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Brownsville
Landmarks & History
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The
second most historical city in Texas
Said by some to be the second most historical city in Texas, we called
the company in whose brochure we read this "factoid". We asked which
city they considered to be first, and were told we'd have to ask the
owner, but he was out of town. We asked the person we had if they
would like to guess. Hesitantly, they replied: "The Alamo?" Well,
we sometimes forget the question too, and since the answer wasn't
in the form of a question, we had to disqualify our contestant. Second
is not a bad place to be, especially if it takes a war, natural disaster,
or horrible architecture to make you first.
Located off Highway 77 before you get to the border, this is an essential
stop. Exit F.M. 809.
Pick up a map and information. Maps of The Brownsville Heritage
Trail are available here, as well as Matamoros Information and
other local points of interest.
Two of the pamphlets to be sure to get are
The Cameron County Historical Marker Trail Guide and
the Hidalgo County Historical Marker Travel Guide. Ours were
picked up this month but both bear the date 1998. That's the good
thing about history, unless something is unearthed (or exhumed) not
much changes. |
History in a Pecan Shell
Build a fort, start a war.
Fort Brown
Brownsville was named for a Lt. Brown who was killed when the Fort
bearing his name was under construction and attack in 1846. Zachary
Taylor's building of this fort in disputed territory started the Mexican
War. It's possible, but unlikely that they announced the fort would
be named after the first soldier killed. How's that for an incentive
program?
Many of the original buildings still exist, since the Fort was only
deactivated in 1945. These buildings can be seen on what is now the
campus of University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost Jr.
College.
The Campus includes a nice view of a resaca - which is the local name
for ox-bow lakes caused by the meandering Rio Grande.
Brownsville Chamber of Commerce
Follow the signs for parking and you'll also see the Brownsville
Chamber of Commerce. This is a good place to start your tour.
Old City Cemetery
Elizabeth St. runs the length of downtown, ending at the Old City
Cemetery. For birders, both ends (Ft. Brown and the Cemetery) abound
with flocks of green parrots,
early morning and dusk. Don't Email us if you don't see thousands
of parrots, we mean you are likely to see groups of 4 - 12. It's still
more than you have at home. |
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Green
Parrot
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, February 2007 |
Flock
of parrots in flight
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, February 2007 |
Historic
Brownsville Museum
Do not miss the Historic Brownsville Museum at 641 E. Madison.
One of four Southern Pacific Stations built in the Valley
in the late 1920's, the Spanish Colonial Revival Buildings all feature
a stained-glass image of the Southern Pacific Logo.
Stillman
House Museum
Another must see is the Stillman House Museum at 1305 E. Washington.
Brownsville
Hotels
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
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A note not
in your guidebook:
During the Mexican War, a group of recently arrived immigrants
from Ireland who enlisted in the Army as their own Company, deserted
their posts and crossed the river at Brownsville, joining the Mexican
Forces. Those who were captured were hanged en masse at the exact
moment the American Flag was raised at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico
City.
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The Civil
War
Brownsville and the Mexican Port of Bagdad played a very important
role in the Civil War. Cotton was shipped from these ports to English
ships offshore, waiting to exchange much needed supplies for the
cotton. As you will learn, the final battle of the Civil War was
fought (won by the Confederacy) 12 miles east at Palmito Hill
a month after the final whistle blew.
Lots of fortunes
were made, and Brownsville attracted European immigrants when
things settled down. This fact is attested to by the names in the
Brownsville Cemetery. The river currents are not strong enough
to conquer love, and marriages between the two countries produced
populations that were (by some estimates) 80% mixed. The Peso was
coin of the realm until the railroad arrived in 1910.
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Native
Sons
Kris
Kristofferson by Dorothy Hamm
"We
would come to learn that his life was far more interesting than
any song he could ever write. Perhaps that's why he had to write
them. His story is well known, born in Brownsville, Texas..."
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Post
Office
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, February 2007 |
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Majestic
Theatre
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, February 2007 |
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Brownsville
Tourist Information
Brownsville
Visitor Information Center :
956-546-3721, 1-800-626-2639.
Brownsville
Convention & Visitors Bureau
http://www.brownsville.org/en/
Brownsville
Chamber of Commerce
http://www.brownsvillechamber.com/
Brownsville
Hotels
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
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Brownsville
Texas Forum
Subject:
South Texas
You should
visit the Site of The Battle of Palo Alto. Where U. S. troops
won the battle by using the soil and vegetation of this area as
an aid. The marsh like condition of the soil and the sharp pointed
grass was a natural enemy of advancing troops. Superior technology
of the artillery firepower played a big part of the outcome of the
Battle of Palo Alto. Being able to make artillery shells explode
in mid air was a a big advancement for the time. Check with the
National Park Service they have a detailed description in both the
English and the Spanish point of view. - Gary Gregory, May 26,
2000
There are many
stories in The RGV from King Ranch to San Juan Mission battle of
Palmento Hill many battles of civil war era, last battle of civil
war fought here 3 mos after the war was over. Many historic resources
like an abandoned railroad built by Zachery Taylot and his troops.
Now lies in ruin marking a bygone era in our history. This land
now belongs to the Laguna Atcosta wildlife area US Fish and wildlife
Service. Rio Hondo even had a semi-pro Baseball team in the early
1920's. Or the Baila Family descendants of the Padre that Padre
Island's namesake. How the fast talking gringos stole the land from
their uneducated family members who could not speak English. Or
even more recent Senator Benson and his Family History. The National
Parks Service In Brownsville has many stories and historic articles
about the war of 1812. To name just a few that comes to mind. -
Gary Gregory, May 13, 2000
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