HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Rosalio Longoria House

La Feria, Cameron County, Texas

Marker Inscription

The oldest residence in La Feria. Built in 1909 by local carpenter Felipe Perez for Rosalio Ponce Longoria (1872-1965), a contractor who cleared land for developers to build railroads and other Rio Grande Valley improvements. His board and batten house originally had two main rooms, two small bedrooms, the long front porch and a kitchen with brick chimney for a wood burning stove. The bathroom, a small porch, and the little family room were added about 1950.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

La Feria's oldest residence was built in 1909 by local carpenter Felipe Perez for Rosalio Ponce Longoria, a contractor who cleared land so developers could lay railroads and other improvements across the Rio Grande Valley. The original board-and-batten house held two main rooms, two small bedrooms, a long front porch, and a kitchen with a brick chimney for a wood stove. A bathroom, a small porch, and a family room were added around 1950.

Why it matters

The home survives from the boom years when railroads and land-clearing crews transformed the Rio Grande Valley into farm country, work carried out largely by Mexican-American laborers and contractors like Longoria.

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Related people

  • ยท Rosalio Ponce Longoria
  • ยท Felipe Perez

Themes & tags

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