Second floor of Long Barracks is completed and in 1847 the now-famous parapet designed by local contractor John Fries is added. 1855 Dispute over Alamo ownership settled by Texas Supreme Court, which says property belongs to Catholic Church. 1865 U.S. Army returns after Civil War. 1878 Army leaves Alamo after city donates land for Fort Sam Houston. Hugo Grenet buys Long Barracks from Catholic Church.
Church sells chapel to state of Texas.
State turns chapel over to city of San Antonio. 1903 Syndicate plans to buy Long Barracks site for a hotel. Adina De Zavala of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas launches drive to buy Long Barracks but is unsuccessful in raising money. De Zavala vows to occupy the building to prevent its demolition for sale to the syndicate. Help arrives in the form of Clara Dirscoll, who first leases, then buys the Long Barracks.