On Lee Circle at Ringgold Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Lee Circle.
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
On Ringgold Avenue at Lee Circle, on the right when traveling south on Ringgold Avenue.
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
Near North Britton Avenue at 3rd Street (Canales Brothers Street), on the left when traveling south.
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
On 1st Street (Main Street) (Business U.S. 83) at Britton Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 1st Street (Main Street).
(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
On North Britton Avenue at 3rd Street (Canales Brothers Street), on the right when traveling south on North Britton Avenue.
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
On 4th Street at Britton Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 4th Street.
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
On West Water Street at South Texas Street, on the right when traveling west on West Water Street.
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
On Ringgold Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Britton Avenue at East 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on Britton Avenue.
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
On Brittan Avenue (northbound) north of 1st Street (Business U.S. 83), on the left when traveling north.
(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
On West Main Street (U.S. 83) west of West 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west.
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
On East Main Street (U.S. 83) at North Lopez Street, on the left when traveling east on East Main Street.
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
On East 1st Street (U.S. 83) at South Bitton Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East 1st Street.
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
On North Britton Avenue at East 1st / Main Street (U.S. 83), in the median on North Britton Avenue.
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
On East 2nd Street at Britton Avenue, on the left when traveling west on East 2nd Street.
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
On Britton Avenue at East 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on Britton Avenue.
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
On Estrella Street at Lincoln Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Estrella Street.
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
On Portscheller Street at Convent Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Portscheller Street.
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
On West Convent Avenue at Portscheller Street, on the right when traveling west on West Convent Avenue.
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
On Convent Avenue at Estrella Street, on the right when traveling east on Convent Avenue.
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
On Portscheller Street at Convent Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Portscheller Street.
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
On East Grant Street (U.S. 83), on the right when traveling east.
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
On North Grant Street (U.S. 83) at North Athens Street (Farm to Market Road 650), on the right when traveling north on North Grant Street.
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
