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Dawn at the Alamo 2025
Maria Isabel Esparza Huizar Shawl
March 6, 2025, Dawn At The Alamo marked the 189th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo – that’s one year for each known Alamo Defender. We appreciate the attendance of our family members at this significant event to Remember the Alamo and our ancestor Gregorio Esparza, Alamo defender.
Maria Isabel Esparza Huizar Shawl
Maria Isabel Esparza Huizar Shawl
The Huizar and Esparza families are excited to share their story about their Great Grandmother Isabel Esparza Huizar.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History of the American Latino in Washington D.C. asked to display Isabel’s shawl that has been in the family for years.
Brothers on Opposing sides
Brothers on Opposing sides
Francisco Esparza, a member of the Mexican army, asked Santa Anna to bury one of the Tejanos. It was his brother, Gregorio, who died defending the Alamo.
Hispanic Heritage GMA
The Alamo - The Esparza Brothers
Brothers on Opposing sides
ABC News’ Mireya Villarreal goes behind the scenes at one of the most historic battlefields in the country – The Alamo.
The Alamo - The Esparza Brothers
The Alamo - The Esparza Brothers
The Alamo - The Esparza Brothers
As we continue to honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we remember the Esparza brothers who both played a significant role in the Alamo's history. Senior Curator, Historian, and Lecturer of Alamo History Ernesto Rodriguez tells the compelling story of the Esparza brothers, Gregorio and Fransisco Esparza.
Alamo Defender Descendant
The Alamo - The Esparza Brothers
The Alamo - The Esparza Brothers
or one Mexican-American studying Texas History in school back in the 1960s and 70s, he learned something that wasn’t in the history books.
ABOUT GREGORIO ESPARZA
Jose Gregorio Esparza (1802–1836)
Born a native Texan and citizen of
San Antonio de Bexar on February 25, 1802.
He fought in the Siege of Bexar, an early campaign of the
Texas Revolution on December 5-9, 1835.
He and his family took refuge in the Alamo.
His wife Ana, his sons Enrique, Manuel, Francisco,
and his stepdaughter Maria de Jesus were
all survivors of the Alamo.
He manned the cannon on the southeast corner of the Alamo.
He was shot in the chest, and stabbed in the side by a sword.
His brother Francisco Esparza was granted permission from Santa Anna to retrieve his body after the Battle of the Alamo.
Santa Anna gave Ana and the family
2 silver coins and a blanket. They were allowed to return to
their home in San Antonio.
Gregorio’s family are now listed as official non-combatants
survivors of the “Battle of the Alamo”.
They later moved to Atascosa County where they established San Augustine Church.
The first Catholic Church in the county.
Gregorio is the “only” known Alamo Defender to receive a Christian burial.
Gary Zaboly commissioned portrait