84R24449 BPG-D
By: González H.R. No. 2366
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, With a unique history spanning more than 150 years,
Los Portales is one of El Paso County's cultural treasures; and
WHEREAS, Constructed in the 1850s by Gregorio N. Garcia, Los
Portales, sometimes known as Casa Garcia, was originally used as a
residence; "Don Gregorio" played a prominent role in the community,
serving as a captain of the Texas Rangers and as county judge for El
Paso County; his son, who bore the same name, became a justice of
the peace; and
WHEREAS, The one-story adobe brick structure has a flat roof
supported by cottonwood rafters; named for its distinctive inset
gallery, or "portal," the Territorial Style building also features
milled wood supports and pedimented lintels on the frames of
windows and doors; and
WHEREAS, In 1870, Mr. Garcia donated Los Portales to the town
for use as a school; its first teacher, Octaviano Ambrosio
Larrazolo, went on to serve as governor of New Mexico and as a
United States senator; in the late 1930s, the building was
converted into apartments, and it later served as offices for the
San Elizario Independent School District; a Recorded Texas Historic
Landmark, Los Portales is now owned by the county and operated by
the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society as a museum and
information center; and
WHEREAS, The residents of the State of Texas are heirs to an
extraordinarily rich heritage, and Los Portales serves as an
important reminder of this legacy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Los Portales and extend to all those
associated with the museum sincere best wishes for the future; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the museum as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.