TEJANO NEWS

Tejano Association for Historical Preservation

http://www.tejanoahp.org

October Issue 2004

On Nov. 5, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. the Tejano Association will have a board meeting at the Latino Learning Center located on 3522 Polk, phone # 713-223-1391, Houston, Texas 77003.  From Interstate 45 South; exit Scott.  Turn north at Scott under the freeway and proceed north.  The Latino Learning Center is located on the right hand side at 3522 Polk.  This meeting will be held to discuss the Cesar Chavez Parade which will be held April 19, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. beginning at Capital and the corner of Cesar Chavez Blvd. in Houston's East End .  Speeches will follow at 7000 Ave. Q, Hidalgo Park.  All membership and interested parties are invited to attend.  There is no charge for non-profits to participate.  Please call Linda Saenz at 713-540-5449 for more information.

The Museo Guadalupe Aztlan presents the 13th Annual Dia de Los Muertos, (Day of the Dead) Celebration.  It will be held at the Holy Cross Cemetery on I-45 and North Main Street.  For more information contact Jesus Medel, curator at 713-527-9010 or email him at chano6_@hotmail.com  The sponsors of the event are Fiesta, LULAC Council # 60, El Guero Check Cashing, Pyramid Imports and Simon's Pharmacy.

Museo Guadalupe Aztlan was founded in March of 1994.  It exists to promote indigenous art in the Houston, Texas area as well as to those around the world.  Mr. Jesus Medel is also currently working on a joint grant writing project with the American Indians Genocide Museum.  Under the auspices of the parent organization, Museo Guadalupe Aztlán, Cine Cuauhtémoc Pan Americano Film Festival (CCPAFF) was founded in 1999 and is a regular event.  Register on-line at www.museo-guadalupe-aztlan.org for the Chicano film festival to be held in Acapulco, Mexico 2005.  This is a call for entries for film and video producers to present their work at the film festival.

   Tacinque, Sheep Shearer   

By Arturo Resa

Tacinque is derived from the Spanish word tecnica, which means technique.  When Spanish colonists and missionaries first introduced sheep to Texas in 1691, they made it a priority to teach the mission Indians sheep herding, sheep shearing, and weaving.  These skills were vital in making them self-supporting on the Texas frontier.  Sheep provided not only a source of meat, but also wool fiber for making clothing and blankets to trade with the different Indian tribes.  Wool harvesting took place each spring during a period called trasquilla.  During the trasquilla season a skilled shearer called a Tacinque removed the sheep’s wool using a scissor like tool called tijeras.  Tijeras had large razor sharp blades that cut through the wool using hand and wrist motion.  In 1821, New Spain and the so-called “lands” won their independence from Spain and became Mexico.  Fifteen years later in 1836, Texas broke away from Mexico and became a republic.  As a republic, Texas opened the door for rapid immigration of Anglo-Americans and Germans with their own stocks of sheep.  During this time, immigration was also occurring across the Rio Grande from Mexico.  Sheep men from the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon drove their large flocks back into Texas to areas west of the Brazos and below the Austin-San Antonio region.  These large flocks of Mexican sheep provided the breeding stock to cross with the American Merino rams for better wool production.  By 1880 wool warehousing in Texas had become a lucrative business that encouraged sheep ranching.  In one region alone, the Stockton-Trans-Pecos area, sheep increased six fold over ten years to a total of 61,000 by 1890.  This rapid increase in sheep numbers created a demand for skilled labor to harvest the wool.  To meet this demand shearing crews along the Rio Grande and Mexico grew in transportation to provide shearing services in Texas.  In the late 1920’s mechanization and transportation brought two important changes to shearing crews and wool production.  Mechanization came in the form of motor powered shearing clippers that allowed for faster and more efficient sheep shearing.  The other important factor, transportation, came in the form of vehicles that allowed for rapid relocations of shearing crews between remote Texas ranches.   These two important changes quickly led to Texan shearing crews providing shearing services to northern states such as New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.  Providing shearing services to northern states led to longer shearing seasons for Texan shearing crews.  This demand for Texan shearing crews to provide out of state shearing services helped to nudge wages to 15 cents per sheep in Texas.  But prior to mechanization and vehicle transportation, Shearers in Texas were paid three cents per sheep in the 1880’s and 10 cents by 1910.  During and immediately after WWII, wages improved to as much as 20 cents per sheep.  This ten-cent wage increase was brought on by the demand for wool products during the war and a shortage of Shearers immediately after the war.  Many skilled Shearers that had been drafted into service did not go back to shearing sheep after serving their country.  Their service in the military helped opened up other employment opportunities.  The 1960’s and 1970’s civil rights movement would also open up further educational and job opportunities for sheep shearing communities.  For the first time, the sons of Shearers would not have to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, as had been the tradition in Texas for generations.  This loss of skilled Shearers led to such a shortage that by 1980 wages had increased to as much as $1.00 to $2.00 per sheep to attract senior Shearers and shearing crews.   At the same time sheep numbers were in decline due to a lack of government subsidies that sheep ranchers depended on to make a profit on wool production.  This loss of government’s subsidies led many sheep ranchers to downsize the sheep flocks drastically or go out of the sheep business all together.  By 1990 sheep shearing opportunities in Texas were almost non-existent due to the small number of sheep flocks.  Today, the once shearing season of five months in Texas of by-gone days is down to a few weeks.   It is my belief that sheep shearing, as we know it today will be a lost skill in the next two decades.  It is imperative that the contributions, Tacinques made to the sheep and goat industry in Texas be documented.  Historians need to recognize and document the lives of Tacinques, their families, and the vibrant communities that evolved around sheep shearing.  Only then will the Tacinque and his family receive due credit for their labor and hardships.

