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 Quinta Mazatlan - McAllen, Texas Posted by:  JimmyEv
N 26° 10.612 W 098° 13.865
14R E 576837 N 2895498
Centered around a 1937 estate built on the highest hill in McAllen is the World Birding Center’s Quinta Mazatlan. Lush gardens, landscaped specifically to attract birds, surround a beautiful Spanish Revival home.
Waymark Code: WM3NCV
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 04/24/2008
Views: 153
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Quinta Mazatlan was the estate of Jason Chilton Matthews, an eccentric World War I adventurer and virulent anti-Communist - he published the anti-communist American Mercury Magazine from 1924 until his death in 1964 - who decided to build his home at what he deemed to be the ‘Crossroads of the Western Hemisphere.’ He designed and built the Spanish Revival home himself - even casting his own adobe brick. Evidence of Matthews’ paranoia can be found in the construction of the home. He used aluminum sulfate paint, both on the inside and out, to prevent radar waves from penetrating the 12"-thick adobe walls. Hurricane Buelah wrought massive destruction on the house in 1967, it was sold at auction for $24,000, and the new owners painstakingly restored it. The City of McAllen purchased the 15-acre estate in 1998, making it part of the World Birding Center.
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Although you can directly enter the gardens, you’re supposed to go through the main house first. Inside are the center’s gift shop, offices and exhibits. There is lots of information on the establishment of this park, and the interior is simply gorgeous with hand-hewn beams, a shell fireplace, intricate tile work, a traditional courtyard, and richly carved wooden doors.
Outside, a half-mile trail circles the house. The dense landscaping gives the feel of being in a tropical paradise. The trail loops around the house, both to the left and to the right of the driveway. The grounds contain the Valley’s usual mixture of thick brush - but particularly thick here, including cacti, acacia trees, and mesquite. The trails are well manicured, with many benches provided for spying the avian life. Flowing water is used in several spots to attract birds and butterflies. One of the unusual features is a stone-lined canal, similar to those at Spanish missions, running through the property. Although the walk could take just 10 minutes, you could easily spend at least an hour here, more like two.
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The "Official Tourism" URL link to the attraction: [Web Link]
The attraction’s own URL: [Web Link]
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday-Wednesday, 8am-5pm
Thursday, 8am-dark
Friday-Saturday, 8am-5pm
Admission Prices:
$2 Adults
$1 Children
Approximate amount of time needed to fully experience the attraction: Up to 1 hour
Transportation options to the attraction: Personal Vehicle Only
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