Gilberto Luna
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Bonifacia Luján
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Gilberto Luna married Bonifacia Luján
December 21, 1921
in Brewster County Texas
December 21, 1921
in Brewster County Texas
click on images to enlarge them
They had nine children:
Manuela Luna BORN: 10 November 1918 Santa Elena, Texas; DIED 13 April 2000, Odessa, Texas
a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine, a restaurant cook for 20 years.
a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine, a restaurant cook for 20 years.
Angelita Luna
Felicita Luna BORN: May 18th, 1934 in Terlingua, Texas; DIED September 12, 2020.
Demencio "Mencho" BORN: Luna Jacal; DIED: Nov. 5, 2020 in Midland
Jose Luna
Miguel Luján Luna born 8 May 1924 in Terlingua died 15 Feb 2002 at age 77 in Odessa, Texas
Marcos Luna
Mauricio Luna
Margarito Luna
Special Report to Familias de Terlingua
Thomas Alex presents the Gilberto Luna condensed story
Thomas Alex presents the Gilberto Luna condensed story
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Gilberto Luna, the Person
By Thomas C. Alex, Terlingua, Texas
Revised, 14 November 2020
By Thomas C. Alex, Terlingua, Texas
Revised, 14 November 2020
Gilberto Luna is one of the most colorful characters whose true age and lifestyle bear only modest resemblance to his popular history. The Luna Jacal, located along the Old Maverick Road in Big Bend National Park, is the primary physical remnant of testimony to this remarkable legendary person. Gilberto’s humble little home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently maintained by the National Park Service.
The 1972 National Register listing fancifully states:
“Gilberto Luna was a pioneer Mexican farmer in the Big Bend country who settled in the Alamo Creek drainage, living there all his long life and raising a very large family. He died in 1947 at the age of 109. In the early years, Alamo Wash was on the Comanche War Trail through the park, and Luna somehow established peaceful relations with these savage warriors and also with the Apaches resident in the vicinity. That he survived the incursion of these raiding Indians is a tribute to his diplomacy. That he succeeded for nearly a century in farming the dry Alamo Creek drainage using the technique of flood-plain farming is only slightly less amazing.”
The 1972 National Register listing fancifully states:
“Gilberto Luna was a pioneer Mexican farmer in the Big Bend country who settled in the Alamo Creek drainage, living there all his long life and raising a very large family. He died in 1947 at the age of 109. In the early years, Alamo Wash was on the Comanche War Trail through the park, and Luna somehow established peaceful relations with these savage warriors and also with the Apaches resident in the vicinity. That he survived the incursion of these raiding Indians is a tribute to his diplomacy. That he succeeded for nearly a century in farming the dry Alamo Creek drainage using the technique of flood-plain farming is only slightly less amazing.”
Gilberto Luna about 1947
Colorful accounts embellish his legend with at least five wives, numerous children (the number being highly variable and changing with the intensity of the telling). Some accounts say he lived his entire life on Alamo Creek and that he died in his humble jacal.
Gilberto Luna is listed in the 1930 Brewster County census as being 50 years of age at that time. The census also indicates he immigrated to the US around 1910. Research by Robert E. Wirt, using various governmental records, church marriage, baptism, and death records has revealed the following.
Gilberto was born in 1869 in Peñon Blanco, Durango, Mexico, according to his marriage record. This date tracks well with the age he reported in the 1930 census. He married Bonifacia Luján in 1915 (civil) and 21 Dec 1921 (church) in Terlingua de Abajo. The oldest child, Mauricio, was born October 12, 1915 in Lajitas, and son number 2, Margarito, was born October 25, 1917 in Terlingua. The list of Gilberto and Bonifacia’s children then includes Manuela (10 Nov. 1918), Domencio (ca. 1923), José (ca. 1923), Miguel Luján Luna (8 May 1924), Angelita (1 Oct. 1926), Marcos (ca. 1928), Concepción (8 Dec. 1930), and Felicita (18 May 1934).
