AUSTIN, Texas —
The National Park Service has designated the Texas Historical Commission's Casa Navarro State Historic Site as a National Historic Landmark.
The National Park Service deemed Casa Navarro nationally significant as the home of Tejano statesman and historian José Antonio Navarro (1795-1871). Born under Spanish colonial rule in the town of Béxar, Navarro’s life and career spanned four sovereign nations—Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the United States. A signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, a writer of the Texas State Constitution and the namesake of Navarro County, he was a champion of civil rights for Hispanics.
“As custodians of this historic property, we are gratified for this national designation,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission. “Navarro's story of patriotism, liberty, and equality for his people is one that can inspire not only Texans but people across the nation.”
Today, Casa Navarro is the best-preserved historic property in its original location directly associated with Navarro. Located in a San Antonio neighborhood once known as Laredito, or Little Laredo, Casa Navarro consists of three contributing buildings—Navarro’s house constructed in the 1850s, and a free-standing kitchen constructed in the 1830s, as well as a two-story mercantile and office building, also constructed in the 1850s.
Administered by the National Park Service, the National Historic Landmarks program highlights places of exceptional historic significance to the nation. These landmarks are designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess extraordinary value and illustrate the heritage of the U.S. in history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.
There are now 47 National Historic Landmarks in Texas. Other National Historic Landmarks in San Antonio include the Alamo, the Espada Aqueduct, and Fort Sam Houston. The Texas Historical Commission manages two other National Historic Landmarks: the Sam Rayburn House (Bonham) and the HA. 19 (Japanese midget submarine), part of the collection at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg.
Casa Navarro is open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and 12–5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about Casa Navarro State Historic Site, call 210-227-4570 or visit www.visitcasanavarro.com.
