Learn about Public Art projects, like the Vaquero sculpture in the

Tour the FW-Central
library’s exhibit!
Explore Texas
history and the
impact of the
Vaqueros on Texas!
Learn about Public Art projects, like the Vaquero sculpture in the historic
Fort Worth Stockyards!
Vaqueros of Texas history:
El Vaquero – the mounted herdsman of
the Spanish colonial period and his
Mexican counterpart of the nineteenth
century, has attained romantic features
and near-mythic historical stature.
In reality, Vaqueros faced harsh working
conditions and had more in common with
Anglo Cowboys than is traditionally
recognized.
In Texas this was the case because Anglo
stock raisers were heavily influenced by
the Spanish ranching institutions that
they found upon their arrival in Texas.
Vaqueros of Texas history:
Over a period of time, (between 1821 and
the trail-driving era), Spanish stockhandling techniques shaped the Anglo
way of doing things.
The distinctions between the two
traditions blurred as Vaquero traditions
became commonplace on all ranches.
Spanish Vaqueros in colonial times were
generally viewed by society as a rough
and rowdy lot. Many of them operated
outside the law and preyed upon the
unbranded cattle that roamed the vast
estates of northern Mexico.
http://americancowboy.com/article/history-vaquero
Vaqueros of Texas history:
They were noted for their horsemanship
and stock-tending skills. As ranching
made its way north to Texas through the
tier of provinces along the Rio Grande,
these herdsmen were the vanguard of
Hispanic colonization.
In many cases they attached themselves
to a patron (an influential rancher who
owned a grant of land from the king),
married, and built a shack on his
property. Their children were raised in
service to the patron; an arrangement
that sometimes spanned generations.
Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981ZbWyhekY
Vaqueros of Texas history:
Through their working association with
Vaqueros, young Anglo Cowboys learned
their techniques and adopted them as a
matter of course.
From the era of the Texas Revolution and
beyond, South Texas abounded in wild
longhorn cattle noted for their stamina
and adaptation to the land.
After the Civil War, these herds increased
dramatically, and when rounded up and
branded, formed the basis for a number
of prosperous huge ranches.
Vaqueros of Texas history:
Hired Vaqueros figured prominently in
this process, as well as in the drives to
rail heads and northern markets.
Not only did they ride for Anglo bosses,
they also took herds north for Mexican
operators. Around 15% of cattle drivers
were of Hispanic decent.
By the 1870s, the Vaquero's saddle,
chaps, bandana, sombrero, lasso, and
spurs were so widespread that they lost
their Hispanic identity and became
simply "Texan."
Vaqueros
Texas history:
history:
Vaqueros of
of Texas
During the Revolution, a number of Hispanic
citizens played large parts securing Texas’
Independence. These included the following
Mexican-Texans who died defending the Alamo:
Juan Abamillo - a native Texan, who volunteered
to serve under Juan Seguin.
Juan Antonio Badillo - born in Texas, and also
served under Seguin.
Carlos Espalier - born in Texas and the protégé of
Jim Bowie, he was only 17 when he was killed at
the Alamo.
Antonio Fuentes - born in San Antonio, and was
recruited by Seguin.
Vaqueros
Texas history:
history:
Vaqueros of
of Texas
Mexican-Texans at the Alamo (continued):
Jose Maria Esparza -(also known as Gregorio
Esparza) was born in San Antonio. He was one of
the few defenders whose family were able to claim
his body for a proper Christian burial.
Esparza
Damacio Jimenez - native Texan in Seguin’s
militia, served with Travis at Anahuac as well.
Jose Toribio Losoya - was actually born in the
Alamo on April 11, 1808. He deserted the Mexican
army to join Seguin. His wife and 3 children
survived the siege in the mission chapel.
Toribio Losoya
Andres Nava- a native Texan, enlisted during the
siege of Bexar, and later died at the Alamo.
Vaqueros
Texas history:
history:
Vaqueros of
of Texas
The most famous Tejano to fight for
independence was Col. Juan Seguin.
During the battle of San Jacinto, Seguin
commanded an entire regiment of
Mexican-Texans during the battle.
Land Empresarios such as Martin de Leon,
helped to fund the revolution contributing
$35,000 (almost a million dollars in today’s
money).
Juan Seguin
Martin de Leon
Out of the 59 men who signed the Texas
Declaration of Independence, 3 of these
Texas freedom fighters were of Mexican-
Vaqueros of Texas history:
They were Lorenzo de Zavala, Jose Antonio
Navaro, & Jose Francisco Ruiz.
Jose Francisco Ruiz was San Antonio’s first
school master.
Navaro, the nephew of Ruiz, served in the
Texas Senate, Navarro County is named in
his honor.
De Zavala went on to become the first Vice
President of the Republic of Texas.
