Rio Grande Valley

Rio Grande Valley
Region
Country  US
State  Texas
Region South Texas
Lowest point
 - location Gulf of Mexico
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Area 12,619 km2 (4,872 sq mi)
Population 1,336,323 (2014)
Density 259/km2 (671/sq mi)
Timezone Central (UTC-6)
Area code 956
Map of the Rio Grande Valley
Website: Handbook of Texas: Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV), The Valley, is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas. It lies along the northern bank of the Rio Grande river, which separates Mexico from the United States. The four-county region, consisting of Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, and Starr counties, is one of the fastest growing places in the United States. From having about 325,000 people in 1969, to today a population over 1,300,000 in 2014. Some of the biggest cities in the region are; Brownsville, McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Pharr, Weslaco, Harlingen, Rio Grande City, and Hidalgo.

Geography and demographics

The Rio Grande Valley is not a true valley, but a floodplain, containing many oxbow lakes or resacas formed from pinched-off meanders in earlier courses of the Rio Grande.[1] Early 20th-century land developers, attempting to capitalize on unclaimed land, utilized the name "Magic Valley" to attract settlers and appeal to investors. The Rio Grande Valley is also called El Valle, the Spanish translation of "the valley", by those who live there.[2] The residents of the Rio Grande Valley occasionally refer to the area as "El Mágico Valle del Río Grande" ("The Magical Valley of the Rio Grande"), and also simply by the initials R.G.V.

The main region is within four Texan counties: Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County. As of January 1, 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the Rio Grande Valley at 1,305,782.[3] According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008, 86 percent of Cameron County, 90 percent of Hidalgo County, 97 percent of Starr County, and 86 percent of Willacy County are Hispanic.[4]

The largest city is Brownsville (Cameron County), followed by McAllen (Hidalgo County). Other major cities include Harlingen, Edinburg, Mission, Rio Grande City, Raymondville, Weslaco, Hidalgo and Pharr.[5]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18502,734—
18602,7340.0%
18704,90579.4%
18804,9380.7%
18906,13424.2%
19006,3052.8%
191010,51766.8%
192011,79112.1%
193022,02186.8%
194022,0830.3%
195035,08658.9%
196048,04036.9%
197052,5229.3%
198084,99761.8%
199098,96216.4%
2000139,72241.2%
2010175,02325.3%
Est. 2016183,823[9]5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 175,023 people, 49,871 households, and 41,047 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,207.1 people per square mile (466.0/km2). There were 53,936 housing units at an average density of 372.0 per square mile (143.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was:

Hispanic or Latino (of any race) – 91.28%
Mexican – 73.93%
Puerto Rican – 0.15%
Cuban - 0.11%
Other Hispanic or Latino – 17.08%
Not Hispanic or Latino – 8.72%
White alone - 7.75%[11]

There were 38,174 households out of which 50.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 20.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.7% were non-families. 13.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.62 and the average family size was 3.99.

In the city, the population was spread out with 34.6% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,468, and the median income for a family was $26,186. Males had a median income of $21,739 versus $17,116 for females. The per capita income for the city is $9,762. About 31.6% of families and 35.7% of the population were below the federal poverty line, including 48.4% of those under the age of 18 and 31.5% of those 65 or over.[12]

As of the estimated census of 2015, the city's population stands at 183,887 with 50,207 households.[13] The current metropolitan area estimates count 422,156 residents, an increase from 406,220 and its combined statistical area stood at 444,059 residents, an increase from 428,354, according to the census of 2010.[14][15] It is the 131st largest city in the United States along with the 126th largest metropolitan area and the 93rd largest combined statistical area.

Economy

An important pillar of the economy is the Port of Brownsville. The port, located 2 miles (3.2 km) from the city, provides an important link between the road networks of nearby Mexico, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway of Texas.[16]

The port's hinterland, from where it draws cargo, is Monterrey, Mexico, just 198 miles to the West, which is one of Latin America's largest industrial cities.

