Laredo, Texas

City of Laredo
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s): "The Gateway City" & "The City Under Seven Flags"
Location of Laredo in Texas
Location of Laredo in Webb County
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Webb
Metropolitan Area	Laredo-Nuevo Laredo Metropolitan Area
Settled	1755
Government
- Type	Mayor / City Manager
- Mayor	Raul Gonzalez Salinas
- City Manager	Carlos R. Villarreal
Area
- City	84.54 sq mi (218.96 km²)
- Land	83.44 sq mi (216.11 km²)
- Water	1.1 sq mi (2.8489 km²)  1.3011%
- Metro	161.76 sq mi (418.96 km²)
Elevation	438 ft (137.2 m)
Population (2007)
- City	217,506
- Density	2,469.20/sq mi (960.36/km²)
- Metro	718,073
- Metro Density	4,943.92/sq mi (1,908.86/km²)
	metro area includes Laredo, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Rio Bravo, Texas, El Cenizo, Texas, Laredo Ranchettes, Texas. Larga Vista, Texas, Ranchos Penitas West, Texas & La Presa, Texas
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CST (UTC-5)
Zip Code	Laredo: 78040, 78041, 78042, 78043, 78044, 78045, 78046, & 78049 Nuevo Laredo: 88000
Area code(s)	Laredo: +1-956 Nuevo Laredo: +52-876
FIPS code	48-41464[1]
GNIS feature ID	1339633[2]
Laredo Airport:	Laredo International Airport KLRD LRD
Nuevo Laredo Airport:	Quetzalcoatl International Airport MMNL NLD
Website: City of Laredo

Laredo (pronounced /ləˈreɪdoʊ/ "luh-RAID-o" in English, [laˈɾeðo] in Spanish) is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande (Río Bravo) in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2007 census estimate, the city population was 217,506.^[3] Laredo is part of the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo Metropolitan Area with an estimate population of 718,073.^[4] Laredo's economy is based on international trade with Mexico. It is the largest inland port in the United States. Most major transportation companies have a facility in Laredo. Laredo's location along the southern end of I-35 close to the manufacturers in North Mexico promotes its vital role in trade between the United States and Mexico.

Laredo has the distinction of having seven flags flown over the city. Founded in 1755, Laredo grew from a villa to the capital of the brief Republic of the Rio Grande to the largest inland port on the United States-Mexican Border. Today, it has four international bridges and one railway bridge. Laredo's weather is semi-arid during the summer and mild during the winter.

Laredo International Airport is within the Laredo city limits, while the Quetzalcoatl International Airport is nearby in Nuevo Laredo in Mexico. The city has three professional sports teams: the Bucks, Broncos, and Heat. Texas A&M International University and Laredo Community College call Laredo home. The biggest festival, Washington's Birthday Celebration is during February all month long, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists.

History

Map of Laredo in 1892

Villa de San Agustin de Laredo was founded in 1755 by Don Tomás Sánchez while the area was part of the Nuevo Santander region in the Spanish colony of New Spain. Villa de San Agustin de Laredo got its name from Laredo, Cantabria, Spain and in honor of Saint Augustine of Hippo. In 1840, Laredo was the capital of the independent Republic of the Rio Grande, set up in opposition Antonio López de Santa Anna and brought back into Mexico by military force. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War the town was occupied by the Texas Rangers. After the war, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ceded the land to the United States. A referendum was taken in the town, which voted to petition the American military government in charge of the area to return the town to Mexico. This petition was rejected, and the bulk of the population moved over the river into Mexican territory to found Nuevo Laredo. In 1849, the military set up Fort McIntosh (originally Camp Crawford). Laredo was rechartered as a city in 1852.

Statue of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza in San Agustin Plaza in downtown Laredo. The victor at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, Zaragoza has become a hero to millions of Hispanics.

Laredo is one of the oldest border crossing points along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the nation's largest inland port of entry. In 2005, Laredo celebrated the 250th anniversary of its founding. The origin of name of Laredo is unclear. Some scholars say the name stems from Glaretum which means "sandy, rocky place" others state that Laredo stems from Euskaro and means "beautiful prairies".^[5][6] Laredo might also stem from Laridae which means gull or it might be made up of two Latin words lar which means home and edo which means birth.

Geography

Satellite image of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo taken by NASA in 2007

Foggy morning at the Mall del Norte east of Interstate 35

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 79.6 square miles (206.0 km²), of which, 78.5 square miles (203.2 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (1.37%) is water.

Location

Laredo is located on the west end of the Rio Grande Plains is south of the Edwards Plateau, Coastal Plains to the east, and Mexican Mountains to the west. The area consists of a few hills and flat land covered brush: grass lands, oak, and mesquite. The annual Cola Blanca Contest brings hunters from across the United States and Mexico.

Bodies of water

Notable geographic features are the Rio Grande and Chacon Creek's man-made reservoir Lake Casa Blanca in Lake Casa Blanca International State Park. The lake is 371 acres (1.5 km²) of land and 1,650 acres (7 km²) of water. There are six major creeks Chacon Creek, San Ildefonso Creek, San Ygnacio Creek, Santa Isabel Creek, Sombrerillito Creek, and the Zacate Creek all of which drain into the Rio Grande. There are several man made reservoirs including: San Ildefonso Creek Lake (second largest reservoir), Sombrerillito Creek Lake (third largest reservoir), Sanchez Lake, Salinas Tank, Iron Pasture Tank, Paul Young Ranch Lake, Link Lake Number 1 and 2, Casa Blanca Lake, and Scot Camp Tank.

Climate

Laredo's weather is affected by the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains to the west and the Gulf of Mexico to the east and the Sonoran Desert of Northern Mexico; any moisture from the Pacific is cut-off by the Mexican mountain range. Its geographic location causes Laredo's weather to range from long periods of heat to sudden violent storms and tornadoes in a short period of time. Laredo is cold for south Texas standards during winter, the average daytime highs are around 66 °F (19 C) and overnight lows around 43 °F (6 C); although it is rare for snow to fall in Laredo, there was actually snow on the ground for a few hours on the morning of Christmas Day 2004.

