LOCAL
c i ty l i g h ts
A Tejano Treasure by Bob McCullough
I
t’s a somewhat-hard-to-find oasis in the shadow of downtown San Antonio, but those who do locate the Casa Navarro State Historic Site enrich themselves with knowledge of an important chapter of the Texas story. The site celebrates the life and legacy of José Antonio Navarro, a rancher, merchant and one of two native-born Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. “It’s off the beaten path for most tourists,” said Georgia Ruiz Davis, site manager since 2013. “So, most people either look us up ahead of time and find us on purpose or happen upon us by accident.” Three bright, white adobe and limestone buildings totaling some 3,500 square feet – the main house, a separate kitchen building and a two-story mercantile – comprise the quarter-acre complex at Nueva and Laredo streets. What really stands out is a colorful ceramic tile mural by noted San Antonio artist Jesse Treviño on the exterior of 26
AUTHENTIC TEXAS
SAN ANTONIO
INDEPENDENCE TRAIL REGION
