Trevino-Uribe Rancho
Also known as: Jesus Trevino Fort, See also: San Ygnacio Historic District
Why it's listed
Overlooking the Rio Grande in San Ygnacio, Texas, this sandstone ranch compound grew from a single room built around 1830 as an outpost for Jesús Treviño, who kept his main home in Guerrero, Mexico. It was the first building in what became the town. Later campaigns in 1851, 1854 and 1871 added a two-room wing, a long public room, a kitchen with an arched gate, and a parlor. Thick walls, gun ports, windowless facades and a gated courtyard show its fortified purpose. Builders used local sandstone, mesquite and cypress beams, and lime-and-gravel chipichil roofs, following methods common in Guerrero. Decorated roof beams record construction dates in 1851 and 1854. The compound keeps most of its original exterior and interior fabric, including hardware and doors. Its importance lies in showing how Hispanic building and ranching traditions continued along the borderlands decades after the area became part of Texas and the United States. A 1936 WPA/HABS plan documents its rooms.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an exceptional, perhaps unique, survivor of Mexican vernacular architecture and ranching traditions carried north of the Rio Grande. Its design, materials and details follow those of Guerrero (Revilla), Mexico. It retains most of its original exterior and interior fabric, and the 1871 work still followed Hispanic building methods, showing that Hispanic culture persisted on the borderlands after the region became part of Texas and the United States.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73002342, listed July 16, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Uribe and Trevino Sts., San Ygnacio |
|---|---|
| County | Zapata County |
| Listed | July 16, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002342 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Other: Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Hispanic, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated August 5, 1998 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current use is listed as vacant (dwelling/vacant in a later version of the form). The form notes that the property was designated a National Historic Landmark on August 5, 1998. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | San Ygnacio Historic District |
| Coordinates | 27.04511, -99.44369 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73002342.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7838999
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.