La Madrileña
a.k.a. Adrian Ortiz Grocery
1002 E. Madison, Brownsville, TXLa Madrileña, constructed in 1892, is associated with prominent Brownsville merchant Adrian Ortiz (1860-1957). In translation, La Madrileña means "native of Madrid" and was so named because Spain was the birthplace of Ortiz. The building eloquently represents the vernacular commercial architecture of the Lower Rio Grande Valley along the Texas-Mexico border, and today serves as one of the finest examples of 19th-Century commercial architecture in the city of Brownsville.
La Madrileña is located in Brownsville in the southernmost part of Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This Valley, generally defined as south of the Nueces River in Texas and north of Monterrey in Mexico, is recognized as a distinctive cultural region derived from the overlay of Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American occupation. One distinction is its vernacular architecture which has attracted the attention of a number of scholars.
Most of their studies have focused on domestic architecture; however, some generalizations concerning commercial architecture may be drawn from various works. Commercial buildings along the Rio Grande probably evolved from the late 18thCentury simple adobe or jacal structures containing both domestic quarters and commercial activities in one room to segregated commercial and living spaces in at least two rooms. This trend appears to have been set by the 1850s when the commercial buildings in early settlement areas reflected the use of course-stone load-bearing walls, hewn wooden lintels, double doors, and shallow parapets concealing flat roofs drained by canals. (Some probably had gabled, thatched roofs.) The finest of these sported decorative quoins, cornices, and occasionally wooden door molds. The locational preference appears to have been for prime, corner lots on the central plaza while the preferred forms were either an L-plan enclosing a private area or a rectangular plan and symmetrically placed double doors opening to the street. The overriding cultural influences on these buildings were the Spanish and Mexican building traditions.
By the late 19th century, commercial architecture evolved to using double-wythe brick load-bearing walls, machine-sawn wooden door and window surround, and a tall parapet concealing a flat or hipped roof. While the preference for corner locations and especially the L-plan continued, the change to using brick allowed designers to build two stories high and define cornices and pilasters with corbelled brick. With an additional floor, wrought iron balconies often were added and domestic and commercial spaces were able to be segregated by floors.
Local significance of the building:
La Madrileña is located in Brownsville in the southernmost part of Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This Valley, generally defined as south of the Nueces River in Texas and north of Monterrey in Mexico, is recognized as a distinctive cultural region derived from the overlay of Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American occupation. One distinction is its vernacular architecture which has attracted the attention of a number of scholars.
Most of their studies have focused on domestic architecture; however, some generalizations concerning commercial architecture may be drawn from various works. Commercial buildings along the Rio Grande probably evolved from the late 18thCentury simple adobe or jacal structures containing both domestic quarters and commercial activities in one room to segregated commercial and living spaces in at least two rooms. This trend appears to have been set by the 1850s when the commercial buildings in early settlement areas reflected the use of course-stone load-bearing walls, hewn wooden lintels, double doors, and shallow parapets concealing flat roofs drained by canals. (Some probably had gabled, thatched roofs.) The finest of these sported decorative quoins, cornices, and occasionally wooden door molds. The locational preference appears to have been for prime, corner lots on the central plaza while the preferred forms were either an L-plan enclosing a private area or a rectangular plan and symmetrically placed double doors opening to the street. The overriding cultural influences on these buildings were the Spanish and Mexican building traditions.
By the late 19th century, commercial architecture evolved to using double-wythe brick load-bearing walls, machine-sawn wooden door and window surround, and a tall parapet concealing a flat or hipped roof. While the preference for corner locations and especially the L-plan continued, the change to using brick allowed designers to build two stories high and define cornices and pilasters with corbelled brick. With an additional floor, wrought iron balconies often were added and domestic and commercial spaces were able to be segregated by floors.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The cattle industry played a significant role in the development of Texas, with cowboys driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
About Cameron County
Cameron County Timeline
Cameron County, located in southern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Apache and the Karankawa. However, the arrival of Spanish explorers in the late 16th century marked the beginning of a significant shift in the region's history.
In the early 18th century, the Spanish established a presence in the area through the construction of missions and the establishment of ranches. This period saw the growth of agriculture and the introduction of Catholicism to the local population. However, these Spanish settlements faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with Native Americans and French incursions from Louisiana.
In the early 19th century, the area became part of Mexico after gaining independence from Spain. This period was marked by political instability, as Mexico went through numerous changes in leadership. In 1845, the region became part of the newly annexed state of Texas and experienced a surge in population as American settlers arrived. The county was officially named Cameron in 1848 after Ewen Cameron, an early settler and landowner.
The 20th century brought significant economic growth to Cameron County through the development of agriculture, oil, and tourism. The county became an important agricultural center, with cotton, vegetables, and citrus fruits being major crops. The discovery of oil in the nearby Gulf of Mexico also brought economic prosperity, leading to the establishment of a major oil industry in the region. Additionally, the county's beautiful beaches and warm climate attracted tourists, leading to the growth of the tourism industry.
Today, Cameron County continues to be an important agricultural and industrial region in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and remains a popular tourist destination, with its stunning beaches, historical sites, and natural beauty attracting visitors from around the world. The county's rich history is celebrated through various museums, festivals, and cultural events, showcasing the colorful past that has shaped Cameron County into what it is today.
In the early 18th century, the Spanish established a presence in the area through the construction of missions and the establishment of ranches. This period saw the growth of agriculture and the introduction of Catholicism to the local population. However, these Spanish settlements faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with Native Americans and French incursions from Louisiana.
In the early 19th century, the area became part of Mexico after gaining independence from Spain. This period was marked by political instability, as Mexico went through numerous changes in leadership. In 1845, the region became part of the newly annexed state of Texas and experienced a surge in population as American settlers arrived. The county was officially named Cameron in 1848 after Ewen Cameron, an early settler and landowner.
The 20th century brought significant economic growth to Cameron County through the development of agriculture, oil, and tourism. The county became an important agricultural center, with cotton, vegetables, and citrus fruits being major crops. The discovery of oil in the nearby Gulf of Mexico also brought economic prosperity, leading to the establishment of a major oil industry in the region. Additionally, the county's beautiful beaches and warm climate attracted tourists, leading to the growth of the tourism industry.
Today, Cameron County continues to be an important agricultural and industrial region in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and remains a popular tourist destination, with its stunning beaches, historical sites, and natural beauty attracting visitors from around the world. The county's rich history is celebrated through various museums, festivals, and cultural events, showcasing the colorful past that has shaped Cameron County into what it is today.
Cameron County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cameron County, Texas.
- 1848: Cameron County is established as one of the original counties of Texas.
- 1850: The first federal census is conducted in Cameron County, recording a population of 285 residents.
- 1866: The first wooden courthouse is built in Brownsville, the county seat of Cameron County.
- 1875: The Rio Grande Railroad reaches Brownsville, boosting economic growth in the county.
- 1893: The current Cameron County Courthouse is completed in Brownsville.
- 1909: The first automobile bridge across the Rio Grande River is built, connecting Brownsville with Matamoros, Mexico.
- 1925: The Port of Brownsville is established, becoming a major hub for trade and commerce.
- 1933: The construction of the Brownsville Ship Channel begins, further enhancing the county's maritime capabilities.
- 1967: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (formerly known as Pan American University) is established.
- 2017: Cameron County experiences significant damage from Hurricane Harvey, leading to large-scale recovery efforts.