Laredo experiences an average high temperature of about 99 °F (37 C), and an average low of about 75 °F (24 C) during summer, and 20 inches (510 mm) of rain per year. As Laredo sometimes undergoes drought, a water conservation ordinance was implemented in 2003.

Weather averages for Laredo, Texas
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	92 (33)	94 (34)	99 (37)	108 (42)	112 (44)	112 (44)	111 (44)	112 (44)	109 (43)	101 (38)	99 (37)	93 (34)	104 (40)
Average high °F (°C)	66 (19)	71 (22)	80 (27)	88 (31)	92 (33)	96 (36)	99 (37)	99 (37)	93 (34)	86 (30)	76 (25)	68 (20)	84 (29)
Average low °F (°C)	43 (6)	47 (8)	55 (13)	63 (17)	69 (21)	73 (23)	75 (24)	75 (24)	74 (22)	63 (17)	53 (12)	45 (7)	61 (16)
Record low °F (°C)	26 (-3)	29 (-2)	33 (1)	38 (3)	54 (12)	66 (19)	68 (20)	64 (18)	56 (13)	42 (6)	33 (1)	15 (-9)	43.6 (7)
Precipitation inches (cm)	1.0 (2.5)	1.1 (2.7)	0.8 (1.9)	1.8 (4.5)	2.6 (6.6)	3.2 (8.1)	1.5 (3.8)	2.7 (6.8)	3.1 (7.9)	2.5 (6.4)	1.2 (2.9)	0.9 (2.4)	22.2 (56.5)
Source: worldclimate.com[7] May 2007

Demographics

The large Calvary Catholic Cemetery is located off Saunders Street in Laredo. Nearby is the City of Laredo Cemetery.

Laredo places 88th in the top 100 cities in population in the United States. According to the census^[1] estimate of 2006,^[8][9] there were 231,470 people. In the 2005 estimate there were 99,675 males and 108,112 females living in 60,816 households, out of those 33,832 were owner occupied. The average household size has 3.69 occupants. The population density was 2,250.5 people per square mile (868.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 179,887 or 86.6% White, 1,012 or 0.5% African American, 599 or 0.3% Native American, 779 or 0.4% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 23,932 or 11.5% from other races, and 1,578 or 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino accounts for 197,198 or 94.9% of the population in terms of ethnicity.

There were a total of 60,816 households out of which 56,247 or 92.5% were occupied, 33,832 were owner occupied units and 22,415 were renter occupied units. 62.0% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were non-families. 12.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.69 and the average family size was 4.18

The city's population is 35.5% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,019, and the median income for a family was $32,577. The per capita income for the city was $12,269. 29.2% of families were below the poverty line.

According to the United States Census Bureau, at a 2000 census, Laredo was the second fastest growing city in the United States, (Las Vegas, Nevada, having been first).

Government

Webb County Administration Building

Laredo Police Department

Laredo Municipal Court adjacent to the police department handles primarily traffic cases. The elected judge is Alfonso Ornelas.

Webb County Courthouse is located in Laredo.

U.S. District Courthouse in Laredo

Laredo's municipal government is controlled by a strong city council-weak mayor system. The mayor presides over the city council, but he/she may only vote to break a tie. City Council elections are based on single-member districts and campaigns have no party affiliations. Nominally nonpartisan municipal elections are held in May of even-numbered years. The municipal government is administered by the city manager hired by the city council. All city elected offices have a four-year term and are nonpartisan though most officials have a party preference or affiliation. City council meetings are held on Mondays and can be viewed on the public access channel.

City Mayor -- Raul G. Salinas, Democrat, elected 2006 to succeed Betty Flores

City Manager - Carlos Villareal

City Council:
District 1 - Joseph Michael Garza
District 2 - Hector "Tito" Garcia
District 3 - Dr. Michael Landeck
District 4 - Juan Narvaez Jr
District 5 - Juan Jose "Johnny" Rendon
District 6 - Gene Belmares
District 7 - Jose Valdez, Jr.
District 8 - Cindy Liendo Espinoza

State and federal representatives

- Texas House of Representatives -
- District 31 - Ryan Guillen, Democrat
- District 42 - Richard Peña Raymond, Democrat
-
- Texas Senate -
- District 21 - Judith Zaffirini, Democrat
-
- United States House of Representatives -
- District 28 - Henry Cuellar, Democrat

Education

Elementary and secondary

Laredo is served by two school districts: the Laredo Independent School District and the United Independent School District and eight private schools.

The St. Agustine Parochial School existed at the San Agustin Historical District in front of the San Agustin Plaza from 1927-1976. The structure, adjacent to San Agustin Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic educational center.

Newman Elementary School at 1300 Alta Vista Drive in the Valle Alto subdivision, one of dozens of public schools in Laredo, is named for businessman B.P. Newman (1927-2008) and his wife, the former Peggy Jean Behelar, who donated the land for the school.

The John B. Alexander High School across from the Winfield subdivision in Laredo is named for a fallen soldier of World War II.

The Laredo Independent School District^[10] (LISD) serves the areas in central Laredo. The LISD high schools are Cigarroa High School, Martin High School, J. W. Nixon High School and the Laredo Early College High School. LISD also contains three school|magnet schools: Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet School, LISD Magnet for Engineering and Technology Education, and Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts.

The United Independent School District^[11] serves the rest of Laredo and northern Webb County. The UISD high schools are John B. Alexander High School, Lyndon B. Johnson High School, United High School, United South High School. UISD has three magnet schools: John B. Alexander Health Science Magnet, United Engineering Magnet, and the United South Business Magnet. There are thirty-nine schools within UISD and more are under construction and/or in the development stage. United ISD is one of the fastest growing districts in the state, serving almost forty thousand students and covering an area the physical size of Rhode Island.

