| |
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. |
| Target
Practice in Los Ebanos |
| 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. |
| 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 |
|
|
