Casa Navarro State Historic Site facts for kids
|
Jose Antonio Navarro House Complex
|
|
.jpg)
Casa Navarro State Historic Site in 2017
|
|
 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 228 S. Laredo St., San Antonio, Texas |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1855 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001353 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | December 23, 2016 |
Casa Navarro is a special historic place in San Antonio, Bexar County, 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 strongly supported the rights of Tejano people. Tejanos are 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.
Navarro bought this land, about 1.5 acres, in 1832. The buildings were made from limestone, caliche block, and adobe. They were built between 1832 and 1855. Navarro moved into his new home soon after.
The site is in the old part of San Antonio. This area used to be a busy Tejano neighborhood called Laredito. The San Antonio Conservation Society bought and fixed up the buildings from 1960 to 1964. Casa Navarro first opened to the public in October 1964.
It became a Texas State Historic Landmark in 1962. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. In 2008, the Texas Historical Commission took over managing the house. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2016. This means it's a place of national importance.
Contents
José Antonio Navarro was a key figure in Texas history. He was born in San Antonio in 1795. He grew up during a time of big changes for Texas. He was a rancher and a successful businessman.
Navarro was a strong voice for the Tejano community. He worked hard to make sure their rights were protected. He believed in a fair government for everyone.
He played a big part in Texas becoming independent. He helped write the Texas Constitution. His signature on the Texas Declaration of Independence shows his dedication.
The Historic Home of a Patriot
Today, you can visit Navarro's original home. It is a one-story house made of limestone. It shows how homes looked in Texas during its early statehood.
There is also a two-story building that was his store and office. This building has strong corners called quoins. They make the building look very solid.
The kitchen was a separate building. It was made of adobe and caliche block. This was common for kitchens in early Texas homes. It had porches at the front and back.
When you visit Casa Navarro, you can explore the buildings. You can see how people lived long ago. You can also read copies of Navarro's writings.
Staff members are there to answer your questions. They can tell you more about Navarro's life. They can also explain the history of Texas. It's a great place to learn about the past.
See also
In Spanish: Casa Navarro