The city is also served by eight private schools:

• Saint Augustine High School, Catholic school, 9th-12th^[12]
• Laredo Christian Academy, Assemblies of God, Grades PK-12th
• United Day School, nonpartisan, PK-8th
• Mary Help of Christians School, Catholic school, PK-8th
• Blessed Sacrament School, Catholic school, PK-7th
• Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Catholic school, PK-6th
• St. Peter Memorial School, Catholic school, PK-6th
• Saint Augustine School, Catholic school, now elementary and middle, PK-8th, established 1928, enrollment 485 (2008)

Colleges and universities

Statue of the dashing palomino, the Laredo Community College team name, at Fort McIntosh Park, a gift of former LCC trustee Raquel Gonzalez

In 2003, the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center opened on the Laredo Community College campus. It hosts both student and community events.

Texas A&M International University Library

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio-Laredo Campus Main Building

Laredo is home to Laredo Community College^[13] and Texas A&M International University^[14] (TAMIU). The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio^[15] has a campus in Laredo.

The Laredo Community College is a two-campus institution which offers two-year Associates Degrees. The main campus is located in west Laredo near the Rio Grande. The smaller but newer second campus, Laredo Community College South Campus, is located in south Laredo along United States Highway 83. The main campus is located at the western end of downtown Laredo on the land formerly known as Fort McIntosh. This fort played a major role in the development of Laredo as it served to protect Laredo's border from Indian raids in its early history. Several of the fort's old buildings were converted into classrooms.

The Texas A&M International University is a 4/6 year university that offers Bachelors and Master's Degrees. On April 22, 2004,[1], the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in Austin provided its approval for Texas A&M International University to grant its first Ph.D. in International Business Administration[2] [3]. TAMIU’s College of Business Administration has been named an outstanding business school in "The Princeton Review’s" “Best 282 Business Schools,” 2007 Edition, and ranked third in the nation for the category: “Greatest Opportunity for Minority Students[4].” The university's campus is located in Northeast Laredo along Loop 20. The university was once an extension of Texas A&I-Kingsville and later changed to Laredo State University. Prior to its current location along Loop 20, the university was housed on Laredo Community College's downtown campus grounds.

The University of Texas Health Science Center campus is located in East Laredo near U.S. Highway 59 and the Laredo Medical Center. The campus is an extension university from UTHSC in San Antonio, Texas. The university offers Doctoral Degrees in the medical and dental fields.

Economy

The Laredo National Bank is one of the strongest banking institutions in Laredo

The Mall del Norte is one of the largest malls in South Texas

Texas Community Bank headquarters on McPherson Road

Duty-free Zone

El Portal Center

El Portal Center and Rio Grande plaza view from Nuevo Laredo

North Creek plaza in Laredo

Laredo is the destination for many Mexican shoppers, some of whom come from Mexico City. New hotels, such as Embassy Suites, have hence been built around the city.

Walker Plaza off Interstate 35 in Laredo is named for the family of the late J.O. Walker, Sr., a rancher and businessman.

Patriotic 9-11 mural at Blas Castañeda Park in Laredo

Northeast Hillside Recreational Center

Laredo is located in the northern banks of the Rio Grande.

Many families in Laredo have cookouts during weekends. Here is a typical barbeque grill

Tamiqueña Plate as served in many Laredo Mexican restaurants

Laredo has four South Texas banking institutions Falcon International Bank, International Bank of Commerce, Laredo National Bank, and Texas Community Bank. As a result of Laredo's location in North America, Interstate Highway 35 / Mexican Federal Highway 85, the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), dozens of twin assembly plants, and dozens of import export agencies to expedite trade, Laredo is the largest inland port in the United States and Nuevo Laredo the largest in Latin America. Laredo is a shopping destination for Mexican shoppers from Northern Mexico.

The newer of two locations of Laredo Federal Credit Union is located on busy McPherson Road.

La Posada Hotel in San Agustin Plaza downtown, with underground garage, reflects Spanish style and architecture.

Trade

More than 47% of United States international trade headed for Mexico and more than 36% of Mexican international trade crosses through the Laredo port of entry.^[16][17] Laredo's economy and lifestyle revolves around commercial and industrial warehousing, import, and export. As a major player of international trade, Laredo benefited from the passing of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The city's Laredo International Airport has non-stop flights to Houston, Dallas, and Las Vegas. The Laredo port of entry consists of five international bridges crossing the Rio Grande into the Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon.

Retail sales

Retail sales attracts shoppers from Northern Mexico and South Texas.^[18] There are 2 indoor shopping malls located in the area and dozens of shopping centers. The Streets of Laredo Urban Mall is an association created by businesses on Iturbide Street in the San Agustin historical district to beautify and renovate the area.^[19] By 2009 Laredo will have an additional 2 malls which are currently under construction:

• Mall Del Norte 1,198,199 sq ft (111,316.3 m²)
• El Portal Mall 380,000 sq ft (35,000 m²)
• Laredo Town Center Mall 580,577 ft² (to open in 2009)^[20]
• Piazza del Sol Mall 1,200,000 ft² (to open in 2009)^[21]
• Laredo Factory Outlet Center 452,000 ft² (to open in 2010)^[22] in Botines, Texas
• Streets of Laredo Urban Mall

Labor market information

Cattle grazing in a pasture in the Laredo city limits adjacent to Wal-Mart on U.S. Highway 83 south

As of October 2007, Laredo's labor market was in the following industries by percentage of number employed: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (32%), Information (1%), Financial Activity (5%), Professional and Business Services (6%), Education and Health Services (15%), Leisure and Hospitality (10%), Government (23%), Mining and Construction (5%), Manufacturing (2%), and Other Services (2%).

Laredo has increased the number of non-agricultural jobs from 55,100 in January 1996 to 86,600 in October 2007. Laredo has experienced a higher job growth rate (2%-6.5%) than the state as a whole because of expanded international trade through the North American Free Trade Agreement. In 2007, Laredo experienced a job growth rate of 2.5%. As of October 2007, the Laredo unemployment rate was 4.1% or 3,700 unemployed persons as compared to 3.9% in Texas statewide. This is a significant drop since the mid-1990s when Laredo's unemployment was over 15%.

