A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY

Plaza Florita.

A gazebo, a gathering place, and the legacy of a woman who championed Cotulla’s Mexican American families.

The woman behind the name.

Florence Chiles Maltsberger, Cotulla’s postmaster, became an advocate for Mexican American children and families. Known as “La Florita,” she pressed local officials for educational opportunities and worked with young teacher Lyndon B. Johnson to improve conditions at Welhausen School. The plaza carries her name.

Her story also connects town life with ranch country. A family account published by Texas Co-op Power describes Florence and John Terry Maltsberger’s ranching life in La Salle County, followed by their move into a Cotulla home during the 1920s. Her advocacy extended well beyond her own household.

A gathering place with purpose.

Beside Welhausen School, the plaza provided space for Mexican American community life during an era of segregation. Texas Dance Hall Preservation documents dances and celebrations, along with a surplus building that served as a community center. These gatherings made the plaza a place for shared traditions and everyday connection.

Read the details in the gazebo.

The supplied photograph shows a stone base, white columns, a shingled roof, and a sign bearing the name Florita Plaza and the year 1937. The Texas Historical Commission highlights local craftsmanship and New Deal-era character in the plaza’s historic fabric. The date on the sign should not be treated as the beginning of every part of the site.

One place, several layers of history.

The Texas Historical Commission’s Summer 2023 Medallion describes a 1916 plaza, while other accounts emphasize its development during the 1920s and 1930s. These sources describe different stages and do not establish one uncontested founding date. Welhausen School and Florita Plaza received National Register recognition in 2021, preserving their significance as a connected historic place.

Welhausen and a future president.

Johnson taught and served as principal at Welhausen during 1928–1929. His students’ experiences with poverty and unequal opportunity stayed with him. A visit to the plaza offers a broader perspective: the school stood within a community with its own advocates, celebrations, and ambitions.

Read the Welhausen and Lyndon Johnson story →

Preserving a community landmark.

Local reporting in October 2022 described plans to recover the plaza’s historic character and improve the surrounding area. Texas Dance Hall Preservation reported in July 2023 that the city had restored the park. Contact the city for current facilities and access.

Plan a thoughtful stop.

Look for Plaza Florita beside historic Welhausen School on East Lane Street. The National Register nomination identifies the school-and-plaza property at 204 East Lane Street; the state’s restroom-and-parking project record lists 602 Buckley Street. Use the place-name map link to orient your visit. For current facilities, event arrangements, or step-free access, contact the City of Cotulla at (830) 879-2367.