San Antonio's West Side Landmarks Reflect Family Histories

Resident seeks to preserve his family's flower shop and home as local landmarks

Mar. 12, 2026 at 2:06am

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A San Antonio resident named Mario Mireles is seeking to have his family's former home and flower shop on Castroville Road designated as local historic landmarks. The property, built in the early 1900s, represents the history and culture of the West Side neighborhood where Mireles grew up. He is also researching the origins of the Alejandro Heights subdivision, which may have been named after his maternal grandfather, Delfino Vargas Alejandro.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of preserving the cultural heritage and lived experiences of Mexican American families in San Antonio's historic record. The designation of these properties as local landmarks would help recognize the significance of early West Side residential development and small family-owned businesses that contributed to the fabric of the community.

The details

Mireles' grandfather built the house in the early 1900s, which is a surviving example of a vernacular stone residence characteristic of West Side construction during a period of residential expansion. Adjacent to the home was his grandmother's business, Frances Flower Shop, a small family-owned operation. The subdivision of Alejandro Heights, where Mireles' grandfather Delfino Vargas Alejandro lived, may have been named after him, with one of the streets also bearing his first name.

  • The house and flower shop were constructed in the early 1900s.
  • The Alejandro Heights subdivision was platted in 1957.

The players

Mario Mireles

A San Antonio resident seeking to have his family's former home and flower shop designated as local historic landmarks.

Delfino Vargas Alejandro

Mireles' maternal grandfather, who lived at 1927 Ceralvo St. and may have had the Alejandro Heights subdivision named after him.

Frances Flower Shop

A small family-owned business operated by Mireles' grandmother adjacent to the family's home on Castroville Road.

Herbert Karren

A home builder who developed the Alejandro Heights subdivision in 1957.

City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation

The city agency that oversees the local landmarks program and can provide guidance on the application process.

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What they’re saying

“Designation as a local historic landmark would recognize the importance of this structure as a reminder of early West Side residential development and the lived experiences of Mexican American families whose histories are often underrepresented in San Antonio's historic record.”

— Mario Mireles

What’s next

Mireles plans to apply for a local historic landmark designation for his family's former home and flower shop through the City of San Antonio's Office of Historic Preservation. He will also work with the Bexar County Historical Commission to potentially obtain a Texas Historical Commission marker for the Alejandro Heights subdivision, which may have been named after his grandfather.

The takeaway

This story underscores the importance of preserving the cultural heritage and histories of underrepresented communities in San Antonio. By designating these West Side landmarks, the city can help ensure that the experiences and contributions of Mexican American families like Mireles' are recognized and celebrated as part of the city's broader history and identity.