The Forgotten Historical Towns of South Texas: Rio Grande City, Roma, and Hebbronville

[@alfonsosarabia9624]

Building in Roma next to the church was in the movie Viva Zapata. Marlon Brando and Anthony Quinn. Horse in the balcony scene

[@OCHO7474]

San Ignacio, Tx sits between Zapata and Laredo. It’s town square and historical architecture is very beautiful and most of the old buildings and houses downtown are still original. Some of the buildings still have bullet holes in the exterior walls dating back to Pancho Villa days. I really enjoyed this video.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Thanks for the tip. I may have to check that out next time I'm in the Laredo area.

[@osvaldocastillo3510]

muy interesante me gusta mucho la historia de tejas 👍

[@someguyfromtheinternet5102]

@@osvaldocastillo3510 me too

[@MinhaFamiliaAQBJJ]

If you guys want a history lesson of Roma and Rio...hit up R.C Salinas. That man is the sweetest person ever and knows everything there is to know about our history here :)

[@instrumentalist28]

I never forget Rio, lots of my fam are in starr county and been to that heb so many times

[@OutboundShane]

I remember reading that many of these brick buildings were designed by a German with the last name Portscheler, his buildings can be found on both sides of the sides of the river, and the bricks came from Camargo, Mexico.

[@MinhaFamiliaAQBJJ]

If you guys want a history lesson of Roma and Rio...hit up R.C Salinas. That man is the sweetest person ever and knows everything there is to know about our history here :)

[@blasdelagarza5292]

Been through those towns many times on the way to our families ranch in Lopeno. Always found those old buildings fascinating. So much history in that area.

[@MarcusZepeda]

This is the town my grandma grew up in. when she was little back in the '50s and '60s, we have a lot of photos family photos in Roma, and they still live in the same land that they grew up in, and our ancestor historical home that dates back to the 1800s is still standing but abandoned, and we have a lot of photos of my ancestors in Roma, Texas back 1920s 1910s and the 1890s

[@NorceCodine]

You should have shown in Roma the old Customs Building, on the same side with the Guerra building in the plaza. Thats where all the river-traffic was paying the custom fees. Back in those times Roma and South Texas was the place to be, people came from as far as Scotland and Germany. In fact all those old buildings in Roma and across the river now in Mexico, were designed by a German immigrant, Portscheller, who came from Hamburg. Portscheller signed up as a soldier for emperor Maximilian's army, but when Juarez took over and his times of soldiering ended, he took up his old trade that he learned in Germany and became an architect.

[@mariasalinas8266]

Interesting, I knew about Portschellar’s architecture in Roma but never knew how he got here. Thank you for the information. He made some other buildings and crypts around the RGV.

[@barbaraness4507]

3:39 That building looks to be close to 150 years old, if not older because of the way it’s constructed.

[@jerryhiggs7882]

Helped man the birding center in Roma before covid forced us to stop, wished you would have filmed the courtyard behind the visitor center in Roma. Roma has the nicest people and her old buildings are beautiful, and was the end to navigation on the Rio Grande back in the day.

[@dianapearson1771]

Shame some of you don't care to keep up your beautiful old buildings. These little old Texas towns are incredible. I've been through Texas a few times during my life. Be a nice place to live.

[@dianapearson1771]

Shame some of you don't care to

[@MarcoCastilloVideos]

Thank you for coming down south and explore these cities!!

[@thecrytpoholygrail9514]

Great shots friend. You just got another sub. Keep up the great work!

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Much appreciated!

[@perrymahnke886]

Wow, what beautiful architecture & I'm so glad I've found time to check out some of your older videos before I head for Texas for part of the winter. Thank you for sharing your Secrets of Texas videos.

[@MooseBme]

What history! THANKS for making this video, good luck and best regards ;)!

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

What a neat old town. Interesting the connections folks have to places.

[@Dld1985]

Good job. I enjoy seeing these old building and quaint little towns.

