An Oral History Project by Southeast College

1. Magnolia Park
An Oral History Project
by Southeast College
Saturday, October 13, 2012
4 - 6 p.m.
hccs.edu/magnoliapark

2. This unique structure was commissioned by the Mexican-American
community of Magnolia Park.
Hidalgo Park Quiosco

3. Magnolia Park Oral History Project
T he Magnolia Park Oral History Project is a documentary-style, multi-part video project that features the people,
history and legacy of one of the oldest neighborhoods of Houston and of Texas.
Magnolia Park, located in Houston’s East End and adjacent to the early Texas town of Harrisburg (the true
birthplace of Houston), eventually became home to a wave of Mexican and Tejano settlers and their families
fleeing the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
The neighborhood’s identity and unique culture produced great leaders and activism in the Sociedad Mutualista
Benito Juárez or Benito Juárez Mutual Aid Society, and other groups focused on advocating for barrio cohesiveness
and organization. This community-building started in the early 1900s and continues today with descendants of
the original families including the Vara, Partida, Antes, González and Chairez families, to name a few.
These families contributed to Magnolia Park’s historical context and continue to contribute to this living history
of Houston and Texas.

4. The Aguilar Garza Family The Alonzo Family
Frank and Ventura Alonzo met in Magnolia Park in the early 1900s
and would together produce a long line of musicians. Lending their
voices and talents to their own band “Alonzo y Sus Rancheros,
”
The Aguilar Garza Family has its roots in Durango, Mexico, and the
they would popularize the Mexican Big Band or “orquesta” sound
Rio Grande Valley, but most made their way to Magnolia Park post
from Magnolia Park to many points beyond in the 1930s and 1940s.
Mexican Revolution to find job opportunities. Felipe Aguilar arrived
Ventura became known as the “Queen of the Accordion” and would
first and found work digging ditches for 25 cents an hour. Of his
teach the great accordionists of their time like Flaco Jiménez and
five children, Domitila (pictured) stood out. When she, a noted
Estéban “Steve” Jordan.
seamstress at the Alice Dress Company, married Vital Garza, her
uncle Cresencio Aguilar, would come along to help the family. “Ms.
Tilly, was known for her expert dressmaking and her “giving ways.
” ”
Ms. Tilly would help establish the Chicano Family Center for Seniors
which thrives today. Of Vital and Domitila’s four children, Gloria
Alaníz, still gives back to her community as her mother taught her
and still calls Magnolia Park home.

5. The Ante Family The Chairez Family
Tomás Ante, born in México in 1890, first came to Texas in 1911
where he met his lovely bride Julia Vásquez before establishing
and raising 11 children together in what was then called Harrisburg.
Tomás is fondly remembered by his sons Eddie and Robert as Feliciano and Petra Chairez would flee Pancho Villa’s revolution and
“always helping people” and having “a lot of comadres and arrive in Magnolia Park in the early 1920s. They escaped because the
compadres.
” “Federales” who stopped them saw the family’s horse blanket had
the “right colors” according to relative María de Jesus. By covered
wagon, they made it to San Antonio and then to Magnolia Park
where history would be made. Son Francisco Chairez (pictured top
2nd from left) would become the first Latino to graduate, through
scholarships, from Rice Institute (now Rice University) and become
a chemical engineer. He would be the role model for the rest of the
family for the rest of their lives.

6. The Córdova Family The De La Portilla-Martínez Family
Hailing mostly from Spain and México, the De La Portilla-Martínez
family was forced into Texas by the Mexican Revolution. At the turn
Born in Piedras Negras, Mexico in 1915, Gilberto Córdova (pictured) of the 19th century, before the family would make its mark on their
came to Texas at the age of seven looking for work. In 1922, after new home of Magnolia Park, ancestor Felipe Roque de la Portilla, a
marrying his wife Guadalupe of Sugar Land, he convinced his captain of the Spanish Army made his mark in central Texas where
beloved sister to join him and his family to move to Magnolia Park he is named in a commemorative monument for the establishment
where he would hold jobs at the City of Houston and Gulfgate Mall of San Marcos. His modern descendants include the Frank de la
most of his life. Sons, Carlos, “Charlie, Frankie and Gibby would all
” Portilla, Sr. (pictured above) Family. Frank de la Portilla, Jr. (middle)
become very athletic as young boys. They all became boxers with remembers a great life in his beloved Magnolia Park tempered by
Charlie leading the way as the 1962 Texas Golden Gloves Welter discrimination. An athletic standout, Frank Jr. in the 1950s made
Weight Champion. His title and reputation as a boxer would very All-City in Baseball and All-State in Basketball at Milby High School,
proudly transcend beyond the borders of Magnolia Park for years. where he says he learned harsh lessons of discrimination from his
school coaches.

