Quinta Mazatlan, Mission, TX

Quinta Mazatlan is one of the largest remaining adobe home built in the state of Texas.  Beginning in 1935, the estate was built in stages by Jason Matthews.  He lived here 30 years with his wife, Marcia, daughter, Marcita, and son, Eduardo. 

After the death of Marcia in 1963 and Jason in 1964, the estate sat empty to 1967.  In 1967 Hurricane Beulah left much of the estate in shambles.  In 1968, Frank and Marilyn Schultz purchased the estate and began restoring the estate.  They purchased the eight acres estate and its buildings that comprised over 10,000 square feet for $24,000.  During the next 30 years, Quinta Mazatlan was restored to its original splendor.  One might say, “upgraded in splendor”.  In 1985 the State of Texas awarded Quinta Mazatlan a Historical Marker for being a definite place of heritage.  The Schultz family raised a daughter and son on the estate and liver there until Mrs Schultz’s death in 1991.  Mr Schultz put the property up for public auction and in the spring of 1998, the City of McAllen purchased the historic estate and eight acres for $1.4 million and opened it to the public in 2006.

 

This sign was at the entrance of the estate.  Notice that an Agapanthus is the Lily of the Valley plant seen below the sign.

 

 Beautiful Bougainvillea lined driveway

 

Main House, Gates and Courtyard

An extraordinary feature of the Main House is the front doors.  Mr Matthews commissioned Peter Mansbendel, a famous Swiss wood carver, to recreate the stately front doors of the Spanish Governor’s Palace in San Antonio.  Instead of two gargoyles and two cherubs, these doors have images of Marcia, Jason and the likenesses of daughter Marcita and some Eduardo. 

The inside of the house is spectacular!

 

 

This back corridor of the house is called Cedar Hall, for legend has it that the ceiling beams are made of Lebanese cedar.  These beams were purportedly a gift from the King of Lebanon to Mr Matthews who fought alongside Lawrence of Arabia in the War of Independence from the Turks.

 

Some of the Gardens

 

Birds and Animals

 

Folk Art Display

 

Quinta Mazatlan is now the McAllen wing of the World Birding Center, offering nature trails, a new children’s Discovery Center with over 24,000 square feet, and water feature.  Over 100 species of birds and over 100 species of tropical and native trees, flowers, and plants have been identified.  Often the estate is rented for meetings, conferences, weddings, and other celebrations.