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

Emilio Forto

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. Emilio Forto Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Emilio Forto managed the properties of James Stillman for over forty years. He served as mayor and sheriff (1892), Cameron County Judge, was a banker and served on the Brownsville School Board (1892). He founded the Brownsville Country Club and switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party to fight what became known as James Well's corrupt "political machine."

Spanish:
Emilio Forto administró propiedades de James Stillman por mas de cuarea años. Fue Alcalde y Sheriff 1892), Juez del Condado de Cameron, banquero y miembro de la Mesa Directiva del Districo Escolar de Brownsville (1892). Fundó el Brownsville Country Club cambió del Partido Demócrata al Partido Republicano para combatir la corrupción de James Well’s y sus aliados.

Erected by City of Brownsville, Preserve America, Brownsville Heritage Complex, U.S. Department of the Interior and Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement.

Location.

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25° 54.517′ N, 97° 30.039′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. It is in the Mitte Cultural District. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East 5th Street and East Madison Street. The marker is located in the southeastern section of the Brownsville City Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Daisy Starck (a few steps from this marker); Israel Bonaparte Bigelow (a few steps from this marker); Samuel W. Brooks (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary B. Sloss (within shouting distance of this marker); Rafael Morales (within shouting distance of this marker); Jose San Roman (within shouting distance of this marker); Brownsville City Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Also see . . . Forto, Emilio (1856–unknown). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Emilio Forto, politician and businessman, was born in Gerona, Spain, in 1856. He moved with his family to New Orleans when he was twelve, then followed his older brother, Frederick, to Brownsville by the early 1870s. Like his older brother, who served as a county commissioner, Emilio Forto became
Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. Emilio Forto Gravestone
involved in Cameron County politics. He was elected county judge in 1882 and served for ten years. In 1892 he was elected Cameron County sheriff for several terms. He also served as mayor of Brownsville and was on the City Board of Education for sixteen years. As a businessman Forto served as an agent for two British steamships that landed at Brazos Santiago, and he and his brother were responsible for a canal built in Brownsville.

(Submitted on May 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Emilio Forto Gravestone and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

3. The Emilio Forto Gravestone and Marker

The Emilio Forto Gravestone and Marker in the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

4. The Emilio Forto Gravestone and Marker in the cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.