History and Heritage
- 1872: A railroad line between Brownsville and Point Isabel
- In the 1860s, after the Civil War ended, the river steamboats of Mifflin Kenedy and Richard King continued to move passengers and cargo up and down the Rio Grande. They had a monopoly on steamboat traffic, and their rates were very high.
In 1871... Full story
- Island Doorstep
- Welcome signs provide important first impressions for visitors
- The beautification project along the highway into Port Isabel that was recently finished has made a vast improvement in the appearance of the town.
The scenic facelift is important because first impressions do indeed influence a visitor’s feeling... Full story
- The Price of Love
- Dollar dance dates back to Polish tradition
- By VICTORIA MANNING—THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
- The dance floor is split down the middle. Two distinct lines are formed. Dollar bills are flowing freely. The waltz is playing.
The dollar dance is a running wedding tradition in America, giving newlyweds extra cash and a chance to dance with a number... Full story
- Living Legends
- Classic folk tales help pass down history from generation to generation
- By VICTORIA MANNING/THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
- Has your cousin’s neighbor seen la llorona face to face? Was el cucuy hiding in your closet as a child? Did a young girl disappear at a baile on U.S. Military Highway 281?
These urban legends have been repeated and reinvented for ages and children... Full story
- Sams Stadium celebrates 53rd year
- By VICTORIA MANNING/THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
- Joe Rodriguez fondly remembers a Sams Memorial Stadium that had grass and a simple scoreboard. In 1957, with a seating capacity of 9,500, it was considered a state of the art athletic field.
Rodriguez, the Brownsville Independent School District... Full story

- Hundreds given school supplies at rally
- By JOSÉ BORJÓN/The Brownsville Herald
- Twelve-year-old Estefani Boeta hurriedly ran to one of the many tables at the Jacob Brown Auditorium at Sunday’s annual Youth Development Rally to claim her bag of school supplies.
Hundreds of Brownsville school children received free school supplies... Full story
- Faith Restored
- VBMC holds first Mass at chapel since 1973
- By Christian Martell/The Brownsville Herald
- "Am I late?” “Is it full?” “Has it started?”
These were the questions asked by Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville employees, as they rushed inside the newly-restored interfaith chapel for the first Mass there since 1973.
Whatever the... Full story
- History on rails
- City restoring train scale for park
- By VICTORIA MANNING/THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
- The little blue building sticks out like a sore thumb.
Anchored among rows of palm trees, it’s one of the last artifacts of a booming transportation era.
The little blue building is actually a train scale that city officials plan to preserve... Full story
- Book signing at museum on Saturday
- A book signing with Carl Chilton, author of, “History of the Gladys Porter Zoo,” will take place on Saturdayat 2 p.m. The event is free to the public and will be held inside the Brownsville Heritage Museum located at 1325 E. Washington St. For more information,... Full story
- Rodriguez, Clark appointed to Heritage Council
- By VICTORIA MANNING/THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
- Brownsville Heritage Council appointed two new members at the Brownsville City Commission meeting on July 3.
Brownsville Historical Association Executive Director Priscilla Rodriguez will replace Leo Garza as planner.
Garza was recently hired... Full story