7. The Domínguez Family The Espinosa Family
Born in 1908 in Galeana, México, Juan Domínguez, made his way
to Houston’s Magnolia Park to find new opportunity when his father
would not allow him to go to college. Almost a century later, he Mariano and Tomasita Espinosa arrived in Magnolia Park in 1902.
would become a noted community leader that set the tone for his Mariano would find work on the Southern Pacific Railroads while
own sons, including one John Domínguez, Jr. and his wife Frances Tomasita, with many mouths to feed, would survive their meager
and their children. existence living in box cars along the railroads of Magnolia Park.
Her other refuge was in the newly established Immaculate Heart of
Mary Church. Religion and the church became a way of life. For son
Rudy, (top – 2nd from left), a devout altar boy, service in WWII would
set his path to become a Master Tailor. He returned from the Great
War and worked at the top department stores in Houston before
establishing his Rudy the Tailor Shop in Magnolia Park, where he and
his family still live today.

8. The Flóres Family The Gaitán Family
Pablo and Victoria Gaitán (pictured) made their way to Magnolia
Park from San Luís Potosí, Mexico in 1909, right before the outbreak
of the Mexican Revolution. Starting a new life in Texas meant a lot
of struggle as seasonal laborers in “las piscas” all over Texas and
Illinois. One son, Juan, was born in Archer, Texas because of that
lifestyle. His son, Manuel “Munger” was born in Magnolia Park
and would attend Magnolia Park schools, and become a popular
Antonio Flóres was “one of the few” Mexicans in Magnolia Park
athlete and eventually, a Golden Glove Champion before becoming
in 1906. He brought from his hometown of Monterrey, México, a
a machinist until his retirement from the Budweiser Plant. The entire
sense of wanting to accomplish something. Soon after his arrival, he
surviving family still lives in the Magnolia Park area.
would help establish the civic group “Los Hacheros” or Woodmen
of the World. Campo Navidad would be a helping hand to other
Mexicans arriving during and after the Mexican Revolution.

9. The Anastacio Garza-Martínez Family The González Family
Anastacio and Petra
Garza rolled into Texas
from Mier, Tamaulipas,
Mexico by covered
wagon during the Frontier
days of the 1890s, pre-
Mexican Revolution.
The family “cuentos”
are that Petra was as
tough if not tougher than
the men around her as
she packed a gun while
traveling with small One of Magnolia Parks’ First Families of restaurateurs, the José
children across Texas González family, would establish itself way before the success of
where she and Anastacio El Jardín Restaurant. José was a very gifted tile mason before his
made a home in Lockhart. They made their way to Magnolia Park, new career. Considered a very distinguished man, José would bring
arriving in the late 1920 where Anastacio worked on the waterfront.
people together with his style, talents and sense of community.
Daughter, Tomasa married into the Luis and Maximiliana Martínez
Daughter, Dr. Laura Murillo, remembers her father as a man “who
family in 1930. Of their eight children, surviving sons and daughters
all became professionals. Son, Ramiro became a cryptologist saw no barriers, no obstacles.
”
and communications controller with RCA, NASA subcontractor
and subsequently became a polygraph examiner with the City of
Houston until retirement. Daughter, Dr. Irene Porcarello would rise
to the top of the Education field as President of Houston Community
College.