These records can account for 10 children and attest to Luna’s arrival at the site along Alamo Creek about 1916 (well after the Comanche and Apache activity in the area). A previous interpretive sign once standing at the home site proclaimed that Luna died in 1949 at the age of 109. However, his death certificate shows he died in Alpine on November 15, 1948 and a contributing cause listed was senility. But the person providing personal information could only attest to his birth at an unknown place in Mexico and could not provide his parents names or their country of origin. The age given of 110 years probably derived from whatever legend was extant at the time of his death. Now, if that is correct, or even close, he would have been in his mid 90's when the youngest child was conceived. Thus, if Gilberto was born in 1869 and passed away in 1948, he was 79 years of age at his death. Truly, he was a remarkable man, but hard facts have a nasty habit of shattering popular stories.
Gilberto did raise a lot of goats, which he sold to the neighbors and to the miners. He also raised some crops, but probably mostly to feed his family and the goats. According to the 1940 International Boundary Commission Irrigated Land Census, the most land that he cultivated was 9 acres and it was used mostly for corn and livestock feed. He also sold wood, which he cut in the Chisos. In 1917-1918 he sold over $320 worth of timber, poles and fuel wood to the Study Butte Mining Co., and in 1926-1927 he sold fence posts to Wayne Cartledge in Castolón for about $150. Gilberto also cooked sotol, a local American Indian staple, and sold it to families at the Chisos Mine. Local folklore holds that Luna was at least part Yaqui.
The Luna Jacal site is historically associated with temporal farming that takes advantage of seasonal monsoon runoff to water the fields. Water is channeled from adjacent slopes or nearby arroyos and diverted via a system of earthen control berms onto the farm plots. Such farming is associated with subsistence rather than intensive agriculture. Again, the method derives from the American Indian tradition of the desert southwest.
Gilberto Luna’s farm was one of several scattered along Alamo Creek. To the south a quarter mile distance and across the creek was the farm of Juan Espino. The 1940 Irrigated Lands Census indicates that the first year the land on both these farms was irrigated was in 1923. Espino’s greatest acreage irrigated was 10 acres in 1937. Espino’s principle crop was feed. Luna’s irrigable area was 14 acres and the acreage irrigated in 1939 was 9 acres and his principle crops were corn and feed. Both farms were irrigated by water diverted from Arroyo Alamo [sic] by a rock and brush dam that deflected flood water into a feeder ditch. Water from a feeder ditch was controlled by a series of small borders on the tract (IBWC, 1940).
The suffix to this document is that the genealogical data contained herein was derived from the extensive research by Robert E. Wirt. Bob was a dear friend who was co-authoring with me the photographic history “Around Terlingua” that was published in 2014 by Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, South Carolina. Unfortunately, Bob Passed away on January 12, 2013 and was unable to write down much of what he had in his head. Bob was a meticulous researcher. His research into people of the Big Bend was based upon the abilities and skills he used during his background as a “data miner” for the National Security Agency. I trust Bob’s research without question.
References
1940
International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, United State Section, Irrigated Area Census- 1940. Document on file at Big Bend National Park, Texas.
1972
National Register of Historic Places, National Register Evaluation and Listing Form. Document on file at Big Bend National Park.
N.D.
Research by Robert E. Wirt, extensive files and digital data donated to Thomas C. Alex by his wife Scarlett Wirt after the passing of her beloved husband.
Gilberto Luna is listed in the 1930 Brewster County census as being 50 years of age at that time. The census also indicates he immigrated to the US around 1910. Research by Robert E. Wirt, using various governmental records, church marriage, baptism, and death records has revealed the following.
Gilberto was born in 1869 in Peñon Blanco, Durango, Mexico, according to his marriage record. This date tracks well with the age he reported in the 1930 census. He married Bonifacia Luján in 1915 (civil) and 21 Dec 1921 (church) in Terlingua de Abajo. The oldest child, Mauricio, was born October 12, 1915 in Lajitas, and son number 2, Margarito, was born October 25, 1917 in Terlingua. The list of Gilberto and Bonifacia’s children then includes Manuela (10 Nov. 1918), Domencio (ca. 1923), José (ca. 1923), Miguel Luján Luna (8 May 1924), Angelita (1 Oct. 1926), Marcos (ca. 1928), Concepción (8 Dec. 1930), and Felicita (18 May 1934).