Top employers

According to the Brownsville Economic Development Council (BEDC),[17] the top employers in the city as of May 2015 were:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Brownsville Independent School District 7,670
2 Cameron County 1,950
3 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 1,734
4 Keppel AmFELS 1,650
5 Walmart 1,413
6 Abundant Life Home Health 1,300
7 City of Brownsville 1,227
8 Caring For You Home Health 1,200
9 H-E-B Grocery 975
10 Maximus 950

Technology growth in the 2010s

SpaceX is building the SpaceX South Texas Launch Site, a private space launch facility east of Brownsville on the Gulf Coast.[18][19] The new launch facility is expected to draw US$85 million to the city of Brownsville and eventually generate approximately US$51 million in annual salaries from some 500 jobs created by 2024.[20] The facility itself is projected to employ 75–100 full-time workers in the early years with up to 150 full-time employees/contractors by 2019.[21]

As of October 2014, the University of Texas at Brownsville and the Brownsville Economic Development Council (BEDC), in collaboration with SpaceX, are building radio-frequency (RF) technology facilities for STARGATE (Spacecraft Tracking and Astronomical Research into Gigahertz Astrophysical Transient Emission). The facility is intended to provide students and faculty access to RF technologies widely used in spaceflight operations, and will include satellite and spacecraft tracking.[22] BEDC purchased five lots in Boca Chica Village totaling 2.3 acres (0.93 ha) near the SpaceX launch site and renamed it as the STARGATE subdivision. The beach location will include a 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2) tracking center."[23] STARGATE has received several startup grants including US$1.2 million from the US Economic Development Administration.[24]

Government

City government

Picture of Brownsville; on the right is the "Old Federal Courthouse", where city commission meetings are held.

Brownsville has a council–manager style of government. The mayor and six city commissioners, two at-large and four district, serve staggered four-year terms. Elections are held for one at-large and two district seats every two years. Municipal elections are held on the first Saturday of May in odd numbered years. Once a winner is determined, the commissioner-elect will be seated at the next regular meeting of the Brownsville City Commission. City elected officials are non-partisan, meaning that they do not have a party affiliation. They may be personally affiliated with a political party but this has no bearing on the office.

As of 2015, the members of the commission were:[25]

The next regular elections for the city will occur in the following years:[25]

The city commission appoints the city manager. Since 2006, the city manager is Charlie Cabler.[26] The city commission also appoints a six-member public utilities board for a four-year term. Members are limited to two consecutive or non-consecutive terms. The mayor is an ex-officio member of the board. The current board members are:[27]

County Commission representation

The majority of Brownsville is represented by two of the four commission precinct commissioners. They have staggered four-year terms. County offices are partisan, thus the Democratic and Republican Parties will hold primaries in the March of the year of the year that office term expires. The Candidate who receives the highest amount of votes will then receive their party's nomination. The Libertarian Party selects their candidate by means of their County Convention. The nominees of each party will then run in a general election in November, the winner of which will become the Commissioner the following January.

The following commissioners represent at least part of the City of Brownsville:

The chief executive of the county or the Cameron County Judge is Pete Sepulveda, Jr. (N/A) (since 2015)[29]

The next regular elections for the County Commission Precincts 1, 2, and 3 will occur in the following years:

State representation

The City of Brownsville falls under two State House of Representatives districts. Each representative has a two-year term and is elected in the same manner as other partisan elected officials.

All of Brownsville is represented by Texas Senatorial District 27, the incumbent senator is a Democrat, Eduardo "Eddie" Lucio, Jr. (1991–present)[32]

Federal representation

All of Brownsville is represented by U.S. Congressional District 34, the incumbent Representative is Filemon Vela, Jr. (D) (since 2013)[36]

The United States Postal Service operates post offices in Brownsville. The Brownsville Main Post Office is located at 1535 East Los Ebanos Boulevard.[37] Downtown Brownsville is served by the Downtown Brownsville Post Office at 1001 East Elizabeth Street.[38]

There is also a National Weather Service office and doppler radar site in 20 South Vermillion Avenue Brownsville, Texas. They provide forecasts and radar coverage for Deep South Texas and the adjacent coastal waters.[39]

Social Security Administration

Federal Courthouse

Military installations

National parks

Education

Universities and colleges

UT School of Public Health

Starting in 2009, the Brownsville Regional Campus also began offering a PhD program in Epidemiology and a Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) in Health Promotion, the only programs of their kind in South Texas. Major public health concerns of the faculty and researchers found here in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Texas include diabetes, tuberculosis, obesity, cardiovascular disease and hepatitis. Other areas of public health significance include physical activity, behavioral journalism, healthy living, diet and lifestyles activities. The Brownsville Regional Campus is also developing a strong research focus in genetics and its relationship to infectious and chronic disease.[45]

Vocational schools

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Most of Brownsville is served by Brownsville Independent School District. The BISD counted its total enrollment in the 2014–15 school year at 48,155 students in 58 schools.[49] It is the 17th largest school district in Texas. A portion of northern Brownsville is served by the Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District.

