Rodolfo and Dora Mirabal Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: Coll-16

Staff Only

The collection includes exhibit notes, publications, correspondence, reprints of photographs, original photographs, negatives, printed catalogues and other printed items. These items comprise records related to the family and their impact on the community, along with records pertaining to the Mirabal Printing Company.

Dates

1920 - 2011
Majority of material found in 1940s-1970s

Creator

Mirabal, Dora C., 1914-1979 (Person)

Language of Materials

English; Spanish

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to taking precautions against infringement of copyright and respecting the publication rights of reproduced materials. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Any materials used should be fully credited with their source according to the example given in the Preferred Citation note. Requests for assistance with citations and images of publication quality should be directed to specialcollections@tamucc.edu

Extent

.42 Linear Feet (1 document box and 1 oversize folder)

Abstract

The Rodolfo and Dora Mirabal Papers consists of La Calavera publications, photographs, and correspondence from their printing company in Corpus Christi. The collection spans the first half of the 20th century.

Biographical / Historical

Dora Cervera Mirabal (1914-1979) was born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila and moved as an infant with her family to Corpus Christi where she lived the rest of her life. She married Rodolfo Mirabal, Sr. (1910-1968) in 1932. They founded the Mirabal Printing Company, which was operated by the entire family and located at 715 Sam Rankin Street before moving to1700 Kennedy Avenue in 1940. At the Mirabal Printing Company, they published El Progreso, Corpus Christi Hispanic community’s leading newspaper, among other works such as La Calavera which was distributed on Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Dora was a writer and a poet, and she wrote most of the articles for El Progreso. She also authored and produced La Calavera. Dora and Rodolfo were involved in the community and actively worked to foster the advancement of Corpus Christi’s Hispanic population. Dora and Rodolfo Mirabal had three children, Rodolfo, Jr. (b. 1938), Roberto (b. 1940), and Rosita Gloria (1940-2019, Rosie Mirabal Garza). Rosie Mirabal Garza’s resume is included in the collection.

Arrangement

The collection is made up of files in three series: Series I: Biological Information & Photographs Series II: Publications Series III: Newspapers

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Rosie Mirabal Garza transferred title of materials to Dr. Thomas H. Kreneck, Director of Special Collections and Archives at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 1996, and continued to donate material through 2011.