History / Culture
Tejanos have been central to Bexar County from its founding through the Texas Revolution
Tejanos—Texans of Mexican descent—helped found San Antonio, fought for Texas independence, and shaped the city's culture and politics for over three centuries.
Tejano history in Bexar County goes back to 1718. Spanish soldiers and settlers built the fort and the early town. Many of these families had Spanish, Indigenous, and African roots. The Canary Islanders came in 1731. They joined this Tejano community that was already here.
Juan Nepomucena Seguín was born in San Antonio in 1806. His family came from the Canary Islanders. In the Texas Revolution, he held a captain's commission in the Texas Army. Tejano volunteers fought beside Anglo Texians at the Alamo, at Goliad, and at San Jacinto. Seguín later became Mayor of San Antonio. He also served as a Texas senator.
Tejanos helped found Texas. Even so, they faced growing bias after statehood. San Antonio's East Side became a Tejano area, and later a home for Mexican immigrants. The city's conjunto music grew from this mix. It blends Spanish, German accordion, and Indigenous sounds. To learn more, see the TSHA Handbook at tshaonline.org.
Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook – Bexar County