Mr. Arturo Resa is a member of Bell County Historical Society and a charter member and past president of the Greater Temple-Belton LULAC Council #4593.  He is a third generation sheep shearer.  His father, Lorenzo ran a sheep-shearing rig in Lampasas County in the 1970’s.

 A Short History of Captain James E. Cummings and Juanita Benavides

by J. D. Garza

As most of you know I have been working on my family tree (Cummings/Benavides) and genealogy project for about four years. These are my great, great, great grandparents on my mother’s side.  My mother is Emilie Perez Duque Garza (age78) and is very knowledgeable about her family history. Because of her I got started doing actual fact finding research.  I enjoy this very much and it is very rewarding to me, as I have met new family relatives through the internet. Many of you have contacted me after reading my queries on certain genealogy websites as my signature salutations are always, “Looking for Captain. James Cummings."  Many of you I’ve personally met, some by phone calls and some by e-mail.  I’ve sent a courtesy copy to some friends (non members) as I have told them about my work and family. One of these copies has been sent to Mr. Walter Nass of the Texas Navy Association.  He is going to post this information on their Texas Navy website. He has shown interest in my work and has been very kind to me.  I’ve also sent a copy to Linda Wolff.

Restoration of the Matagorda Island Lighthouse

The Matagorda Island Lighthouse Restoration Project members have worked hard to restore this historical lighthouse over the last few years.  Judge Arlene Marshall and her group have done a great job.  After finding the Matagorda Lighthouse web-site in 2001, I called and told her of my connection to the lighthouse.  She was delighted to hear about my research and asked me to stay in touch.  I told her that Captain James E. Cummings played an important part as the first lighthouse keeper.  According to Linda Wolff’s book, Indianola and Matagorda Island 1837- 1887, she writes of this event, “December 31st 1852 – Matagorda Island Lighthouse is lit by Captain James Cummings, its first keeper, it is the first tower to be lit on the Texas coast.” She makes at least six other references to Captain James Cummings through out her book.

