For nearly 300 years, the Alamo Church has stood as a monument to the expanding frontier. Throughout its history, it has served as a Church, fortress, warehouse and museum. Constant use has left its mark, and not only those that come naturally with the passage of time. In the early nineteenth century, man made marks in the form graffiti began appearing on the Alamo Church. Much of the early graffiti was left soon after the battle of the Alamo in 1836. Another wave of graffiti followed the annexation of Texas to the United States in 1845.
The establishment of a United States Quartermaster Depot at the Alamo was the cause of this second wave of graffiti, as men stationed there began carving their names into the walls of the old mission church. One significant carving is that of Captain Lafayette Bowyer Wood, Subsistence Department commander of the 8th Infantry. Wood, an 1838 graduate of West Point, was born in Virginia. During the Mexican War (1846–1848), he was cited for gallantry and meritorious service at the battles of Monterrey, Contreras and Churubusco. He was commissioned as captain for his service during the war. Following the war, Captain Wood was stationed at the Alamo with the 8th U.S. Infantry. At some point during this assignment, Captain Wood carved his name on one of the columns in the Alamo Church. Captain Wood died on October 19, 1858, but not before leaving his mark not only as part of the Alamo’s military history, but literally on the Alamo itself.
Today, visitors to the Alamo see many marks left on the historic structures by both time and man. Spanish mission era frescoes are visible in the sacristy and graffiti from as late as the 1940s can be found throughout the church. It is important to note, however, that it is a crime to deface the Alamo today and carving your names on the walls is no longer allowed.
