By Rene TorresIn order to understand Brownsville and its colorful history we must retreat and revisit its people and the historical events that shaped this city—a history that figured in the annals of our country since the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
Those diaries, letters, newspapers, magazines, books and the stories past on by our founding fathers were the sources that helped us keep up with the civilized world then and now.
In the 1950s, the Brownsville Herald published several stories that attempted to educate its readers about local history—the following are summaries of those articles.
Selected excerpts were submitted by Jo Sobrino:
Did You Know?
That the means of transit to Matamoros form Brownsville in 1890 were two row boats, the “America” and the “Mexico”?That the first telegraphic communication linking Brownsville to the outside world was on May 1, 1871?
That the twin cities at the mouth of the Rio Grande were Bagdad and Clarksville?
That the hurricane of 1874 wiped out the cities of Bagdad and Clarksville?
That the world premier of the film “Red River” took place in Brownsville at the Capitol, in McAllen at the Palace, and in Harlingen at the Arcadia?The movie was the story of the “Chisholm Trial—which actually began in Brownsville.
That R.B. Rentfro was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1875, and also a member of the House of Representatives of the twenty-first session of the Texas Legislature, being elected as a Republican from this, at the time, strongly Democratic district?
That there was a school named “Little Indiana School” located on the Northeast corner of Boca Chica and Indiana Ave (now FM 511).
Teachers that taught there were Zola Berry, Margaret Conklin, Edwin Hockaday, and his father.
The school was around from about 1910 to 1922
Did You Know?
That the famed Alice to Brownsville Stage Line was inaugurated in 1884. The line carried the U. S. Mail and it required 40 hours of riding to reach Alice.
That the Rio Grande Railway Company that operated between Brownsville and Point Isabel was founded in 1870 by Simon Celaya Sr.
That on November 2, 1863 a local vaquero—Brownsville’s Paul Revere, dashed down the main street, yelling and waving a sombrero announcing the arrival of “the Federals ( the union soldiers ).
That the kids that attended the local Grammar school of the 1890s were trained in the rudiments of military tactics? The students had to stand erect in ranks and keep step to music of the piano from the time they left their rooms until the leader called “break ranks” outside of the school gate.That the Brownsville Market bell announced the opening and closing of the market, fire alarms, times of stress, police calls and for the saloons to close at night?
That the Opera House in Brownsville was inaugurated in November 1881 with a formal ball and that included a buffet supper?
That in November 1920, Oscar Dancy was elected Cameron County Judge, a post he was to hold with only one interruption (1933-34) for the next fifty years?
That in 1914, W. A. “Snake” King, rode a burro from Brownsville to Austin and up the steps of the state capitol to invite the governor to the annual Mid-Winter Fair in Brownsville? Governor O.B. Colquitt attended the fair.That in the period shortly after the Civil War many of the houses in Brownsville were prefabricated; that is they were designed and partially assembled in New Orleans, shipped to Brownsville and here put up through the cooperation of the entire town?
That in 1893, Hon. William Neale was 85 and the oldest inhabitant in Brownsville?That in 1898, Cipriano Cardenas Sr., opened his first grocery store at the corner of 15th and East Jackson Streets?
That in 1918, the three leading theaters were the Dittman, Dreamland and Queen?
That in 1893, one of the most popular social clubs in the city was the Brownsville Casino Society, headed by Louis Kowalski?That Brownsville was right proud of its 1890s “Cinderella parties” where a dainty pair of Turkish slippers were given to the lady with the smallest feet?
Did you know?
That the first mayor of Brownsville was Israel Bigelow elected on April 8, 1850—but was removed from office on September of the same year following allegations of election fraud and other irregularities.
That a major improvement in health care facilities occurred in 1923, when Mercy Hospital was constructed on two blocks of land donated by James Stillman?
That higher education came to Brownsville in 1926 in the form of the Junior College of the Lower Rio Grande Valley? Renamed Brownsville Junior College five years later which is now Texas Southmost College.
That in 1925, a Brownsville citizen hotel committee was responsible for contracting to erect a hotel? The El Jardin Hotel took two years to complete; that the roof of the hotel was the site of radio broadcasting tower for KWWG, the first in the Valley?
That the steamer “Bessie” made trips about every 10 days from Brownsville to all up-river points such as Santa Maria, Rio Grande City, Reynosa, Meir and Camargo?
That in 1875, W. S. Dougherty established “The Daily Cosmopolitan”, a newspaper devoted to the trade interest of this section and the Welfare of the Rio Grande country?
That the chandeliers that hung in the Immaculate Conception Church were the gift of Jeremiah Galvan?
That the “Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized in 1875?
That in 1880, the bill for the year for feeding prisoners in the city jail was $11.01?
That in 1889, there was a school for the Negro children in Brownsville at the foot of Jefferson Street in charge of a white teacher, Miss Mary Wallace?
That in 1890, there was no theaters in Brownsville because we were too far off the beaten track for any manager to risk the danger—but at the well equipped Opera House, local talent endeavored to lessen our regrets?
That in 1890 “Summer Whites” were worn at Fort Brown by troops from April 15 to November 15?
That in 1893 the drug store “Botica de Leon” owned by Joseph L. Putegnat carried a full line of drugs, chemicals, patent medicines, surgical instruments, perfumery, toilet articles, paint, paint brushes, oils, combs, hair brushes and tooth brushes?
Did You Know?
That in 1920 famed baseball managers Branch Rickey and Connie Mack brought their St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Athletics to Brownsville and the Valley for training camp?
That James B. Wells promoted the plan and pushed the appropriation through Congress to build the International Bridge Brownsville completed in 1910.
That Henry Martin Schmidt, born in Brownsville 1873, played with the Brooklyn Superbs/Dodgers of the National League in 1903?
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