Texas’ General Land Office buying downtown San Antonio’s historic Menger and Crockett hotels

The state agency that oversees the Alamo has purchased downtown San Antonio’s historic Menger and Crockett hotels, both steps away from the historical site.

The General Land Office, which has overseen day-to-day operations at the Alamo for the past 10 years, made the purchases to “strengthen the visitor experience at the state’s most visited historic site,” according to an emailed statement.

The GLO didn’t reveal the purchase price. However, the Bexar Appraisal District puts a combined value on the Menger, 204 Alamo Plaza, and the Crockett, 320 Bonham St., at $55 million. The seller of both properties is 1859-Historic Hotels Ltd., records show.

“By securing the footprint around the Alamo Complex for the State of Texas, we are protecting these hallowed grounds and enhancing one of our nation’s most sacred historical sites,” Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said in an emailed statement. “This investment ensures the Shrine of Texas Liberty, the Alamo, will become the most prominent battlefield site in the country — charting its own destiny for generations to come.”

Columbus, Ohio-based hospitality investment firm Rockbridge Holdings will oversee operation of both hotels, according to GLO officials. In its statement, the state agency said the properties would be “thoughtfully integrated into the broader Alamo experience, supporting the visitor and providing a seamless connection between the hotels and the overall Alamo visit.”

The GLO took over day-to-day oversight of the Alamo after then-Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush kicked out the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the private group that had long managed the site. Bush alleged the DRT wasn’t keeping up its contract, and the move unleashed a legal battle.

The state’s purchase of the two hotels comes amid major upgrades at the Alamo complex, including the addition of the 160,000-square-foot Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, expected to open in 2027. The state has approved $400 million to cover upgrades to the historical site, while Bexar County has pumped $25 million into upgrades in Alamo Plaza.

The Menger, located directly across from the Alamo, opened in 1859 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. During the Spanish-American War, Teddy Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders at the Menger’s bar.

The Three Link Fraternity, a group originating in 18th-century England, built the Crockett in 1909 as a membership lodge that also served as a hotel. It underwent a major expansion shortly before the Great Depression.

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This article appears in Aug 21 – Sep 2, 2025.