In addition, Brownsville residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the South Texas Independent School District, as well as BISD magnet schools. Each BISD high school has a magnet school within the school, Gladys Porter High School is home to the High School for Engineering Professions. Homer Hanna High School is home of the Tech Med Magnet Program for Medical and Health Professions. Lopez High School houses the district's Fine Arts Academy, James Pace High School has a Criminal Justice Magnet School and Simon Rivera High School hosts the International Business Magnet School.

Magnet schools
State charter schools

Private and parochial schools

Grades 9-12:

Grades 1-8:

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brownsville operates area Catholic schools.

Public libraries

The Brownsville Public Library System

University libraries

Transportation

Interstate 69E/U.S. Highway 77/83 overpass construction over McDavitt Blvd.

Railroad

Several attempts were made to attract a railroad, but not until 1904 did the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway reach the City of Brownsville. In 1910 a railroad bridge was constructed between Brownsville and Matamoros (Mexico) and regular service between the two towns began. The introduction of the rail link to Brownsville opened the area for settlement of northern farmers, who began arriving in the lower Rio Grande valley in large numbers after the turn of the century. The new settlers cleared the land of brush, built extensive irrigation systems and roads, and introduced large-scale truck farming. In 1904 H. G. Stillwell, Sr., planted the first commercial citrus orchard in the area, thus opening the way for citrus fruit culture, one of the Valley's leading industries. The expansion of farming in the area and the railroad link to the north brought new prosperity to Brownsville and spurred a host of civic improvements.[56]

Today, the Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railroad (reporting mark BRG) Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railroad is a terminal switching railroad headquartered in Brownsville, Texas. BRG operates 45 mi (68 km) of line at the Port of Brownsville, and interchanges with Union Pacific and TFM. BRG traffic includes steel, agricultural products, food products, and general commodities.[57]

Mass transit

Established in mid-Brownsville in 1978, with expanding bus service to rapidly developing North Brownsville, the Brownsville Urban System (BUS), currently known as the Brownsville Metro, consists of 3 hubs running 13 routes covering a large portion of Brownsville. The system provides 11 paratransit vans to disabled passengers, meeting the standards for the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is the only mass transit system in its county and the largest in the Rio Grande Valley. The system also provides service to around 1.5 million passengers per year.[58] One of its main terminals is located at 755 International Blvd., called La Plaza at Brownsville.[59]

Highways

Brownsville is served by the following Interstate Highways, U.S. Routes, and Texas State Highways:

International bridges

Brownsville & Matamoros Bridge (B&M)
Gateway International Bridge
Two of three bridges connecting Brownsville to its sister city, Matamoros.

Brownsville has three international bridges:

Airport

Brownsville has its own city-owned airport, the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. The airport is used for general aviation and is served by United Airlines (service to Houston-Intercontinental), and Envoy Air (service to Dallas-Fort Worth).[60]

Cycling and hiking

The city of Brownsville currently operates seven cycling paths around the area. Around 64 miles of the city's streets are bicycle trails and on-street bike lanes. The city's move towards a more environmental-friendly area has created the nickname "The Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley." The current operating cycling paths are:[61]

Cyclobia

Cyclobia is an annual bicycling event taking place in Downtown Brownsville. The event was created to promote a healthy lifestyle through cycling in the city. Aside from cycling, participants are allowed to bring other means of exercise equipment such as skates or scooters. Its route ends at a recreational area where other activities take place. The event takes place three times a year: two times in the summer and once in autumn.

