Legacy beyond the Wall

Founder of the Aztec Dynasty | First Ruler of Tenochtitlán

Acamapichtli was the first tlatoani (ruler) of Tenochtitlán, chosen by the Mexica people to unify rival clans and begin building a new civilization. He married into noble families, forged key alliances, and oversaw the construction of temples, canals, and political systems that became the spiritual and structural blueprint for the future Aztec Empire. Though later rulers expanded the empire’s reach, Acamapichtli laid its very first stone — uniting a people and setting their destiny in motion.

Note: Although Acamapichtli is not pictured on the mural, his legacy is honored here for laying the foundation of the Aztec Empire.

“Before the empire, he built unity.”

Conqueror of Tenochtitlán | Catalyst of Colonial Rule

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. Arriving in 1519, he formed alliances with Indigenous enemies of the Aztecs, captured Tenochtitlán, and overthrew Emperor Montezuma II. His conquest ushered in nearly 300 years of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico. Though often seen as a symbol of destruction, Cortés’s role also marked a turning point that reshaped the cultural, political, and religious landscape of the Americas.

“He came as conqueror, but left behind a new world we still carry in our blood.”

Early Spanish Settler | Helped Found Waco

Tomás de la Vega was a Spanish settler and land grantee who played a key role in the early colonization of Central Texas. In the 1830s, he was granted land near the Brazos River — an area that would later become the city of Waco. His presence in the region marked a period of transition from Indigenous territory to Spanish and Mexican land ownership. The land granted to de la Vega laid the foundation for later Anglo-American settlement and urban development. Though often overlooked, de la Vega’s legacy represents the early roots of Waco’s colonial history and its place at the crossroads of Native, Spanish, and Tejano heritage.

“From Ranchos to Roots — Waco’s First Chapter”

Outlaw Turned General | Fought for the Forgotten

Pancho Villa, born Doroteo Arango, was one of the most iconic and controversial leaders of the Mexican Revolution. A former bandit turned military strategist, Villa led the División del Norte (Division of the North), a formidable revolutionary army that fought for land reform, justice, and dignity for Mexico’s poor — especially in the north.

Villa was known for his charisma, military brilliance, and populist appeal, winning the loyalty of thousands of fighters and gaining international attention. He distributed captured land to peasants, built schools, and even printed revolutionary currency. Unlike Zapata’s southern campaign, Villa’s forces operated in the northern states, often coordinating — but at times clashing — with other revolutionary leaders.

Though once allied with Zapata, Villa had a more aggressive and militaristic approach. His defeat at the Battle of Celaya marked a turning point, and after years of guerrilla resistance, he was assassinated in 1923. Today, Villa remains a legendary figure — revered as a defender of the people, criticized for his violent methods, and remembered as a complex symbol of revolution and rebellion.

“Feared by some, loved by many — Pancho Villa rode for justice.”

Diplomat | Nobel Peace Prize Laureate | Voice for Disarmament

A proud Mexican diplomat, lawyer, and champion of peace, Alfonso García Robles was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982 for his work in nuclear disarmament. Known as the "Father of the Treaty of Tlatelolco," he helped make Latin America the first nuclear-weapon-free zone in the world.

He believed diplomacy could be a shield for humanity and that Latin America had a powerful voice in global peace. His calm strength and moral clarity shaped international policy and proved that Mexican leadership could guide the world toward justice and safety.

"La paz no es una utopía, es una decisión.” (Peace is not a utopia, it is a decision.)

Judge | Civil Rights Pioneer | Defender of Mexican-American Dignity

Carlos Cadena was a brilliant attorney and later a distinguished judge who made history as one of the first Mexican Americans to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. Alongside John J. Herrera, he helped win the Hernández v. Texas (1954) case, which ruled that Mexican Americans were entitled to equal protection under the 14th Amendment.

Also in 1954, with Maury Maverick, Jr., Cadena represented I. H. (Sporty) Harvey, an African American boxer, in a suit against the Texas commissioner of labor statistics seeking to overturn the state prohibition on fights between persons of different races. The Court of Civil Appeals in Austin ruled in Harvey's favor, ruling that the section of the penal code banning such fights denied equal protection to African American boxers under the federal Constitution.

He later became the first Mexican-American justice on a Texas appellate court, opening doors for future generations of Latino lawyers and judges.

Cadena's legacy stands tall in the courtroom and in the community—as a man who refused to let la raza be treated as second-class citizens.

"Carlos Cadena defendió la dignidad de nuestro pueblo con la fuerza de la ley.”

(Carlos Cadena defended our people’s dignity with the strength of the law.)

Voice of KRZI Radio | Cultural Cornerstone

For 32 years, Leonardo Montelongo hosted the Spanish-language program “Mi Favorito” on KRZI radio, bringing Tejano and Mexican music into the homes of Central Texas families. His broadcasts introduced new artists, celebrated traditions, and gave the community a sense of belonging through music. Beyond radio, he served at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, worked for the U.S. Postal Service, and played semi-pro baseball with the Waco Missions.

Cultural Legacy and Impact For decades, his voice carried across the airwaves, a lifeline of Tejano music for Central Texas families. Through Mi Favorito, he preserved culture, celebrated tradition, and gave local artists a place to be heard. More than a broadcaster, he was a unifier, his words knitting together a community through the power of music and memory.

“Through radio waves, he united a community.”

Founder | Mentor | Waco’s First Mariachi Ensemble

After immigrating to Waco in 1955, Gonzalo Martínez taught himself mariachi and, in 1981, founded Mariachi Azteca, the city’s first mariachi ensemble. Under his leadership, the group became a cultural cornerstone, performing at festivals, schools, and celebrations across Central Texas.

Cultural Legacy and Impact From a dreamer with a violin to the founder of Waco’s first mariachi, Gonzalo gave his city a sound of heritage. Through Mariachi Azteca, he mentored youth, performed at countless festivals, and planted mariachi deep into the heart of Central Texas. His legacy resounds in every note still played — a home for tradition built to last.

“He built a home for mariachi, and its music still echoes through Waco.”