Biography of Captain James E. Cummings

James Cummings was born in the State of Maine 1810, (Texas census 1860, 1870 & 1880). According to a hand written account by Anestacio Carbajal, a grandson of James Cummings, he states that James became an orphan at the age of 12. He went to work on some of the commercial ships as a merchant marine sailor.  James grew up and became a man on the oceans of the world. His travels took him to Europe, Africa, South America and Mexico.  He later became the owner of these ships after the death of its ships' owner.  Anestacio also states that years later, while James was in the Gulf of Mexico, pirates attacked and sunk his ship near the coast of Vera Cruz, Mexico.  He was wounded at the hip, and swam clinging to a timber of the ship to the shore.  He was cared for by a local Spanish woman who helped him regain his health and strength.  He stayed there about a year.  He later caught a ship back north and landed at Indianola , Texas around 1836.  While in Indianola he served in the Texas Army as a 3rd Sergeant.  He also became land owner and a rancher at Matagorda.  Here he met Ysidro Benavides, a Texas Army scout and spy near Port Lavaca. Ysidro was the brother of Captain Placido Benavides who was married to Miss Agustina De Leon, daughter of Empresario Don Martin De Leon.  The De Leon family were the founders of the city of Victoria, Texas.

James later meets the daughter of Ysidro Benavides, Miss Juanita Benavides at a fiesta dance and fell in love with her.  He married her on September 27th, 1845.  This wedding took place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Victoria, Texas.  Special thanks to our cousin Kay Swint (of Houston , Texas) who is the GGG Granddaughter of Captain James and Juanita Cummings for going to that church and obtaining the original marriage certificate.  It was left behind there all these years by the wedding party.  She was kind enough to make me a color copy reproduction of document.  From this union, Captain James and Juanita had six daughters and two sons.  Mary Elizabeth Cummings was born in 1846, Sarah Cummings was born in 1848, Anna Cummings was born in 1850, Nicolas Cummings was born in 1852, Martha Cummings was born in 1854, Cora Cummings was born in 1858, James Cummings, Jr. was born in 1860 and Susan Cummings was born in 1863.  They were all baptized in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Victoria, Texas of which I have copies of their baptismal certificate records.  Mary married Tomas Trevino, Sarah married Anestacio Carvajal, Anna married Primitivo de la Garza (son of Don Carlos de la Garza), Martha married William McMillian, Cora married James Kuykendall, Susan married Ike Kuykendall, James married Nellie Doughty, Nicolas never married and was killed at the young age of 28 by his horse.

Cummings and Texas History

1836

James lands in Indianola and joins the Texas War for Independence Army as a 3rd sergeant, records show 1836 to 1837.  (Calhoun County History & Heritage Book, pg. 64)

1841

Captain James Cummings was in the Texas Navy. He served as a pilot on several ships under Commodore Edwin W. Moore, Captain Crisp, Captain Wright and Captain Taylor.  As ships arrived with goods it was his job to bring in the ship safely into dock at Matagorda Pass and Cavallo Pass. He worked on Texas Navy ships named: St. Bernardo, Schooner, San Antonio and Sloop of War Austin  The State of Texas recorded a Public Debt filed by Captain James Cummings for payment owed to him for work he did for the state.  This payment was delayed to him for a long period of time. In 1847, $223.75 was a lot of money to wait for.  I have copies of these files.

1852-1853

On New Years Eve, Captain James Cummings lights the Matagorda Island Lighthouse, amid cheers from the crowds that had gathered for the event and accompanied by whistle blasts from steamers in the bay.  He is also commissioned to be the first lighthouse keeper.  The salaries for this position ranged from a low $400 per year to a high $675 per year.  (Indianola and Matagorda Island - 1837-1887 by Linda Wolff)

