When you are looking for things to do in Rio Grande City, Texas, you are certainly spoilt for choice. You can explore the city’s history and culture. There are many museums and attractions to visit. You can also take a river trip, which will be a truly unforgettable experience.

La Borde House

La Borde House is an 1899 home restored to its former glory as a hotel. The property exudes charm and is rich in South Texas architecture. The verandas are shaded, and there’s even a tropical courtyard. However, this historic hotel is not without its share of ghosts.

It’s easy to find LaBorde House on US 83, which splits through Rio Grande City. While it does not officially claim to have ghosts, guests have reportedly heard doors slamped inexplicably in one of the upstairs rooms.

The city is located along the Rio Grande River. The city was originally part of the Garza Ranch in Mexico. Henry Clay Davis married into the family and moved there to enjoy privacy. The location was also at the end of a steamboat route up the river, making it an important trade center for merchants and money.

In December 1914, Blanche LaBorde was eighteen years old and staying in her Rio Grande City home. Her father, Francois, was in San Antonio, probably dealing with health issues. Her father’s letters to her reflect his anguish over the business. The letters, written in Spanish, are a testament to his anguish over his absence.

Museum of South Texas History

The Museum of South Texas History in Rio Grande City is an excellent museum that features the cultural history of the Rio Grande Valley. The museum, which is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums, covers the history of the area from prehistoric times to the present day. It features interactive multimedia exhibits, and takes visitors on a journey through frontier ranch houses and steamboats. The museum is part of the Hidalgo County Courthouse, which was built in 1910.

The Museum Of South Texas is a museum dedicated to the rich history of the Rio Grande Valley, located between South Texas and Northeastern Mexico. The museum has numerous exhibits, including the permanent Rio Grande Legacy Exhibit, which features bilingual text and multimedia components. You can also view the museum’s collection of prehistoric plants and animal fossils. The museum is also home to a Dia de los Muertos celebration with dance performances, live music, arts and crafts, and other cultural events.

The museum is a great place for families to learn about the history of the region. It features exhibits on geology, the history of Spanish colonization, and the early years of the region. The museum’s collections also include artifacts from the Texas coast, including a 1554 galleon’s swivel gun. It also has a film theater and a collection of historic documents.

The Museum of South Texas History in Rio Grande City is an excellent place to learn about the city’s rich history. Its sister city across the Rio Grande River, Carmargo, has an interesting architecture, too. Interestingly, it was part of the Rio Grande Republic and if it had been a city, it would have been the capital.

Fort Ringgold

Fort Ringgold is a historical landmark in Rio Grande City, Texas. Built in 1848, it was named after a local soldier, Samuel Ringgold, who was killed during the battle of Palo Alto. It served as a garrison during the Mexican-American War, securing the city against border violence. Later, it became a major economic driver for the city. It was home to the city’s first telegraph office, which fueled the local economy. Although it was only occupied until 1865, the garrison also waged a long-term war on rustlers, smugglers, and insurrectionists. During the Civil War, the garrison was considered one of the best-looking posts along the border, and it even hosted Robert E. Lee and John J. Pershing.

The city’s historic district has a unique blend of Spanish, Mexican, and American influences. The historic La Borde House, for example, was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century by a French riverboat trader. It was renovated in the early 1980s and now functions as a hotel. It has an attractive courtyard, parlor, shaded verandas, and a restaurant.

Fort Ringgold is located 1/4 mile southeast of US 83 and TX 755. It is part of the THC Historic Resources Survey Collection, which was provided by the Texas Historical Commission. There are over 1355 photos in the collection, including the Fort Ringgold site.

Visitors will also find a wealth of historical sites and museums throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Several museums are located in the area, including the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts. Throughout the year, the weather is pleasant, making exploring these areas a wonderful experience.

Palm tree sanctuary

The Sabal Palm Sanctuary is a 557-acre nature reserve and bird sanctuary located near Brownsville, Texas. It features numerous types of palm trees, which attract many different species of birds. The Sabal Palm Sanctuary is open to the public and is free to visit. The sanctuary offers a variety of educational programs, such as nature walks, bird watching, and butterfly watching.

The sanctuary’s goal is to protect the remaining forty acres of native Sabal Palm trees, which once covered eighty miles of the Rio Grande. It is operated by the Audubon society and provides habitat for several species of native birds and animals. The Sabal Palms were once nearly extinct and were used to build jacales. In 2010, the Gorgas Foundation purchased the land and the Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary. The property also contains the Rabb-Stark House, built for the granddaughter of Miflin Kenedy.

This wildlife sanctuary is one of the best places to go birding in the United States. It is home to several regional species, including Green Jays and Plain Chachalacas. Other common species include Gray Hawks, White-tipped Doves, Ringed Kingfishers, and Groove-billed Anis. Rare birds include the Altamira Oriole and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. You can also spot Texas Tortoises and Eastern Cottontail Rabbits.

Visiting the sanctuary is free and open to the public. The sanctuary also houses an historic Queen Anne-style mansion and a birding sanctuary. You can also see the brazos Santiago Pass structure, which was constructed in 1852 to guide ships through the Brazos Santiago Pass. A few miles outside the city, the Brazos Santiago Valley was the scene of more Civil War battles than any other region in Texas. You can also visit the Rabb Plantation House, a restored Victorian mansion that serves as the park’s visitor center. The house also leads to five miles of nature trails.

Historic battle site

You can visit the historic battle site in Rio Grande City, Texas to learn about the Civil War and the US-Mexican War. The area was one of the most important battlefields of the conflict. It saw its opening battle on the Palo Alto Plain in 1846 and its final battle on the Palmito Ranch.

Although the town is now a bustling commercial hub, it was once an isolated town with few transportation resources. In the nineteenth century, however, Rio Grande City became a center of cattle raising. However, its isolation meant it was subject to frequent encroachments by the Mexican army. As a result, the residents of Rio Grande City relied on the United States Army and Texas Rangers to protect them and their cattle.

While most Civil War battles took place east of the Mississippi River, the Rio Grande Valley was home to several seminal events. This region was also a major center for the cotton trade, as the Confederacy used it to finance the war effort. In addition to the historic battle site, the Rio Grande Valley Civil War Trail offers audio tours, maps and historical information.

The Fort Ringgold was built in 1848 after the Mexican government surrendered much of its Southwest territory in the U.S. After the Mexican Revolution, the U.S. Army began building forts along the Rio Grande from Brownsville to Eagle Pass. Major Samuel Ringgold, a former officer in the army, was the commander of the fort. The fort was named after him. The town was also known as Rancho Davis. It changed hands several times during the Civil War, and the city was taken over by the Confederates in 1861.

The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Union and Confederate armies fought there in 1862. While the South eventually surrendered at Appomattox, the blue and gray fought again on the Rio Grande. You can visit the historic site at Palmito Ranch, located east of Brownsville on Texas 4.