PEARSALL POP. 9,681
ALT. 646
MAP S-14
PEARSALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITOR CENTER: 317 S. Oak St. 830/334-9414.
www.pearsalltexas.org.
A 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. 74,334
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 agriculture, 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. St. Jude’s Catholic Church’s beautiful gardens offer a setting for quiet meditations (505 S. Ironwood). Memorial Park, at corner of Egly and Canna streets, honors area veterans.
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. 9,524
ALT. 374 MAP S-15
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.
RIO GRANDE CITY POP. 14,132
ALT. 238 MAP Y-15
The town is a port of entry with an international bridge between the 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 population 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 system. 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.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES GROTTO—This replica of the original shrine in Lourdes, France, features statues of
240 The San Antonio Botanical Garden is on the site of a former water company.
Our Lady of Lourdes and the peasant girl who first had visions of her. 305 N. Britton, near the courthouse.
TROLLEY TOURS—Take a journey through the historic downtown and Fort Ringgold. Admission charge. 956/487-3476.
www.cityofrgc.com.
ROMA POP. 9,830
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. Producers 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 activities. 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.texas.gov/state-parks/falcon.
ROMA BLUFFS WORLD BIRDING CENTER—The Roma Bluffs Interpretive Overlook offers a magnificent view of the river and woodlands below. Down a stairway, a riverside trail leads upstream and will eventually link to adjacent U.S. Fish and Wildlife preserves. Nearby
UP THE R IVER
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 between Roma and Rio Grande City.
★
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 Register as a National Historic Landmark, the district comprises 38 buildings, including 16 stone buildings from 1829-1870s and 19 brick buildings from the 1880s- 1900. It is an area on a bluff above the Rio Grande. Information is available. 77 E. Convent St. 956/849- 1411.
www.cityofroma.net.
SAN ANTONIO POP. 1,419,762
ALT. 701 MAP R-15/HH-6
SAN ANTONIO VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER: Operated by the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. 317 Alamo Plaza. 800/447-3372.
www.visitsanantonio.com.
In 1718, at a Native American village along the southern edge of the Texas Hill Country, Spain established the Mission San Antonio de Valero (later called the Alamo). An accompanying presidio, San Antonio de Bexar (Bay- her), protected mission endeavors. Today’s city and county names are derived from those beginnings. Institutions of higher learning include the University
of the Incarnate Word, Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Mary’s University, Universidad Nactional Autónoma de México, Trinity University, San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s College, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Events include the Holiday River Parade and
Lighting Ceremony in November, Fiesta San Antonio in April, the Texas Folklife Festival in June, the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo in mid-February, and the Starving Artists Show held at La Villita and along the River Walk each Easter. San Antonio is noted for excellent golf courses. For information: 210/207-6748 or 800/ALAMO-07.
THE ALAMO—The most famous spot in Texas, Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo) was established in 1718. The chapel and long barrack are all that remain of the original fort. The museum contains relics and mementos from the Republic of Texas and offers stories on the fall of the Alamo. 300 Alamo Plaza. 210/225-1391.
www.thealamo.org.
PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
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