United States / Rio Grande City, TX

Rio Grande City, C.S.A.. 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, munitions, drugs that had to come from Europe. International ports on the Rio Grande were the South's frail lifelines, its last resource in a war with an industrialized North that manufactured for its self what the South had to import. Cotton arrived at this booming border town on wagons and oxcarts after a hot and dusty trip. It was then ferried across the river and delivered to the neutral ships anchored in the Gulf. Teamsters loaded vital leather goods, clothing, blankets, guns, ammunition and medical supplies for the return trip. Troops from nearby Fort Ringgold guarded the wagon trains and town from bandit raids. In November 1863 Federal forces captured Brownsville and the 1st Texas Union Cavalry advanced up river, captured and occupied this town, seizing the cotton awaiting entry. Rio Grande City was reoccupied in May 1864 and used as a supply and reserve base for the recapture of Brownsville. There was constant danger here from raids by Mexican guerrillas paid by enemy agents to make trouble in Texas. Draft evaders, Union sympathizers and those wanting to avoid conflicts of war tried to cross the river here. In an arrangement with Mexican officials, Confederates both required and checked passports to curb desertions and smuggling. #4270

US 83 on Courthouse grounds, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02012

Fort Ringgold. 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 Troops were withdrawn March 3, 1859. Reoccupied December 29, 1859. Abandoned in 1861. Reoccupied by U.S. troops in June 1865. General Robert E. Lee passed a few days here in 1856 and in 1860. #2012

?, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02620

Immaculate Conception School. 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 Blessed Sacrament came to teach in 1900, followed by the Sisters of Mercy in 1920. The school sisters of Notre Dame undertook the mission of the school in 1985. Throughout its history, dedicated laity joined the sisters in providing a strong Christian and educational foundation. It enjoys support from the church and community. (1997) #2620

305 N. Britton Ave., Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02798

John Peter Kelsey Home. Built 1852. Kelsey moved here in 1848 with wife Amanda C. Brooks, first Corpus Christi school teacher. Operated general store. During Civil War, he moved business to Mexico. Returned to Texas in 1877. Died in 1898. #2798

Water and Mirasoles St., Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02853

Jose De Escandon. In memory of the greatest colonizer of northern Mexico Jose de Escandon; who executed exploration from Tampico to the San Antonio River; laid out 23 towns, most of which still exist. Founded missions, opened roads, and established settlers. Conferred in recognition of his services to the crown of Spain, the title of El Conde de la Sierra Gorda. #2853

E 4th St., Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03907

Padre Gustav Gollbach, O.M.I.. (24 Septiembre de 1878-26 Diciembre de 1955) Nacido en Alemania, Gustav Gollbach fue ordenado Sacerdote de Orden de Oblatos de Maria Inmaculada en el veinte uno de Abril de 1906. Immigro al Estado de Texas sirviendo iglesias en Del Rio, Castroville, Mercedes, San Benito, y Ballinger antes de llegar a Rio Grande City en 1924. Sirviendo como Parroco de la Iglesia Inmaculada Concepcion hasta el ano de 1937, constryuo una replica de la Gruta de Nuestra Senora de Lourdes, Francia, usando madera petrificada y piedra nativa. Dedicada en el ano 1928, La Gruta ha Sido un sitio historico importante en el Valle Del Rio Grande. #3907

306 M Britton, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04180

Old Rancho Davis. Home of Henry Clay Davis, a Kentuckian; came to Texas in 1939. 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. Ringgold Barracks was established nearby in 1848. Rio Grande City, the county seat. #4180

Britton Avenue, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05098

Starr County. 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 Republic of Texas 1839-1840; Assistant Postmaster General of the Confederacy. Rio Grande City, the county seat. #5098

US 83, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04936

Site of the Mission San Augustin de Laredo a Visita. Established in 1749 as a part of Jose de Escandon's project to settle the region and civilize and Christianize the Indians. #4936

US 83, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05099

Starr County Veterans. #5099

US 83 at town plaza, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05411

The Rev. Gustav Gollbach, O.M.I.. (September 24, 1878-December 26, 1955) 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 before coming to Rio Grande City in 1924. Serving as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church until 1937, he built a replica of the Grotto Shrine at Lourdes, France, using petrified wood and native stone from the Roma area. Dedicated in 1928, it has become an important historic site in the Rio Grande Valley. #5411

305 N. Britton, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03794

Old Ringgold Barracks Hospital. 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. #3794

US 83 at Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #13434

Old Rio Grande City Cemetery. Old Rio Grande City Cemetery Established c. 1848 Historic Texas Cemetery - 2005 #13434

2nd St, West St, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02584

Howard L. Bass Home. Built 1877 of lumber from sunken steamboat; mesquite block flooring; handmade brick. Home and business house of John Peter Kelsey, Starr County judge; large landowner who came from New York in 1848. Acquired by L. R. Brooks 1937; and by Howard L. Bass in 1954. #2584

Main Street and Washingotn, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02013

Fort Ringgold, C.S.A.. 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. Ford, August Buchel and Santos Benavides had troops here from time to time to scout the river, defend ranches and guard wagons trading cotton for war supplies in neutral Mexico. Taken in November 1863 by 1st Texas Union Cavalry. Retaken May 1864 by Ford and used as base to recapture Brownsville. #2013

US 83 at Fort Ringgold grounds, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #06059

Lee House. N/A #6059

US 83 at Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #06061

Decker House. N/A #6061

Britton and Water St., Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04762

Site of Cortina Battle, Dec. 27, 1859. 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. Heintzelman with U.S. Army troops, joined by Texas Rangers recruited by John S. ("Rip") Ford. Cortina fled to Mexico by horseback. Many of his men jumped into the Rio Grande. Regarrisoning of Ringgold barracks put end to partisan raids for a time. But with the American Civil War (1861-1865) and Cortina's rise to power in Tamaulipas, raids were renewed -- until Cortina was removed, 1875. #4762

Old Cemetery Park, Rio Grande City, TX, United States