ADINA DE ZAVALA
“I did not surrender nor retreat” (Shiffrin, page 93) were the words of 5’3” Adina De
Zavala regarding her defense of the long barracks building where she barricaded herself for
three days on February 10, 1908. At that time, the Chapel of the Alamo belonged to the State of
Texas but the long barracks, the sight of the final fight in the battle of the Alamo in 1836 and
the place where many of the heroes of the Alamo died, belonged to a merchandising business,
The Hugo-Schmeltzer Company. It was being used as a warehouse and was put on the market
for sale. Miss De Zavala wanted to save and restore the building because of its significance in
the famous Battle of the Alamo. Clara Driscoll had put up the down payment and eventually
the full price of the building ($75,000) in order to obtain the ownership of the property; the
State of Texas had agreed to reimburse her for her generosity. However, the ownership of the
property was held up in court for a time. Miss De Zavala had obtained the keys to the building
and was inside. When ordered to leave, she remained inside for three days and nights with her
friend bringing food to her. She would leave only when assured by the Governor of Texas that
the building would not be torn down until the court case was “fully and finally decided”
(Shiffrin, page 122).
Adina Emilia De Zavala, born on November 28, 1861, was the granddaughter of Lorenzo
de Zavala. He was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, a participant in the
drafting of the Texas Constitution and Vice President of the interim government of the Republic
of Texas. Even though he died before Miss De Zavala was born, his life had tremendous
influence on the tenacity and determination with which she fought to highlight and champion
Texas history. From the age of nine, she played and lived for Texas history. She and her sister
Mary
produced plays—always scenes from history. All children are impressed by pageantry. I
am a firm believer in the value of exact science, object lessons. This is why I consider
historic shrines of inestimable worth…If people—especially children—could actually see
the door through which some noble man, or woman passed, they’ll remember, they’ll
read everything they can find in print about that man or woman. Inevitably they’ll be
filled with high ideals, the desire to emulate. (Pearl Howard of Holland’s magazine and
Shiffrin book, page 106).
Miss De Zavala is known for her Second Battle of the Alamo as she should be. However,
the battles she fought for the rest of her life to save historical buildings and Texas history to be
seen and lived by generations of Texans are of equal importance. Her determination and fight
to save Texas history called attention to it and has helped make the story of the Alamo and the
Republic of Texas a sought out theme for people all over the world, people interested in the
story of the masses fighting for individual freedom.
At a time when historical preservation was focused exclusively on European and white
history, Miss Zavala brought attention to the multiple ethnic heritages of our nation and,
ultimately, saved a community and religious center for generations of Americans
(National Parks: America’s Best Ideas, page 4).
Adina De Zavala was a preservationist who understood the broad context of history. The
following are some of her many achievements:
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Organized the De Zavala Daughters in 1889, oldest society composed of women for
patriotic purposes in Texas
Placed 40 markers and plaques on historical sites around San Antonio
Celebrated and commemorated events on special days in Texas History—March 2,
the day Texas declared its independence from Mexico; March 6, the Fall of the
Alamo; Apr 21, San Jacinto Day. Named and scheduled some official holidays
Saved the missions in Texas and reorganized and promoted them. Began the
preservation of San Antonio’s Spanish Colonial missions. (Ables, pages 25, 27-28;
Fisher, page 47)
Preserved and promoted historic pride in Texas
Saved the long barracks building so it could become a museum honoring the fallen
heroes of the Alamo
Formed Texas Historical and Landmarks Association
Saved Spanish Governor’s Palace, the oldest Spanish residence in Texas
Wrote numerous articles on historical Texas subjects and a 1917 book entitled
History & Legends of the Alamo and Other Missions In and Around San Antonio
Miss De Zavala was a remarkable woman; her frail body had the strength of a giant. Once
having a selected objective, she remained on the trail until it could be marked accomplished
(Shiffrin page 137).
Adina De Zavala died March 1, 1955 at the age of 93. Her massive collection of papers was
left to the University of Texas Austin Library; her personal papers are archived in the Sisters of
Charity Library on the University of the Incarnate Word campus in San Antonio, Texas. The
nuns had cared for her in her later more fragile years and had moved her to their infirmary until
a fall forced her to go to the Santa Rosa Hospital where she died on March 1, 1955.
Paper written by Alamo Mission Chapter DRT member, Maryann Pringle and edited by
members Janie Frere and Dr. Sharon Skrobarcek, October 2011. This paper will provide
background information for the special tribute to Adina de Zavala at the Alamo Mission Chapter
Siege of Bexar Luncheon to be held December 10, 2011.
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Gale Hamilton Shiffrin’s book, Echoes from Women of the Alamo, AW Press, 1999 was
used primarily for this overview of the life of Adina De Zavala. However, Gale Shiffrin quotes
and refers to many primary sources in her endeavor to present Miss De Zavala in the truest
historic light.
The primary sources quoted here, although they were found in the Shiffrin book are from
Ables, Luther Robert, “The Work of Adina De Zavala,” A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts, Universitarios of Mexico City College,
Mexico D. F; Mexico, August, l955, Our Lady of the Lake University Library, San Antonio.
Fisher, Lewis, Saving San Antonio, Lubbock: San Antonio Conservation Society, Texas Tech
University Press, 1996.
Also sited:
A pbs publication film by Ken Burns: Adina De Zavala and San Antonio Missions National
Historical Park. For more information visit www.pbs.org/nationalparks/for-educators/untoldstories-discussion-guide/