About Cardenas's Duval County Tejanos

In Texas, to hear the words “Duval County” evokes Archie and George Parr, politics, and corruption. But this does not represent the full truth about this South Texas county and its Tejano citizens. Duval County Tejanos showcases Tejanos engaged in community life: they organized politically, cultivated land, and promoted agriculture, livestock raising, the local economy, churches, schools, patriotic celebrations, and social activities.

In 1876 Duval County citizens formally petitioned Nueces County for the opportunity to organize themselves. During the late nineteenth century, the Duval County economy exhibited vitality and adaptability; sheep and cattle raising and cotton farming anchored and sustained the local economy. By the twentieth century, the political atmosphere intensified under the Parrs as Tejanos pushed forward their agenda of assuming their proper role, consistent with their numbers.