Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

1. Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard Marker

Inscription.
(English)
Known as “El Almacen,” this combination store-warehouse was built in the 1880s. At the rear, a brick wall enclosed a bone and hide yard where ranchers traded cattle hides for food and supplies. Features of the building include pilasters and detailed corbeled brickwork.

(Spanish)
Este almacen fue construido en la decada de 1880. Tenia un trascorral donde los rancheros cambiban cueros de Ganado por comestibles y provisiones.
Funding provided by
The City of Brownsville

Erected by City of Brownsville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 25° 54.178′ N, 97° 29.842′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. It is at the intersection of East Adams Street and East 11th Street, on the left when traveling south on East Adams Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 East Adams Street, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American

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South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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: A different marker also named Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard (here, next to this marker); Fernandez Hide Yard (here, next to this marker); San Fernando Buildings (a few steps from this marker); San Fernando Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitman's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); El Tapiz (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall Annex (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

More about this marker. Marker is in the Brownsville Heritage Trail series.

Regarding Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard. National Register of Historic Places (1990)

Also see . . . Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard.

Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard Marker (<i>wide view; this marker left; related marker near center</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

2. Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard Marker (wide view; this marker left; related marker near center)

The Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard was one of at least four hide yards in Brownsville. A drought in the late 1880s caused area ranchers to bring their cattle to market early, but the cattle market had already hit rock-bottom. Ranchers were forced to slaughter their cattle on the range. This meant that anything perishable - like meat - had to be discarded. The ranchers were left with the non-perishable by-products of cattle: tallow, bones, horns, hooves and hides. Ranchers would sell these non-perishable products to hide yards, such as Miguel Fernandez’s. The hide yards would store the products until enough was accumulated to ship to Eastern markets - something that couldn’t be done with meat. Most of the hide yards also acted as ‘city agents’ for the ranchers, bartering general merchandise needed by ranchers for the cattle by-products. (Submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard (<i>side view from East Adams Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

3. Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard (side view from East Adams Street)

Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard (<i>corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

4. Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard (corner view)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 932 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.