Rio Grande City

Rio Grande City, the county seat of Starr County and one of the oldest settlements in South Texas, is on the Rio Grande 100 miles from both Brownsville and Laredo in the extreme south central part of the county. It is an international port of entry connected by bridge to Camargo, Tamaulipas. The site was part of the Carnestolendas Ranch, established in 1762 by José Antonio de la Garza Falcónqv in the Spanish colony of José de Escandón.qv The ranch later belonged to Henry Clay Davis, an adventurous Kentuckian who survived the Mier expeditionqv and formed the present town from Davis Landing or Rancho Davis in 1847 after marrying María Hilaria de la Garza, the granddaughter of Francisco de la Garza Martínez. Davis had acquired the land upon Garza Falcón's death. He designed the port with broad straight streets, on the model of the capital city, Austin. The establishment of Fort Ringgold in 1848, immediately adjacent to the town, assured its growth and permanence. The town received a post office in 1849; in 1895 the name of the post office changed from Rio Grande City to Riogrande, the name under which it now operates. Despite the town's isolation and lack of transportation facilities for most of its history, external influences have affected it significantly. During the nineteenth century Rio Grande City had an active passenger and cargo ship trade with New Orleans and flourished as a cattle center. In 1884 the town had a population of 900, a doctor, two lawyers, a saloon, three carpenters, three grocers, nine general stores, a wagon maker, a druggist, two blacksmiths, two churches, a district school, a tailor, a furniture maker, a corn mill, and a hotel. By 1896 Rio Grande City had a population of 1,800, and by 1914 it had a bank and 2,100 residents.

 

Contreras House

Hilario Contreras bought the lot in 1879. In 1880 he built a one story building which is the first floor of the present structure. Hilario's son, Abundio married Mary Howard in 1897 and moved into this house. In 1910 Abundio added the second floor and the porches. The house is presently owned by Abundio's grandson, Hernán A. Contreras.

Contreras House 2005

The Society of Honorable Gentemen and Guests 1909

The society from Carmargo and Rio Grande enjoying a picnic by the river on Jan 1, 1909

Rio Grande City, April 23, 1930

Funeral procession for María Celia Perez.

Rio Grande City, April 23, 1930

Funeral procession for María Celia Perez.

Rio Grande City, April 23, 1930

Funeral procession for María Celia Perez.

Rio Grande City, April 23, 1930

Funeral procession for María Celia Perez.

Rio Grande City, April 23, 1930

Funeral procession for María Celia Perez.

Hermilo Guzman

Picture dedicated to Casimiro Perez. Rio Grande City 19xx.

Rio Grande City, 19xx

Esetla and Pache Margo

The Perez Twins 1911

Estela Susana and María Celia

Rio Grande City 1908

First grade class. Top Row: Hernan H. Contreras

Silverio de la Peña's Tomb

Rio Grande City, Texas 1890

Front row (seated) left to right: Juan Hinojosa, Casimiro Perez Alvarez.

Second row: Abundio Contreras, Abundio Treviño

Parade down Main St. Rio Grande City, Texas

Casimiro Perez Álvarez

Rio Grande City 1930.

Members Montesuma Camp 590 W. O. W. leaving forest to unveil Sov. W. W. Shelly's Monument Rio Grande City, Texas. Octo

Main St. Rio Grande City, Texas

Parade Rio Grande City, Texas

Rio Grande City

Car for parade loading up in front of Casimiro Perez home.

Rio Grande City

Hinojosa Bros. Department Store. Corner of Main St. and Washington

Hernan H. Contreras

Hernan Contreras in uniform (Texas A&M) at home in Rio Grande

Rio Grande City

Main St. Rio Grande City, TX. Looking west from Washington St. Hinojosa Bros store is building on left.

Linda Oliviera

12th Calvary on parde

Calvary from Ft. Ringgold on parade heading east on Main St., Rio Grande City. Note points to the La Borde Hotel

Gregorio Duffy

Gregorio Duffy was killed by the elected sheriff or one of his deputies in 1909 after the contentious 1908 election.

Parade in Rio

Deana, Celia Perez, Julia, Estela Perez, Armandina

Rio Grande City ~ 1945

Dilvering chairs for a club meeting in Brook's home circa 1945. Half of the "Dreamland Theatre" can be seen in background. To the right of the theatre is the Contreras house.

Rio Grande City March 30, 2003

Rio Grande City March 30, 2003

Looking East on Main St.

Rio Grande City March 30, 2003

Looking to north east from south side of Main St near Washington St.

Rio Grande City March 30, 2003

Inside courtyard of complex

Rio Grande City March 30, 2003

View into Lopez/Tejerina complex from Main St.

Rio Grande City March 30, 2003

Lopez/Tejerina Building Complex Plaque

Rio Grande City March 30, 2000

Silverio de la Peña's building. Inherited by Juan Hinojosa. Post Office was once in the first floor.

Rio Grande City March 30, 2000

Main St. Looking west from Washington St.

 

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Rio Grande City, April 23, 1930.
Funeral procession for María Celia Perez.

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 Calvary on Main St. Rio Grande City TX.  About 1914

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 Estela and Pache Margo.  Rio Grande
City, 19xx

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 Gregorio Duffy, 157 Agusta St.
San Antonio, Texas ~1870.  
Gregorio Duffy, Starr County Customs Inspector,  was killed in 1907 age 41.		    pic_c_duffy1909.jpg (31618 bytes) Corina Duffy.  San Antonio, TX.  May 28, 1909.

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 Abundio Contreras home.  First built in 1880.  Second floor added in 1915 
pic_pag_group.jpg (51792 bytes) Rio Grande City, 19xx
pic_xxmay1907.jpg (82290 bytes) Rio Grande City around 1908.  Top Row: Hernán H. Contreras.