1860 & 1861

Captain James Cummings served as the first and second postmaster at Cummingsville, Texas near and below Berclair, Texas.  (The History and Heritage of Goliad County,  pg.55)  (Jim Wheat’s POSTMASTERS & POST OFFICES OF TEXAS, 1846-1930)  James and Juanita Cummings owned the Juan Moya y Delgado league grant—220 acres. This was later sold to the Lucas family.  This land is possibly where the Fair Oaks Ranch is now located in Berclair, Texas excerpt from an interview with Brenda Wells, Postmaster, Berclair, Texas.  Captain James Cummings and Juanita also owned about 18 acres in the ancient jurisdiction of Mier, Mexico now Starr County.  These areas were subdivided into smaller lots and given to each of their children. These lots and names are shown in an area map which Texaco Oil later bought from each of the family members as late as 1982. Emilie Perez Garza, my mother and great granddaughter of Anna Cummings de la Garza of Goliad, Texas was one of the last to be contacted by Texaco’s lawyers.

1882

In Sarah Cummings bible, which is owned by Jimmy Carvajal of Houston, it is hand written in pencil “James died Saturday 6 a.m. October 12th 1882," he was 72 of age.  I don’t know where Captain James or Juanita are buried, but I will continue to look for their burial site.

 Additional Biographical Information  

There are other accounts that I have that indicate Captain James was fighting for headright to entitle him ownership of land.  The Texas government denied him his title as they accused him of aiding the enemy during the struggles of Texas Independence.  Captain James is writing, going back and forth to the Texas Court of Claims to fight for entitlement of land he has applied for.   As of this writing it is unclear to me whether or not he did receive his headright.  Filed in Court of Claims 1839 and continues thru 1859.  Now here is a project for someone to follow up on.

2004

Matagorda Island Lighthouse Committee honors Captain Cummings in the 21st Century

On June 11th, 2004 at the very site that Captain James Cummings worked, loved and cared for, the Matagorda Island Lighthouse was re-lit and rededicated in a well planned celebration. Acknowledgement of Captain James Cummings, his wife and family was made.  A special re-lighting of the tower was done to honor Captain James Cummings and I was very honored to officially turn on the new solar power light of the 152 year old refurbished lighthouse.

On behalf of all our family members who attended the beautiful Matagorda Island Lighthouse Dedication, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  We would also like to thank Judge Arlene Marshall, The Matagorda Island Foundation, Texas Department of Transportation and to all those who made the restoration project a reality.

In all of the written correspondence that Captain James Cummings sent off, he would end by signing.

“Yours Respectfully,

James Cummings”

So in his honor I sign off:

“Yours Respectfully,

JD GARZA”

FAMILY REUNION 2005 
Very First Captain James Cummings & Juanita Benavides Family Reunion

April 2, 2005 in Goliad , Texas .
We are now looking for family members to invite.  April 2, 2005 is not far away, so we need your help, now.  If our planning committee does not get people to contact, they may not be able to properly invite them on time.  Family, please plan and prepare to be in Goliad , T
exas. on April 2, 2005 for this memorable event.  This is a family chart of James and Juanita Cummings.  I need your help to start filling in the rest of the family members.  James y (and) Juanita Cummings, their children were:  Mary Elizabeth b.1846, Sarah b.1848, Anna b. 1850,  Nicolas b. 1852  Martha b. 1854, Cora b. 1858, James, Jr. b. 1860 and Susan b. 1863.

Married:
Mary + Tomas Trevino children are: Telesforo + ?
Sarah + Anestacio Carvajal children: Anestacio, Jr. & Santiago + children: ?
Anna + Primitivo de la Garza, children: Primitivo, Jr., Elias, San Juanita, Lucia, Elogia, children: ?
Nicolas (never married)
Martha + William McMillan, children: ?
Cora + James Kuykendall, children: ?
James, Jr. + Nellie Doughty children: Jamie
?
Susan + Ike Kuykendall children: ?
Please find your family members and help me fill in the missing ancestors so that we can contact their descendants.  I am also requesting help in finding the McMillans.  Does anyone know where this family unit lived or moved to?   Feel free to contact me either by my email or my mailing address.  Thank you.