10. The Pancho Gabino Hernandez Family The José “Joe” Martínez Family
Fleeing the Mexican Revolution,
would be a smart move for Francisco
“Pancho” Gabino Hernández who
arrived in Magnolia at the turn of the
20th century. He started as a door-to-
door salesman but soon established
the Alamo Furniture Co. and earned
the nickname “Pancho del Alamo.
”
By the mid 1900s, his family would
be working for him. Relying on the
“Golden Rule,
” Pancho del Alamo Félix Martínez and wife Zapopán, (pictured center) crossed the
would become very prosperous and a Mexico-Texas border at the turn of the last century and settled in
leader of the Latino Business community. He was the first to have a Lockhart, Texas, before making their way to Magnolia Park circa.
fleet of delivery trucks. Says granddaughter, Tina Gabino Rodríguez, 1925. Félix found work at the docks at the Houston Compress where
“We struggled during the Great Depression, but survived. She
” he worked and raised his family. The Martínez Family was a big,
added, “I thank him for instilling in us to never be afraid of hard close-knit family with eight daughters and one son, José “Joe, who
”
work.
” grew up to become a hometown sports hero at Edison Jr. High and
Milby High School. He made All-City in Basketball. He also played
ball at the Allen Military Academy in Bryan-College Station before
moving to the University of Houston where he made history in 1950
as one of the first Latino students to graduate. Joe married Lydia
Ayala, also a Magnolia Park resident, and together had three sons,
all college-educated professionals. Martinez’s amazing athleticism
is still remembered fondly in Magnolia Park.

11. The Munguía-Cantú-Rivera Families The Navarro Family
Gabriel C. Navarro arrived in Magnolia Park from Mexico in 1919,
following the tumultuous Mexican Revolution. He and his wife,
Maria Gutierrez, established themselves here and raised eight
children. Raúl Navarro, who spent a lifelong career in the printing
The Munguía-Cantú-Rivera families were inter-related and some of
business in the East End, he was an ordained Deacon in the Catholic
the first Latino entrepreneurs in Houston and Magnolia Park. All
Church and was very involved in the Texas Silver Hair Legislature.
told, they established the iconic businesses including the Alamo
Furniture Company; the Munguía Furniture Company; the Azteca
Theater and La Moderna Grocery Store. Eli Brett Rivera (in wedding
picture) would become one of the Houston Police Department’s
first Latino officers.

12. The Partida Family The Pérez-Rodríguez Family
Cecilio Pérez, (pictured with grandson, Richard Olivarez and his
Seeing FDR in Magnolia Park in 1936 and his grandfather, Elias daughter Vera) came to Magnolia Park in early 1900s from Real
Ramírez, at work in the community, got Frank Partida started in de Catorce, Mexico and established himself as a successful
politics at a very early age. The Partida family has, for generations, businessman in the early days. He had five sons and one daughter,
been at the forefront of many of Magnolia Park’s greatest moments Aurora, who married Rufus “Cuco” Rodríguez and had two sons,
in history. Roy and Tony, and a daughter named Ruth. One son, Roy Pérez
Rodríguez, would see the world as a road driver and served in the
Air Force, rising to the rank of E-3. Most of the Pérez men and some
women would serve in every arm of the United States Military. One
family member made a career at Shell Oil, one worked for a drum
making company, another worked all his life in the auto industry
in Detroit, Michigan. Cousin Gilbert Coronado is a supervisor for
Missouri Pacific Railroad to this day. Cousin Esequiel Rodríguez,
(deceased), was one of the first Tejano music aficionados. The
modern Pérez Rodríguez descendants are educated professionals.
Most of the Pérez-Rodríguez family still resides in Magnolia Park
today.

13. The Postel Family The Ramírez Family
A third generation “Tejano, Elias Ramírez, made his mark in
”
Magnolia Park in the early 1900s. He was a respected civic leader
The Postel Family has its origins in Mexico from where Martín and and became the first president of the Sociedad Mutalista Benito
Maria Postel left in 1906 to come to Texas. Arturo García Postel, Juárez. From the Ramírez family would come the first Hispanic
(pictured bottom middle) was born in Victoria, Texas, in 1906 before Senator from Harris County; an HISD Trustee; an Army Brigadier
moving to Magnolia Park to find job opportunities. Arturo’s son General and Commandant of Texas A&M Corps. of Cadets; and a
Adolph, Sr. (top far right) remembers a simple life , Model T’s and POW Military hero.
Model A’s in the 1930s in Magnolia Park where he would attend
DeZavala Elementary and Edison Jr. High, before getting a job at
the shipyards at the Port of Houston and then the railroads near the
docks. He would retire from that job 38 years later.

