HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PLAN OF 1977~ <Our Past Index>

Historical Preservation Plan of 1977 – The Written Record Part V

In 1977, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council created the Historical Preservation Plan which presented an inventory of the districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects in the tri-county area which were significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture. We will share some of the chapters included in this plan that provide valuable historical information about Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties.

Historical Awareness in the Lower Rio Grande Valley – The Written Record.

In 1977, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council created the Historical Preservation Plan which presented an inventory of the districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects in the tri-county area which were significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture.  We will share some of the chapters included in this plan that provide valuable historical information about Cameron, Hildalgo and Willacy Counties.

The United States Civil War transformed the Lower Rio Grande Valley into a great transshipment point for Confederate cotton.  This vital commodity was sent into Mexico and thence to major European markets to be exchanged for armaments.  In addition, the natural salt lakes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley supplied salt, a scarce commodity, to the Confederate Army.  Along the border rose and fell the fortunes of an empire born of European intrigue and the weakness of a neighboring country; and here was fought the final battle of the Civil War one month after lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

During the City War the population of Matamoros rose to 40,000, while Brownsville boasted a population of 25,000.  Following the War, many soldiers returned to settle in the Valley.  Plantations and ranches continued to grow on the northern bank of the Rio Grande.

In 1874 a narrow gauge railroad was completed between Brownsville and Point Isabel, resulting in reduced wagon trade between Corpus Christi and Brownsville.  The Texas-Mexican Railway reached Laredo in 1881, thus eliminating the need to ship goods through Brownsville.

It was not until 1904, when the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railroad was completed that the Lower Rio Grande Valley began to expand once more.  Immediately, an extension of the line was built to Sam Fordyce, with small settlements developing along the line.  Valley towns were founded as follows:  Raymondville 1904; Lyford 1904; Harlingen 1905; Mercedes 2905; McAllen 1905; Sebastian 1906; San Benito 1907; La Feria 1908; Edinburg 1908; and Pharr 1911.

Learn more about the history of the
Laguna Madre at the Museums of Port Isabel
located one block south from Lighthouse Square
on the corner of Tarnava St. & Railroad Ave.
Hours: Lighthouse: Daily from 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Museums: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Closed Sundays and Mondays. Admission.
For more information call (956) 943-7602.
Museums of Port Isabel • 317 E. Railroad Ave. • Port Isabel, Texas 78578
(956)943-7602 • Fax: (956)943-4346 • e-mail: director@portisabelmuseums.com
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