Laredo in Webb County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Refugio Benavides
(July 6, 1821 - June 29, 1899)
Photographed By James Hulse, July 29, 2022
1. Refugio Benavides Marker
During the Civil War Benavides and his brothers were active in defenses along the Texas-Mexico border. Rising to the rank of captain, Refugio Benavides commanded a company in the 33rd Texas Cavalry. His actions in defending the border against invasions by Union troops and Mexican raiders led by Juan Cortina helped retain the valley's important role as a vital cotton-exporting site for the Confederacy.
In 1873, following reconstruction, Refugio Benavides was again elected mayor of Laredo and served three successive terms. Among the accomplishments of his political career were improved public schools, city sewage systems, and the revision of the city charter.
Married twice, Benavides was the father of six children. He died in 1899 and was buried in the old Catholic Cemetery. He was reinterred here during World War II.
Erected 1990 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4230.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites
this page online
Location. 27° 31.745′ N, 99° 28.917′ W. Marker is in Laredo, Texas, in Webb County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Saunders Street (Business U.S. 59) and McPherson Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located in the northern section of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3600 McPherson Road, Laredo TX 78040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bishop Peter Verdaguer (within shouting distance of this marker); Santos Benavides (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Calvary Catholic Cemetery (about 700 feet away); City Cemetery (about 700 feet away); San Bernardo Avenue (approx. 1˝ miles away); Raymond and Tirza Martin High School (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Texas Mexican Railway (approx. 2.1 miles away); Webb County Courthouse (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laredo.
Also see . . . Benavides, Refugio (1821–1899). Texas State Historical Association
Refugio Benavides(Submitted on August 3, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)first saw action in the battle of Carrizo (at the site of modern-day Zapata) on May 22, 1861, when he joined Santos in an attack on the forces of the Mexican revolutionary Juan Cortina. Benavides had raced sixty miles through the night down the Mexican side of the river and was able to avoid Cortina's pickets at the crossing near Carrizo and to tell Santos that reinforcements were on the way from Laredo. After the arrival of the Laredo reinforcements, the Benavides brothers led an attack on Cortina that drove the revolutionaries across the river into Mexico.Photographed By James Hulse, July 29, 20222. Refugio Benavides Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, July 29, 2022
3. The view of the Refugio Benavides Marker from the cemetery road
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