Laredo has had positive job market growth since the mid-1990s, setbacks in the Mining (oil/gas) industry shifted a few thousand workers to other industries such as international trade and construction. Many large employers in the oil and gas industries shut down operations in Laredo and across Texas and shifted to foreign countries. The same effect occurred in the garment industry (Levis and Haggar) along the Texas border area, but Laredo experienced the closing of the one and only garment-producing company (Barry) of about 300 workers. Laredo's strong job growth rate in retail and transportation services limited the adverse effects of long-term unemployment in the few massive layoffs of the late 1990s. Laredo's vulnerability continue to exist in international trade due to unforeseen changes to Mexico's economy, immigration laws (along with daily border crossings: shoppers and commercial trade) and terrorism as the result of September 11th.^[23]

People and culture

Annual festivals

The Washington's Birthday Celebration (WBCA)^[24] is a month long event that celebrates George Washington's Birthday. It was founded in 1898 by the Improved Order of the Red Men, local chapter Yaqui Tribe #59. It is the largest celebration of its kind in the United States with 400,000 attendees annually. The first celebration was a success and its popularity grew rapidly and in 1923 it received its state charter. In 1924, the Celebration featured its first Colonial Pageant, which featured thirteen young girls from Laredo, representing the thirteen original colonies. The celebration includes parades, a carnival, an air show, fireworks, live concerts, and a city-wide prom during which many of Laredo's elite dress in very formal attire. The related Jalapeño Festival is one of the United States' top 10 eating festivals.

Jamboozie is held in late January in downtown Laredo as part of the Washington Birthday Celebrations. Similar to New Orleans' Mardi Gras, the Jamboozie is a colorful event, with many people dressed in beads, masks, and flamboyant outfits.

This mural, among a number located between the lanes of Interstate 35, honors the western culture of Laredo.

Recreational

Lake Casa Blanca

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park,^[25] located on Loop 20, contains a 1,680-acre (7 km²) artificial lake along with cooking out, camping, picnicking, lake swimming, skiing, boating, and mountain biking. The most popular recreational use of the lake is fishing. A boat ramp and fishing pier is available on the eastern side of the lake.The lake is a popular destination for winter Texans. The park was operated by the City of Laredo and Webb County before it was acquired by the state in 1990 and opened in March 1991.

Golf

Laredo has two 18-hole golf courses; the Laredo Country Club^[26] and the Casa Blanca Golf Course.^[27] The Laredo Country Club is an 18-hole private course that features 7,125 yards (6,515 m) of golf. The golf course has a rating of 74.6, a slope rating of 133, and has a par of 72. The country club was designed by Joseph S. Finger and was opened in 1983.^[28] The Casa Blanca Golf Course is an 18-hole course that features 6,590 yards (6,030 m) of golf. The golf course has a rating of 72.5, a slope rating of 125, and has a par of 72. The golf course was designed by Leon Howard and was opened in 1967.^[29] There is also an 18-hole country club across the border in Nuevo Laredo. The Club Campestre Riviera del Bravo in Nuevo Laredo is an 18-hole that features 6,325 yards (5,784 m) of golf. The golf course has a rating of 71.1 and has a par of 72.^[30]

Parks, recreational centers, plazas, and baseball fields

The Lamar Bruni Vergara Inner City Park off McDonnell Street in Laredo offers an outdoor heated swimming pool. It opened in 2004.

The City of Laredo owns 8 recreational centers, 34 developed parks, 22 undeveloped parks or under construction, 5 baseball fields, and 4 plazas. The parks total area is 618 acres (2.50 km²).^[31]

Developed parks

Undeveloped parks

David B. Barkley Plaza

David B. Barkley Plaza flag

A memorial honoring the 41 Hispanic soldiers who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor was built in Laredo, Texas in 2002. The plaza was named after the only Laredo Congressional Medal of Honor recipient David B. Barkley. The David B. Barkley Plaza has a bronze statue of David B. Barkley and an American flag measuring 100ft by 50ft and is 308ft tall making it the tallest flagpole in the United States.^[32][33] The memorial is located at (27.5062017, -99.5023316).^[34]

Museums

Today a part of the Republic of the Rio Grande's Capitol building is used as a museum to showcase pictures and history of the short-lived republic.

Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center Planetarium

Republic of the Rio Grande Capitol Building Museum^[35] is located in the downtown historical district next to the historical La Posada Hotel. It was once the Republic of the Rio Grande Capitol building now showcases memorabilia from the short lived Republic of the Rio Grande. It displays pictures, books, and furniture from the 19th century Laredo area. It offers guided tours for school age children and adults year-round. Because of this Republic, Laredo had flown seven flags instead of the traditional Six Flags over Texas.

The Laredo Center for the Arts houses three galleries.

The Laredo Center for the Arts^[36] is located in downtown Laredo. The building houses three galleries: the Goodman Gallery, the Laredo Art League Gallery and the Lilia G. Martinez Gallery. The Center for the Arts, located in the former City Hall offices known as the Mercado, displays regional artwork and provides community events for children and adults. The Laredo Little Theater provides Laredoans with live stage performances. The theater also hosts comedians.

Imaginarium of South Texas^[37] (formerly Laredo Children's Museum), located in Mall del Norte, provides a hands-on experience with science, technology, and art for Laredo's youth. A second museum is planned on the Texas A&M International University campus.^[38]

The Nuevo Santander Museum Complex comprises restored buildings of Fort McIntosh, a historical collection of photographs of the fort, the main Guardhouse, which contains World War I (1914-1918) memorabilia, and a science and technology museum.

