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LAREDO,
TEXASWebb
County Seat, South
Texas
!-35
Hwys 59, 83, and 359
On the Rio Grande
134 miles NW of McAllen
150 miles SW of San Antonio
Population: 176,576 (2000) 122,899 (1990) Book
Your Hotel Here & Save: Laredo
Hotels |
| | | | Downtown
Laredo. TE photos |
| History
in a Pecan shell
Laredo's history is worthy of greater detail
- but space demands a shortened version.
Laredo
was established in 1755 as part of the province of Nuevo Santander.
It was only one of many towns and missions built in a grand attempt at keeping
the French out of the region.
The early settlers found that there was
an insuffcient amount of rainfall for anything other than river bottom farming.
Land was too high above the river for irrigation.
Until Laredo was accorded
the status of villa in 1767, fifteen leagues of land granted to the community
were held in common. Colonists, understandably, were reluctant to make improvements
on land not theirs. |
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Roberto Garcia Junior's 1990 statue of George Washington
TE Photo |
In
1767 a commission oversaw the partitioning of public lands in Nuevo Santander.
This commission supervised the laying out of San Agustín Plaza and the common
areas of the town. The first election for local officials was held in 1768.
The population was 85 in 1757, and 708 in 1789.
As ranches in the
region became prosperous, however, raids by Indians became a serious concern.
During the Texas Revolution Laredo was what is now called a logistical
support center for Santa Anna's invading army. Even after the war, residents of
Laredo still considered themselves citizens of Mexico (forgotten and neglected
citizens, but citizens nonetheless). The Texans didn't concern themselves with
the area at all.
In late 1838 the ranch owners of the region revolted,
and in January 1840 the Republic of the Rio Grande was proclaimed with
Laredo as capital. The proclamation got Mexico City's attention and forces were
sent to reclaim it.
Laredo remained somewhat independent until the Mexican
War. In 1846 Texas Ranger Robert Gillespie raised the U. S. flag over
the city, and an American garrison later occupied the town.
In 1848
Laredo became county seat for Webb County. A number of families chose to
move across the river to what became Nuevo Laredo. |
Laredo's
modern era began in 1881 when two railroads entered Laredo. The Texas Mexican
Railroad connected the town to Corpus
Christi, and the International and Great Northern Railroad went to
San Antonio.
A few
years later the Mexican National Railway linked Nuevo Laredo with Mexico
City (1887) creating an important rail link with the Mexican capital.
The railroads brought in Anglo settlers in large numbers. Intermarriage, which
had been a common practice, declined and separatism became the order of the day.
In 1882 streets were improved and a city hall and courthouse were constructed.
The population of Laredo increased from 3,500 in 1880 to 13,500 in 1900.
During World War
II Laredo Army Air Field was a training facility for fighter pilots.
After the war it was deactivated and became the city's airport in 1950. The base
was reactivated in 52 during the Korean War as Laredo A.F.B. and
was permanently closed in 1973.
Laredo
Hotels - Book Your Hotel Here & Save |
| | The
Federal Building in Laredo
TE Photo |
Laredo,
Texas Attractions
& Landmarks Webb
County Courthouse
Fort McIntosh
- "Established by Army in 1848 immediately following Mexican War, fort was
in continuous use until May, 1946. It was originally among series of border forts
guarding against attacks and was base for border patrol. Laredo Community College
now on grounds. ... The original earthen fort is now part of the Paso Del Indio
Nature Trail. West End of Washington St. on banks of Rio Grande." - From
TXDoT State Travel Guide
Lake
Casa Blanca - Off US Highway 59
Five miles northeast of Laredo
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/lakes/casablan/lake_id.htm
Lake Casa
Blanca International State Park
5102 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo TX 78044
956/725-3826
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lakecasa/Lamar
Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center -
On Laredo Community College
Campus.
West End Washington St.
Information - 956-764-5701. AdmissionLaredo
Center for the Arts
- 500 San Agustin.
956-725-1715
Laredo Children's Museum
-
On Laredo Community College Campus.
West End Washington St.
956-725-2299.
AdmissionNuevo
Laredo, Mexico - Across the border.
Within walking distance from downtown
Laredo. El Mercado marketplace is just two blocks from international bridge.
Nuevo
Laredo Hotels - Book your hotel here.The
Nuevo Santander Museum
at Laredo State University Republic
of the Rio Grande Building/Museum
-
1000 Zaragosa St. South of San Agustin Plaza
Webb County Heritage Foundation
Trolley Tours - call 956-727-3480San
Augustin Cathedral
- On San Agustin Plaza. Washington's
Birthday Celebration Museum -
1000 Zaragosa St.
Memorabilia of Laredo's
Washington's Birthday Celebration, an over century old tradition.La
Posada Hotel
(by Mike Cox, "Texas Tales" Column)
"...La Posada is also one
of the few hotels anywhere in the nation with two built-in museums. One, dedicated
to the annual February birthday bash for the father of our country, has a collection
of the ornate 100-pound gowns worn by various "Martha Washingtons" as well as
the long coats and knee pants worn by generations of "George Washingtons."
The other museum, located in an 1830s-vintage structure that once served
as the capital of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande, features exhibits
and artifacts related to the 250-plus-year history of Laredo."
Laredo Tourist and Local Information Laredo
Convention and Visitors Bureau - 800-361-3360The
Laredo Chamber of Commerce:
2310 San Bernardo Laredo, Texas 78402
Mailing
address: P.O. Box 790 Laredo, Texas 78402
(956) 722-9895 or 1-800-292-2122
Website: http://www.laredochamber.com/
The
City of Laredo
website: http://www.thecityoflaredo.com/
Texas Travel Information Center - Operated by TXDoT
Information,
maps, literature on Texas.
On I-35 North of Laredo, Off mile marker 18.
Laredo
Hotels - Book Your Hotel Here & Save |
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An early gas station near downtown
TE Photo | |
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