“Los Portales” was constructed in the 1850s by Gregorio N. García for use as a residence. Garcia was a prominent citizen of the community who served as Captain of the Texas Rangers in 1870 and County Judge of El Paso in 1877. His son of the same name served as Justice of the Peace. The structure has an adobe brick foundation and walls. The flat roof is supported by cotton-wood rafters (vigas), saplings and thatch. Its principal elevation is marked by a distinctive inset gallery (portal), hence the name Los Portales. Pedimented lintels on the window and door frames, along with milled wood supports, display the best example of Territorial Style on the tour. “Don Gregorio” donated Los Portales to the town for use as a school in 1870. The first teacher, Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo, later became governor of New Mexico (1919-1921) and a U.S. Senator (1928-1929). The second teacher, Jose Jorge Perez, went on to hold multiple elected offices in El Paso County. The building became apartments in the 1930s and then served as offices for the San Elizario Independent School District. Owned by El Paso County, Los Portales was renovated in 2000 and currently serves as a museum and information center operated by the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society.