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Texas Public Archaeology Network

Acequia Madre in 1836

Andrew Jackson Houston’s reconstructed map of the 1719 Acequia Madre at the time of the 1836 battle compiled from earlier maps. (highlighted in red).
Andrew Jackson Houston’s reconstructed map of the 1719 Acequia Madre at the time of the 1836 battle compiled from earlier maps. (highlighted in red).

1719 Acequia Madre at the time of the 1836 battle

Andrew Jackson Houston’s reconstructed map of the Siege of the Alamo shows the Acequia Madre splitting northeast of the Alamo, one leg going on the north side of the Alamo compound with a diversion actually going through the Alamo compound at the time of the battle. Santa Anna’s men tried to block the branch leading into the Alamo compound and caused a severe water shortage for the defenders who had to dig a well for themselves and their horses. Another branch goes east of the compound and waters fields associated with the Barrio de Alamo. This map is a composite created from earlier maps.