San Augustin de Laredo Historic District--South and West Texas; A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary

St. Agustin Church
Courtesy of Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau Seven flags flying over Laredo, including that of the Republic of the Rio Grande
Courtesy of Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau

Laredo, a south Texas border town, is one of the oldest cities in the state. The San Augustin de Laredo Historic District encompasses what was the original city of Laredo, founded in 1755 by Don Tomás Sanchez de la Barrera y Gallardo. From 1839 to 1840, Laredo was the capital of "The Republic of the Rio Grande," an unsuccessful attempt to break with the government of Mexican President Santa Anna. One of the most prominent buildings in the district is San Augustin Roman Catholic Church, established in 1778. This masonry Gothic style church has a large spire that rises over San Augustin Plaza. Many buildings in the district illustrate local building styles and technologies and reflect Spanish and Mexican influences. The majority of the residential buildings consist of a complex of masonry buildings around a courtyard. The Capitol of the Republic of the Rio Grande, a stone and adobe "L"-shaped building which faces the plaza, functions today as a museum. The district is the last surviving example of a settlement from the colonization of the Lower Rio Grande (1728 to 1755), under the guidance of José de Escandon, Viceroy of Mexico.

The San Augustin de Laredo Historic District, bounded by Iturbide, Santa Ursula, Convent and Water sts., is located in Laredo at the junctions of I-35 and U.S. 59 and 83. The Webb County Heritage Foundation, located in the old Mercado building at 500 Flores Ave. is open 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday. The Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, located at 1005 Zaragoza St., is open 9:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday-Saturday and 1:00pm to 4:00pm Sunday. Visit Webb Heritage's website or call 956-727-0977 for further information about the Webb County Heritage Foundation and the Republic of the Rio Grande. Visit the city of Laredo's website or the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.visitlaredo.com or call 1-800-361-3360 or 956-795-2200 for futher information about Laredo. Several historic sites in the district have also been documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey.