Alonso Complex
Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Spanish-born Manuel Alonso (1846-1922) constructed the one-story residence on this site in 1877 and added the two-story mercantile building by 1890. His "Los Dos Canones" mercantile was a popular gathering place for local residents. French and Spanish influences are evident in the cast iron porch elements (probably from New Orleans), French windows and corbelled brickwork. The complex was again used as a fine goods mercantile from 1925-1944. The Alonso family retained ownership of the complex until 1944. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1998
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Spanish-born merchant Manuel Alonso built a one-story residence on this Brownsville site in 1877 and added a two-story mercantile by 1890, whose 'Los Dos Cañones' store became a favorite local gathering place. The complex shows French and Spanish influences in its New Orleans-style cast-iron porch, French windows, and corbelled brickwork. It again served as a fine-goods store from 1925 to 1944, remaining in the Alonso family until that year.
Why it matters
The Alonso Complex reflects the cross-border merchant culture and blended architectural traditions of the Rio Grande borderlands.
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Related people
- · Manuel Alonso
Themes & tags
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