[@felixherrera1479]

Great comments everyone. I drove by there in early December and reminisced about when my father and I would drive through to go hunting back in the early mid late 70’s. Great memories, great times. I’m from Harlingen but I reside in Denver. 🌼

[@theHookdudewest]

Thank you for putting together this video of these often forgotten towns of South Texas. Each of them has its own historical interest. What a beautiful church & seminary in Hebbronville. I grew up just north on the Rio Grande river (Webb County) but always love to go down south and visit McAllen, San Juan, Harlingen & Brownsville among others. I enjoy your other videos highlighting our beautiful state.

[@rocks4350]

Born and raised in rio,moved away when I got out of the army.always go back every chance I get.most of my friends are gone now.I still miss it.

[@bjperez9076]

Great video, thanks for sharing! I attended school in Harlingen and we played a few baseball games in Roma so know that stretch of 83 well! I always thought it was odd that yhe RGV was not considered south Texas, too. Not sure the origin, but geographically for purposes of research, South Texas is considered area soith of San Antonio through the brush country region and then roughly south of Laredo-Corpus line is Deep South Texas. Coming from the Willamette Valley of Oregon also thought it was odd it was considered a Valley, too. My HS history teacher claimed it was called a Valley because when they were trying to entice farmers way back when they often associated valleys with fertile soil. Supposedly when they would bring them down via rail they would go through the King Ranch region during the night so no one knew they actually weren't passing mountains. Marketing at its finest!

[@HuangXingQing]

For some reason that place you love (7:21) looks like a scene from a Bonnie & Clyde film. Given it was supposed to be a scene in a far south Texas or Mexican town perhaps it is and the director sited the scene there because it is "the most Mexican town in Texas". I love your work. I grew up in Brownwood and didn't live again in Tejas for 3 decades but when I returned, being a different person entirely, I discovered soooo many treasures while traveling there 3 years. I finally realized the roots of so many traits and such and I now appreciate that state as no other.

[@rattata30]

That building is beautiful from the front too, I always wanted to live in that building and the big pink one too.

[@MrCarltonv]

I like how you became a Conquistador for just a moment when you were narrating in Roma, haha.

[@dianebrayden4123]

I love your style Hank! Thank you for your videos.

[@SpotandLes]

Hey, something you need to do to improve your videos, get up square and close to any plaques you come across , hold it for a few seconds so us viewers can pause the video and read it. I keep seeing you walk by these plaques and I’m wondering, what the heck did that say. Besides that, I’m enjoying your videos.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

I do just that in some of my other videos

[@researchbear3960]

thank you for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love it... and i love the butterflies in your video... they are just everywhere... monarchs by any chance?

[@secretsoftexas6872]

They weren't Monarchs but they were everywhere for sure in the summer

[@stevejohnston3194]

I live in Houston. The Monarch migration tends to be September - October. If you stand in an open field that time of year, generally see one fly by every few minutes, headed SW toward Mexico. Easiest to see at ground level when they are flying low to avoid head wind. When they have a tail wind toward Mexico, they fly much higher, and you can see them at the 50th floor level etc. from buildings downtown. I first noticed the migration when I was working in a tall building in downtown Houston.

[@researchbear3960]

@@secretsoftexas6872 maybe painted ladies, those come through ca in march through may?

[@petemares8861]

Thank you for posting this.

[@catherinecarrasco9228]

I enjoy your channel. My grandfather had a farm in Balmorhea, Texas.

[@ndog2005]

Wow, Just 'Subscribed' Great video.

[@ZacCoventry]

Interesting and well narrated. Nice work!

[@angeliqueguerra1631]

I did not realize you were going to Hebbronville. My Abuelita Idolina and all her siblings grew up on a ranch there! One of my brothers was born there!

[@feliperodriguez6885]

You need to head down to Brownsville Tx and check out the old train depot which is now a museum, they have a steam engine on display , also check out the stillman museum both are downtown just a 15 minute walk from each other. Check out the old fort brown which is now part of the local university and last but not least there are remanents of an old plantation outside of town civil war era I think.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

I probably will one of these days

[@NorceCodine]

Baseball was invented in Fort Brownsville, today a university, with a cavalry building and morgue in the middle of campus!

