The Alamo: Building A Scale Model
Making a model of the Alamo is a popular project for students and individuals interested in the history of
the site. Many maps and plats of the Alamo exist but discrepancies among them pose a problem for anyone who
undertakes the task of building a diorama or model of the Alamo. The Alamo compound has seen many uses during
its history and its structures have been altered repeatedly. Although it is impossible to determine the exact
measurements of the buildings of the Alamo during the 1836 siege, the dimensions included in this packet are a
close approximation of the Alamo compound at the time of the siege and battle. The following sources were
consulted in researching the AIamo's dimensions:
De Long, David G., ed. Historic American Buildings. Texas, Volume
I.
2 vols. New York: Garland Publishing,
lnc.,1979.
Everett, Edward, "Plan of the Alamo, 1847." Plan of the U.S Depot al the Alamo. Originals in the National
Archives. Copies available at the DRT Library.
Long, Charles J. "1836, The Alamo." San Antonio: The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, 1981.
Giraud, Francois, City Surveyor Drawings, City Engineers Office, Book I . Made December 1849. Copies available
at the DRT Library.
Hardin, Stephen
L.
Texian
lliad.
Austin: University of Texas Press, 1994.
Lord, Walter. A Time to Stand. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1961.
Nelson, George. The Alamo, An lllustrated Llistory. Dry Frio Canyon, TX: Aldine Press, 1998.
Nofi, Albert
A.
The
Alamo and the Texas War for Independence. Conshohocken, PA: Combined Books, 1992.
Potter, Reuben Marmaduke. T'he Fall of lhe Alamo: A Reminiscence of the Texas Revolution. San Antonio: Printed
on the Herald Steam Press, 1860.
The
Fall of the Alamo. Hillsdale, NJ: Otterden Press; 1977 facsimile of 1878 edition.
FRONT OF THE CHURCH IN 1836.
Note: The parapet (arched cap) & two upperwindows were added in 1850 by the U.S. Army.
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62' 11 3t8"
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The Church
The roof of the church was
still uncompleted in '1836.
The walls varied in thickness
from 43" to 48"
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25'37t8"
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Chancel
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48' 10 %',
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Transepts
25'3',
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25',1',
Confessional
Norlh: 11' 9"
South: 11' 3%"
East: 11' 5"
West: 11' 6"
Confessional
Baptistry
25'2%"
-)
62' 11 3t8'
The church and other permanent structures of the Alamo were built using a tan-colored limestone.
North: 10'11"
South: 10' 11%"
East: 10' 8 3/8"
West: 10'11%"
Church
<-
85'--->
74'
The Alamo Compound, ca. 1836
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The exterior walls
of the compound
consisted of a series of separate huts connected by
walls running between them. These huts and walls
varied in height from 9' to 12'.
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62', 11 318"
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Long Barrack
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503',3"
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Long Barrack
Dimensions
191' 13/8" long
19' 11" wide
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West Wall