Juan H. Fernandez Store
Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Juan H. Fernandez came to America at the age of 14 in 1875 as a ward of his uncle, Jose Fernandez-Toral, a mercantile owner originally from Pendueles, Asturias, Spain. Following in his family’s footsteps, Juan Fernandez opened a store in 1883, constructing a similar structure to his uncle’s store. Juan’s business succeeded, catering to the ranch and farm sector. The complex bears significant features of the classic border brick styling of architecture that was prevalent throughout Mexico in the 19th century. The brick was sourced from a local ranch-fired production, yielded from river clay and baked in kilns called hornillas. In 1921, Fernandez purchased the 6,000-acre Noriega Plantation (Rancho Viejo). Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2017
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Juan H. Fernandez came to America in 1875 at age fourteen as a ward of his uncle, an Asturian merchant from Pendueles, Spain. Following the family trade, he opened his own store in 1883 in the classic 'border brick' style, using clay fired in local kilns called hornillas, and prospered serving the ranch and farm country around Brownsville. In 1921 he bought the 6,000-acre Noriega Plantation, known as Rancho Viejo.
Why it matters
Fernandez's store reflects the Spanish and Mexican immigrant merchants who built the commercial life of the nineteenth-century border.
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Related people
- · Juan H. Fernandez
- · Jose Fernandez-Toral
Themes & tags
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