The Alamo movie set in Brackettvill, TX--news....

[the ringo kid]

Just saw an AP news story about whats become of this movie set. I know others are interested in this as was posted about in other threads.

Age and Mama nature,are taking their toll on Duke's Alamo movie set which is located about 120 miles from San Antonio on a 400 acre ranch. This set took 2 years to build and the movie had about a $12 million budget--which was huge in those days.

I was surprised to hear that The Alamo Village has been closed since 2009--after the last owner died. It had nearly 40 major film and TV projects filmed there--as well as hundreds of commercials, Documentaries, Music videos, comedy skits, and staged gunfights.

Some notables who filmed there include:James Stewart, Dean Martin, Raquel Welch, Willie Nelson and James Arness-who filmed a Gunsmoke TV movie there.

Business began to wane in the 80s when I-10 was opened. Some possible good news is--is that a businessman from Corpus Christi--David Jones,is tryig to raise a sum of about $6 million--in order to purchase the property so he can repair it and open it as a major attraction as well as to save whats left as it was a "momument" that Duke created and it would be remembered as a "momument" to Duke's memory.Some natural damage includes a tree growing in par of the Chapels facade......

Jones wants this to be the Texas version of Old Tucson-which is located in Arizona.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I wish him luck! I hope he decides to buy it and bring it back to life!

Ringo probably knows this- what well known Texas singer used to sing at The Alamo Village?
That was after he got arrested for stealing a goat.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I wish him luck! I hope he decides to buy it and bring it back to life!

Ringo probably knows this- what well known Texas singer used to sing at The Alamo Village?
That was after he got arrested for stealing a goat.

I had to look it up, Pilgrim. (I found myself writing that sentence in John Wayne's voice for obvious reasons!)

 

[the ringo kid]

I think the answer could possibly be Nelson???

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I think the answer could possibly be Nelson???

Funny you should mention Willie!

Johnny Rodriguez married a third time in 1995 to Lana Nelson daughter of country singer/songwriter Willie Nelson.

 

[jinx]

I think Johnny Rodriguez

 

[Smoke]

And Johnny Cash helped me get out of prison

Long before Rodriguez stole that goat.

 

[lawandorder]

Thank you for posting the update on the Alamo Village at Bracketville. Been hooked on the history of the Alamo since I saw the movie, always wanted to visit the location where it was filmed, and got to do so shortly before it closed.

Best wishes to Mr. Jones! I hope he can succeed with this project.

 

[vonn]

Used to hunt not far from there and was glad to hear that someone has plans for it. People living there had good stories from when movies were made ,saw James Arness there. Lot of famous officers from the Army served at Fort Clark located close by..

 

[joeintexas]

I have to wonder what he had in mind for the goat. Just asking.

 

[billlenk]

Please read this letter from Travis
God bless Texas ! Bill Lenk Dallas
The Travis Letter

Commandancy of the The Alamo

Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World—

Fellow Citizens & compatriots—

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch — The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country — Victory or Death.

William Barrett Travis.

Lt. Col. comdt.

 

[MKT]

I had to look it up, Pilgrim. (I found myself writing that sentence in John Wayne's voice for obvious reasons!)

That would be Johnny Rodriguez.

 

[semperfi71]

Saw it right before the movie came out. On family vacation to or from Big Bend National Park. Most of the work had been done and I think they were about to start filming. As we drove around the site I kept watching for John Wayne. Ma dashed my hopes telling me he wasn't there!!

 

[the ringo kid]

Please read this letter from Travis
God bless Texas ! Bill Lenk Dallas
The Travis Letter

Commandancy of the The Alamo

Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World—

Fellow Citizens & compatriots—

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch — The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country — Victory or Death.

William Barrett Travis.

Lt. Col. comdt.

You ought to read my anniverary of the battle for the Alamo thread--this was included in it. I didnt write the actual stor --just embellished it here and there. A favorite Davy Crockett quote of mine is: "You can go to hell, im going to Texas. I saw that on a bumper sticket at the gun show yesterday and want ont myself. I forgot to stop by the stall selling it before I left.

 

[rettxpo]

I used to ride with a few of my buddies but the group is thinning down as some retire, some pass away, some move away, and some just gave up riding. Riding weather in Texas is almost year round if you can stand the summer heat. We used to make an annual trip to Big Bend and occasionally we would make some stops along the way. This pic was of my 2003 Harley Ultra Classic taken at Alamo Village in 2009.

This was one of our riding buddies (Dave H.) on his last m/c ride before passing away of pancreatic cancer. He was about 20 years older than us but was great to ride with. He retired from the US Army and then taught ROTC at the local high school. He knew this was his last trip and had just undergone his last chemo treatment a couple of days earlier. We had to trailer his bike to Colorado, but he rode everyday while up there and even made us do "Four Corners" and Bryce Canyon. He rode his Goldwing back to Texas instead of using the trailer knowing that this was his last ride. He loved making the stop at the Alamo Village and telling us how great the "Duke" was (Like we didn't know). Dave was part American Indian and the way he told it...the Indians won all the fights. We miss ya Dave! RIP.

 

[the ringo kid]

If I didnt have a neurological problem? (balance too) I would love giving bike riding a try. Now id wind up a casualty on the road somewhere.Beatiful scenery though.Ive a good friend who vacations in Co--twice a year. there was a resort or land--somewhere near Telluride--where John Wayne was going to buy and get into service. He never did--and im not sure why?