Yours respectfully,

J.D. Garza  jdgarza@swbell.net

JD GARZA
5618 SPRING SUNSHINE
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78247-1951
PH.# (210) 590-6117 / FAX (210) 646-9875
 

For more information about the Texas Navy and their contributions to history, please log on to the following website: http://www.texasnavy.com/

 

25th Annual Texas State Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference

“Racing through History – Tracing the Lives and Travels of our Ancestors”

The 25th Annual Texas State Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference was held on September 17, 18, 19, 2004 at the Holiday Inn Hotel 2705 E. Houston Highway, Victoria, Texas 77901.  The host club was the Victoria Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Society of Texas, Sophia Postel Wilson, President, 701 N. West Street, Victoria, Texas 77901, in partnership with the Cultural Council of Victoria, Bonnee Riggs, Project Director.  The mission of the conference was to celebrate the Annual Texas Conference on Hispanic Genealogy Silver Jubilee by sharing the cultural and historical Hispanic roots of the Victoria and Goliad area.  A tour was conducted of the historic downtown Victoria, Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, the site that played a major role in six revolutions and wars for independence, the birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza, the Zaragoza and Fannin Monuments and the Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga.  A lunch was catered by Amigos of the Mission on the Mission Espiritu Santo grounds.  The “El Calle de Los Diez Amigos” was toured and the tour ended at the Museum of the Coastal Bend, home of LaSalle’s Fort Saint Louis.

Informative “Research Round Table Discussions” were held Sept. 17, 2004, the first day and included authors, historians, professors, and researchers presenting their titled works such as," A Destiny Foretold” by Neo Franco Cantu, “With All Arms” by Alan Duaine, “Dig for Gold – Discover Texas Records” by Martha Everman Jones, Ph.D., Eileen Trevino Villarreal and “The Texas Connection to the American Revolution” by Jack Cowan and Robert H. Thonhoff.  Presenters provided extensive range of information one on one to the conference attendees.  This was a unique and rewarding experience to be able to talk to the presenters in detail.

A “Research Rest Stop Hospitality Reception” was held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Museum of the Coastal Bend, The Victoria College, 2200 E. Red Rive.  The Ballet Folklorico de Victoria performed from 5:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  This was followed by a meeting of the Genealogy Association Presidents at 8:30 p.m. at the San Jacinto Ball Room.

On Sept. 18, 2004 a silent auction to benefit the Tejano Monument was successfully conducted by Michael Salinas.  Book Sales and Vendors were located in the Rio Grande Ball Room.  Presentations at the conference were made by Anna Carolina Castillo Crimm, whose topic was "Land Dispossession in Victoria, 1836 - 1880," Yolanda Z. Gonzalez Gomez presented on "Going Deep into Family Relation Limpia de Sangre,"  Dr. Andres Tijerina presented on "Tejano Families on the Frontier,"  Dr. Armando C. Alonzo, presented on the "Ties that Bind Texas and Nuevo Santander," Maestro Israel Cavazos Garza presented on "El General Alonso de Leon y sur Expediciones a Texas," Homero S. Vera presented his research "Tracing Genealogy through Livestock Brands," and Joel Rene Escobar, presented "Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid) and his Descendants."  A creative "racing through history pit stop dinner party," was held at the Victoria American Legion Hall.  A fun auction was conducted by Homero S. Vera.  Items were purchased with conference play money that had been generously distributed during the conference.

On Sept. 19, 2004 Danny Cano presented on "Los Canos de Reynosa," Sheron Barnes presented on "Genealogy Resources at the Victoria Regional History Center ," Alonzo A. Salazar presented on "Goliad Native Son Don Carlos de la Garza.  Captain de la Garza's La Guardia Victorianos and Goliad's Tejano campaign against the Texas Revolution of 1835 - 1836."  Michael A. Salinas presented on "Colonial Spanish Documents and Hispanic Genealogy on the Internet,” Sophia Wilson and Bonnee Riggs gave the closing remarks.

