A: “Tejano” is a regional variant of Mexican American or Mexicano. The way the people who have been involved in constructing the monument describe “Tejano” is that it is the direct translation of Texan into Spanish. It is the most popular term of reference by Mexican people in Texas who have long-lasting ties to the land. It’s basically a regional self-reference by people who see themselves as people of the soil, descendants of settlers in this area in the 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s.
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| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Dedicated:
March 29, 2012
About:
Sculpted by Armando Hinojosa of Laredo, the monument tells the sweeping story of pioneer Tejano families, the advent of cattle ranching, farming and the Tejano cultural influences that pervade Texas life centuries later. The life-size statues depict a Spanish explorer, a vaquero (cowboy) on his mustang, two longhorns and a family of settlers. Installed on the south lawn last week, the monument has been eagerly awaited by supporters and the organizers who waged a grass-roots campaign to see it accomplished. The Legislature approved the project in 2001. Supporters raised about $1 million to combine with another $1 million in state money. - Austin American Statesman (Monday, March 26, 2012)
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| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Though the sidewalks around the Capitol building can be steep in some places, access t the monument is very accessible for people of all mobilities including those in wheel chairs.
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| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Tejanos are descended from the Spanish explorers and colonizers who settled Texas. They eventually took the name Tejano from the Spanish word Tejas, used by native American Indians who originally inhabited Texas. As early as 1519 Spaniards visited the Texas coast and a group led by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was the first to describe the native peoples of Texas and the geography of Texas between 1528 and 1534. The Texas Panhandle region was explored by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in 1541, while the Desoto-Moscoso expedition explored northeastern Texas the following year. Soon, Spaniards explored the coastal regions and established Texas as a province.
An attempt by France to establish a colony on the Texas coast in the 1680s, prompted Spain to send General Alonzo de Leon in search of the French settlement. On his expeditions into Texas in 1666-1690, De Leon founded the first Spanish mission in East Texas. These early expeditions named most of the major rivers in Texas and released many longhorn cattle which later became the foundation of the cattle industry of Texas. By 1718, a permanent community at San Antonio de Bexar has been established by soldier-settlers and Franciscan missionaries, later expanded by families from New Spain and the Canary Islands.
By the mid-1700s, Spanish settlements included the capital at Los Adaes (now Robeline, Louisiana), San Antonio and La Bahia (now Goliad). In the lower Rio Grande country, other settlers from the interior of Mexico and Spain, under the leadership of Jose de Escandon, founded a network of towns. Tejano ranchers provided thousands of longhorn cattle to Spanish soldiers and settlers and even drove cattle northeastward to aid the American Revolution. Tejano pioneers left a proud ranching legacy in Texas.
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| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Tejanos developed their unique identity and sought to control their own destiny in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth centuries. Following Father Hidalgo's call for rebellion against bad government on September 16, 1810, many Tejanos rallied in support of the Mexican War for independence. Tejanos and their Anglo allies first declared Texas Independence. Tejanos in April 1813, but suffered defeat at the Battle of Medina on August 18, 1813. It was the bloodiest battle ever fought on Texas soil. After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. Tejanos welcomed Anglo-American immigrants into Texas under the Republic of Mexico.
In 1824, the Mexican National Congress joined Texas to Coahuila as a combined state. Fearful that the arrangement would hurt Texas interests, Tejanos apposed the union. This view was shared by the new Anglo-American colonists, many of whom retained strong economic and political ties to the United States. After the Mexican Congress cut off trade and immigration from the U. S., Anglo-Texans and Tejanos revolted and declared Texas independence from Mexico. Two native Tejanos signed the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.
In his march to defeat the independence movement in Texas in 1836, Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was opposed by many influential Tejano families, particularly the Sequin, Navarro, Ruiz, Benavides, Carvajal, and De Leon families. Many Tejanos fought bravely in the Texas Revolution, including the battles at San Antonio in 1835, the Alamo and San Jacinto.
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| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
As citizens of the Republic of Texas, Tejanos kept their language, culture and traditions alive with a fierce determination despite many difficulties as Texans of Mexican heritage. The Republic of Texas had set the Rio Grande as its southern border, claiming the Mexican territories and settlements that had previously been part of the neighboring states Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon. This increased the conflict with Mexico.
Despite the difficulties. Tejanos continued to serve in government and the military. Lorenzo de Zavala served as the first Vice President of an interim government of the Republic of Texas. Tejanos served in both houses of the Congress of the Republic of Texas. Other Tejanos served in local government and as Texas Rangers. Tejanos also participated in the defense of Texas against Indian raiders and contributed to frontier settlements. They continued to be active participants in the ranching and agricultural economy of the Republic.
In 1845, the United States annexed Texas as its 28th state and re-asserted the claim to the Rio Grande as its border. This led to the United States - Mexican War of 1846-1848 and the United States victory over Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo incorporated all of Mexico north of the Rio Grande into the United States, including Texas. The treaty made Tejanos and other Mexican settlers into United States citizens.
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| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
After 1848, when all of Texas became part of the United States, most Tejanos adjusted to the new American laws and to the new economy. At times,change came to fast for Tejanos resulting in injustice and violence, and many experienced loss of their lands. Rebellions broke that attempted to right those wrongs. Many others adapted, and some even prospered in the new political and economic system, particularly in South Texas. In the 1850's Mexican-Americans shared their ranching life and culture of vaqueros (the first cowboys) with Anglo settlers. While some of the original Tejano residents in cities such as Brownsville, Laredo, and San Antonio became merchants and leaders in local political organizations, many Mexican-Americans arrive from Mexico became laborers in the new economic system. Many of these new arrivals assumed identities as Tejanos. They participated in important national events, including the Civil War (1861-1865) in which Tejanos were recruited by the Union as well as the Confederacy. Many Tejanos fought honorably in the Spanish-American War and in World War I.
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| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
World War II ushered in a new era for Tejanos and Mexican-Americans of other states. Tejanos were among the first American soldiers to volunteer and to be recruited to serve in combat. They fought bravely,earning a disproportionately high number of combat decorations. Including the Medal of Honor. Tejanos served in integrated Army with Mexican-Americans from other states and returned to Texas after the war to press for economic, political and social equality.
Struggles in various civil rights organizations produced new opportunities that resulted in the rise of a new professional class and greater political participation for Tejanos. Immigration from Mexico in the late 20th century resulted in larger Mexican-American populations in the Western and Midwestern states while it also augmented the Tejano community in Texas.
By the end of the 20th century, Tejanos had served in the cabinets of presidents of both political parties, held elective office at the statewide level, and led public colleges and universities. Tejanos also made significant contributions in the worlds of business and sports. Traditional Mexican cultural identity remained strong in Tejano families and archived public expression in music, literature and the arts.
Location:
on the grounds of the Texas State Capital
1100 Congress Austin, TX 78701
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