Casa Navarro facts for kids
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Jose Antonio Navarro House Complex
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Casa Navarro State Historic Site in 2017
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 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 228 S. Laredo St., San Antonio, Texas |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1855 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001353 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | December 23, 2016 |
Casa Navarro is a special historic place in San Antonio, Texas. It was once the home of José Antonio Navarro (1795–1871). He was a very important person in Texas history. Navarro was a rancher and a merchant. He also fought for the rights of Tejanos, who were Texans of Mexican heritage. He was one of only two Texans born in the area to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. This document declared Texas's freedom from Mexico.
Navarro bought the land for his home in 1832. The buildings were made from strong materials like limestone, caliche block, and adobe. These were built between 1832 and 1855. Navarro and his family moved into their new home soon after. The site is in an old part of San Antonio. This area was once a busy Tejano neighborhood called Laredito.
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How the Site Was Saved
The San Antonio Conservation Society helped save Casa Navarro. They bought and fixed up the buildings between 1960 and 1964. The site then opened to the public in October 1964. This allowed everyone to learn about Navarro's life.
Casa Navarro has received many important honors. It was named a Texas State Historic Landmark in 1962. In 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes places important to American history. Later, in 2008, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department gave the house to the Texas Historical Commission. This group now takes care of the site. In 2016, Casa Navarro became a National Historic Landmark. This is one of the highest honors for a historic place in the United States.
When you visit Casa Navarro, you can walk through Navarro's one-story limestone house. It's a great example of homes built in Texas during its early years as a state. You can also read copies of his writings. Friendly staff are there to answer your questions about history.
Other Buildings on the Property
There is also a two-story building that was Navarro's store and office. It has cool, strong corners called quoins. These quoins make the edges of the building's walls look bold. You can also see a separate kitchen building. It was made from adobe and caliche block. This kitchen has porches on the front and back. It shows how kitchens were often built in early Texas.
See also
