RIO GRANDE CITY POP. 15,006
ALT. 238
MAP Y-15
The city is a port of entry with an international bridge between U.S. and Mexico. The area was included in José de Escandón’s Colony of 1753. When Gen. Zachary Taylor established Fort Ringgold in 1848, it added to the popula- tion and permanence.
FORT RINGGOLD—This is one of Texas’ best-preserved military posts. Among the landmarks are the Lee House— occupied by Col. Robert E. Lee when he commanded U.S. troops in Texas—and the old post hospital. Portions of the fort are now part of the Rio Grande City school sys- tem. 1 S. Fort Ringgold. Off U.S. 83 at eastern city limit. 956/716-6700.
HISTORIC INN—La Borde House—Completed in 1899 as a home and store by a French merchant/riverboat trader, it later became a hotel. Designed by Parisian architects, the building combines European, Creole and Texas border styles. Nine rooms and a parlor are restored with turn- of-the-century decor. 601 E. Main St. (U.S. 83). 956/487-5101.
www.labordehouse.com.
The Roma Bluffs Interpretive Overlook offers a great view of the river.
Established in 1854 by Polish Catholics, immigrants named the town Panna Maria, meaning Virgin Mary. Other villag- es like Cestohowa, Pawelekville and Kosciusko sprang from this settlement. The Convent Inn was used by nuns teaching in the elementary school in the early 1950s. The Panna Maria Historical Society is housed in the Pilarczyk Store. Information and guided tours are available. The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is topped
by a cross carried from Poland by the original colonists. The old painted ceiling has been restored. Open daily. Southeast of San Antonio, just off Texas 123 between Stockdale and Karnes City.
ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL MUSEUM—Housed in the oldest Polish school in the U.S., artifacts (many from 19th- century Poland) depict the life of Polish pioneers. The second floor was originally a convent for the teaching nuns. The museum has been restored. Tours are available upon request at the Visitors Center. 830/780-4471.
PEARSALL POP. 9,647
ALT. 646 MAP S-14
PEARSALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITOR CENTER: 317 S. Oak St. 830/334-9414.
www.pearsalltexas.org.
A giant peanut monument downtown salutes the area’s primary crop (millions of pounds are marketed annually). Honey is available from local producers. The Frio River and smaller streams have fish. During seasons, hunters take white-tailed deer, javelina, dove and quail.
OLD FRIO COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM—Features items used by Frio County early settlers. Corner of Pecan and Medina streets. 830/334-4181.
PHARR POP. 75,001
ALT. 107 MAP Z-16/DD-17
PHARR VISITOR CENTER: 308 W. Park. 956/787-1481.
www.pharr-tx.gov/tourism.
The town was named after Henry N. Pharr, a sugar planter from Louisiana. It is a center for vegetables, citrus and cotton, and it is home to Winter Texans. Visitors find RV resorts and tourist-related activities. Access to Mexico is available via U.S. 281 and the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge.
232 St. Jude’s Catholic Church’s beautiful gardens offer a
setting for quiet meditations. The gardens, 505 S. Iron- wood, are always open. Memorial Park, at corner of Egly and Canna streets honors area veterans lost or missing in combat during wartime.
SANTA ANA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE—See ALAMO.
SMITTY’S JUKE BOX MUSEUM—This museum displays jukeboxes, lovingly restored by the owner. The collection spans the whole era of these music machines. 116 W. State. 956/787-0131.
PLEASANTON POP. 9,382
ALT. 374
PLEASANTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 830/569-2163.
www.pleasantoncofc.com.
The town bills itself as the “Birthplace of the Cowboy,” epitomized by a bronze statue in front of city hall. Hunters seek white-tailed deer, as well as dove and quail during hunting seasons.
LONGHORN MUSEUM—The museum documents the development of the American cowboy in the area from the 1500s to today. It features Native American and pioneer artifacts; ranch and farm implements; Texas Longhorns, wild mustangs, and oil and coal exhibits. Donations accepted. 1959 Texas 97 E. 830/569-6313.
www.pleasantontx.org/museum.html.
POTEET POP. 3,371
ALT. 525 MAP S-15
POTEET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 9199 N. Texas 16. 830/742-8144.
In the center of a truck-farming region, the town is called the “Strawberry Capital of Texas.” The Strawberry Festival, held in early April, includes the judging and auction of strawberries, a rodeo, fiddlers contest and fireworks.
WINERY—Poteet Country Winery. See WINERIES listing.
WORLD’S LARGEST STRAWBERRY—Celebrating the distinction of producing 40 percent of Texas’ strawberries is a monument to this fruit. The large strawberry replica is 7 feet tall. There also is a monument of Poteet Canyon, a Steve Canyon comic strip character named for the city.
Up the River
STEAMBOATS, flatboats and barges once plied the Rio Grande River, conducting trade between Laredo and Reynosa, Mexico, with reports of the river being navigable all the way to El Paso. By the 1900s, irrigation had drained the lower Rio Grande to the point that rapids appeared be- tween Roma and Rio Grande City.
PHOTO: KEVIN STILLMAN/TXDOT MAP S-15
OUR LADY OF LOURDES GROTTO—This replica of the original shrine in Lourdes, France, features statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and the peasant girl who first had visions of her. 305 N. Britton. Near Starr County Courthouse.
TROLLEY TOURS—Take a journey through the historic downtown and Fort Ringgold. Admission charge. 956/487-3476.
www.cityofrgc.com.
ROMA POP. 10,089
ALT. 200 MAP Y-14
Founded in 1765 around a mission, it was part of José de Escandón’s Colony. On the banks of the Rio Grande, the town was an important riverboat shipping point until the coming of railroads and highways. Homes, stores and an ancient mission resemble an interior Mexican town. Produc- ers of the film Viva Zapata chose Roma for outdoor scenes.
FALCON STATE PARK—This park offers scenic views and abundant wildlife. Park hosts organize a variety of activi- ties. The winter months are great for birding. The world- class bass fishing draws anglers. The park also features a butterfly garden. Admission charge. 15 miles west of Roma via U.S. 83. 956/848-5327.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ state-parks/falcon.
LAKE—Falcon Reservoir, see ZAPATA.
ROMA BLUFFS WORLD BIRDING CENTER—The Roma Bluffs Interpretive Overlook offers a magnificent view of the river and woodlands below. Down a stairway, a river- side trail leads upstream and will eventually link to adjacent U.S. Fish and Wildlife preserves. Nearby preserves offer excellent birding opportunities. Free. 610 N. Portscheller St. 956/849-4930.
www.theworldbirdingcenter.com/ Roma.html.
ROMA HISTORIC DISTRICT—Listed in the National Reg- ister as a National Historic Landmark, the district comprises
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