These records can account for 10 children and attest to Luna’s arrival at the site along Alamo Creek about 1916 (well after the Comanche and Apache activity in the area). A previous interpretive sign once standing at the home site proclaimed that Luna died in 1949 at the age of 109. However, his death certificate shows he died in Alpine on November 15, 1948 and a contributing cause listed was senility. But the person providing personal information could only attest to his birth at an unknown place in Mexico and could not provide his parents names or their country of origin. The age given of 110 years probably derived from whatever legend was extant at the time of his death. Now, if that is correct, or even close, he would have been in his mid 90's when the youngest child was conceived. Thus, if Gilberto was born in 1869 and passed away in 1948, he was 79 years of age at his death. Truly, he was a remarkable man, but hard facts have a nasty habit of shattering popular stories.
Gilberto did raise a lot of goats, which he sold to the neighbors and to the miners. He also raised some crops, but probably mostly to feed his family and the goats. According to the 1940 International Boundary Commission Irrigated Land Census, the most land that he cultivated was 9 acres and it was used mostly for corn and livestock feed. He also sold wood, which he cut in the Chisos. In 1917-1918 he sold over $320 worth of timber, poles and fuel wood to the Study Butte Mining Co., and in 1926-1927 he sold fence posts to Wayne Cartledge in Castolón for about $150. Gilberto also cooked sotol, a local American Indian staple, and sold it to families at the Chisos Mine. Local folklore holds that Luna was at least part Yaqui.
The Luna Jacal site is historically associated with temporal farming that takes advantage of seasonal monsoon runoff to water the fields. Water is channeled from adjacent slopes or nearby arroyos and diverted via a system of earthen control berms onto the farm plots. Such farming is associated with subsistence rather than intensive agriculture. Again, the method derives from the American Indian tradition of the desert southwest.
Gilberto Luna’s farm was one of several scattered along Alamo Creek. To the south a quarter mile distance and across the creek was the farm of Juan Espino. The 1940 Irrigated Lands Census indicates that the first year the land on both these farms was irrigated was in 1923. Espino’s greatest acreage irrigated was 10 acres in 1937. Espino’s principle crop was feed. Luna’s irrigable area was 14 acres and the acreage irrigated in 1939 was 9 acres and his principle crops were corn and feed. Both farms were irrigated by water diverted from Arroyo Alamo [sic] by a rock and brush dam that deflected flood water into a feeder ditch. Water from a feeder ditch was controlled by a series of small borders on the tract (IBWC, 1940).
The suffix to this document is that the genealogical data contained herein was derived from the extensive research by Robert E. Wirt. Bob was a dear friend who was co-authoring with me the photographic history “Around Terlingua” that was published in 2014 by Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, South Carolina. Unfortunately, Bob Passed away on January 12, 2013 and was unable to write down much of what he had in his head. Bob was a meticulous researcher. His research into people of the Big Bend was based upon the abilities and skills he used during his background as a “data miner” for the National Security Agency. I trust Bob’s research without question.
References
1940
International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, United State Section, Irrigated Area Census- 1940. Document on file at Big Bend National Park, Texas.
1972
National Register of Historic Places, National Register Evaluation and Listing Form. Document on file at Big Bend National Park.
N.D.
Research by Robert E. Wirt, extensive files and digital data donated to Thomas C. Alex by his wife Scarlett Wirt after the passing of her beloved husband.
Felicita Luna Obituary
Felicita Luna Valenzuela was born May 18th, 1934 in Terlingua, Texas. She passed away September 12, 2020. She grew up in Terlingua with her parents, Gilberto and Bonifacia Luna, at the Luna Jacal, which is a historical landmark in Big Bend National Park.
She went on to be the proud mother of eight children: Ramona Valenzuela and husband Oscar, Juanita Lara and husband Chris, Maria Luna, Luis Luna and wife Alma, Mauricio Luna and wife Jessica, Pete Luna and wife Maria, Gilbert Luna, and Rudy Luna.
Her family went on to include 33 grandchildren and 75 great-grandchildren, along with their husbands and wives.