Next year the 26th Annual meeting of the Hispanic Genealogical & Historical Society of Texas will be held in Laredo , Texas over Labor Day weekend.  For more information about Hispanic Genealogy and information regarding the conference visit the websites of:

Hispanic Genealogical Society  http://www.hispanicgs.com/

Victoria Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Society of Texas http://www.tisd.net/~dcano/vhghost.htm

Gloria Candelaria Spanish Genealogist Specialist http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~abel2479/

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements
of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to
be remembered with pride by their descendants." Macauley

On June 10, 2004 the formal opening ceremony of Fire Station No. 27 was held at 6515 Lyons Avenue, Houston, Texas 77020.  The new station will house a pumper truck, a squad truck and an ambulance.  Distinguished guests included representatives of Honorable Congressman Gene Green's office, 29th District, Honorable Mario Gallegos, Senate District 6, Honorable Joe Moreno, Representative District 143, Honorable Mayor Bill White, City Council members Adrian Garcia of District H and Carol Alvarado of District I, ex- city council man Felix Fraga, Houston Fire Department Chief Phil Boriskie, and Assistant Chief Raul Reyes.  Chief Boriskie thanked the community, recognized the efforts of his staff and also announced that the new pumper truck at the station will be named after the city's first Hispanic firefighter, Eli Martinez, whose family includes one of the first Hispanic Houston police officers, Raul C. Martinez.  Houston Mayor Bill White used the occasion to praise the work of the city's firefighters.  It was also noted by the Chief that this was the largest fire station grand opening the city had ever seen.  A Mexican dinner reception followed which was organized by Sgt. Larry Long and Mrs. Long of the Denver Harbor Civic Club.  Fire Station No. 27 was constructed by the Trevino Group.  It was designed by STOA/Goleman/Bolullo Architects.  The Denver Harbor Civic Club has been actively involved in the Adopt a Fire Station Program for Station No. 27 and welcomes community support.  For information about the Adopt a Fire Station Program, please contact Andres Ortiz, Chair for the Denver Harbor Civic Club Fire Station Committee at 713-960-1476 or 713-672-2931.

The History of Elias Martinez

            Elias Martinez was born Jan. 20, 1928 to Placido and Paula Martinez in Goliad, Texas.  He was the 6th child out of 11 children.  He quit school at the age of 16 and entered into the United States Coast Guard on July 30, 1945.  He received an honorable discharge in 1947.  As a merchant seaman he saw ports all over the world.  He entered into the transportation field on July 18, 1950 by working as a taxi cab driver while awaiting admittance in to the Houston Fire Department.  On November 16, 1950 he entered into training for the Houston Fire Department.  Elias would complete his high school education by obtaining his GED in 1953.  He was drafted literally overnight during the Korean War and was admitted into the U.S. Army on May 7, 1954.  He was allowed to return back to his hometown of Houston briefly to return his fire equipment gear to the Houston Fire Department.  His combat duty would take him to Korea and he would serve most of his time stationed in Okinawa as a chemical specialist.  On April 4, 1956 he was given an honorable discharge.  He then returned back to his hometown of Houston where he would work as a Fire Fighter for a total of 38 years.  He was nicknamed "Ace" because of his extensive knowledge of city streets, location of fire hydrants and he also knew the areas served by each fire station.  He would receive numerous commendations and in November 1980 Honorable Mayor Louie Welch presented him with his 30 years service award.  He retired as a fireman/chauffer on August 16, 1988 after 38 years of service.

            Elias Martinez passed away on April 4, 1992.  He was a very thoughtful man.  He would often surprise his wife with gifts, flowers and jewelry.  He loved to dance, hunt and fish.  He was a family man.  But above all he was modest and when fighting fires he did not like reporters taking pictures.  One of the few pictures taken after he had fought a fire is where he is shown with his nephew, Raul Martinez, Jr. who was also a Houston Fire Fighter.