[@mariasalinas8266]

You’d need a full week for Brownsville. It’s gorgeous.

[@patticook4081]

Doc Stillman and his son Fartow? Fallow worked w me on the fireworks barge in the 90’s. Good people.

[@patticook4081]

Fireworks barge at So Padre Island.

[@marianfrances4959]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you! 👍😎🇨🇦⛪

[@LearnwithJanice]

Hello from Kansas USA🇺🇸

[@jimfoley8014]

Very cool.

[@grandmakellymcdonald]

Very interesting!

[@allamericanizzy]

I'm surprised no mention or video footage of Fort Ringgold when you covered Rio Grande City

[@joestephan1111]

Thank you for your many videos. I am a non-Texas resident who has been thru some parts of Texas, including this area. Just wish I could see more. Your videos will have to suffice for now.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Thanks for visiting. Hopefully, I can give you a reason to come back.

[@joestephan1111]

Something I've not seen mentioned in anyone's videos is that Texan Carroll Shelby, father of the Shelby Cobra and Shelby Mustang, had a ranch in Terlingua where he staged an annual chili cook-off they billed as the world championship.

[@DevilTravels]

Starr county towns are poplar with winter escapees.

[@tw5681]

Another great video, thanks

[@jaguarsky55]

It breaks my heart to see those old, historic buildings falling into ruin. I mean, for goodness sake give them to someone who has the money to save them but not the money to save and purchase. Something. Anything.

[@charlesstafford6813]

Right on . South Texas always in my heart. CCTX. Shouts out to Falfurias!

[@marylee5293]

Have u done a video of Laredo Texas? and is full of beautiful old homes in old part of Laredo near the downtown, Laredo is full of history❤

[@maniyan_wanagi]

Thank you, Sir

[@MinhaFamiliaAQBJJ]

If you guys want a history lesson of Roma and Rio...hit up R.C Salinas. That man is the sweetest person ever and knows everything there is to know about our history here :)

[@johnmiles6293]

Ben Franklin 5&10 in Roma, TX. Quite a franchise back in the 50's and 60's.......

[@0240lym]

My family was established in Rio Grande. Rodriquez's. Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother from Spain 1800's. He helped run and build the first railroad to run trade. He's mentioned in their Newspaper.

[@elbertmoreno2159]

You have a online page to record your story? Would be nice...

[@alexisrae6101]

7:45 is hebbronville tx

[@alexisrae6101]

4:11 is roma

[@gregwarner3753]

The economy shuts down, the people leave, the buildings stay and decay. Sad.

[@htownjesse]

Forgotten? Plenty of people live there and travel to and through these towns daily. They are definitely NOT forgotten. From Laredo TX BTW

[@nickcre]

the amount of butterflies is impressive alone

[@royrice8597]

Spots on film added for effect or it’s the birds....lots of birds.....👍👍👍

[@secretsoftexas6872]

butterflies everywhere in the summer

[@salsheikh4508]

Cool Vid. Why the double or even triple curbs in Rio Grande City?

[@mariasalinas8266]

Past flooding of the Rio Grande River is one. I also heard my grandfather say something about ladies exiting their carriages. The height made it easier to get out of the wagons and carriages without dirtying their dresses on all the gross stuff (horse poo, spit, mud, dirt and grimy water). 😉

[@charlesfitzgerald9461]

Been to all 3 of them in the past

[@JoeThePalm]

8:37 reminds me of the missions California

[@mexufo]

Rio Grande, Great Town; strong working people, Doña Elvia Elvia's Beauty Shop is a Rio Grande Citizen.

[@gguerra3]

Roma was actually the most viable location. The route for steamboat "Bessie" was from Brownsville to Roma.

[@precisiont5188]

Is there a problem with illeg+als crossing there like in many other places more west?

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Yep

[@rattata30]

The welcome caravan (border patrol) is always here early to pick them up and take them to a camp!

