|
Vintage
Photos
Photos courtesy
Ruben R. Hernandez
Captions provided by Ruben R. Hernandez |
| The Tasty
Watermelons of Falfurrias |
| We know that
Falfurrias was known for its butter and
other dairy products. However, watermelons, tomatoes, and citrus fruits
were also grown in the area and Falfurrias
was a central shipping point for this produce. During watermelon harvest
time, the front yards of the barrio homes would be piled high with
watermelons. This is a picture of the Manuel Morales family home. |
| Eloy Guerra
Garza July 1958 |
| Eloy Guerra
Garza, A maternal nephew, is one of the many family members and friends
who stopped by to enjoy a refreshing and delicious slice of watermelon.
Eloy is a descendant of Don Antonio Guerra de Cannamar who
came to Mexico from Asturias Spain in the late 1500s. An earlier descendant
of Don Antonio was don Vicente Guerra, a founder of the old town of
Guerrero in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas. |
| Many of the yards
in Falfurrias had their own grapefruit
and orange trees. This orange tree was in the yard of Manuel Morales,
father-in-law of Ruben Hernandez. It used to be an annual ritual for
our children to harvest the oranges when Grandpa lived on North Chester
Street. Here in 1972 are Cindy, Kathi, and Steve Hernandez picking
ripe oranges for their Grandpa Morales. |
| If you skin it,
you eat it. Hunting raccoons and armadillos was a favorite pastime
in Falfurrias during the 1950s. In this
June 1957 picture, Eloisa Morales is holding the shell of the plump
armadillo that Roel Garcia has just finished skinning. Ruben Hernandez,
the greenhorn city boy from Houston,
smiles at the camera rather than at his future dinner. As prepared
by Mrs Frances Morales, the armadillo was quite tasty. |
| Having hunting
weapons around is a must in the ranches around Falfurrias.
On a visit to the nearby community of Los
Ebanos, circa mid 1970, we found three of the Navarro brothers
sighting their rifles while showing off their marksmanship at a nearby
stationary target. From left are Rene, Reynaldo (doing the shooting),
and Ramon Navarro III. These three were experienced outdoorsmen, excellent
trackers, and hunters. Their ranch was not far from the shrine of
Don Pedrito Jaramillo, the famed early 20th century south Texas
healer and philosopher. |
| Fourth of
July Parade, 1977 |
| One of the traditions
now sadly lost in Falfurrias and in many
towns and cities was the annual 4th of July parade. It was a small
town big event. There would be marching bands, clowns, civic leaders,
politicians, and community organizations taking part in the parade.
But the biggest attraction was the large number of the local cowboys
and cowgirls on their beautiful horses who were out to be noticed.
Even our daughters and one of their cousins participated in 1977.
Riding a borrowed horse are Cindy in front with Kathi in back. Their
cousin, Sylvia Navarro, is pictured on the horse at right. Cindy and
Kathi have never lost their love of horses. Sylvia Navarro is married
to Leigh Hellen, whose family owns the well-known Charles Hellen's
La Mota Ranch, a Texas Ranching and Nature Retreat, located south
of Hebbronville.
|
|
Falfurrias
High School Class of 1953
There were 29 students in the Class of 1953.
(Click
on image to enlarge)
|
| Graduates
included Charles Frazier, back row, 2nd from left; Joan Scott, middle
row, 4th from left; Alberto Byington, back row, 4th from left; and
Betty Hernandez, middle row, 6th from left. Joan Scott was the daughter
of the bank president at the time. Alberto Byington returned to Falfurrias
as a teacher and later as the Superintendent of the School District.
Betty Hernandez is the wife of Ruben Hernandez who submitted these
pictures. |
Alberto Byington |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