14. The Reyna Family The Romo Family
Mary Reyna, (pictured top-middle), was the daughter of María and
Gerónimo Torres, who left Piedras Negras, Mexico to escape the
The Romo Family came to Magnolia Park after the Mexican
Revolution around 1911. Early vaudevillians or entertainers, they
Revolution in 1919. Patriarch Julian Romo established himself as
would make their way to San Antonio where daughter Mary met
a successful businessman, one of the first in Magnolia Park, with
her future husband, Joe Reyna, (pictured top row, second from left)
the Romo Grocery Store on 76th Street. He would become a big
before their big move to Magnolia Park. Joe, a mechanic, eventually
community leader and everybody’s “Padrino” and helped those
set up Reyna’s Garage on Harrisburg. Mary, friend to high profile
less fortunate during tough times, especially during the Great
politicians, Mexican Presidents, and comedian, Cantínflas, would
Depression. He would support local organizations and Mexican
become one of Magnolia Park’s first Latina florists in the industry.
baseball teams all of his life. His descendants, now into the
Her entrepreneurial spirit made Reyna’s Flower Shop one of the
fourth generation, would become educated and professional and
most successful businesses around. Her beautiful daughter, Gloria,
concerned about the community as well. His family says his legacy
was named Fiestas Patrias Queen in 1946. Her sisters, Chris and
is that of a “compassionate human being.
”
Soila Reyna Lawrence, were also beauty queens. The community-
minded Reyna Family would make many strides on behalf of their
beloved community of Magnolia Park.

15. The Gilberto Sánchez Family The Seguín Family
Descendants of Juan Seguín, one of the defenders of the Alamo,
Gilberto Sánchez (pictured as a boy) was born in 1905 in San and “Alcalde” of San Antonio, settled in Magnolia Park circa 1920s.
Antonio, Texas, and as a young man moved his family to and settled Pablo Ramírez and María Seguín (pictured, and Juan Seguín’s great
in Magnolia Park in 1926. He was a self-educated salesman who granddaughter) had no children together but raised her children Lillie
rose to be District Manager of the Woodman of the World (Los Seguín and Roy Luna (great great grandchildren of Juan Seguín)
Hacheros) Life Insurance organization. He met and married Herlinda in Magnolia Park. Gregorio García of Matamoros, Tamaulipas,
Quiñones in Maxwell, Texas, and brought her to Magnolia Park with Mexico married Guadalupe Seguín. Their daughter, Julia Seguín,
one daughter Oralia “Lollie” Cain. Other children born in Magnolia (born in 1925 in Magnolia Park and Juan Seguín’s great-great-great
granddaughter) married Cesario Aguilar. She went on to become
Park included Melba, one of the first Latina stewardesses with Pan
the first Hispanic PTA President of Franklin Elementary and was part
American Airlines. Daughter Ninfa Rosson was a social worker with
of the “Sunshine Girls” with her sister, Gertrudis Dehoyas “Aunt
MD Anderson Cancer Center where she spent her whole career.
Gerty , in the 1960s. All the Seguín descendants in Magnolia Park
”
Gilberto Sánchez died at 93 years old in Magnolia Park in a home he
were heavily involved in community service, education and politics.
designed and built himself and that still stands today on Avenue L.
Fourth generation daughter, Else Flóres McKenzie would become
The legacy of Gilberto Sánchez is his love of God, family, community
the family’s first college graduate (U of H, summa cum laude) and
and his job.
first Latina to attain Grade 13 with the Internal Revenue Service.

