HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Clara Driscoll (April 2, 1881-July 17, 1945)

San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Marker Inscription

A descendant of early Texas colonist, including a veteran of San Jacinto, Clara Driscoll was born in Refugio County and grew up as a wealthy rancher's daughter. In 1903, soon after returning from school in Europe, she learned that the Long Barrack, part of the historic Alamo, was about to be sold as a hotel site. When the state failed to act, she bought the property, using her own funds to supplement money raised by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Her gesture sparked public interest and won her the title "Savior of the Alamo." The state reimbursed her in 1905 and placed the Alamo in the care of the DRT. In 1932 she helped the state buy land south of the Alamo Chapel. Clara Driscoll was active in business, politics, and the arts. She headed several state organizations, including the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and served as Democratic National Committeewoman, 1928-44. She gave generously to support the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs, the Texas Fine Arts Association, and medical services for underprivileged children. Married to newspaperman Henry H. Seveir, 1906-37, she lived in Austin before moving to Corpus Christi to manage family properties. After she died, her body lay in state in the Alamo Chapel before burial here.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Born to a wealthy Refugio County ranching family, Clara Driscoll learned in 1903 that the Alamo's Long Barrack was about to be sold as a hotel site and, when the state failed to act, bought the property with her own funds to save it—earning the title "Savior of the Alamo." The state reimbursed her in 1905 and placed the shrine in the care of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, which she led. A force in business, politics, and the arts, she served as Democratic National Committeewoman and gave generously to Texas cultural and charitable causes before lying in state in the Alamo Chapel after her death.

Why it matters

Driscoll's rescue of the Alamo made her a pioneer of American historic preservation and showed the growing public power of women in early-20th-century civic life.

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Related people

  • · Clara Driscoll
  • · Henry H. Sevier

Related events

  • · Preservation of the Alamo Long Barrack (1903–1905)

Themes & tags

Women's HistoryMemorial

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