Nicknamed "The Rock Pile" due to its primarily limestone construction it was completed in September 1940 as a Works Progress Administration project.

Initially proposed by SAISD trustees in May 1939, the stadium was constructed on the site of an abandoned rock quarry at a total cost of just under $500,000.

The majority of funding was provided by the federal Works Progress Administration (project 65-1-66-30), with approximately $110,000 coming from district revenue bonds.

[6][7] 24,000 people were in attendance for the stadium's opening celebration, a high school football doubleheader on September 20, 1940.

A lack of adequate parking (particularly noticeable on the East side of the stadium) has been a recurring complaint, with no real options to expand given the surrounding area.

For the 1940 and 1941 college football seasons, the St. Mary's Rattlers played their home games at Alamo Stadium.