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

"Rancho Viejo"

Photographed by James Hulse, April 18, 2023

1. "Rancho Viejo" Marker

Inscription. Here José Salvador de la Garza built his ranch El Espíritu Santo in 1771. First European settlement in Cameron County

Erected 1936 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4181.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1771.

Location. 25° 59.104′ N, 97° 31.257′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. It is on Frontage Road 0.1 miles north of Fish Hatchery Road, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located along the frontage road with no parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5537 Frontage Rd, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway (here, next to this marker); Brownsville C.S.A. (approx. 2.6 miles away); Palo Alto Battlefield National Park (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Battle of Palo Alto (approx. 2.6 miles away); Cameron County (approx. 2.6 miles away); Historic Battlefield Trail

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(approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Palo Alto (approx. 3.2 miles away); Palo Alto Battlefield (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 18, 2023

2. "Rancho Viejo" Marker

The view of the "Rancho Viejo" Marker along the highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 18, 2023

3. The view of the "Rancho Viejo" Marker along the highway

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 777 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on December 26, 2025, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.