Laredo, Texas, population just under 200,000, is one of the major international crossings along the U.S./Mexico border and is known as the Gateway to Mexico. It is a short 150-mile drive from San Antonio.
San Agustin de Laredo was established on the north bank of the Rio Grande by a Spanish land grant on May 15,1755. It began with eleven families, 100 head of cattle, 125 mules, 712 horses and herds of sheep and goats. During the Spanish-Mexican period the Texas Cowboy was born and the first Texas cattle drive took place along the San Antonio-Laredo road in the 18th century.
Laredo survived Comanche and Apache Indian raids, dictatorships, revolutions, annexation, and civil war. Throughout its history, Laredo has been under rule by seven different flags. It has immerged as a vibrant and culturally diverse city.
We had traveled to Laredo many times with out-of-state guests to give them a taste of ole Mexico, but never before took the time to get to know the city of Laredo. A good place to start is in one of its five historic plazas. Plazas are highly defined areas, fitting nicely into the planned street grids, and usually bounded by churches or government buildings.
One of the more romantic aspects of the plazas was the custom of the Sunday paseo (promenade) of young people, always under the watchful eye of chaperones. Forming a circle inside a circle, males would circulate in one direction, females in the opposite direction, giving each party a chance to size up the other.
We started at San Agustin Plaza adjacent to the Old Mercado Historic District. Walking along the old streets of Laredo such as Flores, Salinas, Juarez, Hidalgo, Faragut, Zaragoza and Matamores you can really get the "feel" of Laredo. The small shops, narrow streets, the citizens of Laredo enjoying the plazas and parks, and the street vendors reveal this city as a interesting place and one worth getting to know.
Our only disappointment was that the Heritage Trolley Tours of Historic Laredo was not offered the weekend we were there because of a local celebration. The tour features a turn-of-the-century trolley ride through the historic districts. It begins in the San Agustin Plaza and visits the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, the Old Mercado commercial district, the Victorian St. Peter’s District and Fort McIntosh. The tour usually lasts two hours; is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. and on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and are offered in Spanish and English. Costs is $8.00 adults and $4.00 for children. Contact Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau (956) 795-2200 or the Heritage Foundation at (956) 727-0977.