Culture

Festivals and parades

During mid to late February, Charro Days takes place in Brownsville. The holiday is a two-nation fiesta celebrating the friendship between Brownsville and its sister city and border town, Matamoros. The celebration attracts around 50,000 guests per year. It is accompanied with El Grito, a joyous shout originating in Mexican culture[62] as well as a visit from the Mr. Amigo Association. Honorees who have attended previous events include Vicente Fernandez and Mexican actors Arath de la Torre and Eduardo Yanez. Sombrero Festival is another celebration taking place around the same time as Charro Days. The festival is a three-day event consisting of performances from rock, tejano and corrido artists as well as a variety of contests.

Museums

Children's Museum of Brownsville is a museum for young children consisting of educational exhibits and learning centers. Building efforts commenced in 2000 with the museum opening in 2005. It is located next to the Camille Lightner Playhouse in the center of Dean Porter Park in 501 E. Ringgold Street.[63]

Founded in 1935, the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts is an arts museum featuring exhibitions on Egyptian and Astronomical art. The museum was formerly known as the Brownsville Art League, formed by a group of eight women. The museum underwent a renovation in 1960, featuring a 4,000 sq ft studio and in 2002, it changed its name to its current name also receiving a 17,000 sq foot renovation. It is located in Downtown Brownsville at 660 East Ringgold Street.[64][65]

The Historic Brownsville Museum is a historic museum opened to the public in 1986. The building was used as a Spanish Colonial Revival passenger depot and was later abandoned. The museum features Spanish architecture and education programs. It also hosts meeting for various organizations including City and State officials. Several renovations were made to give the museum a more "present" look such as the addition of a Spanish-style fountain, a courtyard and an engine building.[66][67]

Built in 1850 by Henry Miller, owner of the Miller Hotel in downtown Brownsville, the Stillman House Museum was owned by city founder Charles Stillman and Mexican consul Manuel Pérez Treviño. It was the site of meetings with Mexican president Porfirio Diaz. The great grandson of Stillman bought the house after the previous homeowners sold it and was donated to the city after renovations. It opened to the public in 1960. The home experienced damage from Hurricane Dolly in 2008 and reopened to the public the next year after renovations were made.[68]

Costumes of the Americas Museum is an indigenous clothing museum located in 501 Ringgold Street. Inspired by Bessie Kirkland Johnson, the museum was opened in 1997, featuring clothing from indigenous people in several Mexican states and other Latin American countries.[69]

The Commemorative Air Force Museum is an aircraft museum located in 955 Minnesota Ave., next to the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. The museum features World War II aircraft and also holds tours on the early events leading to wars in Asia and Europe. It also features the stories of aviation pilots who were part of the 201st Mexican Fighter Squadron and hosts the annual AirFiesta in February.

Theatre

Jacob Brown Auditorium is an performing arts auditorium located in Downtown Brownsville. The venue has a 1,593 person capacity and has a variety of functions including banquet ceremonies, conference meetings and being a reception hall.[70] It is part of the University of Texas at Brownsville campus, now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

The Arts Center is a performing arts and concert venue in conjunction with Texas Southmost College. It is associated with several theater organizations including Chamber Music America and the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. The center is strictly used for theater shows, while only using the lobby for meetings. It is currently the only Arts Center currently operating south of San Antonio.[71]

Camille Lightner Playhouse is a performing arts auditorium founded in 1964 and located on 500 E Ringgold Street. The venue hosts auditions for local and Broadway plays, as well as hosting the Henri Awards, an awards show honoring the best in the venue's staff. It also holds a summer workshop for younger children and holds a reception hall at the DeStefano Room.[72]

Arts

The Brownsville area is full of well-established art galleries and museums that represent not only art of the region and Mexico but feature traveling exhibits from around the world.[73]

Films made or inspired by Brownsville

Year Title Lead actor(s)[74]
1981 Back Roads Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones[75]
2000 The President's Man Chuck Norris, Dylan Neal
2004 Pink Punch Adal Ramones, Omar Chaparro
2011 The Big Year* Jack Black, Owen Wilson[76]
2012 Get the Gringo Mel Gibson[77]
2013 A Night in Old Mexico Robert Duvall[78]
2015 Endgame Efren Ramirez, Rico Rodriguez[79][80]
2017 The Green Ghost Danny Trejo[81]

* The Big Year featured a scene where Brownsville, Texas was written in front of the screen. Film draws inspiration from wildlife in the Rio Grande Valley.