16. The Torres Delgado Family The Treviño-Postel Family
Mariano Torres escaped the Mexican Revolution on his way to San
Antonio, Texas, and then became a laborer in the cotton fields of Isabel Gómez Postel, pictured as a school teacher in 1906, would
Lockhart before moving his family to Magnolia Park in the early marry Alejandro Postel in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico and
1920’s. Son Juan Torres was born there in 1914 and married Carmen travel to Texas in 1913, shortly after the Mexican Revolution broke
. His brother Victoriano (pictured, circa 1923), also a Tejano, would out. They moved to Magnolia Park to find work. Daughter, Adelina
marry Nestora Rodríguez from San Pedro, Coahuíla, Mexico. Both Postel Treviño, would make her life here with her children, Hilda
would become entrepreneurs and raised their families in Magnolia Rose, Benita, Gilbert, and Olivia and when her husband, Hector,
Park and Newgulf, an industrial town. Juan and Carmen opened a died at the age of 49, she became a young widow and had to find
neighborhood tortilla factory known as La Poblana, which would work during the Great Depression. Adelina would make a career
stand for nearly 60 years in the heart of Magnolia Park on 77th and out of social work, first with the United Way. The Postel men would
Canal. It provided many jobs for family members through the years become noted tailors. All the Postel-Treviño family would rise to be
until its closure in 2006. well-respected in their community of Magnolia Park where many
family members still reside to this day.

17. The Rudy Vara Family The Vela-Garza-García Family
Petra and Anastacio Garza (pictured center) left Mexico for Lockhart,
Texas, in the early 1900s and worked as sharecroppers before
Dedicated service to community was Rudy Vara Sr.’s trademark
settling in Magnolia Park where Petra would be one of the first
from the time he arrived in Magnolia Park from San Antonio. After
Latinas to purchase property on Avenue F Son Alvino Vela Garza
.
meeting his future wife, Alice Rivera, at the famous Quiosco in
was born in Lockhart and married Esther Flóres also born and raised
1940, the pair would together become noted leaders in their barrio.
in Lockhart. Alvino would become a certified government welder
Rudy was one the last of the true “vaqueros” forging trails on his
and worked for the Platzer Shipyard until his retirement. Gloria
mount to the Houston Livestock Show on behalf of all Latinos and
Garza, their only child, became the first Latina twirler at Milby High
was very active with the Riata Committee. He was also a big force
School where she met the love of her life, Raymond Vela Romo
at the American Legion Hall, in LULAC, and many other service
García, whose parents Rodrigo and Lily, moved to Magnolia from
organizations benefitting Magnolia Park families. All of their six
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Raymond would also make history as
surviving children, in some form or fashion, became community
the first Latino Motorcycle Division police officer for the Houston
leaders in their own right. One son, Judge Richard Vara, holds the
Police Department.
title as the longest serving Justice of the Peace in Harris County.

18. The Villagomez Family The Ybarra Family
Abraham and Rumalda Ybarra, from Castaños, Coahuíla, Mexico,
were the original family members who arrived in Magnolia Park in
Ramón Villagómez traveled with his bride-to-be, Delfina, from 1915. Ranchers, (pictured with six of 14 children), they had Isidro,
Morelia, México to escape the Mexican Revolution. Along the way, the first born in the USA, and raised cattle and a lot of farm animals
a precious family heirloom would become the centerpiece of their first in Bryan, Texas, and then in Magnolia Park. Isidro would meet
enduring love. In the early days, there was great struggle to survive. his wife, Josefina, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, the
From living out of box cars along the railroads of Magnolia Park center of their family life. They remember a quieter time in this
to their present homestead, there would be much progress: son region of Magnolia Park in the 20s and 30s; they remember the
Augustín would become a mail operator; son Aurelio would become horse and buggy days. Isidro would make his living from the
“El Zapatero de Magnolia” a shoe shop owner; the family would Houston Compress near the docks of the Port of Houston. It was in
help establish Immaculate Heart of Mary Church; and produce Magnolia Park that he and Josefina raised their four boys: Isidro, Jr.;
countless educators and business owners. Yet, for all the early Roy; Ricardo and David.
struggle, there would be many victories for the proud Villagómez
Family, then and now.

19. Board of Trustees
Mary Ann Perez, Chair, District III
Bruce Austin, Vice Chair, District II
Neeta Sane, Secretary, District VII
Yolanda Navarro Flores, District I
Carroll G. Robinson, District IV
Richard Schechter, District V
Sandie Mullins, District VI
Eva L. Loredo, District VIII
Christopher W. Oliver, District IX
Chancellor
Mary S. Spangler, Ed.D.
Southeast College President
Irene Porcarello, Ed.D.