Planting Seeds for a Greener Tomorrow
Every day at Quinta Mazatlán, we are planting seeds for ambitious goals, guided by deep roots and inspired by a lasting canopy of hope. We envision a future where every home has a Native Garden, every school has a Schoolyard Forest, and every neighborhood has a Tiny Forest. As those seeds take root, it is just as important to pause at meaningful milestones and give “thanks”. Our 20th Anniversary honors the leaders, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and visitors who believed in the vision and helped grow this urban sanctuary by showing up every day.
History as Our Compass
Our past has always guided our future. Quinta Mazatlán continues to enhance education, eco-tourism, and the environment for the health of all. From its founding family to the City of McAllen, Quinta Mazatlán reflects a shared commitment to nature in the heart of a growing city. As we celebrate 20 years, we are also excited to open the Center for Urban Ecology in 2026, a new chapter in our commitment to education, conservation, and community.
It Started with an Adobe Home and a Vision
In the 1930s, Martha and Jason Matthews purchased five acres for $2,400 and built an adobe home from the very soil beneath their feet. They called it the “crossroads of the Western Hemisphere” and named it Quinta Mazatlán. Quinta means “country house” in Spanish, and Mazatlán is an Indigenous word meaning “where the deer roam.” From the very beginning, the home was a place rooted in nature, vision, and a deep sense of belonging.
A Second Family Grows the Legacy
The second family of Quinta Mazatlán, Marilyn and Frank Schultz, purchased the home in the 1960s for $24,000 and expanded the property to eight acres, continuing to protect the surrounding forest. In 1987, the home was recognized with a historical marker as one of the largest adobe homes in Texas.
The Third Family Takes the Reins
In 1998, the City of McAllen became the third family of Quinta Mazatlán, purchasing the property at auction for $1.4 million for the community. In 2006, Quinta Mazatlán opened as a World Birding Center site, adding a Discovery Center that now serves more than 10,000 school students annually. Additional land became Ebony Grove, expanding vital habitat for wildlife.
Powered by People, Guided by Purpose
Starting in 2016, City of McAllen leadership and the non-profit Friends of Quinta Mazatlán worked steadily for a decade on a grand vision: to double the green footprint to 25 acres and create a Center for Urban Ecology (CUE). Opening this year, the CUE will elevate STEM learning through a partnership with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Mi Casa Es Su Casa
With deep roots in history and a lasting canopy for generations to come, Quinta Mazatlán remains your home in the woods.
