Pee-wee’s bike is at the Alamo, but not where you think

By ANDREW DeMILLO It took years but Pee-wee s bike is now at the Alamo Just not the basement Related Articles Dear Abby Trying to tame career-ending crush on Brett Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner known as Theo on The Cosby Show Shohei Ohtani co-writes children s book starring his dog Decoy John Oliver s Erie Moon Mammoths debut in front of a record crowd Toronto International Film Festival sets lineup with Sydney Sweeney Aziz Ansari and Knives Out The Alamo communicated last week it had acquired and would display the iconic bike from the Tim Burton film Pee-wee s Big Adventure The San Antonio landmark plays a key role in the film chronicling Pee-wee Herman s search for his stolen bicycle when a devious fortuneteller tells him the bike is located in the Alamo s basement Pee-wee played by the late Paul Reubens learns the Alamo doesn t have a basement but hasn t stopped tourists from tongue-in-cheek inquiries It s the largest part common question our guest services crew hears is Where is the basement at the Alamo commented Jonathan Huhn senior communications director for the Alamo Trust Inc the nonprofit organization that oversees the Alamo s operations It s an iconic piece of Alamo pop-culture history The red-and-white bike or as Pee-wee calls it in the movie the best bike in the whole world is adorned with streamers on the handlebars and a lion emblem at the front Huhn reported it was acquired from an auction in Los Angeles The bike will serve as a centerpiece in the Mays Family Legacy Gallery which examines the the Alamo s cultural impact part of a new visitor center and museum slated to open in fall It will join other pop values items including memorabilia from the movie about the Alamo that starred John Wayne It s really a pop tradition bridge that will bring people to learn about the Alamo s history Huhn declared But before then the bike will go on display for a limited time at the Ralston Family Collections Center The Alamo also plans to host a free population screening of Pee-wee s Big Adventure in Plaza de Valero More details about dates for the display and the screening will be circulated later Unlike the Alamo the building where Pee-wee s bike will eventually be located does have a basement But before you ask that s not where the bike will be