Near Kyle in Hays County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Veracruz Family of Kyle
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 18, 2026
1. The Veracruz Family of Kyle Marker
The Veracruz family represents several generations of local vaqueros and ranch hands that contributed to the prosperity of early Kyle. Vaqueros and ranch hands tended to the day-to-day jobs of breaking horses, roping, branding and herding cattle on local ranches or driving cattle to northern markets. As cattle prices declined, they sheared sheep and maintained local ranches.
Pedro Veracruz (1825-1895) and Juanita Tejeda (1844-1929) formalized their marriage in Hays County in 1886. Oral history details that 11-year-old Pedro first came to Texas with General Santa Ana's troops during the Battle of the Alamo. Much too young for the battle, he guarded the mule train. Years later when the U.S. Civil War erupted, he returned to San Antonio with horses for the military and met his future wife, Juanita Tejeda. Veracruz registered his cattle brand with the State of Texas in May 1865 and enjoyed decades of success. Before he died, he willed horses and cattle to Juanita and their children Catarina, Maria Engracia, Salvador, Teresita, Carmen, Pedro Jr., Jesϊs, Cristσbal, and Sixta. Veracruz is buried in a nearby burial ground along
this page online
Pedro and Juanita's grandson, Leonardo Veracruz Candelaria (1884-1950), became a vaquero for area ranches, continuing the family's legacy. His parents, Teresita and Antonio Candelaria, married in Hays County in 1883. Other notable family members include Valdo Eshlaud Castillo Jr. (1838-1918), Luciano Cisneros Sr. (1871-1946) and Reyes Cisneros (1838-1918), whose daughter Juanita married Salvador Veracruz. Local descendants recall hearing stories of their ancestors including traveling the rodeo circuit with Buffalo Bill. The Veracruz family played an important role in the cattle industry that helped shape the cowboy and cattle culture in Central Texas.
Erected 2021 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23480.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1865.
Location. 29° 58.493′ N, 97° 53.687′ W. Marker is near Kyle, Texas, in Hays County. It is on Old Stagecoach Road south of Wildcat Hollow Drive (County Road 150), on the right when traveling south.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 18, 2026
2. The Veracruz Family of Kyle Marker
Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country and in the Austin Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kyle Cemetery (approx. 0.8 miles away); Kyle Pioneer Family Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Kyle Auction Oak (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cora Jackman Donalson House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Katherine Anne Porter (approx. 1.3 miles away); Peel-Kretzemeier House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old D. A. Young Building (approx. 1.4 miles away); First Baptist Church of Kyle (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kyle.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 25 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 19, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
