An Alamo hero's home in Alabama

William B. Travis home in Alabama

The historic home of William Barret Travis still stands in the unincorporated community of Perdue Hill, Alabama.  The future commander of the Alamo lived here in 1828-1830.

The house was built in around 1820 in the once thriving river port of Claiborne, about 1 1/2 miles west of its current location. In 1828, William B. Travis and his new bride, Rosanna Cato Travis, moved into the charming little cottage.  Their son, Charles Travis, was born there and the future hero of the Texas Revolution practiced law, ran a newspaper and served as an adjutant in the Alabama State Militia while he lived in the home.

Travis was only 19 years old when he and Rosanna were married, but by then had been educated at academies in Sparta and Claiborne and entered the practice of law in the office of James Dellet. That he was popular among his neighbors is evidenced by his election to a post in the state militia (forerunner of today's National Guard).  In those days, militia officers were elected.

The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas

After only two years of marriage and when his young son was only one year old, however, Travis suddenly left Claiborne.  The cause of his sudden departure is debated to this day.  Some say he was so severely in debt that he was unable to meet his obligations.  Others say his decision to lead was the result of marital strife with Rosanna.  The cause also could have been a case of the "Texas Fever." Men from all over the United States then were flocking to Texas hoping to make fortunes for themselves.

Regardless of why he left Alabama in early 1831, Travis became the heroic commander of the Alamo who inspired the world with his determined promise of "Victory or Death!"  He, of course, died at the Alamo alongside James "Jim" Bowie, David Crockett and other heroes on March 6, 1836.

To learn more about Travis and his Alabama home, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/travishome.

The Alamo - San Antonio, Texas

This week marks the 172nd anniversary of the Siege and Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.

The story is one of the best known in American history. A small band of around 200 soldiers and volunteers, along with a few civilian women and children, held the Alamo for nearly two weeks against the overwhelming force of the Mexican Army. When the smoke finally cleared on March 6, 1836, the defenders lay dead and the armies of both sides had entered the story of one of the most heroic events in American history. David Crockett (who never went by the name "Davy Crockett"), Jim Bowie, William Barret Travis and scores of others were among the killed.

We recently added new Alamo pages at www.exploresouthernhistory.com, so if you would like to read more about this famous battle and see additional photos of the Alamo as it appears today, just click here and look for the Alamo heading.

William Barret Travis Home - Alabama

We've added a new page on one of Alabama's most unique historic landmarks. On U.S. Highway 84 in Perdue Hill, Alabama, stands a little cottage that was once the home of Lt. Col. William Barret Travis, the commander of the Alamo and a hero of the Texas Revolution.

Travis lived here with his wife and children prior to relocating to Texas in 1831. The home originally stood in nearby Claiborne where he practiced law, published a newspaper, served as adjutant of an Alabama militia company and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

To read more and see additional views of the home, please visit http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/travishome.html.