Community Hospital of Brazosport (No Longer Standing)
It was on April 16, 1971, that Selena Quintanilla was born at the Community Hospital of Brazosport in Freeport, Texas. The Community Hospital served the region for years as the primary birthplace for local families. In a 2022 interview, Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, shared a surprising detail about her birth. The doctor who delivered her was Lake Jackson obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Ron Paul. His office was located at 104 Circle Way in Lake Jackson, and like the Community Hospital, Paul served this region for many years as one of the primary physicians delivering babies. Though Paul later became a well-known U.S. Congressman and ran for president three times, at the time he was simply the local doctor who helped bring a future music icon into the world.Selena’s journey started right here in Lake Jackson, and from these humble beginnings, she would go on to capture hearts around the world.
Childhood Home on Caladium Street (Private home)
Selena spent much of her early childhood in her home on Caladium Street in Lake Jackson, where her father, Abraham Quintanilla, first recognized her musical talent. The Quintanilla family lived there before moving to Corpus Christi in 1981 to further Selena's career. The residence is now owned by a private family, who does not wish to participate in tours. However, nearby parks that Selena and her family likely frequented during her time there include Jasmine Park. Jasmine Park features a playground, tennis courts, and a small event facility called Jasmine Hall, all within walking distance of Selena’s home.
O.M. Roberts Elementary
Selena attended O.M. Roberts Elementary School, a local school named after Oran Milo Roberts, a former Texas governor and judge. In a 2010 Texas Monthly article titled “Dreaming of Her,” her third-grade teacher Annie Perez recalled, “Selena was the only Hispanic kid in my class, and I was the only Hispanic teacher at the time. She was a very outgoing, friendly little girl.” In this photo Selena is fourth from the left in the front row. This photo was taken on April 11, 1980, just five days shy of her ninth birthday.O.M. Roberts Elementary was originally built in 1960, but a new school was constructed and opened in 2020.
Papagayo’s
Address: Formerly located at 121 Circle Way St., Lake Jackson, TX 77566Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, instilled a love of music in all of his children, teaching A.B. to play bass and Suzette to play drums, while Selena became the lead singer. By age eight, she was performing with their family’s band, Selena y Los Dinos. Abraham opened Papagayo’s, a Mexican restaurant where Selena y Los Dinos first performed sometime in 1979. Although the restaurant closed in 1982, it remains a crucial part of Selena’s early musical history. The building itself has been occupied by several different businesses over time and undergone several changes in appearance, but most recently has been replaced by a dental practice.
Lake Jackson Historical Museum - Selena Exhibit
Address: 249 Circle Way, Lake Jackson, TX 77566Selena Forever: Her Music, Her LegacyThe Lake Jackson Historical Museum has an exhibit dedicated to Selena, featuring information and memorabilia from her early years in Lake Jackson. Visitors can view items related to her childhood and her music career.Also on display is the Guinness World Record award for the largest collection of Selena Memorabilia received by Andrew Longoria in 2024.
