Spanish-born Manuel Alonso (1846-1922) constructed the one-story residence on this site in 1877 and added the two-story mercantile building by 1890. His "Los Dos Canones" mercantile was a popular gathering place for local residents. French and Spanish influences are evident in the cast iron porch elements (probably from New Orleans), French windows and corbelled brickwork. The complex was again used as a fine goods mercantile from 1925-1944. The Alonso family retained ownership of the complex until 1944. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1998