Alamo on E Adams and 9th St

 by Juan Manuel Vélez Salinas

Ramiro Gonzalez and Fernando R. Balli gave me the opportunity to research The Alamo / El Alamo in order to prepare the structure for a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark designation and future tax credits to maintain the property. Let me give the short version of the research.

Manuela Alcala (1845-1924) married to Lucio Bouis (1837-1886), purchased the lot where the building is located in 1891, after the public school opened at E. 8th St. in 1889. Lucio and Carlos Bouis were operating La Anacuita (E. 11th and Adams streets) since 1892, offering groceries, crockery, books, and stationary. Being closer to the public school could improve sales, so they move the store in August 1893, once the property was completed.

SAMUEL W. BROOKS designed and built the building, raising "the level with the sidewalk to increase its healthfulness as well as add to the appearance of the street." Stephen Fox suspected this possibility, and now I have been able to confirm this assumption after a deep research.

The importance of the building is that now we know who the architect was, understanding a smaller scale in which Brooks worked. It is also interesting how the commercial and residential spaces are connected and their hierarchy. Finally, this The Alamo / El Alamo & Manuela A. Bouis Residence raises the possibility that much of the brick structures built in Brownsville between 1890 and 1903 were designed by Brooks due his position as Surveyor for the City of Brownsville. He was the first contact for anyone interested in constructing a building at the time.

Ramiro González y Fernando R. Balli me dieron la oportunidad de investigar El Álamo/El Álamo con el fin de preparar la estructura para un Monumento Histórico Registrado de Texas y futuros créditos fiscales para mantener la propiedad. Permítanme dar la versión corta de la investigación.

Manuela Alcalá (1845-1924) se casó con Lucio Bouis (1837-1886) compró el terreno donde se encuentra el edificio en 1891, luego de que se abriera la escuela pública en la calle 8 E. en 1889. Lucio y Carlos Bouis estaban operando La Anacuita (E. 11 y las calles Adams) desde 1892, ofreciendo abarrotes, vajilla, libros y artículos de papelería. Estar más cerca de la escuela pública podia mejorar las ventas, de manera que mudaron la tienda en agosto de 1893, una vez el edificio se completo.

SAMUEL W. BROOKS diseñó y construyó el edificio, elevando "el nivel de la acera para aumentar su salubridad y mejorar la apariencia de la calle". Stephen Fox sospechada esta posibilidad, y ahora he podido confirmar esta suposicion tras la investigacion.

La importancia del edificio es que ahora sabemos quién fue el arquitecto, entendiendo una escala menor en la que trabajó Brooks. También es interesante cómo se conectan los espacios comerciales y residenciales y su