San Elizario in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Los Portales

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, October 4, 2025

1. Los Portales Marker

Inscription. Local farmer, rancher, and landowner Gregorio Nacenseno Garcia constructed this building as his family residence about 1855. Built in the territorial style, it features milled wood detailing. Because of its distinctive inset gallery (portals), it became known as Los Portales. In the 1870s, the structure was converted to use as a schoolhouse. The first teacher was Octaviano Larrazola, who later became governor of New Mexico and a U.S. Senator.

Erected 1962 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3129.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 31° 35.107′ N, 106° 16.401′ W. Marker is in San Elizario, Texas, in El Paso County. It is on San Elizario Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1521 San Elizario Road, San Elizario TX 79849, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: San Elizario (a few steps from this marker); Salt War (a few steps from this marker); San Elizario Presidio Chapel / Capilla del Presidio de San Elizario (within shouting distance of this marker); San Elizario Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); San Elizario Memorial Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Thanksgiving (within shouting distance of this marker); The Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named San Elizario (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Elizario.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, May 19, 2018

2. Los Portales Marker

Los Portales image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

3. Los Portales

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

4. Los Portales Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 917 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on June 5, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on November 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on June 5, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on November 15, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.