[@angeliqueguerra1631]

My dad's family is from Mission and McAllen. My mom just passed away and i wanna move back to south TX but it's not safe in 2024. Or is it not much different than any other time?

[@rattata30]

McAllen is another poor Monterey nowadays, it’s not the McAllen of the 90s

[@precisiont5188]

Does it snow there? Is it really dry like a desert with miniscule rain?

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Extremely rare to have snow here and yes at the edge of the desert

[@rocks4350]

Not much,once in a blue moon.

[@XAPHANTHAZOMBIE]

home sweet home

[@lovellrodriguez8567]

what about santa rosa rio hondo primera combs la feria la villa rangerville los indios to many to name

[@noratijerina9756]

Lyford and Sebastian

[@raulguerra3273]

Good Movie.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Thanks. I really enjoyed touring that area.

[@3vino1]

@@secretsoftexas6872 Parts of the movie "Viva Zapata' with Marlon Brando were filmed in Roma, Texas during the 1950's. In the 1950's there were the famous mules of Rio Grande. These two mules wandered freely around Rio Grande. They were tame and could be caught easily and played with. I remember when that church in Hebbronville was being built. The old church was replaced. I believe the clergy, Franciscan Priests, did some work on that church. Across the street there is an old building, which seems to be remodeled, which used to be a school. Later they used it to celebrate weddings and quinceañeras (girls 15th birthday celebrations). Caddy corner from the church is the plaza.

[@vernonsanders371]

Have been to padre isl. I wish I drove out of it

[@josephhanney4813]

Have to redirect that traffic.

[@ozgator7650]

common fact PPL have a good living standard in towns with a main st that is grid design,

[@Samantha-rq4rq]

I live a few minutes away from there hi guys welcome to my town and city

[@elbertmoreno2159]

From Roma?

[@thomasrosa2686]

I live in roma texas

[@elbertmoreno2159]

Me too 😂

[@aldaarredondo3565]

I live here in this town

[@rattata30]

My home town Roma!!!

[@keepitforreally4501]

Have family and Mercedes Edinburgh West Co co in Harlingen actually the ghost of them😭🌹

[@anaolguin2604]

The butterflies love u

[@rosewhite---]

never any people, dogs, cats...

[@dahabizizy]

Can u go jogging from roma to reo grande how far is it😅 U didn't even drive a car or u edited the video

[@secretsoftexas6872]

I definitely drove a car from place to place. They are about 14 miles apart.

[@ajsarabia]

I was born in Roma, TX.

[@scoots8519]

Every old town in America has a dead theater in it.

[@davidbruce5524]

Rio Grande City is the real town where the fictional "Lonesome Dove" was located

[@jameswheat4225]

Tell someone hmy I only

[@rocks4350]

The brick house you see half burnt belonged to Lalo Ysaguirre,they were people of wealth,but he never married,so I guess nobody cared for the property,who knows.I heard it was arson.if so shame on whoever done this.

[@luperamos7307]

Can't people just swim across that river? Doesn't even look like Mexico on the other side.

[@rocks4350]

Be careful,most treacherous river you could ever swim in.lots of undercurrents,many have drowned in that river.

[@jackiebinns6205]

Looks like any town USA

[@hvacmac6847]

I once visited a shit town by the pan handle called Perryton Texas and the thing is with Texas they have dry county’s in a lot of areas so you can’t buy any beer unless you join their club plan b you gotta drive to the next town!

[@briancruise182]

Looks nice but doesn't look like you could live and work in these areas

[@DevilTravels]

Not unless you speak Spanish as well as english.

[@cesarnarro6013]

In Rio Grand city there are newer stores down the road from there , but wages are and have always been low. That's the case all along the U.S. Mexican border

[@lorenzomedina6220]

Mcallen is nice !

[@rattata30]

People here work with the cartels and that is why they don’t change an or a wall!

[@rafaelmadrigal9038]

It's drug cartel corridor. Not safe to live there.

[@winstonrocco1981]

America is in decline everyone is flocking to Texas for the last gasp