VIETNAM AND KOREAN VETERANS MEMORIAL— Vietnam memorial depicts a scene from the Battle for Hill 881 South—a radio man calling for help for a wounded comrade. The Korean statue depicts a Marine and a soldier sitting back-to-back in a bunker in the subzero cold of North Korea in winter of 1950. Veterans Plaza, corner of East Martin and Jefferson streets.
VILLA FINALE—Visitors to the final home of Walter Nold Mathis will hear about his collections and how the house reflects different periods of the neighborhood’s history. 401 King William St. 210/223-9800.
http://villafinale.org.
WITTE MUSEUM—San Antonio’s premier museum, founded in 1926, features unique history, science and cultural exhibits. Admission charge. 3801 Broadway. 210/357-1900.
www.wittemuseum.org. The Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg South Texas
Heritage Center houses the Witte’s collections, exhibitions and latest museum technology to trace the history of South Texas. The H-E-B Body Adventure provides interactive
adventures focused on getting the body up and moving and inspiring a balanced life.
SAN JUAN POP. 36,120
ALT. 102 MAP Y-16/CC-17
SAN JUAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP.: 430 N. Standard Ave. 956/783-3448.
www.sanjuanedc.com.
The town name was derived from the Spanish name given to town organizer John Closner. Bed-and-breakfast accommodations are offered in historic buildings.
BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF SAN JUAN DEL VALLE NATIONAL SHRINE—One of three basilicas in Texas, this icon includes Italian bronzed life-sized statues of the crucifixion around the grounds. Designated a National Shrine, it is one of the most visited shrines in the United States. 400 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd. 956/787-0033.
www.olsjbasilica.org.
CESAR CHAVEZ MEMORIAL—Site is dedicated to the labor rights leader. LUPE Center, corner of U.S. 83 and Cesar Chavez Road. 956/787-2233.
LIBERTY PARK—The park was created as a tribute to all veterans of military service. It has the tallest flagpole in South Texas. A granite war memorial is engraved with the names of servicemen from San Juan who died while on active duty in World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War. 310 W. Business 83. 956/783-3448.
SELMA POP. 7,431
ALT. 875 MAP FF-8
SELMA STAGE STOP VISITOR CENTER: 9374 Valhalla. 210/651-1053.
www.ci.selma.tx.us.
The town was created as a stagecoach stop for passengers and freight traveling between the communities of Central, South and East Texas.
RETAMA PARK—This racetrack features quarter horse and thoroughbred races. Grandstand has both open- air and air-conditioned levels with restaurants and bars. Retama Park is South Texas’ only Class-A horse track. Admission charge. 1 Retama Parkway. Exit 174-A off I-35. 210/651-7000.
www.retamapark.com.
THREE RIVERS POP. 1,939
ALT. 145 MAP T-16
THREE RIVERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITORS CENTER: 105 N. Harborth on U.S. 281, in City Hall. 361/786-4330 or 888/600-3115.
www.threeriverstx.org.
The town was named for its location near the confluence of the Atascosa, Nueces and Frio rivers.
The Texas Onion Festival in Weslaco is held in March.
Tips Park offers camping, fishing and picnic areas one mile west of Three Rivers off Texas 72. Events include the Choke Canyon Birding Festival in February and the Three Rivers Salsa Festival in April.
CHOKE CANYON STATE PARK—Park complex has two separate units on the shores of Choke Canyon Reservoir. The water and mild weather invite boating, waterskiing and fishing year-round. Facilities include a gymnasium, recreation hall and group pavilions. Admission charge. South Shore Unit is 3.5 miles west of Three Rivers on Texas 72. Calliham Unit is 12 miles west of Three Rivers on Texas 72. 361/786-3868.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/choke-canyon.
LAKE—Choke Canyon Reservoir—This reservoir is on the Frio River. Access is available through Choke Canyon State Park. About three miles west of Three Rivers on Texas 72.
