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LAREDO, TEXAS
Webb
County Seat, South
Texas
27° 31' 28" N, 99° 29' 26.14" W (27.524445, -99.490593)
I-35
Hwys 59, 83, and 359
On the Rio Grande
134 miles NW of McAllen
150 miles SW of San
Antonio
ZIP Codes 78040–78046, 78049
Area code 956
Population: 263,640 (2020)
236,091 (2010) 176,576 (2000) 122,899 (1990)
Book Hotel Heree › Laredo
Hotels |
Laredo, Texas
1892 Perspective Map
The Gateway to and From Mexico, 1892
Click on image to enlarge
Wikicommons |
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.
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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. Admission
Laredo 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. Admission
Nuevo 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 Plaza
San 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
Hotels - Book Hotel Here
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"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 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.
It was built between 1883 and 1884. A large tower used to stand over
the front entrance." - Terry
Jeanson, January 2013
"The building is now used for the Webb County Heritage Foundation
as well as the Laredo Center for the Art (through the back entrance
on San Agustin Ave.) The Visitors' Bureau is across the street."
Julia Orduna, December 1, 2016 |
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 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 |
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Downtown
Laredo.
TE photos |
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Roberto Garcia Junior's 1990 statue of George Washington
TE Photo
More Texas
Statues |
Laredo Tourist
and Local Information
Laredo Convention
and Visitors Bureau - 800-361-3360
The Laredo
Chamber of Commerce:
2310 San Bernard,o 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 Here
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1940s Webb
County Texas map showing Laredo
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
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