As it continues to transform the area around the Alamo, the State of Texas is getting into the hospitality business. The state’s General Land Office has purchased San Antonio’s landmark Menger and Crockett Hotels in a deal it says will strengthen the visitor experience around one of the world’s most famous sites.

The state agency, in partnership with Ohio-based firm Rockbridge Holdings and the Alamo Trust, purchased the two properties for an undisclosed price. Bexar Appraisal District estimates the combined value of the two hotels at $55 million.

According to the State, the acquisition will “ensure the hotels are thoughtfully integrated into the broader Alamo experience.”

“These properties have been part of the Alamo’s legacy since 1859,” said Alamo Trust Executive Director Kate Rogers, in a statement. “Their acquisition allows us to bring that rich history full circle. As we continue moving forward with the Alamo Plan, these additions represent a powerful opportunity to create a more immersive and seamless guest experience — one where visitors can explore 300 years of history like never before.”

The purchase comes as Alamo Plaza undergoes an ambitious $550 million revitalization that aims to recreate the original mission footprint and give visitors a broader understanding of the 1836 battle. Among the more notable projects are a state-of-the-art Alamo Visitor Center and Museum and an overhaul of the Alamo Church’s roof, which will be temporarily protected by a massive hanger-like structure.

Both hotels have their own historic legacy. The 1859 Menger was built by William and Mary Menger as an extension of their popular Western Brewery. It was a frequent stop for U.S. presidents. Theodore Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders to fight in the Spanish-American War from the hotel’s bar, and bullet holes can still be found in the wood paneling.

The Crockett Hotel was built in 1909, serving as lodging for members of fraternal organization The International Order of Oddfellows. Although the property does not have a long list of distinguished guests, its sign is one of the most recognizable features of the downtown skyline.

Neither Rockbridge nor the State has announced any renovation plans to the hotels, but its portfolio is generally upscale, including the three Hotel ZaZa properties in Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

“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,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham in a release. “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.”