Learn more about these heroic Texans at:
http://www.texastejano.com/
Vaqueros of Texas history:
Texas without Mexicans would not be
Texas as we know it . This ethnic group is
so essential to defining Texas culture that
sometimes it is impossible to separate
"Tex-Mex.”
Rodeo, chili, barbecue, ranch, macho,
fiesta, tacos: these are words, foods and
events that now belong to all Texans.
If there is a common thread, it is a proud
acknowledgement of "la raza," the
concept of a unique group in history,
born out of the discovery of the New
World and the mixing of European and
native tribal civilizations.
Vaqueros of Texas history:
While originating in Mexico, celebrations such
as Cinco de Mayo, in Texas, are more a
statement of cultural roots in Texas than any
political or patriotic statement. Cinco de Mayo
celebrates the defeat of the last Europeans to
rule in Mexico.
On May 5, 1862, forces loyal to President Benito
Juarez, defeated the French at the Battle of
Puebla. The victorious commander, Gen. Ignacio
Zaragoza, was born in Goliad Texas.
Learn more about Zarazoza:
http://www.presidiolabahia.org/zaragosa.htm
Vocabulary Of Vaqueros
Spanish Words Used in Texas
Armadillo (literally, "the little armed one")
Bandit ("bandido"; a robber or highwayman)
Bravo (from Old Spanish, fierce or brave)
Bronco (means "wild" or "rough" or "rude")
Burrito (literally "little donkey")
Burro (a donkey)
Chaps (from Mexican Spanish chaparreras)
Chocolate (xocolatl, from an indigenous
language)
Desperado (a bold or desperate outlaw)
Hammock (from jamaca, Caribbean Spanish word)
Jerky ("charquí" - roughly equivalent to "tasajo")
Lariat (from la reata, braided rawhide rope)
Lasso (from lazo)
Mesquite (tree from Nahuatl mizquitl (mixed)
Vocabulary Of Vaqueros
Spanish Words Used in Texas
Mosquito (an insect)
Mustang (from mesteñas, - a wild horse)
Patio (In Spanish, an inner garden or courtyard.)
Ranch (Rancho - a settlement, ranch or camp.)
Remuda (regionalism for a relay of horses)
Renegade (from renegado)
Rodeo (roundup / show of skills - verb to encircle)
Shack (Mexican Spanish jacal, Nahuatl xcalli)
Sombrero (sombra, "shade," - any kind of hat, )
Stampede ("estampida" - panicked herd;)
Tornado (from tronada, thunderstorm)
Vaquero (or "baquero"; - regional term)
Vigilante (from adjective for "vigilant")
Wrangler (caballerano, one who grooms horses)
Creative Western Influences
Spanish Influence in Silversmithing
Western silversmithing in North America began in
Mexico. Cortes discovered silver there in 1522. It
is believed that the working of silver into
adornments began after Cortez’s discovery.
It is recorded that Coronado and Cabeza de Vaca,
(Spanish Conquistadors), made it to what is now
Arizona and New Mexico by 1542 in search of
silver and gold. From a fusion of Native American
culture and the Spanish ability to work silver
came the western tradition of silver adornments.
A lot of the authentic antique “Vaquero” jewelry is
very collectible and hard to come by.
Creative Western Influences
Spanish Influence Leatherwork
Although the earliest forms of working leather for
ornamentation date from ancient Egypt, legend
maintains that Spanish Moors decorated their
homes with hand-carved leather.
During the time of the Aztecs, artisans tooled
leather items as well as carved similar patterns in
stone. Many modern raised-flower designs can be
traced back to Aztec patterns.
Leather tooling became popular among cowboys
and ranchers of the "Wild West" for its
ornamentation and expression of personal style.
Elaborately tooled saddles helped express pride
in their owners' horsemanship and identified
individual possessions among Vaqueros with no
horses of their own.
Creative Western Influences
Evolution of Spanish Spurs
Some of the earliest spurs known are believed to
have been used by the Roman Legions of Julius
Caesar, which have been unearthed in
England. The Romans developed spurs in order
to have a way to steer their horses with their legs,
while leaving their hands free to fight.
The revolving rowel used in modern western
spurs originated in France around 1200. By 1600
in Spain, armorers developed large and ornately
decorated spurs with rowels. Some of these
designs came to the new world with the
conquistadors.
Vaqueros preferred large rowel spurs, which
signified status as a horseman who walked, only
when necessary. The influence of ornate early
Spanish design is still evident today.
Fort Worth Central Library:
To celebrate Hispanic American
Heritage Month, students will explore
the history and culture of the
Vaqueros or Mexican cowboys.
Participants will experience a tour of
library resources, vaquero-based
trivia, a proctored tour of specialized
photographs and artifacts, and a
special character presentation
focused on the allure and the
contributions of the Vaqueros to Texas
and its rich history.
