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
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.
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 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.
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Photographed By Brian Anderson, September 5, 2021
2. Santos S. Garza Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 389 times since then and 72 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.
