Who are the Tejanos?
Tejanos are Spanish Mexican pioneers that settled the northeastern region of Northern Mexico known as “Tejas” starting from the late-1600s to the mid-1700s. As such, their culture and language make Tejanos the first citizens of Texas. For this key reason, Tejanos should not be confused with other “Hispanic” (Spanish American) sister groups that immigrated later to the United States. Tejanos, Spanish Mexicans in the Southwest, and Native Americans never immigrated to the United States since they were already here when Texas became a U.S. state in 1845. Then in 1848, the Southwest was subsumed into the U.S. by military force. Where did the Tejanos come from? The first Tejanos were very brave and independent-minded pioneers who came here from various cities in Mexico, such as Monclova, Saltillo, Monterrey, Queretaro, Zacatecas, and Veracruz. As such, today these cities are home to Tejano extended families. For that reason, Texas and the Southwest are forever linked with Mexico. Names of g
