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

J.T. Canales

(March 7, 1877 - March 30, 1976)

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. J.T. Canales Marker

Inscription. Civil Rights advocate, legislator and attorney José Tomás Canales was born on a ranch in Nueces County to Andreas and Tomasa (Cavazos) Canales. As a young man, he moved to Kansas City, where he completed high school. In 1896, Canales began attending the University of Michigan, where he received his degree in law. He practiced in Corpus Christi and Laredo before moving to Brownsville in 1903. From 1905 to 1910 he served South Texas as a state representative. In 1910, he married Anne Anderson Wheeler. He purchased this lot in 1911 and built a home on it in 1913.

Canales then served as Cameron County School Superintendent and as County Judge before returning to the Texas House of Representatives (1917-20); during that time, he promoted irrigation projects to help farmers in South Texas. He also filed charges against the Texas Rangers for the oppression and murder of hundreds of Hispanics in the Rio Grande Valley, and demanded an investigation into and reorganization of the outfit, the rangers were later reorganized. Canales decided against seeking reelection due to backlash from his charges against the Texas Rangers.

Canales continued to work for Mexican American Rights after leaving office. He was an influential member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), serving as an early president (1932-33)

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and writing the organization's first constitution. He went on to serve as Brownsville City Attorney (1930-40) and wrote a number of books and articles. Today, the legislative and Civil Rights work by J.T. Canales continues to influence generations of individuals, particularly those of Mexican descent, throughout Texas.

Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15938.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Hispanic Americans • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 25° 54.269′ N, 97° 30.261′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker is at the intersection of East Saint Charles Street and East 5th Street, on the left when traveling south on East Saint Charles Street. The marker is located in front of the house by the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 505 East St Charles Street, 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. Alonso Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); Alonso Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock-Gomez Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock/Gomez House (within shouting distance of this marker); Russell/Cocke House

The J.T. Canales Marker is located behind the white truck image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. The J.T. Canales Marker is located behind the white truck

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Russell-Cocke House (about 300 feet away); S.W. Brooks Residence (about 400 feet away); Brooks House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Also see . . . Canales, José Tomás [J. T.] (1877–1976). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

José Tomás “J. T.” Canales, lawyer, judge, legislator, landowner, author, philanthropist, and a founder of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the son of Andreas and Tomasa (Cavazos) Canales, was born on a ranch in Nueces County, Texas, on March 7, 1877. His mother was a descendant of José Salvador de la Garza, the recipient of the Espíritu Santo grant, an enormous Spanish land grant that occupied most of what is now Cameron County. His mother's family still retained extensive holdings of ranchland in Nueces County at the time of Canales's birth. As a child, Canales lived with his parents and with several relatives and attended a variety of schools in Nueces County and at Tampico, Matamoros, and Mier, Tamaulipas.

(Submitted on May 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Homesite next to the J.T. Canales Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

3. Homesite next to the J.T. Canales Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.