211 San Antonio, TX: Remember the Others

Those who "remember the Alamo" often forget that it was only one of a string of missions established along the San Antonio River by the Spanish. The other missions, being farther out into the neighborhoods of San Antonio than the Alamo, were actually the sightseeing sites that show you more of the town. The other missions, since they didn't harbor rebels, were better preserved.

Mission Concepcion was the oldest unrestored church in the United States. Massive twin towers show traces of the brightly colored designs, where whitewashed walls were decorated using dyes from flowers, berries, and clays. Another mission was San Francisco de la Espada, whose unusual arched doorway generated much speculation about its origins.

The arches of the 255-year-old Espada Aqueduct are still standing. Moslems introduced the use of acequias-irrigation ditches-to the arid regions of Spain. Once arrived on the American frontier, the Spanish Franciscans found the system well suited for use in the desert Southwest.

Right beside the missions sat the Mission 4 Outdoor Theater. You can see drive-in movies with the missions silhouetted right behind you. I wondered: Do they show the John Wayne Alamo movie?