Main/Military Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Jose Francisco Ruiz
(January 29, 1783 - January 20, 1840)
Photographed By Brian Anderson, February 16, 2019
1. Jose Francisco Ruiz Marker
Ruiz, born in San Antonio, son of a wealthy rancher, was educated in Spain. Upon returning home, he was appointed school teacher by order of the cabildo (city government). He marred Josepha Hernandez, of one of city's founding families; had two children.
Ruiz became an officer in the Revolutionary Army of the Mexican people opposing Spanish rule, 1811-1815; shared in defeat; and had to flee for his life to the United States. After freedom was won, he and his family returned (1822) and he became an officer in the Republican Army. Assumption of dictatorial powers by Santa Anna (1830s) caused Ruiz to join other Texans in opposition. He was elected delegate from Bexar to the March 1836 convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. There he became one of the three men of Spanish blood to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. Late in 1836 he was seated in the first Congress of the Republic of Texas as first Senator from Bexar District.
In tribute to Ruiz, the state of Texas has marked his gravesite and moved his house from Dolorosa Street for preservation on grounds of Witte Museum.
Erected 1973 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4386.)
Topics. This historical
this page online
Location. 29° 25.441′ N, 98° 29.735′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Main/Military Plaza. Marker is at the intersection of Dolorosa and Plaza de Armas, on the right when traveling east on Dolorosa. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 416 Dolorosa, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Barbed Wire (within shouting distance of this marker); Flood of the Century (within shouting distance of this marker); Urban Renewal and the Expansion of Government Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fight for an Independent Texas: From a Spanish Province to a Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); Dolorosa Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Healing Arts West of the Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Laredito and the Tale of Two San Antonios (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Poor Settlement Takes Shape at the Northern Frontier of New Spain (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Photographed By James Hulse, January 8, 2023
2. The view of the Jose Francisco Ruiz Marker from across the street
The marker is located at the northeast corner of the new UTSA building.
Also see . . . Ruiz, Jose Francisco - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on February 19, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 2. submitted on January 9, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
