In an announcement, USAA said the Alamo\u2019s history is intertwined with the U.S. military. The Army used the Alamo Church and its grounds as a quartermaster depot from 1845 through 1877, and installed a roof with what became the site\u2019s iconic parapet arch, the company said.<\/p>\n
USAA was founded in 1922 by Army officers, who met at the Gunter Hotel a half-mile west of the Alamo to discuss how they could secure affordable automobile insurance at a time when many insurers were reluctant to cover families that had to relocate frequently.<\/p>\n
\u201cSan Antonio is our hometown, and we owe so much of our history to the military community that built this city,\u201d USAA president and CEO Juan Andrade said in a statement. \u201cThis partnership is about more than protecting a historic site. It\u2019s about telling the story of the men and women who have served and ensuring this city remains a vibrant, thriving place for future generations to connect with that legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Paseo del Alamo, linking the plaza to the River Walk is the newest component of the plaza\u2019s public-private redevelopment, which is expected to nearly double visitation to the Alamo from 1.6 million to 2.5 million visitors annually.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0paseo now has an outdoor elevator, new landscaping and benches, repaired water features, wheelchair-accessible paths, a welcome center and an exhibit honoring those who died defending the Alamo during the famous battle in 1836.<\/p>\n
Outdoor exhibits, renovations to Plaza de Valero next to the Menger Hotel and the Texas Cavaliers Education Center, a building with classrooms, workshops and a theater for visiting students, have also been completed.<\/p>\n
Construction is underway on the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, which will occupy the Crockett, Woolworth and Palace buildings adjacent to the paseo and Alamo Cenotaph.<\/p>\n