Rio Hondo in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Stagecoach to the Rio Grande, C.S.A.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 18, 2023

1. Stagecoach to the Rio Grande, C.S.A. Marker

Inscription. About 10 miles east of this site during the Civil War was Paso Real, ferry point on Arroyo Colorado. As early as 1846, stagecoaches had gone over Paso Real Ferry (the name probably meant "The King's Pass"). In the 1860's, the spot had international importance. It was a crossing for the cotton road, lifeline of the Confederacy when Federal coastal blockades had cut off imports and exports for the entire south, this road moved cotton down to Matamoros so that it could be exchanged for guns, ammunition medicines, cloth, shoes, blankets and many other vital goods.

Besides the prized cotton loads that went past Paso Real, the stagecoach connection there was of importance to Confederate and foreign businessmen, government agents, diplomats and army personnel.

This was an area of conflict and intrigue. Bandits and army deserters watched the road for stages and cotton wagons to pilfer. Mysterious travelers went this way - sometimes with a pursuing sheriff on the next stage.

Of 31 stagelines in Confederate Texas (hauling mail, soldiers, civilians), no other was more vital nor more interesting to travel than this through Paso Real.

Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5094.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 26° 14.853′ N, 97° 35.84′ W. Marker is in Rio Hondo, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1420 and Combes Rio Hondo Road (Farm to Market Road 508), on the left when traveling east on Highway 1420. The marker is located along the north side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26337 FM508, Harlingen TX 78550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Arroyo Colorado Lift Bridge (approx. 1.2 miles away); Iraqi D-20 152mm Howitzer (approx. 4.7 miles away); Original Sam Houston School (approx. 6.9 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Harlingen (approx. 7.1 miles away); Lozano Plaza (approx. 7.2 miles away); Planters State Bank (approx. 7.3 miles away); City of Harlingen (approx. 7.3 miles away); Historic Harlingen (approx. 7.3 miles away).

Also see . . . Paso Real, TX. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed By James Hulse, April 18, 2023

2. Stagecoach to the Rio Grande, C.S.A. Marker

The view of the Stagecoach to the Rio Grande, C.S.A. Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 18, 2023

3. The view of the Stagecoach to the Rio Grande, C.S.A. Marker from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.