Rio Grande City

The primary highway through The Valley is called the "Texas Tropical Trail", which follows the Rio Grande River from Rio Grande City East to the Gulf of Mexico. We took a day trip to Rio Grande City at the head of this trail about 30 miles West of our RV Park.

When the treaty with Mexico was signed in 1848 defining the Rio Grande River as the border between the two countries, Fort Ringgold was established as one of five forts along the river to defend border settlements against Indians and Mexican raiding parties. Fort Ringgold, situated on a 350 acre tract, became one of the most elaborate posts on the frontier, and was a Calvary garrison until it was deactivated in 1944. The area around Fort Ringgold became the town of Rio Grande City, where the Texas brush country meets the Texas subtropical region.


Most of the original log and stucco buildings of the fort are no longer standing, but the brick buildings constructed in 1869-1875 are still standing. When the fort was decommissioned, it was turned over to the Rio Grande City School District.

Several of the buildings have been converted to classrooms as was the old barracks building shown here. Other buildings surrounding a seven acre parade grounds are being maintained.

The whole fort area is a living history book.




In downtown Rio Grande City is an old hotel, The La Borde House. Built in 1877 in old European style, it was recently renovated and furnished in turn of the century style.

















We found the hotel parlor fascinating with the massive buffet, ornate sofa, marble top tables, busy wallpaper, old pictures, and wall decorations.

















The bedrooms were quite interesting with a huge four poster bed and toilet & bath facilities out in the open along one side of the room.





















The hotel has outdoor balconies with wrought iron railings and a wonderful courtyard. The floor of the of the courtyard is stone and the brick walls are decorated with panels of colorful ceramic tile designs. The courtyard was furnished with concrete tables and wrought iron chairs. The whole area had nice trees, shrubs, and planters.





















The restaurant in the hotel was quaint and had a fairly complete menu, but we settled for a Mexican lunch of taquitos and a chimichunga.

We then went to the Catholic Church where we visited the grotto designed after the Lady of Lourdes Grotto in France. It was built by a local Priest of stone and petrified logs gathered from the surrounding area. The Virgin Mary is a bronze casting imported from France. It is a very inspirational place.










We then drove around town viewing the many really old homes and buildings. Of course, most architecture is in the Spanish-Mexican style of brick and stucco, with many stone arches and tile roofs. Most of the homes had wrought iron bars on the windows . . . I don't know whether this is a throwback to the early days of Indian and Mexican raids or if this is a testament to today's society.

But, having soaked up lots of local history, we called it a day and drove the 30 miles back to
"The Bus".