a group of people standing in front of a stone building with Alamo Mission in San Antonio in the background

History

Discover The Crockett Hotel, which is named after colorful historic legend Davy Crockett, who defended the area in the Texas Revolution.

Named after the legendary Davy Crockett, the colorful hero who defended the area during the Texas Revolution, the Crockett Hotel stands as a historic icon in the heart of San Antonio. Built in the early 20th century, the hotel’s creation marks a time when the United States was rising as a global power.

The land where the Crockett Hotel now resides has a rich and significant history. In 1718, Governor Martin de Alaroon established the Mission San Antonio de Valero near the San Antonio River—the site that would become the Alamo. By 1724, the mission moved to its current location, and an acequia (irrigation ditch) was constructed to water the mission fields. The hotel’s site lies between the two branches of this Acequia Madre, just south and east of the mission property.

The Early Landowners

In 1773, refugees from an abandoned mission in East Texas petitioned for the distribution of mission lands to support their families. In 1793, the land where the Crockett Hotel now sits was granted to Juan Bautista de la Zerda and used for agricultural cultivation for the next 50 years. Just east of the Alamo, this plot of land played a key role in the events of the Texas Revolution. On the night before the Battle of the Alamo, hundreds of troops moved into the area where the hotel’s pool now stands. Davy Crockett and his men defended the southeast palisade, cementing the hotel’s connection to this pivotal moment in Texas history.

Restoration and Preservation

In 1982, John Blocker, a San Antonio native, purchased the hotel with the vision of preserving its historic charm. Under the guidance of Blocker’s wife, Jeanne, and her sister, Mary Ann Castleberry, a past president of the San Antonio Conservation Society, the Crockett was meticulously restored to its original splendor. The restoration team uncovered original brickwork, windows, and storefront structures, cleaning and repairing trim and cornices. The hotel’s lobby was returned to its early 20th-century grandeur. The Crockett Hotel has maintained its historical integrity while updating its amenities. Celebrating over 100 years, the Crockett Hotel is a proud Historic Partner Hotel of The Alamo and a member of the National Register of Historic Places and continues to honor the legacy of Davy Crockett and the city’s rich history.

Hotel Timeline

Governor Martín de Alarcón established Mission San Antonio de Valero near the San Antonio River. The mission later became known as the Alamo.

The mission moved to its current location, and an irrigation ditch known as the Acequia Madre was constructed. The future hotel site lies between two branches of the acequia.

Refugees from an abandoned East Texas mission petitioned for the distribution of mission lands to support their families.

The land on which the Crockett Hotel now stands was granted to Juan Bautista de la Zerda and used for agricultural cultivation.

The future hotel property stood within the area associated with the Battle of the Alamo. Davy Crockett and his men defended the southeastern palisade near the site.

The local Independent Order of Odd Fellows acquired the land on January 30, 1907, intending to construct a combined lodge and hotel.

The cornerstone of the San Antonio Odd Fellows Temple was laid on April 26, 1909, during a ceremony commemorating the fraternity’s 90th anniversary. The six-story Classic Revival-style structure opened as both a hotel and a fraternal lodge. The first four floors operated as a hotel, while the Odd Fellows used the top two floors.

Architect Henry T. Phelps designed a seven-story west wing, expanding the hotel and enhancing its prominence near Alamo Plaza.

The Odd Fellows’ Grand Lodge Museum of Texas occupied space within the building beginning in 1961.

A 60-room wing was added to accommodate increased visitation associated with HemisFair ’68, the San Antonio world’s fair.

The Crockett Hotel became a contributing property in the Alamo Plaza Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in July 1977.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows ended its decades-long ownership when it sold the property to an investor from British Columbia.

San Antonio native John Blocker acquired the Crockett and launched a historically sensitive renovation that uncovered original brickwork, windows, and storefront details and restored the lobby. The restoration included construction of an atrium, the addition of guestrooms, and refurbishment of existing accommodations while preserving the hotel’s architectural integrity.

1859 Historic Hotels, Inc. purchased the Crockett Hotel

The hotel underwent another historically sensitive restoration, updating the property while maintaining its early 20th-century identity.

The Crockett Hotel celebrated 100 years since the original building’s 1909 opening.

The Crockett Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

1718

1724

1773

1793

1836

1907

1909

1927

1961

1968

1977

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1982

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2010

The Location

In 1718, Governor Martin de Alaroon founded the Mission of San Antonio de Valero near the San Antonio River, the first Spanish mission in the area. In 1724, the mission moved east to its present site and an acequia was begun to water the mission fields. The land on which the Crockett Hotel site is located between the two branches of that Acequia Madre, just south and east of the mission property. By 1773, refugees from an abandoned mission in East Texas arrived and petitioned for the distribution of mission lands in order to support their families. In 1793, such a decree was finally carried out. The land on which the Crockett Hotel is now situated was given to Juan Bautista de la Zerda and was used for agriculture cultivation for the next 50 years.