Architecture
1892 Victoria County Courthouse
When Don Martín de Leon platted the original townsite of Guadalupe Victoria in 1824, he designated public squares, including one that would later be shared by city and county governments for many years. Victoria County built its first courthouse, a two-story brick structure, in 1849 on Courthouse Square. The Greek Revival building served the county for many years.
Military
201st Fighter Squadron, Mexican Expeditionary Air Force (The Aztec Eagles)
Following the 1941 Japanese attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during World War II, the nation of Mexico severed diplomatic relations with the Axis powers (Japan, Germany, Italy). In May 1942, German U-boats sank several of the country's oil tankers in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in a declaration of war against the Axis nations.
History
Abel Seymour Cunningham
Soldier in the Texas War for Independence Soldier, Ranger and Congressman Republic of Texas. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962.
History
Abraham Levi House
Built before Civil War. Had 8 fireplaces, 10 rooms, many porches. Owned 1861-1881 by banker-merchant Abraham Levi, donor charitable fund. In 1865, taken over by U.S. Army of Occupation; used as Reconstruction headquarters, with prison in rear. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
History
Agapito De Leon
(1808-1836) Born in Texas; fourth son of empresario Don Martin De Leon, founder of De Leon Colony and city of Victoria. Agapito De Leon was active in the colony's affairs, a Texas patriot during the War for Independence from Mexico, a skilled Indian fighter, engaged in cattle, horse, and mule business.
Architecture
Alexander Lowe House
1883 home of Alexander Lowe, veteran of Mexican War, mayor, businessman, wheelwright, pioneer in refrigerated shipping. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
Architecture
B. F. Williams House
Victoria businesman, mayor and state legislator Benjamin F. Williams (1846-1916) built this home for his family in 1909. Designed by local architect Jules Leffland, the Classical Revival home features two-story front Ionic columns complemented by a side gable pedimented portico with matching one-story columns.
Civic & Local
Band Stand
Originally built before 1885, on Constitution Street side of the public square, for public gatherings and concerts. Moved to center of public square and placed upon foundation of the old standpipe in 1923. Completely restored in 1962 by Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Pickering. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964
History
Beck Ranch Headquarters
German native Charles (Carl) August Beck (1810-1885) purchased forty acres at this site in 1862. Ten years later he built this Greek Revival home as a wedding gift for his son Charles Theodore Beck (b. 1846). This house served as the headquarters for their cattle ranch which eventually grew to about 25,000 acres.
History
Billy Kyle Ranch House
Texas Colonial ranch home. Built 1872 by W.H. "Uncle Billy" Kyle (1836-1907), trail driver, cattleman, Civil War veteran. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
History
Brownson's Bank
John Milton Brownson (1836-1906), a Confederate veteran of the Civil War who grew up in nearby DeWitt County, moved to Victoria in 1866 and opened a grocery store. In 1867 he founded Brownson's Bank, the first banking establishment in Victoria. Located in a frame building on the west side of Main Street between Constitution and Santa Rosa Streets, it became known as Brownson and Company in 1876.
Architecture
Callender Home
Built by Dr. Stephen Cocke as hunting lodge on Green Lake; of hand-hewn pine lumber bought in New York. In 1854 lodge was torn down, boards numbered; then rebuilt on present site. Since 1871 home of pioneer lawyer William L. Callender and his descendants. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966
Military
Camp Henry E. McCullouch
At the suggestion of Confederate Col. Henry McCullouch, an area near this site north of Victoria, known as Nuner's Mott, was selected for the establishment of a military training camp in 1861. Troops from Bell, Bexar, Calhoun, DeWitt, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Matagorda, Travis, and Victoria counties began arriving that September. Col. Robert Garland of Virginia was appointed regimental commander.
History
Camp Victoria
Although the town of Victoria had been established in 1824, it was all but abandoned during the Texas Revolution in 1836, as settlers fled east during the Runaway Scrape. After the Revolution's successful close at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, the Texas Army followed the retreating Mexican troops, stopping in nearby Goliad to bury the hundreds of Texans who had been killed there.
History
Captain James P. January
Texas War for Independence Veteran Assistant Surgeon and Surgeon for the Republic of Texas. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962.
History
Carlos de la Garza
(1807-1882) A fourth-generation Tejano rancher, Carlos de la Garza was born into a family that was prominent among the colonies in Refugio, Goliad and Victoria. He and Tomasita Garcia were married in 1829; they settled on the family ranch at Carlos Crossing near this site. A community called Carlos Rancho developed at the crossing.
History
Darwin M. Stapp
Soldier in the Texas War for Independence Participated in the Siege of Bexar, 1835. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962
History
Don Martin De Leon
Founder of Victoria. Empresario of colonial grant from Mexico in 1824. Spanish cavalier, Indian fighter. First cattle baron of Texas. Born in Burgos, Tamaulipas, Mexico in 1765. Died in Victoria in 1833. RIP 1936
History
Dona Patricia De La Garza De Leon
Pioneer Colony Co-founder and Texas Patriot (1775-1849) Came from Tamaulipas to Texas (then northernmost province of Mexico) about 1800, to be at the side of her husband, Don Martin de Leon, as he sought to obtain a Spanish grant to establish a civilized colony here. With her family of ten children, she was a patriot, loyal to the cause of Texas. Her home was a center of pioneer culture.
History
El Camino Real in Victoria County
THE CAMINO REAL (ROYAL ROAD), ALSO KNOWN AS THE KING'S HIGHWAY, WAS A SERIES OF ROUTES LINKING SPANISH MISSIONS AND PRESIDIOS IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA. BEGINNING IN 1725, THE SPANISH EMPLOYED ONE SUCH ROADWAY, THE LOWER CAMINO REAL, THAT WENT THROUGH PRESENT-DAY VICTORIA COUNTY.
History
Evergreen Cemetery of Victoria
The first community cemetery in Victoria, located at present day Memorial Square, was unpopular with local citizens. They preferred home burial despite an 1846 city ordinance prohobiting the practice. In 1849 John McCrabb bought 27 acres of a tract granted to the city by the Republic of Texas. The property already contained the gravesite of Dr. Walter Fosgate, who died in 1848.
History
F.W. Gross High School
Education of Victoria's African American schoolchildren began during reconstruction; a freedman's school on East Convent Street is referenced in an 1868 deed. By 1875, three of the city's ten schools served African American pupils. Prof. Frederick W.
History
Felix De Leon
(1806-1850) Born in Texas; third son of the Empresario Don Martin de Leon, founder of De Leon Colony and City of Victoria. Felix de Leon was held hostage on a pirate ship about 1822, to force his father to comply with buccaneer demands. Later he became active in Colony's affairs. A skilled Indian fighter, he served Texas' cause in War for Independence.
History
Fernando De Leon
(1798-1853) Eldest son of empresario Martin de Leon. Came with parents from interior of Mexico to Texas, the northermost province, about 1800. Worked with his fathter in founding De Leon Colony and city of Victoria in 1820s. He was a commissioner of the colony and an Indian fighter. Loyal to cause of Texas freedom from Mexico, he was imprisoned by the Mexicans in Texas War for Independence.
Architecture
Fleming-Welder House
Local rancher and postmaster Edward R. Fleming and his wife Lillian (Mueller) hired B. F. Williams to build this house about 1911. Charles and Wilhemina Grunder purchased the property in 1919, and sold it to Eliza Hughes Welder in 1936. Mrs. Welder made changes to the house, and its current colonial revival appearance reflects the period of her ownership.
Elsewhere in Texas
Hear it from the road
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