A walk in time

Eighty years after the first Southern Pacific Railway car chugged through Brownsville, a bright red relic of the era was returned to its track.

A fully restored caboose from the old line was lowered from a crane onto a small strip of track at the new Southern Pacific Linear Park Wednesday.

The Brownsville Heritage Celebration, which continues today, was a dedication for the newly minted park, extending from East Harrison and Sixth and Seventh streets, follows nine miles of the historic railway line through the city.

The Brownsville and Mexico Railway line first arrived in Brownsville in 1904 followed by Southern Pacific in 1927. The tracks that helped deliver diversity to the city’s economy and population early last century have been relocated to the city’s outskirts to make room for commercial and residential growth.

The park was constructed with more than $2 million in state grants and city resources. Wednesday’s event featured food, music and historic exhibits detailing local architecture and milestone events.

"It’s very clean, very nice, very wide," Leticia Castillo said, sharing a first impression of the city’s newest green space and attractions.

"It is a very good place to come exercise, walk ... like we’re going to come," she said.

The park was constructed with a focus on healthy living, with walking trails, hike and bike markers and field space.

"I think a lot of people should come and enjoy the qualities that are provided to us," Beatrice Martinez said and commented on the proximity to the Gladys Porter Zoo.

The park is part of an emerging cultural district that includes the Fine Arts Museum of Brownsville, Dean Porter Park, the zoo and other attractions.

The city also celebrated a dedication for the Old City Cemetery Center Wednesday, a permanent community center and the first of its kind in our area.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the corner of Sixth and Monroe streets included information about the city’s efforts to install security system and lighting at the Old City Cemetery and Hebrew Cemetery.

“The mission of the Old City Cemetery Center is to advance life long learning opportunities about the history, architecture, art, genealogy, and folk art customs of the Brownsville Historic City Cemetery and the surrounding Buena Vida neighborhood through exhibitions, cultural events and educational programs,” Brownsville Heritage Complex Director Priscilla Rodriguez said.

Exhibits at the Center “educate visitors about founding families, notables, and veterans buried at the cemetery,” Rodriguez said.

Additional displays feature the Hebrew Cemetery, cemetery symbolism and architecture, preservation, and burial customs.

The ceremony at Fifth and Madison streets was originally dedicated in 1868, though historians have dated tombstones to the late 1850s.

A “Cuentos” or storytelling celebration with folklorist and poet Consuelo Samarripa highlighted the event, with music, art exhibits and workshops featuring Dia de los Muertos imagery and traditions.

The heritage celebration continues today with the designation of Brownsville as a Preserve America Community at 3:30 p.m. The dedication of Linear Park follows at 4:15 p.m., along with a walk through the Old City Cemetery at 5 p.m. For a full schedule see Page A1.