Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1836 Texas seceded from Mexico, an act that inspired the Rio Grande Valley and
much of what is now northeastern Mexico to declare itself a separate republic - the Re-
public of the Rio Grande - in 1840. With its capital at Laredo, the republic lasted just 283
days, until the Mexican army regained control.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican War, established the new
border of the USA down the Rio Grande. Like much of Texas, the next century was
largely about cattle and then oil.
The valley began a new boom in 1994 with the passage of the North American Free
Trade Agreement (Nafta), which opened up trade across the border.
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Brownsville
POP 172,500
Matamoros, Brownsville's Mexican counterpart across the Rio Grande, grew to prominen-
ce in the 1820s as the Mexican port closest to then-booming New Orleans. After the Mex-
ican War (1846-8), American merchants and traders thought it wise to cross the Rio
Grande to Texas, where they established Brownsville. The town was named for Major Ja-
cob Brown, the US commander of Fort Taylor (later renamed Fort Brown), who died dur-
ing a Mexican raid.
During the rest of the 19th century, the fast-growing town was filled with ornate brick
structures that drew their architectural inspiration from Mexico and New Orleans. Many
survive today and help make Brownsville an atmospheric stop. Its slightly gritty culture
makes it an excellent day trip from South Padre Island (SPI).
Sights
Brownsville lies at the southern end of US 77, the spine of the southern Gulf Coast. The
downtown area, near the Gateway International Bridge/Puente Nuevo, E Elizabeth St and
International Blvd is a busy place.
One of the best things you can do in Brownsville is simply go wandering around the
downtown area. Streets such as E Washington and E Elizabeth are still busy with the kinds
of small shops that once lined main streets across the USA, although ironically, most of
the customers are now day-trippers from Mexico.