Fort Worth Central Library:
Did you know anyone under the age of
18, enrolled in a FWISD school, is eligible
for a free FW Library card.
Fill out the application emailed to your
teacher for a free library card. Have your
teacher send it to ICFW, and when you
attend the Vaquero exhibit it will be ready
for you to collect!
Being a library member means you can
check out books, study guides, movies,
and use the computers. The rewards are
endless. Enroll today!
Fort Worth Central Library:
Use the internet to locate answers
to these trivia questions.
Be sure to use authoritative sources!
1. Who was the first Hispanic to serve in
the U.S. Congress?
2. Who was the first Hispanic player
voted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame?
3. Who was the first Hispanic woman to
become an astronaut?
Fort Worth Central Library:
Hispanic Trivia Continued
4. According to the 2010 Census, what
percentage of the U.S. population is
Hispanic or Latino?
5. Did Vaqueros carry guns as part of
their jobs?
6. What does the word “vaquero” mean?
7. What does the word “sombrero”
mean?
8. How long have Vaqueros been tending
cattle?
What is public art?
The term Public Art refers to works
created by artists and can include
sculptures, murals, memorials,
monuments.
Generally public art is designed to be
permanent and accessible to all.
What distinguishes Public Art is the
unique ability to engender dialogue and
transform public space.
What is public art?
Public Art Continued:
Intended to appeal to diverse audiences,
a public art project frequently includes
community input, is located on public
property and is funded with public
dollars.
Public art can express community values,
explore and shape creative expression,
commemorate history, heighten
awareness of shared places, and build
identity.
The Vaquero Sculpture:
The sculpture, by artists David
Newton and Tomas Bustos, is
located on North Main St. at Central
Ave. in the historic Northside. The
project developed in response to
community pride in the Vaquero’s
contribution to the success of
Cattle Business in the Fort Worth
Stockyards.
"Vaquero de Fort Worth" is part of the Fort Worth Public Art collection.
FWPA provides maintenance and conservation for this artwork and
others in the collection, assuring that it will be enjoyed by generations
to come.
Texas Vaquero curriculum:
Vaquero Sculpture Project
Compare Texas artist Luis Jimenez’s
Vaquero sculpture with Newton &
Bustos’s sculpture here in Fort Worth.
Luis Jimenez
Why do you think these artists took a
different approach to the same subject?
What would your vaquero sculpture look
like? What aspects of the vaquero’s life
would you focus on?
Newton & Bustos
Sketch your own vaquero sculpture.
Texas Vaquero curriculum:
Immigration Project: A Trip to the Past
Imagine you are an immigrant who comes to
Texas in the 1800s. Create a journal of your life.
Your journal should have the following: (include
bibliography and URL resources used).
#1: Describe what your life was like in your
previous home, where did you live, what did you
do for a living, your family, and generally how you
feel about the life you left behind.
#2. Family Tree: Create a family tree dating back
to your great- grandparents.
#3. Make a list of reasons why you decided to
come to Texas.
#4. Map: Create a map and trace the route you
took. Where do you live in Texas?
Texas Vaquero curriculum:
Immigration Project Continued
# 5. Describe what you packed to bring with you
and how did you got here (wagon, horseback…).
#6. Describe what you saw upon your arrival, was
it what you expected?
#7.Make a simple drawing of your new home in
Texas with captions to explain.
#8. Explain whether or not you are glad to be in
Texas. How is your life different? How is your life
better or worse than before you arrived?
#9. Cover: Your diary must be in a creative cover.
No modern folders! You are from the 1800s.
Enjoy your journey though time and remember to
include your resources on each journal entry.
Donor Page Etc
$25,000+
$10,000-$24,999
Sid W. Richa rdson Founda tion
Arts Council of Fort Worth & Ta rra nt County
Rosentha l Founda tion
Community Founda tion of North Texa s
Willia m E. Scott Founda tion
Ellison & Edwa rd La sa ter Trust
Texa s Commission for the Arts
Texa s Educa tion Agency
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
$500 - $9,999
Armstrong Founda tion
Arts Council of Northea st Ta rra nt County
Ba tes Conta iner
BBVA Compa ss Founda tion
Jill Bla ck
Colonia l Country Club Cha rity
Communities Founda tion of Texa s
Fort Worth Convention a nd Visitors Burea u
Frost Ba nk
Ma ry Potishma n La rd Trust
Ja ck La rson
Mollie & Ga rla nd La sa ter Trust
Rozell Spra yer Ma nufa cturing
Rya n Founda tion
Sertoma Club of Downtown Fort Worth
Joe P. Stra in
Ta rget Founda tion
Texa s Associa tion of Pa rents & Educa tors of the Dea f
Virginia Street Smith Trust
Wells Fa rgo Founda tion