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LAREDO,
TEXAS
Webb 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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Your Hotel Here & Save
Laredo
Hotels
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| Downtown
Laredo. Photos by John Troesser |
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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
Photo by John Troesser |
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
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The
Federal Building in Laredo
Photo by John Troesser |
Laredo Attractions
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. 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.
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 956-727-3480
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 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
Hotels
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An early
gas station near downtown
Photo by John Troesser
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Laredo
Tourist and Local Information
Laredo
Convention and Visitors Bureau - 800-361-3360
The
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.
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