Established October 26, 1848, at Davis Landing by Capt. J.H. La Motte, 1st U.S. Infantry, as Ringgold Barracks. Named in honor of Brevet Major David Ringgold, 4th U.S. Artillery, who died of wounds received at Palo Alto, May 8, 1846. Troops were . . . — — Map (db m269536) HM
Occupied early in Civil War by Texas Confederates under Col. John S. Ford. Vital in chain of posts used to defend the 2,000 mile Texas frontier, coastline and border always threatened by attacks from Indians, bandits and Federal troops.
Cols. . . . — — Map (db m269535) HM
W.W. II Veteran, POW and Survivor of the Bataan Death March
Gregorio Barrera was born in Rio Grande City in 1917 and volunteered to serve in the Army in 1941. He was assigned to the Philippines and was there when the United States declared . . . — — Map (db m119503) HM WM
(side one – English)
Perhaps one of the oldest settlements in South Texas, Rio Grande City is located on lands once settled by Spanish colonizer José de Escandón in 1749.
The site was part of a ranching community known as "Rancho . . . — — Map (db m119501) HM
In 1884 the Rev. R. M. Olivier, O.M.I., asked the Sisters of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio to start a school in Rio Grande City. Three nuns were sent here and by 1885 were teaching 100 day students in a 3-room school. The Sisters of the . . . — — Map (db m119502) HM
In memory of the greatest
colonizer of northern Mexico
José de
Escandón
Who directed exploration from
Tampico to the San Antonio River,
laid out 23 towns, most of which
still exist, founded missions,
opened roads, and . . . — — Map (db m240939) HM
200 block West Water Street
Built in 1850
Listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m195577) HM
Architecture Moorish; wide surrounding porches ornamented with 15' arches. Built according to plans of surgeon general.
First occupied Nov. 25, 1870, and used for 75 years until post was inactivated in 1944.
Recorded Texas Historic . . . — — Map (db m269537) HM
Nacido en Alemania, Gustav Gollbach fue ordenado sacerdote de la Orden de Oblatos de Maria Inmaculada en el veinti uno de Abril de 1906. Inmigro al Estado de Texas sirviendo iglesias en Del Rio, Castroville, Mercedes, San Benito, y Ballinger antes . . . — — Map (db m269533) HM
(side one)
An official Confederate port of entry, customhouse and major terminus of the cotton road to Mexico.
Cotton was the one great money crop of the South that could be sold to hungry European mills for cash for necessary arms, . . . — — Map (db m119499) HM
Site of the Mission
San Agustín de
Laredo a Visita
Established in 1749 as a part of
José de Escandón’s project to
settle the region and civilize
and Christianize the Indians.
— — Map (db m119497) HM
August Furstein was born in Germany in 1828 and emigrated to Mexico. He changed his name to Agustin de la Peña. In 1855, he married Maria Macaria Chavero and moved to Rio Grande City to start a family. They had three children: Agustin Pascual, Jose . . . — — Map (db m195576) HM
Crushing defeat for partisan leader Juan Cortina who in late 1859 laid waste the lower Rio Grande Valley. Cortina's band of 450 were surprised here at daybreak by Maj. S. B. Heinzelman with U.S. Army troops joined by Texas Rangers recruited by . . . — — Map (db m36733) HM
Came to Texas in 1839 * served with Taylor's army in 1846 * married into the Garza family, pioneer settlers and large landowners in the region * Around his home, Rio Grande City grew up * Steamboats from Brownsville made the town a trading center * . . . — — Map (db m36748) HM
Formed from Nueces County
Created February 10, 1848
Organized August 7, 1848
Named for Dr. James Harper Starr
1809 – 1890
Pioneer Texas surgeon and Indian fighter
Located at Nacogdoches in 1837
Secretary of the Treasury
of the . . . — — Map (db m117573) HM
A native of Germany, Gustav Gollbach was ordained a priest in the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Order on April 21, 1906. He immigrated to Texas soon after his ordination, and served churches in Del Rio, Castroville, Mercedes, San Benito, and Ballinger . . . — — Map (db m269531) HM
Built by volunteer labor, on donated site, of contributed materials, about 1840. In the years before Oblate Fathers arrived (1853) and built church, some 500 confirmed persons had received sacraments in this chapel from secular priests who lived . . . — — Map (db m195575) HM
German-born architect, builder and brickmaker Heinrich (Enrique) Portscheller arrived in Starr County by way of Mexico, shortly after the American Civil War. During the second half of the 19th century, Roma was the westernmost port on the Rio . . . — — Map (db m269523) HM
German architect Heinrich Portscheller (1840-1915) built this modified classic-revival structure for Manuel Guerra (1856-1915) in 1884. Early local example of sand-struck, hand-cast brick construction. Once used as residence and store, it remains . . . — — Map (db m195574) HM
Building erected by E. R. Hord, State Representative and U.S. Congressman. Stone in 28" walls hauled by ox-teams; beams came by boat, landed at nearby dock.
Military headquarters during the Civil War.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - . . . — — Map (db m269525) HM
National Historic Landmark District Roma's unique history and architecture have received national recognition through several historical designations. In 1972, 15 blocks were designated as the Roma Historic District and listed in the National . . . — — Map (db m195568) HM
One of the last northern provinces of New Spain, Nuevo Santander was established by José de Escandón, and encompassed the present Mexican state of Tamaulipas and part of trans-Nueces Texas. Escandón, known as the father of the lower Rio Grande . . . — — Map (db m269526) HM
A body of Texans intent on invading Mexico camped here on December 21, 1842. After being made prisoners at Salado, Mexico, they drew beans, white for life in prison, black for death. 17 members of the expedition were shot by order of General . . . — — Map (db m119463) HM