Planetarium

The Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center Planetarium^[39] is located on the Texas A&M International University Laredo campus. The Planetarium surrounds audiences in a dome with an accurate image of the night sky showing all the motions and cycles of the Sun, Moon, planets, and constellations in the sky creating a multi-media experience in revealing the wonders of the cosmos. The Planetarium introduces to you to a life-long acquaintance with the sky and an interpretion of the Universe that appeals to both the mind and eye. The Digistar 3 system at the TAMIU Planetarium takes audiences on a fantastic voyage through the cosmos and beyond.

Library

The Laredo Public Library at the intersection of McPherson and Calton

The Laredo Public Library^[40] was first housed on the second floor of the City Hall, now known as the Market Hall, in 1916. In 1974, the Laredo Public Library moved to the historic Bruni Plaza in downtown Laredo. In 1993, the citizens of Laredo approved the construction of a new main library. The new main library opened its doors for the first time in February 1, 1998. The Laredo Public Library has a 60,000 sq ft (6,000 m²). main library and two branches that serve the City of Laredo. The main library is located in central Laredo and the Bruni Plaza Branch^[41] is located in downtown, and the Santo Niño Branch is located in south Laredo.^[42]

Nightlife

Laredo has many known nightlife establishments.

"The Strip", located right off of Del Mar Boulevard, has also proven to be a popular party scene, featuring popular restaurant/bars such as Agave Azul, Old No.2, Cosmos, Crawdaddy's, and The Bleu Room.

The F Lounge, formerly known as the F Bar, is a popular club located in central Laredo.

Architecture and churches

Main article: List of buildings in Laredo, Texas

The former Hamilton Hotel, tallest building in Laredo, provides residences for the elderly.

The San Agustin Cathedral Clock Tower is the second tallest structure in Laredo.

A view of San Agustin Cathedral from the plaza park

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is located in the Heights neighborhood of Laredo.

The First United Methodist Church has existed on McClelland Street since 1949. The cornerstone from the 1916 building on Hidalgo Street downtown was moved here.

The new sanctuary of the First Baptist Church opened off Del Mar Boulevard in 2008.

The striking Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in inner-city Laredo is located next to the parochial school of the same name at the intersection of San Jorge Avenue and Callaghan Street.

San Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Laredo

Bethany House is a settlement house for the dispossessed in downtown Laredo, founded by the minister, Charles McNaboe (1929-1996).

Laredo’s architecture is of Spanish Colonial, American, and Mexican flavor. Most of Laredo's Spanish colonial buildings are located in downtown Laredo. American architecture can be seen along Interstate Highway 35 and in the downtown area.

Heavily Roman Catholic in church affiliation, Laredo has impressive houses of worship in multiple denominations. The oldest congregation, San Agustin Cathedral in the downtown historic plaza, dates to the founding of the city in 1755. Other Catholic congregations included Our Lady of Guadalupe, an imposing structure in the inner-city at San Jorge Avenue and Callaghan Street, Blessed Sacrament and Christ the King, both in the Heights neighborhood, St. John Neumann church at Hillside Road and Springfield Avenue, San Martin de Porres at 1704 Sandman Street near the municipal water tower, and the large renovated St. Patrick's on Del Mar Boulevard. The Catholic diocese office, the headquarters of Bishop James Tamayo, is located on Corpus Christi Street north of Guadalupe Street.

The First United Methodist, the Presbyterian, and Episcopal congregations are located in the Heights neighborhood of south central Laredo. In 1963, First Baptist Church (pastor Ronald A. Scott) moved from downtown to the Heights neighborhood J. W. Nixon High School. The congregaton relocated on March 2, 2008, to a new structure on Bartlett Street north off Del Mar Boulevard.

A Mormon Church is situated at the intersection of Hillside Road and Cactus Drive. The city also has a Lutheran congregation and nondenominational Grace Bible Church off Hillside and Church of the Crossroads on International Boulevard. Another Baptist congregation, United Baptist (pastor Mike Barrera), is also on International. The First Assembly of God draws a large congregation to its sanctuary on McPherson Road. There are also Spanish-language congregations in nearly all denominations.

List of the tallest buildings in Laredo, Texas:

Health care

The Laredo Medical Center is the largest hospital in Laredo.

The Laredo Specialty Hospital

Providence Surgical & Medical Center in Laredo

There are five medical centers in Laredo, the Laredo Medical Center, Doctor's Hospital in far north Laredo, Gateway Community Health Center, Providence Surgical & Medical Center, and the Laredo Specialty Hospital. Laredo Medical Center Services include:

Doctor's Hospital^[44] is the second largest medical center in Laredo. The hospital complex is over 250,000-square-foot (23,000 m²) complex with 180 licensed beds in a 58-acre (230,000 m²) campus and is affiliated to Universal Health Services. It is located in Loop 20 in north Laredo. Behind the main building the Doctors Regional Cancer Treatment Center which offers comprehensive cancer services.

The Providence Surgical & Medical Center^[45] is an ambulatory health care center located in north-central Laredo which is also owed by Universal Health Services.
Doctor's Hospital services include:

The Gateway Community Health Center^[46] is the third largest medical center in Laredo. The health center's main building is 64,000 square feet (5,900 m²) and three stories high. The Medical center recently moved in 2006 to its new $11,000,000 building. The main Gateway Community Health Center is located in East Laredo close to U.S. Highway 59. It also has three branches in the Laredo area: the South Clinic, El Cenizo Community Center, and Quad City Community Center.
Gateway Community Health Center services include:

The Laredo Specialty Hospital^[47] is the fourth largest medical center in Laredo. It is owned by Ernest Health Inc. and was founded by Elmo Lopez Jr. on May 22, 2006 and admitted its first patient within hours of operation. Although in operation, it was not celebrated a "Grand Opening" by Webb County due to unannounced reasons until March 2007 when it was granted.