Elias Martinez left behind three daughters and a son; daughter Evangelina Garcia, spouse Faustino Garcia, daughter Edolina Peuttus, spouse John Peuttus, son Elias Martinez , Jr., spouse Jodi Martinez, daughter Melissa Martinez Prindes and spouse Michael Prindes.  Grandchildren are Christina Garcia-Cruz, Attorney at Law, spouse, Julius Cruz, John Peuttus, Jr., Jacqueline Peuttus, Troy Peuttus, Robina Peuttus , Angela Peuttus, Stephen Elias Martinez, and Joshua Ryan Martinez. 

 

Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez Casino Hall Removed from Tax Auction

The owner of Casino Hall has paid the taxes owed on the property and removed the East End landmark from the July 6 sheriff’s auction.  Despite these developments, the future of the Hispanic heritage site remains in doubt as the building suffers from deterioration and neglect.

As a result of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance’s efforts to increase awareness of the property, we have been contacted by potential buyers with sufficient funds to renovate the building.  GHPA is putting these individuals in touch with the current owner in hopes that this landmark can be preserved for Houston’s Hispanic community.  GHPA is also contacting the owner to encourage him to either stabilize and secure the building or sell the property.

 Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez, a Mexican-American mutual aid society, built Casino Hall at 7320 Navigation in 1928.  The building provided a location for theatrical performances, public meetings and community events.  According to architectural historian Stephen Fox, the wooden structure was the first purpose-built, non-religious public institution constructed by and for the local Mexican-American community.

GHPA will continue to monitor this important property and provide updates as developments warrant.  GHPA has contacted Houston Hispanic Forum, Tejano Association for Historic Preservation, Greater East End Management District, Neighborhood Centers, Inc. and City Council Member Carol Alvarado to coordinate efforts to preserve this local landmark.  If any of your members know the owner and would be willing to encourage him to preserve the property, his name and address follow:

Marcus L. Castillo 910 Dorothy St., Houston 77008

David Bush
Director, Programs and Information
Greater Houston Preservation
Alliance
713-216-5000
www.ghpa.org

In the past the Board Members and past presidents from the Tejano Association for Historical Preservation, Dr. Sarabia, Rolando Romo, (whose grandfather, Jose Medellin, was one of the Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez's founders), the late Genaro Flores, Richard Perez and Mr. Benny C. Martinez have met with city officials asking for more time to be allotted in order that the owner could bring the building into compliance and taxes could be paid.  Salon Juarez represented a haven where Mexican American families could gather free from discrimination. This was the site of parties, dances, plays regarding Cinco de Mayo, lessons, meetings, social and cultural events.   Hopefully, with the intervention of the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance and their networking efforts this building will be able to be preserved.

On May 13, 2004 at the HISD board room, Mr. Benny C. Martinez, board member, past president of the TAHP and finance committee member of the Tejano Monument, Inc. presented to the SE District Superintendent, Jose Trevino, a statuette of "El Tejano" by the award winning artist Armando Hinijosa to be housed in the offices of the SE District.  The statuette was graciously accepted by Jose Trevino and placed next to Dr. Abe Saavedra, HISD Interim Superintendent.  The SE district alone contributed 8,205.67.  In total as of Oct. 20, 2004 a total of 16065.17 was donated for the Tejano Monument .  Also, in recognition for raising the most monies, an Eagle award was presented to SGT. Flowers and the students of Deady HISD Middle School by TAHP President Linda Alonzo Saenz.  Loretta Williams also thanked the HISD board, students and staff on behalf of the Tejano Assoc. and the Tejano Monument Committee, Inc. for their contributions.

