Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 956-541-2785;
www.nps.gov/paal
;
8am-5pm)
On May 8, 1846, General Zachary
Taylor and his troops defeated a larger Mexican army on this site in the first major battle
of the Mexican War. The visitor center does an excellent job of putting the battle into con-
text: were the Americans invaders or defenders?
The 3400-acre site has been preserved from developers (just in the nick of time) and the
result is a surprisingly evocative and moody place. It's easy to imagine the soldiers of
both sides toiling in the heat, firing cannons and wondering how they ended up in such a
desolate place. (Note the display showing what conservative Texas commentators of the
day called Abraham Lincoln - a war and slavery critic - and contrast it to the politics of
today.)
The site is near the intersection of FM 1874 (Paredes Line Rd) and FM 511, 5 miles
north of Brownsville, 2 miles east of US 77/83 and 3.5 miles south of TX 100, the main
road to SPI.
Resaca de la Palma State Park
( 956-350-2920;
www.worldbirdingcenter.org
;
1000 New Carmen Rd; adult/child $4/free; dawn-dusk, visitors
center 8am-5pm Thu-Sat)
Part of the World Birding Center, this new 1200-acre park is not far
from the border. Old courses of the Rio Grande have left several coil-shaped lakes which
are ideal for birds and their spotters. Trails wander through this semitropical landscape
making this a lovely - and bug-filled - stop, even if your interest in birds is flighty.
You can rent bikes ($5 to $8) and binoculars ($3). The park is 7 miles northwest of
Brownsville and is easily reached via US 77/83 or US 281.
PARK
