Photographer Phil Thomae of Port Lavaca with his photograph of the Tejano Monument.

Twelve years of work by Hispanic leaders came to fruition with the unveiling of the Tejano Monument.

This monument is a significance figure in Texas and Mexican history; it can make the Hispanic people feel proud of their heritage. The south lawn of the Capitol of the State of Texas bares the important role played by Tejanos. They were the state’s Spanish-speaking pioneers who were the first to bring European culture to what would later become the Lone Star state. After 500 years, Texans of Hispanic ancestry are officially recognized by the state of Texas.

Tejanos brought the cattle industry and culture to North America, pioneered the wool and mohair industry that exists in Texas today, exposed Anglo Texans to mounted law enforcement—which they copied to form the Texas Rangers—and even served as an example to the United States legal system, which copied Spanish Tejano homestead and community property laws
Everything that Texans brag about is Tejano – the Texas Longhorns, the Texas Mustangs, Texas chili, just to name a few.

At 525 square feet, the monument will be among the largest on the Capitol grounds. Mounted on a 250-ton slab of pink granite, bronze statues depict a Spanish explorer, a vaquero on his mustang, a longhorn bull and cow and a family of settlers. A series of plaques will tell the story of Tejano history

Mr. Russel Cain, a strong supporter and resident of Port Lavaca, commissioned Mr. Phil Thomae, also of Port Lavaca, to photograph the historical monument so it could be viewed by Calhoun County residents and visitors to our community. This historical monument portrait may be seen at the Port Lavaca Bauer Community Center, 2300 Highway 35 South, and also a duplicate copy was presented to Commander Eddie Rendon of the American GI “Howdy Leal” Forum Chapter located on Highway 87.

-Rose Pena

Presentation at the Bauer Community Center (l-r): Chamber Ambassador Melissa Sterling; Tina Crow, Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce Director; Joe Pena, member of the Calhoun County Culture and Cuisine; Jan Regan, Calhoun Co. Museum President; Russel Cain, Main Street President and donor of the photograph; Robert Ojeda, Calhoun Co. Culture and Cuisine Entertainment Chairperson; Josie Amejorado Chamber Ambassador.