People from Laredo

Notable people born in Laredo

House Majority Leader Thomas Dale DeLay 2003–2005

• David Barkley-Cantu, First Mexican-American to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
• Pedro "Pete" Astudillo, Composer
• Freddie Benavides, Former professional baseball player
• Santos Benavides, Confederate States of America colonel, U.S. Civil War
• Louis H. Bruni (born 1949), Webb County county judge, 2003-2007; Republican candidate for Texas State Senate in 2008
• Orlando Canizales, Professional boxer. Career W 50 L 5 D 1
• Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., President of University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Henry Cuellar, U.S. Representative from Texas' 28th District (since 2005), former Texas Secretary of State (2001) and state representative (1987-2001)
• Tony Dalton, is an American actor and screenwriter.
• Tom DeLay, Former U.S. Representative from Texas's 22nd District and former House majority leader, Republican
• Betty Flores, first woman mayor of Laredo. 1998-2006
• Julio A. Garcia, prominent Laredo attorney; district attorney from 1980-1988
• William N. "Billy" Hall, Jr., (1940-2002), State representative, county treasurer, civic leader
• Oscar M. Laurel (1920-2001) -- State representative, district attorney, member of the National Transportation Safety Board, executive director of the International Good Neighbor Council
• Thomas C. Mann, Former U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador
• Federico Peña, Former mayor of Denver, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and former U.S. Secretary of Energy, Democrat
• Johnny Rodriguez, Tex-Mex Country singer
• Ezequiel D. Salinas (1908-2007), State court judge from 1950-1974 and civil rights activist for Hispanics
• Antonio R. "Tony" Sanchez, Jr., Oilman and banker, 2002 Democratic candidate for Texas governor
• José Silva, Parapsychologist
• Guillermo Vela (1912-1986), U.S. Military Attaché in Mexico, first Mexico City Anchorman
• Judith Zaffirini (born 1946), State senator since 1987
• Miles Zuniga (born Alfredo Zuniga), Guitarist, singer and songwriter for the rock band Fastball
• Oscar J. Zuniga (1922-2007), Engineer and developer

Notable people residing in Laredo but born elsewhere

• Steve Asmussen, horse breeder who won three legs of the Triple Crown
• Ruthe B. Cowl (1912–2008), philanthropist
• Radcliffe Killam (1910–2007), rancher, oilman, developer
• Janet Krueger (born 1953), artist of south Texas ranch life, professor at Texas A&M International University
• Jack Lanza ex-professional wrestler, now WWE producer
• Rafael A. Lecuona (born 1928), former Olympic gymnast and retired university political science professor
• B.P. Newman (1927-2008), businessman, developer, and philanthropist who originated Chaparral, Vista Hermosa, and Sierra Vista subdivisions
• José Monti Montañez, New Menudo band member
• Richard Pena Raymond, state representative since 2001
• Crispin Sanchez (1924-2008), educator and advocate for Mexican Americans
• Aldo Tatangelo (1913–2008), reform mayor of Laredo from 1978-1990
• Jerry D. Thompson, historian affiliated with Texas A&M International University
• Robert G. Whitehead (1916–2007), businessman/artist who marketed "Blue Star" first-aid ointment

Fictional characters from Laredo

• Johnny Rio, the main character from John Rechy's novel Numbers, lived in Laredo before going to Los Angeles

Sports

Laredo Bucks

Rio Grande Plaza

Laredo is home to the two-time President's Cup Champion Laredo Bucks hockey team, which play at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The Bucks' successful coach is the native Canadian Terry Ruskowski (born 1954). The Laredo Bucks are part of the Southeast Division of the Central Hockey League and were inaugurated in the 2002-2003 season. The Bucks were awarded Franchise of the Year in their first year of operation. The Laredo Bucks are the 2003-2004 and the 2005-2006 Central Hockey League President's Cup Champions as well as the 2003-04 Governors’ Cup Regular Season Champions. They have made the playoffs since the first year in play and have gone to the finals the past four years, setting a new CHL/WPHL record for consecutive Finals appearances and have won 2/4. They have also been the Southeast Division and Southern Conference Champions the last 4 years. The Laredo Bucks have also been in the top 5 every year since their inauguration in attendance.

Laredo Heat

The Laredo Heat is a United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League team. The team's home stadium is the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex. The team was founded in 2004. It plays in the Mid-South Division of the Southern Conference In the 2006 season the Laredo Heat finished Runner-up yet made it only to the first round of the Open Cup. In the 2007 season, the Laredo Heat were the Southern Conference champions. And in 2007 Laredo heat won its first PDL Championship.

Laredo Broncos

The Laredo Broncos are a baseball team in the independent United League and Texas Winter League. The Laredo Broncos plays its home games at Veterans Field, while its new state of the art baseball complex is built.^[48] The team was founded in 2005.

Stadiums and arenas

Laredo Entertainment Center

Laredo Entertainment Center on Frank Sinatra Drive off the Bob Bullock Loop

The Laredo Entertainment Center is located at Loop 20 and Jacaman Road. LEC is the home of the Laredo Bucks and the Laredo Lobos. The 178,000-square-foot (16,500 m²), $36.5 million facility seats 8,002 people for ice hockey and arena football, and up to 10,000 for concerts. It has 14 luxury suites, four meeting rooms and a private club for 200 charter members. It was completed in mid 2002 with the help of the Laredo sales tax increase of .25 percent. Sports that can be played at the LEC include Hockey, Arena Football, Indoor Soccer, Basketball, Wrestling, and Boxing. The arena also hosts many events such as The Laredo Hunting and Fishing Show, Miss Texas USA, Laredo Home and Garden Show, and high school graduation ceremonies. Well-known artists and bands have performed in the arena such as Tool, Aerosmith,KISS,Elton John, Styx, ZZ TOP, Ricky Martin, George Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and many more.

The Student Activity Center

Holiday Inn with restaurant and parking garage on San Bernardo Avenue

Comfort Suites in Laredo

The Student Activity Center Sports Complex is located on State Highway 359. It is utilized for United Independent School District's students. It was built in 2004 and it contains the city's only artificial grass stadium. The SAC was also the home of the Laredo Heat. The capacity is 8,500. Sports played at the SAC include football, soccer, and baseball.

Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex

Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex (also known as Dustdevil Field and TAMIU Soccer Complex) was built in 2006 and renovated in 2007. The soccer complex is located in Laredo, Texas in the Texas A&M International University campus. The complex has two soccer stadiums with a seating capacity of 4,000 each. The Dustdevil Field is the new home stadium to the 2007 champion team Laredo Heat member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL) and the TAMIU Dustdevils women and men's soccer teams member of the Heartland Conference, NCAA Division II.^[49]

Shirley Field

Shirley Field is located next to the Civic Center and R&T Martin High School on San Bernardo Ave. It was built in 1937, along with Martin High School. Shirley Field is the location for outdoor athletics for Laredo Independent School District and also hosts the annual Border Olympics events. It seats between 5,000 and 10,000 fans with additional seating at the 2 endzones. Professional Mexican soccer teams have played various exhibition games here, notting that the real grass allows for "better" soccer games. The various sports played on the stadium are football, soccer and track & field events. Major renovations are slated for this historic stadium.

Krueger Field

Krueger Field is located in north Laredo and is owned by United Independent School District. The stadium has a capacity of 3,000 and is used to play football and soccer high school games. It is home to United High School's and John B. Alexander High School's football and soccer teams.

Veterans Field

Veterans Field is a baseball park which was previously known as West Martin Field. It is the home field for the Laredo Broncos. Its capacity is about 5,000. Major renovation is happening to update the 1950 ball park. Veterans Field was also the home to the five time champion Mexican Baseball League team Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos from 1985 to 2003. Veterans Field is also home to the Texas A&M International University's Heartland Conference NCAA Division II Dustdevils baseball team.

Field of Dreams

The Field of Dreams is the nickname of a current City of Laredo project in progress. The project consists of building a new Baseball field near the Laredo Entertainment Center (LEC). The project was first approved by the city council and was voted in favor of (with 61.32% of the votes in favor 38.68% against) constructing it with money collected by a .25% sales tax increase for the LEC since 2004 of which there is a surplus of about $15 million. ^[50] The stadium will be home to the United Baseball League's Laredo Broncos. The stadium will be used for soccer leagues, youth and prep baseball games, along with other youth sports. The stadium will also be used for soccer leagues, youth and prep baseball games, along with other youth sports.^[51]

Laredo Civic Center

Prior to the construction of the Laredo Entertainment Center most major concerts and shows were preformed at the Laredo Civic Center. The Laredo Civic Center complex has an auditoriums with 1,979 seats and a banquet and exihibit hall with 1,635 seats.^[52]

Transportation

Air

Laredo International Airport

Tex-Mex Railway International Bridge view from Laredo

I-35 and Loop 20 intersection

Map of the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo Metropolitan Area

I-35 and FM 1472 intersection

Laredo is served by the Laredo International Airport. Daily flights are available to Houston (George Bush Intercontinental Airport) and to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Tri-weekly flights to Las Vegas, Nevada are available. After Laredo Airforce Base closed in the mid-1970s, the federal government handed over the old airforce base and property to the City of Laredo for a new municipal airport. From the mid-1970s until mid-1990s, the airport utilized a small terminal for passenger airline service and several old hangers for aircargo and private aircraft. A new state-of-the art passenger terminal was built along the newly constructed Loop 20 to accommodate larger jets and to increase passenger air travel through Laredo. Expansion of air cargo facilities, taxiways and aprons, air cargo carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, BAX, and others have responded by adding commercial aircargo jet services. Laredo also has two medical helipads, at Laredo Medical Center and Doctor's Hospital.

Mass transit

El Metro is the mass transit system that operates in Laredo with 21 fixed routes and Paratransit services with approximately 4.6 million passengers per year. El Metro works with a fleet of over 47 fixed route buses, 2 trolleys and 18 Paratransit/El Lift vans. El Metro hub is located in downtown Laredo at El Metro Transit Center. The Center also houses Greyhound Bus Lines and provides fee-based daily parking for downtown shoppers and workers.

Rural transit

Rural transportation is provided by the Webb County operated "El Aguila Rural Transportation" (the Eagle) bus services. El Aguila provides fixed daily routes from Rural Webb County (Bruni, El Cenizo, Mirando City, Oilton, and Rio Bravo) to the downtown Laredo Transit Center.

International bridges

• Gateway to the Americas International Bridge
• Juárez-Lincoln International Bridge
• World Trade International Bridge (commercial traffic only)
• Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge
• Texas-Mexican Railway International Bridge

Major highways

Major highways in Laredo and their starting and ending points:

• Interstate 35 Laredo-Duluth
• U.S. Highway 59 Laredo-Lancaster
• U.S. Highway 83 Brownsville-Laredo-Westhope
• State Highway 255 Laredo-Colombia
• State Highway 359 Laredo-Skidmore
• State Loop 20 Loop around Laredo
• Farm to Market Road 1472 Laredo - Colombia Solidarity International Bridge

• Complete List of Highways in Laredo, Texas

Major highways in Nuevo Laredo and their starting and ending points:

• Mexican Federal Highway 85 Nuevo Laredo-Mexico City
• Mexican Federal Highway 2 Matamoros-Nuevo Laredo-Colombia-Ciudad Acuña
• Tamaulipas State Highway 1 Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey
• Nuevo Leon State Highway Spur 1 Colombia-Anáhuac

Surrounding cities

	Colombia, Penitas West	Botines	Las Lomas
	Nuevo Laredo		Larga Vista, Laredo Ranchettes
		Laredo
	Nuevo Laredo	Rio Bravo, El Cenizo	La Presa

Nearby cities

Texas Travel Information Center at Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 83 intersection

Points of interest

• Rio Grande
• Lake Casa Blanca
• Downtown Laredo
  • Fort McIntosh
  • Republic of the Rio Grande Capitol Building Museum
  • San Agustin Cathedral
  • San Agustin Historical District
  • Streets of Laredo Mall

