Del Rio in Val Verde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Santos S. Garza

Photographed By Brian Anderson, September 5, 2021

1. Santos S. Garza Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Santos S. Garza, also known as “Don Santos” or “Father of San Felipe Schools,” was born Nov. 2, 1881 in either Piedras Negras or Eagle Pass. He came to Del Rio in 1898 where he owned numerous businesses including a theater, general store, dairy, pharmacy, ranch and bar. He married Jesusita Menchaca Galindo on Jan. 3, 1901, and they had five children and adopted a sixth. Garza was a civic leader who is best remembered for preventing the annexation of the San Felipe area by Del Rio Independent School District in 1928, allowing his community greater control of its schools, and for his leadership in the movement towards creating the San Felipe I.S.D. on Aug. 21, 1929. Garza died Jul. 25, 1936.

175 Years of Texas Independence · 1836-2011

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16780.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is August 21, 1929.

Location. 29° 21.274′ N, 100° 53.43′ W. Marker is in Del

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Rio, Texas, in Val Verde County. Marker is at the intersection of West Garza Street and Mendez Street, on the right when traveling west on West Garza Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 508 West Garza Street, Del Rio TX 78840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brown Plaza (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Cassinelli Gin House (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Taini (approx. half a mile away); Sacred Heart Catholic Church (approx. half a mile away); Taylor-Rivers House (approx. half a mile away); Old Perry Building (approx. half a mile away); Seminole-Negro Scouts (approx. half a mile away); Roy Bean, C. S. A. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Del Rio.

Photographed By Brian Anderson, September 5, 2021

2. Santos S. Garza Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.