Dealing with Pandemics in South Texas

by Francisco Guajardo, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer

COVID-19 has shaken the world. The last time we were threatened by something like this was more than a century ago, when the Spanish Influenza ravaged the globe between 1917 and 1919 and killed more than 50 million people. Before the spring of 2020, none of us could relate with that era.

But for those who venture into the archives of the Museum of South Texas History, there are numerous opportunities to get a glimpse into how people of South Texas and northeastern Mexico have dealt with pandemics, epidemics and other biological scourges. COVID-19 is not the first time the region has been tested, and the museum archive serves as a reservoir of evidence that shows how local people have responded.

A peek into Dr. Cayetano Barrera’s family story, which resides in the museum’s oral history archive, reveals the story of Dr. Barrera’s great grandmother and matriarch, Antonia Guerra. Years after her husband Manuel died of a heart attack, the Rio Grande borderland became a destination for the deadly yellow fever epidemic. To protect her children, Barrera tells the story that Antonia relocated the family from their home in Mier, Tamaulipas, to Los Brasiles Ranch. The ranch was located north of Rio Grande City, on the 17,000-acre Charco Redondo Land Grant, just west of presentday Falfurrias. In 1898, the family would establish La Reforma Ranch in northern Starr and Hidalgo counties.

Emilia Schunior (Ramirez) graduated from Edinburg High School in 1919, as one of two members of the senior class--Ann Lipscomb (Magee) was the other graduate. In Emilia’s journal, she wrote an address titled “America’s Part in the Reconstruction,” where she expounded upon the virtues of the nation. She wrote that America had been tasked with “rescuing” the world in the aftermath of the Great War (World War I) and amid the Spanish Influenza.

In a journal section labeled “Holidays,” Emilia wrote vividly about the energy and feel of the seasons, as the seasons interacted with the global pandemic. She wrote: “Those were grim days--the days of 1918. They were brought about by the Spanish Influenza. It (the calamity) filled every one with terror; they (the holidays) were like summer without sunshine. But at last they came to an end...But then followed the Christmas Holidays. They were not sad; they were like spring, in spite of their ‘wintery’ appearance.”

Barrera reiterates the story of his greatgrandmother in his 1998 book, “One Family’s Journey: The Story of La Reforma Ranch,” which is for sale at the Museum Store. Emilia, too, would write stories focused on ranch life in South Texas, “Ranch Life in Hidalgo County after 1850” is also available at the Museum Store. These storytellers show us how South Texas is an integral part of the broader narrative of humanity. Antonia Guerra and Emilia Schunior offer first-hand evidence of resiliency and offer words of hope during a time of global stress. We have much to learn from them as we attempt to make sense of the realities that grip our lives in the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

Moves from the Museum of South Texas History to Your Home

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MEDICAL CLINIC AVAILABLE - 8,505 S.F. FINISHED OUT WITH SOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

For more informa�on: info@levcor.com or 713.952.0366

PHARR TOWN CENTER

500 North Jackson Road, Pharr, Tx 78577

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:

• Finished out with complete medical equipment • Located in the booming retail area of Pharr, Texas • Located along the highly trafficked N. Jackson Road & Highway 83 • 470,000 S.F. Shopping Center • Anchor tenants include Main Event, Cinemark and Academy • Over 3 million visitors to Pharr Town Center a year • 1.5 million people live in the Rio Grande Valley • There are over 5 million people within an hour’s drive from our center across the border that come to Pharr to shop and eat. • Jackson Road is on of the main thoroughfares from Mexico that leads right into our project.

Traffic Counts

124,000 cpd - US Expressway83 25,000 cpd - North Jackson Road

Consumer Expenditure - Ent. and Rec. Parking Provided Parking Ra�o

3,381 9.6 / 1,000cars

Average Index Total

NEW ON THE MARKET

$975,000

MLS: #343343 Subdvision: Lake James

School District: Edinburg ISD

Living Sq Ft: 6,103 An extraordinary and exquisite home on a 3/4 acre lot, located in the highly desired Lake James Subdivision. This magnificent, modern oasis was designed and remodeled by the award-winning Orange-Made architects. Enjoy family time in the European style kitchen that comes complete with Thermador Professional appliances,and sparkling Brazilian and Italian stone countertops. The dining area opens up nicely to the 3 spacious living areas, with decorative high ceilings and 2 patios. The beautiful master suite has a wall of windows that overlooks the lush backyard with a sizeable, custom walk-in closet, an impressive master bath with double vanity, separate shower, Infared sauna and soaking tub. Other well-crafted features include a unique upstairs bedroom that can fit up to 3 queen size beds! It’s oversized bathroom suite has 3 vanities, an enormous walk-in closet and sitting area. The 2nd floor has another bedroom, bonus room, and balcony overlooking the magical sunsets at Lake James! Call me for a private viewing of this incredible home!

Sally Fraustro Guerra BROKER ASSOCIATE REPRESENTING BUYERS + SELLERS COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL (956) 458-0085 (956) 631-1322 sally.guerra@coldwellbanker.com

McAllen Northwest Shopping Center Retail/Professional Service User

McAllen Northwest Shopping Center is a Target anchored Shopping center located off the Ware Road & Nolana Avenue intersection, This Center is situated at an extremely high traffic location with great visibility and is easily accessible. With some of McAllen, TX’s healthiest demographics McAllen Northwest Shopping Center is ideal for retail, office, or professional service users.

Tribeca Square - McAllen Retail - Office - Medical

Tribeca Square is perfectly situated in one of McAllen, TX’s busiest, commercial districts, and has excellent frontage on Interstate 2. The mixed-use center has great access from Interstate 2, and is surrounded by dense, mixed-use development. Tribeca Square is anchored by Heroes Dental, and is an excellent location for any retail, medical, or office user.

Owassa Lakes Business Park - Warehouse – Cold Storage – Edinburg

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Broadway North Shopping Center - Retail - McAllen

This 23,930 square foot anchor location sits ideally in North McAllen, TX and is the premier space at Broadway North Shopping center. The site is situated just off of the Tenth Street and Dove Intersection with frontage on West Dove Avenue.

Valencia Marketplace - Retail/Professional Service - McAllen

Valencia Marketplace is a Sam’s Club anchored shopping center located just off of the Trenton Road and Tenth Street intersection. The Center is situated at an extremely high traffic location with great visibility and is easily accessible. With some of McAllen’s healthiest demographics, Valencia Marketplace is the perfect location for any retail, office, or restaurant user.

Sam Houston Plaza - Retail - Professional Service User – Pharr

This new- construction strop center is ideally situated on Sam Houston Boulevard, Just East of Jackson Road in Pharr, TX. The center has proximity to major, medical facilities, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Sam Houston Plaza is perfect for any retail, medical, or professional service user.

DANIEL GALVAN, CCIM | 956.451.2983 | dgalvan@cbcworldwide.com www.cbcworldwide.com Listing information provided by Coldwell Banker Commercial RGV. Information is deemed to be reliable but is not guaranteed. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, dba Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, dba Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates fully supports the principles of the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker Commercial and the Coldwell Banker Commercial Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, dba Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates.