Land Office cancels DRT contract to run Alamo

The 1849 daguerreotype is the earliest datable photograph taken in Texas. It shows the front of the Alamo chapel. It is the only known photograph of the Alamo taken before the 1850 reconstruction that added the distinctive curved gable to the top of the church facade. less The 1849 daguerreotype is the earliest datable photograph taken in Texas. It shows the front of the Alamo chapel. It is the only known photograph of the Alamo taken before the 1850 reconstruction that added the ... more Photo: Briscoe Center For American History Photo: Briscoe Center For American History Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close Land Office cancels DRT contract to run Alamo 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

The Texas General Land Office is terminating its contract with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to run the Alamo, ending a role the DRT has held for 110 years in managing the state-owned site, the Express-News has learned.

In a joint statement with the DRT, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush said the change will help “create a bigger, brighter future for this Texas shrine.” The contract, which runs through Aug. 31, 2016, will be terminated after 120 days, on July 10.

“The Alamo has always had the same owner — the people of Texas. And so to meet the ever-increasing operational needs of the Alamo, the GLO has determined to change its day to day management from the DRT and move in a new direction,” Bush said.

The Land Office plans to conduct a nationwide search for a company to manage the site. DRT President General Ellen McCaffrey said in the joint statement that the women’s heritage organization is entering a new chapter and will “continue to greatly honor and respect the preservation of the Alamo” for future generations.

Get the details of this exclusive story at ExpressNews.com and see an interactive timeline and photo gallery of the history of the Alamo and the DRT. Read more in Friday’s edition of the San Antonio Express-News.

shuddleston@express-news.net

Twitter: @shuddlestonSA