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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) |
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History
in a Pecan Shell
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.
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 Hotel Here |
Laredo,
Texas Attractions &
Landmarks |
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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
Lake
Casa Blanca International State Park
5102 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo TX 78044
956/725-3826
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.The
Nuevo Santander Museum
at Laredo State University Republic
of the Rio Grande Building/Museum
-
1000 Zaragosa St. South of San Agustin PlazaSan
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 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 Hotel Here |
 |
"The
Hamilton Hotel. Built as a three story building in 1900 and expanded to a twelve
story building in 1923. It is now used as a low income apartment building for
elderly residents." -
Terry
Jeanson, January 2013 photo |
| "Old
Market House and City Hall on Flores St. between Hidalgo and Lincoln streets,
now used as a Visitor's Center. It was built between 1883 and 1884. A large tower
used to stand over the front entrance."
- Terry
Jeanson, January 2013 photo |
Detail
of the front entrance to the old Market House and City Hall.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson January 2013 |
"The
U.S. Court House, Post Office and Custom House on Matamoros St., built in 1907."
Terry
Jeanson, January 2013 photo |
Kress
building at Covent Ave. & Hidalgo St.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson January 2013 |
Montgomery
Ward's "Spirit of Progress."
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson January 2013 |
"The
adobe building that served as the capital of the Republic of the Rio Grande (left)
and the La
Posada Hotel (right.)"
-
Terry
Jeanson, January 2013 photo |
The
marker across from the San Agustin Cathedral reads: "Original site of Villa de
Laredo founded by Thomas Sanchez May 15 1755 by order of Jose de Escandon colonizer
of Nuevo Santander."
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson January 2013
More Texas
Monuments |
| | | | Downtown
Laredo. TE photos |
|
Roberto Garcia Junior's 1990 statue of George Washington
TE Photo
More
Texas Statues |
1940s
Webb County Texas map showing Laredo
(Below
"E" in "WEBB")
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
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 Hotel Here
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
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