Sister cities

During the month of January Laredo sponsors the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival which was founded in 2003. The festival is an internaional business, trade, tourism, and cultural expo. All of Laredo's sister cities are invited to participate. In 2004, the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival received the best overall Program award from the Sister Cities International.^[53] The following list is of Laredo's sister cities.^[54][55][56]

Pending:

• Candela, Mexico
• Papantla, Mexico
• Rizhao, China
• Qinghai, China

Media

Newspapers

Television

AM radio

FM radio

References

External links

• City of Laredo
  • City of Laredo Homepage
  • International Bridge System Webcams
  • Laredo Chamber of Commerce
  • Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Laredo Development Foundation
  • Laredo International Airport
  • Laredo Community Calendar
  • Laredo Area Parks
• Education
  • Texas A&M International University
  • Laredo Community College
  • Laredo Independent School District
  • United Independent School District
• Media
  • Laredo Morning Times
• Entertainment
  • Laredo Entertainment Center
  • CHL Laredo Bucks
  • PDL Laredo Heat
  • UBL Laredo Broncos
  • Laredo Center for the Arts
  • Imaginarium of South Texas
• Nightlife
  • Nightlife in Laredo
• History
  • Laredo, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
  • Laredo History provided by the City Of Laredo
  • Historic Photos from the Laredo Public Library hosted by the Portal to Texas History
  • Cultural Studies Photographic Travelogue on Laredo
• Religion
  • Diocese of Laredo

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Municipalities and communities of Webb County, Texas County seat: Laredo Cities El Cenizo | Laredo | Rio Bravo CDPs Botines | Bruni | La Presa | Laredo Ranchettes | Larga Vista | Mirando City | Oilton | Ranchitos Las Lomas | Ranchos Penitas West Unincorporated communities Aguilares | Callaghan | Darwin | Islitas | Las Tiendas | Los Ojuelos | Pescadito | Santo Tomás | Webb

City of Laredo Attractions and Sports Republic of the Rio Grande Capitol Building Museum · Washington's Birthday Celebration · Field of Dreams · Laredo Entertainment Center · Veterans Field · The Student Activity Center · Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex · Laredo Bucks · Laredo Broncos · Laredo Heat Business Falcon International Bank · International Bank of Commerce · Joe Brand · Laredo National Bank · Mall del Norte · El Portal Center · Taco Palenque History Cathedral of San Agustin · Don Tomás Sánchez · Colonel Santos Benavides · Battle of Laredo · Fort McIntosh · Laredo Air Force Base · Republic of the Rio Grande · San Agustin de Laredo Historic District · Flag of the Republic of the Rio Grande Geography Chacon Creek · Lake Casa Blanca · Rio Grande · San Ildefonso Creek · San Ygnacio Creek · Santa Isabel Creek · Sombrerillito Creek · Zacate Creek Education Laredo Community College · Laredo Community College South Campus · Laredo Independent School District · Texas A&M International University · UT Health Science Center Laredo Campus · United Independent School District Media Newspapers English: Laredo Morning Times · LareDOS · Zapata Times · Spanish: El Diario de Nuevo Laredo  · El Mañana  · Primera Hora  · Ultima Hora Television XEFE Televisa 2  · KGNS NBC-HD 8.1  · KTXW CW 8.2  · KGNS Telemundo 8.3  · XHBR XEW 11.1  · KVTV CBS 13  · XHLNA Azteca 13 21.1  · KETF Telefutura 25  · KLDO Univision 27  · XHLAT Azteca 7 33.1 KLDO LATV 27.4  · KXOF FOX 39  · XHNAT Multimedios 45  · KNEX Azteca America 55  · XHLAR Televisa 57  · KLMV Independent 68 Radio AM: 790 XEFE · 890 KVOZ · 960 XEK · 1000 XENLT · 1090 XEWL · 1300 KLAR · 1340 XEBK · 1370 XEGNK · 1410 XEAS · 1490 KLNT · 1550 XENU FM: 88.1 KHOY · 88.9 XHLDO · 89.9 KBNL · 91.3 XHNOE · 92.7 KJBZ · 94.1 XHTLN · 94.9 KQUR · 95.7 XHBK · 97.1 XHNLO · 98.1 KRRG · 99.3 XHNK · 101.5 XHAS · 102.3 XHMW · 103.3 XHAHU · 104.9 XHNLR · 106.1 KNEX 106.5 La Tremenda · 107.3 XHGTS Transportation International bridges Gateway to the Americas International Bridge · Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge · Texas-Mexican Railway International Bridge · World Trade International Bridge · Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge Highways Interstate 35 · Business routes of Interstate 35 · United States Route 59 · United States Route 83 · Texas State Highway 255 · Texas State Highway 359 · Texas State Highway Loop 20 · Texas State Highway Spur 400 · Texas State Highway Spur 260 · Farm to Market Road 1472 · Farm to Market Road 3338 Neighborhoods Downtown · Nye · San Agustin de Laredo Historic District · San Isidro Parkway · Uptown

Mayors of cities with populations of 100,000 in Texas     Bill White (Houston) Phil Hardberger (San Antonio) Tom Leppert (Dallas) Will Wynn (Austin) Mike Moncrief (Fort Worth) John Cook (El Paso) Robert Cluck (Arlington) Henry Garrett (Corpus Christi) Pat Evans (Plano) Ronald E. Jones (Garland) Raul Gonzalez Salinas (Laredo) Tom Martin (Lubbock) Herbert A. Gears (Irving) Debra McCartt (Amarillo) Pat Ahumada (Brownsville) Charles England (Grand Prairie) Johnny Isbell (Pasadena) John Monaco (Mesquite) Richard F. Cortez (McAllen) Ron Branson (Carrollton) Virginia DuPuy (Waco) Norm Archibald (Abilene) Bill Whitfield (McKinney) Mark Burroughs (Denton) Timothy L. Hancock (Killeen) Becky Ames (Beaumont) Wes Perry (Midland) Lanham Lyne (Wichita Falls)