I've taken so many people from out of town down there (I live on the North side). It's totally bewildering to stand there while they look at the Chapel door and sigh, “just think it all happened here.” I almost feel guilty to tell them, “actually almost nothing happened here, but see that building with the silly museum, and that building over there that used to be a Post Office, that's where it all happened.”
I don't mind them changing the site to something more realistic, I just wish I had more confidence in the people in charge of doing it!
,,,and Everyone wants to know
about the Basement!
A lot also happened on the road people drive over. At some point, the mission walls were breached and a road to the city ran right through the courtyard. City growth finally enveloped the mission. People assume the famous "shrine" facade is facing outwards, when actually it faced inward to the courtyard.
So, you can drive your Buick over ground where brave men died. I'm for closing off the road, but the rest of the plan is wrong, and they should leave the cenotaph alone.