of them really comprehended the big achievements that were destined in the name of that enterprise. I have met many of those men in recent years and have learned they went to that meeting with fire and determination to open this southern country but none of them realized the financial and engineering difficulties that confronted them.
By 1928 there were $70,000,000 of completed construction on this Old Spanish Trail. $40,000,000 more are needed for paving and improvements, but another $40,000,000 need not trouble men who have already battled $70,000,000 across.
The paving program eastward is now so well advanced San Antonio will be connected by pavement with all points on the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to Florida by the end of 1931.
The secret of course is that never has this Old Spanish Trail project been a promoter’s plaything. It was organized and has been directed by the people of the South.
Somehow it has seemed as though the spirit of the padres and the conquistadores flamed again in the soul of these Anglo-Saxon pioneers. We read the story of the Spaniards of those three centuries from St. Augustine to San Diego and marvel at their fortitude in the face of such hardships. We view the evidences of their works and marvel at their achievements. We who have watched these modern men from Florida to California rise to the demands of this southern
THE ALAMO, SAN ANTONIO
Mission San Antonio do Valero now known ns the Alamo. Transferred from the Rio Grande In 1718 It Is recognized as the beginning of Sun Antonio. The corner ~tone of this building was laid May 8, 1741. In 17G2 a report stated the tower and sacristy had fallen and n quarried stone church of harmonious architecture was being built.
It was occupied by the Texas patriots in defense of San Antonio and for the independence of Texas against Santa Ann and the Mexican army. The Alamo fell Mnrch G, 183G. All the patriots were killed. Tho defense of the Alamo Is one of the epic stories of the ages.