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

Cross Building

1906

Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. Cross Building Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Built in 1906, this Spanish Colonial style commercial building was owned by John S. Cross and his son, Melton Cross. John came from Louisiana to the border to live with his wife, a former slave, and became a successful businessman and rancher. The building was later bought by Tony Petrina and became a museum for his mother, the Italian artist Carlotta Petrina.

Spanish:
Construido en 1906 en el estilo colonial español este edificio originalmente perteneciá a John S. Cross y su hijo Melton Cross. John vino a la frontera para vivir con su esposa, una ex-esclava, y se convirtió en un empresario y ranchero exitoso. Más tarde el edificio fue propiedad de Tony Petrina y lo convirtió en un museo para su madre, la artista italiana Carlotta Petrina.

Erected by City of Brownsville, Brownsville Heritage Complex, Preserve America and Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 25° 54.084′ N, 97° 29.593′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. It is in the Mitte

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Cultural District. It is at the intersection of East Madison Street and East 15th Street, on the left when traveling west on East Madison Street. The marker is located on the corner wall of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1452 East Madison Street, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American 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: M.H. Cross Building (here, next to this marker); El Globo Nuevo (a few steps from this marker); Webb-Martinez House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lusena House (about 500 feet away); La Nueva Libertad/Cueto Building (about 600 feet away); Cueto Building (about 600 feet away); Fort Brown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Brown Memorial Center

The Cross Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. The Cross Building and Marker

The marker is located on the corner of the building.

(approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.