TV shows made or inspired by Brownsville

Year Title Lead actor(s)
2007 Friday Night Lights Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton[82]
2011 Border Wars N/A[83]

Sports

Each year, Brownsville hosts the Jackie Robinson World Series for nine-year-old baseball players. In 1920 the St. Louis Cardinals held spring training in Brownsville.[84] In 2011 and 2013, University of Texas at Brownsville Ocelots team captured the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship in Sioux City, Iowa at the Tyson Events Center.

These are the golf courses operating within the Brownsville city limit:

Media

See also: List of newspapers in Texas, List of radio stations in Texas, and List of television stations in Texas

Newspapers

Television

The Brownsville area is served by numerous local television affiliates:

Radio

Points of interest

A picture of the Brownsville Masonic Temple Rio Grande Masonic Lodge No. 81, constructed in 1882. It was the original Cameron County Courthouse.

Local attractions include the Gladys Porter Zoo, the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Camille Lightner Playhouse, a historical downtown with buildings over 150 years old, the Port of Brownsville, and the Children's Museum of Brownsville. There is also easy access to South Padre Island and the Mexican city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Sunrise Mall is the largest shopping mall in the city of Brownsville. Since being remodeled in 2015 the mall has become the primary mall in the Brownsville-Harlingen metroplex. Brownsville previously had another shopping mall, Amigoland Mall by Simon, though the building has since been purchased by the University of Texas at Brownsville (now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) after many of its tenants moved from Amigoland to Sunrise.

Sanctuary

Notable people

Sister cities

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010.