WESLACO POP. 37,515
FRONTERA AUDUBON—This nature preserve features mature native woodlands, trails, wetlands and butterfly gardens. Some birds include groove-billed ani, olive sparrow and green jay. More than 70 kinds of butterflies have been documented on the property. Admission charge. 1101 South Texas Blvd. (F.M. 88). 956/968-3275.
www.fronteraaudubon.org.
VALLEY NATURE CENTER—Features a trail winding through native vegetation, butterfly gardens, ponds and cactus gardens. The indoor hall offers interactive children’s exhibits of native wildlife and habitats and a gift shop. Admission charge. 301 S. Border Ave. In Gibson Park. 956/969-2475.
www.valleynaturecenter.org.
WESLACO MUSEUM—Chartered in 1971, the museum features the history of Weslaco and the Mid-Valley through historic displays, cultural exhibits and events. 500 S. Texas Blvd. 956/968-9142.
ALT. 70 MAP Z-16
WESLACO BUSINESS-VISITOR CENTER: 275 S. Kansas. 956/968-2102.
www.weslaco.com.
The city’s name is from the initials of the W.E. Stewart Land Company, which promoted the town site. Historic downtown features specialty, antique and gift shops. The former city hall (now a fire station) is a designated historical site (120 E. 5th St.). The Harlon Block Memo rial pays tribute to a local
Marine, who participated in the famed flag-raising on Iwo Jima. At the Texas Army National Guard Armory, 1100 Vo-Tech Drive. Access to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, is south on F.M. 1015. Events include the Mid-Valley Lighted Christmas
Parade and the Onion Festival. Weslaco is home to the Texas 1015 onion.
BANDERAS DE WESLACO—This is a celebration of community that uplifts the American spirit, as well as the spirit of Weslaco. State flags are displayed in the order that the state entered the Union and in an array of colors and symbols. 305 W. Railroad St.
ESTERO LLANO GRANDE STATE PARK—This refuge attracts a spectacular array of South Texas wildlife with its shallow lakes, woodlands and thorn forest. Features trails, boardwalks, pavilions and observation decks. The park has a visitor center with a store. Large groups can be accommodated for day or overnight use. Admission charge. 3301 S. International Blvd. (F.M. 1015). 956/565-3919. www.worldbirding
center.com/estero.html.
For more infor ma tion about South Texas Plains, visit
TravelTexas.com. 244
ZAPATA POP. 5,091
ALT. 311 MAP X-14
ZAPATA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 601 N. U.S. 83. 956/765-4871 or 800/292-5253.
www.zapatachamber.com.
The earliest settlement was Hacienda Dolores, founded by José Vasquez Borrego in 1750. The ruins are designated a state historic site. The town was named in honor of Antonio Zapata, a Mexican army officer and fierce fighter. The town joins Texas under six flags, but also boasts a seventh flag—the Republic of the Rio Grande—that flew over the area from March- April 1840. The historic old town on the Rio Grande was relocated to higher ground with the completion of Falcon Dam. A new Zapata was built on U.S. 83. Zapata has excellent birding opportunities. Hunting
and fishing are abundant. FALCON STATE PARK—See ROMA.
LA PAZ COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM—Originally built out of hand-cut sandstone in 1898, this home- turned-museum exhibits artifacts and photos from the county. 307 Lincoln Ave. Housed inside A.L. Benavides Elementary School in San Ygnacio. 956/765-4483.
LAKE—Falcon Reservoir—This large reservoir is owned jointly by the U.S. and Mexico. Falcon State Park at lakeside offers fishing, boat ramps, camping and picnicking. Between Zapata and Roma on U.S. 83. 956/848-5327.
ZAPATA COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY—Artifacts and interactives tell the story of the area beginning with geologic development and continuing to the present. 805 Main St. 956/765-8538.
www.zapatamuseum.net.
PHOTO: MICHAEL AMADOR/TXDOT
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