San Ygnacio Historic District

San Ygnacio is a small Rio Grande community in Zapata County, Texas, whose historic core is bounded by the river, U.S. Highway 85, Mina Street and Matamoros Street. Jesus Trevino founded it in 1830 by building a small stone residence, and settlement continued through the end of the century. Most buildings are square hewn sandstone blocks with plastered exteriors, and many early houses have flat roofs of beams, decking and caliche. Large cooking chimneys are common. Notable examples include the 1873 Delfino Lozano House, the Jesus Trevino House complex with its 1851 sundial and stone gargoyles, and the 1887 Manuel Benavides Trevino House with its carved cornice and original grilles. The district was recognized because it is the last south Texas community preserving a large group of 19th century sandstone buildings, reflecting Spanish and Mexican building traditions and a close link to the older settlement at Revilla. Most buildings remain private residences.