References

  1. ↑ Texas State Historical Association — Lower Rio Grande Valley
  2. ↑ Winter Texan Resources for South Padre Island, Brownsville, Harlingen, and the Rio Grande Valley
  3. ↑ 2012 Census Estimates Archived 2014-08-15 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley Fact Sheet
  5. ↑ Population Estimates for Rio Grande Valley Cities 2000-2004
  6. ↑ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Station Name: TX Brownsville". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  8. ↑ "WMO climate normals for Brownsville/INTL, TX 1961−1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ "Brownsville demographics". brownsvilletx.areaconnect.com. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics: 2010–2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29.
  13. ↑ "QuickFacts: Brownsville city, Texas". United States Census. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 - United States -- Metropolitan Statistical Area; and for Puerto Rico". United States Census. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 - United States -- Combined Statistical Area; and for Puerto Rico". United States Census. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  16. ↑ "About Us". Port of Brownsville.
  17. ↑ Brownsville Economic Development Council Archived 2014-05-25 at the Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ Foust, Jeff (2014-09-22). "SpaceX Breaks Ground on Texas Spaceport". Space News. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
  19. ↑ Martinez, Laura (2012-04-10). "Brownsville area candidate for spaceport". The Monitor. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
  20. ↑ Jervis, Rick (2014-10-06). "Texas border town to become next Cape Canaveral". USA Today. Retrieved 2014-11-17.
  21. ↑ Nield, George C. (April 2014). Draft Environmental Impact Statement: SpaceX Texas Launch Site (PDF) (Report). 1. Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Commercial Space Transportation. Archived from the original on 2013-12-07.
  22. ↑ Clark, Steve (2012-11-26). "'STARGATE' facility may be coming to Brownsville". The Monitor. Retrieved 2014-10-07.
  23. ↑ Perez-Treviño, Emma (2014-09-25). "SpaceX makes more moves". Valley Morning Star. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  24. ↑ "STARGATE to receive $1.2 million EDA grant". Brownsville Herald. 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-10-07.
  25. 1 2 "The Brownsville City Commission". City of Brownsville. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  26. ↑ "City Manager's Office". City of Brownsville. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Board of Directors: Brownsville Public Utilities Board". Brownsville Public Utilities Board. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Commissioner Pct. 3, David A. Garza". Cameron County. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  29. ↑ "County Judge, Pete Sepulveda, Jr.". Cameron County. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Texas House member: Rep. Oliveira, René O. District 37". Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Texas House member: Rep. Lucio III, Eddie District 38". Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.: District 27". The Texas State Senate. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area -Boca Chica Unit". Got Parks. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Resaca de la Palma State Park Opens Near Brownsville". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  35. ↑ "Child Support Local Field Offices". Texas Attorney General's Office. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  36. ↑ "Congressman Filemon Vela: Serving South Texas (TX-34)". Congressman Filemon Vela, Jr. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Brownsville 1535 E Los Ebanos Blvd Brownsville, TX 78520-9998". United States Postal Service. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Downtown Brownsville 1001 E Elizabeth St Fl 1 Brownsville, TX 78520-9995". United States Postal Service. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  39. ↑ "National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office: Brownsville, TX". National Weather Service. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  40. ↑ "The Reynaldo G. Garza – Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse". United States Courthouse. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  41. ↑ "Brownsville Armed Forces Reserve Center". United States Green Building Council. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Reserve Officers Training Corps". University of Texas at Brownsville. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  43. ↑ "Palo Alto National Historic Park". National Park Service. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  44. ↑ "Texas Southmost College". TSC. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  45. ↑ "University of Texas School of Public Health–Brownsville". Sph.uth.tmc.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-09-08. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  46. ↑ "South Texas Vocational Technical Institute". South Texas Vocational Technical Institute. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  47. ↑ "Brightwood College in Brownsville, TX". Brightwood College. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  48. ↑ "Southern Careers Institute". Southern Careers Institute. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  49. ↑ "Peak Enrollment, BISD Schools, Student Support Services". Brownsville Independent School District.
  50. ↑ Long, Gary (April 6, 2013). "$29M medical academy to be built in Brownsville". Valley Morning Star.
  51. 1 2 "Visit Us". Brownsville Public Library System. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  52. ↑ "Library Locations and Hours of Operation Archived July 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.", Brownsville Public Library System; retrieved May 9, 2010.
  53. ↑ "Cameron County Law Library". Cameron County. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  54. ↑ "County Law Library". Texas State Law Library. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  55. ↑ "University Libraries". UTB. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  56. ↑ "The Handbook of Texas: Brownsville". Texas State Historical Association.
  57. ↑ "About Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway, LLC". OmniTRAX.
  58. ↑ "Human Service-Public Transit Coordination Plan" (PDF). Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. p. 24.
  59. ↑ "Welcome to Brownsville Metro". City of Brownsville.
  60. ↑ "American Eagle Airlines Launches Nonstop Jet Service Between Brownsville, Texas, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport" (Press release). American Eagle Airlines. June 11, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  61. ↑ "Hike & Bike Trails". Brownsville Convention & Visiting Bureau. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  62. ↑ "El Grito: What Is It And What Does It Mean?". The Huffington Post. September 15, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  63. ↑ "Museum History". Children's Museum of Brownsville. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  64. ↑ "Brownsville Museum of Fine Art". Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  65. ↑ "Exhibitions". Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  66. ↑ "Historic Brownsville Museum". Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  67. ↑ "Historic Brownsville Museum". Mitte Cultural District. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  68. ↑ "Brownsville Historical Association – Stillman House". Brownsville Historical Association. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  69. ↑ "Mission & History". Costumes of the Americas Museum. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  70. ↑ "Fort Brown Memorial Center". Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  71. ↑ "Arts Center at Texas Southmost College". Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  72. ↑ "The DeStefano Room". Camille Lightner Playhouse. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  73. ↑ "The Brownsville Heritage Complex". Brownsville History. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  74. ↑ "Most Popular Titles With Filming Locations Matching "brownsville texas"". IMDb.
  75. ↑ Lester, Peter (June 15, 1981). "Once a Lone Star, Texan Tommy Lee Jones Takes a New Bride—and a Powder from L.a.". People.
  76. ↑ Henry, Ryan (November 7, 2011). "BIG year: RGV Birding Festival draws celebrities". The Monitor.
  77. ↑ Chapa, Sergio (June 16, 2012). "Mel Gibson movie filmed in Brownsville skips American theaters". KGBT-TV.
  78. ↑ Leydon, Joe (March 10, 2014). "SXSW Film Review: 'A Night in Old Mexico'". Variety.
  79. ↑ Nelson, Aaron (May 18, 2013). "Brownsville's chess success inspires movie". San Antonio Express-News.
  80. ↑ Martinez, Michael (September 24, 2015). "Indie filmmaker Carmen Marron captures real-life chess triumph of Latino school". CNN.
  81. ↑ White, Tyler (March 9, 2015). "Danny Trejo shooting new superhero film in South Texas". mySanAntonio.
  82. ↑ Phillips, Carl (September 17, 2007). "Friday Night Lights films in Brownsville, SPI". The Brownsville Herald.
  83. ↑ "'Border Wars' to shed light on cartels, Mexican ties to Brownsville". Valley Morning Star.
  84. ↑ The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia. Sterling Publishing. 2007. p. 1789. ISBN 1-4027-4771-3.
  85. ↑ "Valley International Country Club". VICC. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  86. ↑ "Rancho Viejo Resort and Country Club". rvrcc. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  87. ↑ "UTB Radio". The University of Texas at Brownsville. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  88. ↑ "Thinking Out Loud". Philosophy Club at UTB. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  89. ↑ "Sabal Palm Audubon Sanctuary". Audobun Texas. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  90. ↑ McMillan, Maura. "A Tribe of One," Firsts: the Book Collector's Magazine, May 2001
  91. ↑ "Kris Kristofferson Hall of Fame Induction". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  92. ↑ "Dancer with Brownsville ties now starring in musicals". The Brownsville Herald. July 31, 2003. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  93. ↑ "President Obama Nominates Seven to Serve on the United States District Courts". whitehouse.gov. 2014-09-18. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  94. ↑ "Américo Paredes: Biography". Lib.utexas.edu. 1915-09-03. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  95. ↑ Brito, Victoria (November 21, 2014). "Author to Watch: Rudy Ruiz". Valley Morning Star. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  96. ↑ "Brownsville native on television tonight". The Monitor. May 16, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  97. ↑ "6 Zetas arrested in death of agent". San Antonio News. February 24, 2011.
  98. ↑ "Jaime Zapata, U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement Agent, Killed In Mexico". The Huffington Post. February 16, 2011.

