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Progressive & Modern Era

Venustiano Carranza in San Antonio

San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Venustiano Carranza (1859-1920) was one of the early leaders of the Mexican Revolution and ultimately became president of his country. In 1898, during the presidency of Porfirio Díaz, Carranza represented the State of Coahuila as a federal senator. He became disillusioned with Díaz’ oppressive rule, and in 1910 endorsed Francisco I. Madero, whose Plan de San Luis Potosí advocated insurrection to change the government in power. In 1910, Madero fled to San Antonio, Texas, which became a haven for political exiles and displaced persons following the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution. Expatriates and insurgents left Mexico to escape persecution for their opposition to the Díaz regime. Many exiles moved between the private homes of friends and relatives in San Antonio to elude law enforcement agents and spies. During the upheaval in Mexico, Venustiano Carranza intermittently visited San Antonio and stayed here with his niece, Celia Carranza Cepeda de Treviño; she and her husband, Angel Treviño Sambrano, built a house in 1914 on land purchased from Commodore Cornelius Collins. During these sojourns, Carranza clandestinely met with partisans to discuss the course of the revolution and their plans for the future. Among the individuals who assembled here with Carranza was Leonides González, general manager of La Prensa, an influential Spanish-language published in San Antonio. The house also facilitated cultural and social events for Mexicans exiled in the city. During Madero’s presidency (1911-1913), Carranza served as governor of Coahuila. In 1917, he became president of Mexico and introduced constitutional reform. Venustiano Carranza was assassinated in Tlaxcalatongo, Puebla, on May 21, 1920. (2008)

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

During the upheaval of the Mexican Revolution, San Antonio became a refuge for exiles and insurgents fleeing the Díaz regime, who moved quietly among the homes of friends and relatives. Venustiano Carranza — a former senator turned revolutionary leader who would become president of Mexico — stayed in this house with his niece's family during his visits, meeting secretly with allies to plan the revolution's course. The home also hosted cultural and social gatherings for the exiled Mexican community.

Why it matters

The site shows how border cities like San Antonio shaped events across the line, serving as a sanctuary and staging ground for a revolution that reshaped Mexico.

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Related people

  • · Venustiano Carranza
  • · Francisco I. Madero
  • · Leonides González

Related events

  • · Mexican Revolution

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