On Sept. 10, 2004, Benny C. Martinez and Loretta Williams attended the Tejano Monument Committee meeting at the Capital in Austin , TX .  The base has been revised, lowered and will allow for a more natural setting.  This will also provide a more interactive rendition and interpretation of the monument. The artist, Armando Hinijosa was on hand to provide details about the latest rendition of the monument.  For more information about the monument that will be emplaced on Capital grounds visit the website of www.tejanos.com

Juan Garcia, Director of Admissions of Blinn College and Chair of the Education and Scholarship Committee of LULAC # 60, is organizing a “Planning for College Day” at St. Thomas University from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m on Dec. 4, 2004.  The 70th Anniversary Celebration of LULAC # 60 will be held Dec. 5, 2004 at the American Legion Harrisburg Post 7599 Ave. C, Houston, Texas 77012 at 3:00 p.m. with a donation fee of $5.00.  Email Juan Garcia for info. about the seminar "Planning for College Day" at juanlulac@yahoo.com or for info. about both events call President Charles Flores at 713-725-2088.

The 2005 Battle of San Jacinto Symposium will be held Saturday, April 16, 2005.  More information will follow in the next newsletter.

Jim Hodges Jr., Commander of America’s Last Patrol Ranch Inc. Post #2, Houston, Texas requests help of donations and volunteers for the exhibit “The Moving Wall” which will be displayed officially at Sylvan Beach Nov. 19 – Nov. 25, 2004.  It will be set up on the 18th leaving from I-10 and Hwy. 146 at Baytown with a motorcycle escort.  Please call Mr. Hodges for further information at 832-228-2758 or email him at yjrcp@aol.com  Weekly meetings will be held up until the exhibit date on Wed. at 7:00 p.m. at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse 2622 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX 77054 . Volunteers and donations are needed to make this event a success.  

San Antonio’s first Founders Day Celebration was held at the historic San Pedro Springs Park on Sat., Oct. 23, 2004.  The celebration paid tribute to 286 years of recorded history and 20 cultural groups.  A special program by the San Antonio Symphony began at 11:00 a.m. followed by Stephanie Urbina-Jones and the Children's Chorus of San Antonio .  There was an essay contest award ceremony, food and soft drink booths, presentations and activities by many of the city's cultural groups.  For more info. regarding Founders Day visit the website of www.SanAntonioFounders.Day.org and to view photos recorded of the event by Paul Casanova Garcia log onto http://paulcasanovagarcia.smugmug.com/gallery/index.mg?logOut=1&AlbumID=257546

Paul Casanova Garcia is a member of the Freelance Photographers Organization, the National Stereoscopic Assoc., Canary Islands Descendants Assoc., Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of TX , Sons of Confederate Veterans, Siege of Bexar Descendants and San Jacinto Descendants.

Please help support the Cesar Chavez Hispanic Pride Parade which will be held April 19, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. beginning at Capital and Cesar Chavez Blvd.  At the Nov. 5, 2004 meeting we will be making important decisions such who will serve as the Parade Marshal, speakers, and entertainment for the event.  Your input and support is requested at the meeting.  Parade route map will be included in the next newsletter.

If you would like to purchase an advertisement for the Cesar Chavez Parade Brochure, please call Richard Perez at 218-451-0488. 

Please help support the Cesar Chavez Hispanic Pride Parade which will be held April 19, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. beginning at Capital and Cesar Chavez Blvd.   At the Nov. 5, 2004 meeting we will be making important decisions such who will serve as the Parade Marshal, speakers, and entertainment for the event.  Your input and support is requested at the meeting.  Parade route map will be included in the next newsletter.

If you would like to purchase an advertisement for the Cesar Chavez Parade Brochure, please call Richard Perez at 218-451-0488. 

Membership dues of $25.00 are now due.  All monies help support payment of parade permit, parade event/insurance, printing, etc.  Thank you for your continued support!

For input regarding the newsletter contact Loretta Martinez Williams at latejana3000@aaahawk.com

Linda Alonzo Saenz, President

Loretta Martinez Williams, 1st Vice President

Richard Perez, 2nd Vice President

Margarito C. Vasquez, Board Member

Dr. Emilio Sarabia, Advisory Board Member

Benny C. Martinez, Advisory Board Member