Paula Losoya Taylor

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Paula Losoya Taylor [1] (died July 17, 1902) was one of the founders of San Felipe Del Rio (later Del Rio) in Texas. Her hacienda in Del Rio became a major employer in the region, for workers in farming and ranching.

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It was also an important gathering spot for worship, discussion, and more. Taylor donated land to create a Catholic cemetery, a fort, and schools in Del Rio.

Biography

She was born Paula Losoya de Rivera in Guerrero, Tamaulipas. [2] She married an Anglo-American, James H. Taylor.

Between 1860 and 1870, Losoya de Rivera and her husband; her sister, Refugio, and brother-in-law moved from Rio Grande City into the countryside. The Taylor couple had at least one child. [3]

In 1862, Losoya Taylor built the first hacienda in Del Rio. [4] Taylor and her sister quickly arranged to cultivate the land of their hacienda right away, hiring workers from Las Zapas. [2] Their hiring of Mexican workers attracted migrants from Mexico into the San Felipe area of Del Rio. [5] Taylor and her husband developed the first acequias in the area, the first of which was called Acequia Madre. [2]

On April 4, 1876, her husband, James, died. He left her his possessions. Some sources indicate that she married again in December 1876, to a man who may have been known as Charles Rivers or Rivera. [2]

On the estate, the two sisters and Taylor's family continued to work and thrive. She helped raise some of her relatives' children. [2] The two sisters arranged to have Catholic priests from Eagle Pass say mass for workers at the estate, and many residents of San Feilipe Del Rio also attended. [3] Catholic residents attended mass at her hacienda until 1895, when the church established Sacred Heart in Del Rio. [1]

The hacienda also operated local industry: a sugarcane mill, flour mill, a cotton gin, and a Mexican-style candy factory. [2] The remains of the hacienda are still known locally as the Rivers Home. [6]

Because of discrimination, Mexican people in the area were prevented from burying their dead at the Anglo-American cemetery, restricted to Protestants. The American cemetery did not allow them. In 1884, Taylor donated four acres of her land to create a cemetery for Mexican people. [7] [8]

The land she donated was at the top of the hill: marked by a cross, it already had five burials. [9] This area later became known as Cemeterio Viejo Loma de la Cruz. [7]

Taylor also donated 60 acres of her land to build a fort for defense of the town. She donated more land to build area schools. [2]

Legacy and honors

Taylor died on July 17, 1902. [2] In 1976, La Hacienda was published, which described the history of Del Rio and featured Taylor's estate. [10] Taylor is depicted in a mural at Moore Park in Del Rio. [11] A Texas Historical Marker is located at her hacienda and was erected in 1982. [12]

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References

  1. 1 2 Gutierrez, A.E. (Tony) (January 22, 1993). "Sacred Heart Celebrates 98 Years". Del Rio News Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Acosta, Teresa Palomo (June 15, 2010). "Losoya Taylor, Paula". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Brown Plaza Kindled SF Pride". Del Rio News Herald. January 24, 1982. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Zumwalt, Glenda (July 4, 1977). "Early Del Rioans Fought to Survive". Del Rio News Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Gutierrez, A.E. (Tony) (September 30, 1998). "San Felipe Will Survive". Del Rio News Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Painting for Book Cover". Del Rio News Herald. February 2, 1976. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 Gonzales, Diana (October 25, 1987). "Loma de la Cruz to Get Historical Marker Today". Del Rio News Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Grande Loma Cemetery". Del Rio News Herald. November 28, 2016. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
  9. ↑ Thomas, Ann (October 17, 1987). "El Cemeterio Viejo Loma de la Cruz to Get Historical Marker". Del Rio News Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Carmack, George (August 22, 1976). "Del Rio Tale Fascinates". San Antonio Express. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Garza, Cynthia (October 16, 1983). "Comite Cultural Official Sees New Sense of Direction". Del Rio News Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2017– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Historical Markers in Val Verde County". Val Verde County Historical Commission. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
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