The Alamo is Disintegrating and It Could Be One Man’s Fault

Michael Hardy found out his grandfather may have contributed to the destruction of the Alamo.

By Michael MarksDecember 12, 2016 1:15 pm,

There are major efforts going on right now to preserve and redesign the grounds of San Antonio’s historic Alamo. A top priority is preserving the mission’s church – because right now, it’s crumbling. Moisture is causing the limestone to flake off and fall away. And much of the moisture is drawn through the walls by a convenience that some might consider mandatory during the summer – air conditioning.

Michael Hardy has been tracking this development. He’s a freelance writer who, like many if not most Texans, holds the Alamo near and dear to his heart.

Two of his relatives died at the Alamo – one before the historic battle, and one during.

“It was a point of pride until recently, now we’re not so sure,” Hardy says.

Hardy has another tie to the Alamo – his maternal grandfather owned the company that installed the first air conditioning at the site in 1961.

Hardy says he felt guilty when he realized that a member of his family was at least in part responsible for the Alamo’s crumbling walls.

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– How the Alamo cooled down before air conditioning was installed

– Whether his grandfather might have thought the air conditioning was an issue

– What the options are for a long-term fix