Her happy outlook on life was a love of music and her ever present smile. She will be missed and
remembered by us all.
Felicita Luna Valenzuela was born May 18th, 1934 in Terlingua, Texas. She passed away September 12, 2020. She grew up in Terlingua with her parents, Gilberto and Bonifacia Luna, at the Luna Jacal, which is a historical landmark in Big Bend National Park.
She went on to be the proud mother of eight children: Ramona Valenzuela and husband Oscar, Juanita Lara and husband Chris, Maria Luna, Luis Luna and wife Alma, Mauricio Luna and wife Jessica, Pete Luna and wife Maria, Gilbert Luna, and Rudy Luna.
Her family went on to include 33 grandchildren and 75 great-grandchildren, along with their husbands and wives.
Her happy outlook on life was a love of music and her ever present smile. She will be missed and
remembered by us all.
Demencio Luna, Sr. Obituary
Demencio Luna, Sr., was born in what is now the Big Bend National Park at the family home which is maintained by the park and is known as Luna Jacal.
His parents were Bonifacia and Gilberto Luna.
He passed away on Nov. 5, 2020, in Midland, Texas.
He had five brothers and three sisters.
He was preceded in death by his five brothers
Jose,
Miguel,
Marcos,
Mauricio, and
Margarito,
and his three sisters
Manuela,
Angelita, and
Felicita.
When our father was a young man, he helped his father take care of the livestock and the garden. He worked hard tending the crops and caring for the animals. When he was old enough, he joined the U.S. Army.
When he came back from the service, he went to work in the mines at Big Bend National Park. He worked there for many years until he moved to Alpine, Texas, where he met his wife, Felipa Carrillo. They were married for more than 50 years. She passed away in 1998 at the age of 85. He worked for the City of Alpine for about 30 years. He loved his music. His favorite singers were Pedro Infante and Antonio Aguilar. He also loved to play the guitar.
Mr. Luna was a good man, and a very religious person.
Mr. Luna leaves behind four daughters, Juanita L. Alvarado, Agripina L. Bigler, Josefina L. Martinez, Carolina L. Merluzzi; a son, Demencio Luna, Jr.; 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, seven great, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
"Our dad was a good man, a good provider. He will dearly be missed.”
Rosary service will be held on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial
at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine. Graveside service will be at the Holy Angels cemetery in Alpine.
Fr. Pablo Matta will be the celebrant.
Alpine Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with his services.
Online condolences may be made at alpinememorialfuneralhome.com.
Demencio Luna, Sr., was born in what is now the Big Bend National Park at the family home which is maintained by the park and is known as Luna Jacal.
His parents were Bonifacia and Gilberto Luna.
He passed away on Nov. 5, 2020, in Midland, Texas.
He had five brothers and three sisters.
He was preceded in death by his five brothers
Jose,
Miguel,
Marcos,
Mauricio, and
Margarito,
and his three sisters
Manuela,
Angelita, and
Felicita.
When our father was a young man, he helped his father take care of the livestock and the garden. He worked hard tending the crops and caring for the animals. When he was old enough, he joined the U.S. Army.
When he came back from the service, he went to work in the mines at Big Bend National Park. He worked there for many years until he moved to Alpine, Texas, where he met his wife, Felipa Carrillo. They were married for more than 50 years. She passed away in 1998 at the age of 85. He worked for the City of Alpine for about 30 years. He loved his music. His favorite singers were Pedro Infante and Antonio Aguilar. He also loved to play the guitar.
Mr. Luna was a good man, and a very religious person.
Mr. Luna leaves behind four daughters, Juanita L. Alvarado, Agripina L. Bigler, Josefina L. Martinez, Carolina L. Merluzzi; a son, Demencio Luna, Jr.; 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, seven great, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
"Our dad was a good man, a good provider. He will dearly be missed.”
Rosary service will be held on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial
at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine. Graveside service will be at the Holy Angels cemetery in Alpine.
Fr. Pablo Matta will be the celebrant.
Alpine Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with his services.
Online condolences may be made at alpinememorialfuneralhome.com.
This page was created on November 13, 2020.