Bibliography

See also: Bibliography of the history of Brownsville, Texas

Tourism

The Lower Rio Grande Valley encompasses landmarks that attract tourists, and popular destinations include: Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park; and on the coast: South Padre Island, Brazos Island, and the Port Isabel Lighthouse.

The Valley is a popular waypoint for tourists visiting northeast Mexico. Popular destinations across the border and Rio Grande include: Matamoros, Nuevo Progreso, Río Bravo, and Reynosa, all located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

The Valley also attracts tourists from the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, and Mexico, D.F. (México City).

Places of historical interest

The First Lift Station in Mission, Texas once provided water for irrigating the crops of the early Rio Grande Valley.

Economy

The Valley is historically reliant on agribusiness and tourism. Cotton, grapefruit, sorghum, maize, and sugarcane are its leading crops, and the region is the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in the State of Texas. Over the last several decades, the emergence of maquiladoras (factories or fabrication plants) has caused a surge of industrial development along the border, while international bridges have allowed Mexican nationals to shop, sell, and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande. The geographic inclusion of South Padre Island also drives tourism, particularly during the Spring Break season, during which South Padre Island becomes reminiscent of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. During the winter months, many retirees (commonly referred to as "Winter Texans") arrive to enjoy the warm weather, access to pharmaceuticals and health care in Mexican border crossings such as Nuevo Progreso. There is a substantial health-care industry with major hospitals and many clinics and private practices in Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen.

Box of Oranges, from the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas (postcard, c. 1912-1924)

Texas is the third largest producer of citrus fruit in United States, the majority of which is grown in the Rio Grande Valley. Grapefruit make up over 70% of the Valley citrus crop, which also includes orange, tangerine, tangelo and Meyer lemon production each Winter.[2]

There are two semi-professional sports teams that play in the Rio Grande Valley: The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (basketball), and The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (soccer). Previous teams that are now defunct include: the Edinburg Roadrunners (baseball), La Fiera FC (indoor soccer), Rio Grande Valley Ocelots FC,(soccer), Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings (baseball), Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (ice hockey), and the RGV Sol (indoor football).

One of the Valley's major tourist attractions is the semi-tropical wildlife. Birds and butterflies attract a large amount of visitors every year all throughout the entire valley. Ecotourism is a major economic force in the Rio Grande Valley.

Politics

Rio Grande Valley Vote
by Party in Presidential Elections
Year GOP DEM Others
2016 29.0% 81,885 67.6% 190,922 3.40% 9,544
2012 29.6% 68,927 69.3% 161,804 1.00% 4,433
2008 31.2% 69,287 67.8% 150,424 1.00% 2,033
2004 45.8% 90,493 53.8% 106,300 0.40% 789
2000 39.5% 69,801 59.1% 104,327 1.40% 2,505
1996 29.2%44,959 65.8% 101,327 5.00% 7,605
1992 30.7% 49,798 56.6% 91,667 12.7% 20,523
1988 37.0%56,479 62.5% 95,425 0.50% 671
1984 46.5% 68,602 53.2% 78,625 0.30% 435
1980 42.9% 51,233 54.9% 65,571 2.14% 2,559
1976 35.3% 37,853 64.0% 68,661 0.70% 772
1972 56.8% 48,442 42.7% 36,410 0.05% 390
1968 38.1% 28,831 55.1% 41,665 6.80% 5,147
1964 34.1%23,002 65.7% 44,374 0.20% 169
1960 40.4% 25,465 59.0% 37,239 0.60% 360

As of 2016, officeholders tend to be Democrat. It is common for voters to be influenced by members of their own extended families and by prominent families in their towns, so politicians often try to make friends with family groups to increase their chances of getting elected. As of 2006, about 20,000 to 30,000 people in Cameron County habitually vote in primary elections, and Presidential elections have higher turnouts. Politiqueras, women hired to help elderly people vote, are crucial in South Texas elections. Cecilia Ballí of Texas Monthly wrote that voters expect to get favors from politicians they vote for, and if they do not get these favors they become resentful of politicians as a whole.[3]

Education

Colleges and universities located in the Rio Grande Valley include:

Hospitals

Media

Magazines

Newspapers

Local Blogs

Television

Radio

  • KBFM Wild 104 (Hip Hop/Top 40)
  • XEEW-FM Los 40 Principales 97.7 (Top 40 Spanish/English)
  • KBTQ 96.1 Exitos (Spanish Oldies)Univision
  • KCAS 91.5 FM (Christian, Teaching/Preaching/Music)
  • KESO Digital 92.7 (Internacional, Spanish Top 40)
  • KFRQ Q94.5 The Rock Station (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock)
  • KGBT 1530 La Tremenda (Univision)
  • KGBT-FM 98.5 FM (Regional Mexican) Univision
  • KHKZ Kiss FM 105.5 & 106.3 (Hot Adult Contemporary)
  • KIRT 1580 AM Radio Imagen (Variety, Spanish contemporary)
  • KIWW (Spanish)
  • KJAV 104.9 Jack FM
  • KKPS La Nueva 99.5 (Regional Mexican)
  • KJJF/KHID 88.9/88.1 NPR (Classical/Public Radio)
  • KNVO-FM Super Estrella (Super Star) 101.1
  • KQXX Kiss FM 105.5 & 106.3 (Hot Adult Contemporary, simulcast of KHKZ)
  • KTEX 100.3 (Country)
  • KURV 710 AM Heritage Talk Radio (part of the BMP family of stations)
  • KVLY 107.9 Mix FM (Top 40)
  • KVMV 96.9 FM (Christian, Contemporary Music) World Radio Network
  • XHRYA-FM 90.9 Mas Music (Spanish/English Mix)
  • KBUC Super Tejano102.1 (Tejano)

Notable people

A list of notable people who were born, lived, or died in the Rio Grande Valley includes:

See also

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ National Park Service: Rancho de Carricitos
    2. ↑ Rootstock and Scion Varieties by Julian W. Sauls, Professor & Extension Horticulturist, Texas AgriLife Extension
    3. ↑ Ballí, Cecilia. "The Bad Guy With the Badge" (Archive). Texas Monthly. August 2006. Retrieved on May 25, 2016.
    4. ↑ RAHC Vision Statement
    5. ↑ http://www.vivasouthtexas.com/about-us.html
    6. ↑ http://ouchmyego.com/about-ouch-my-ego/

    Coordinates: 26°13′N 98°07′W / 26.22°N 98.12°W / 26.22; -98.12

    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.