LAREDO

Population 128,433

Altitude 438

General

Rich in south of-the-border-flavor, city is the major international crossing along U.S.-Mexican border. Established by Spanish land grant 1755; became county seat when Webb county organized in 1848. City tops state in number of flags served under: Seven! today Laredo economy is from such diversified sources as retail and wholesale consumer products, importing and exporting (Laredo is nation's largest inland port), petroleum and natural gas, feeds and fertilizers, brick and tile, and visitors form both sides of Rio Grande. Laredo Jr. College and Laredo State Univ. (part of Texas A&M System) are here.

Recent "maquiladora" industry, and binational manufacturing system where U.S. products are assembled in plants on the Mexican side, is prominent in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo.

Since 1898 the Washington Birthday Celebration has honored George Washington as first Western Hemisphere leader to free a New World country form the dominion of European rule; ten-day fiesta celebrated on both sides of the border includes parades, fireworks, dances, and impressive coronation ceremony. Festivities strengthen friendly ties between Texas and Mexico.

FORT MCINTOSH

LAKE CASA BLANCO STATE PARK

LAREDO CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

LAREDO VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER

NUEVO LAREDO

REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE BUILDING

ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH

TEXAS TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTER-ONE

Attractions

• FORT MCINTOSH-Established by Army in 1848 immediately following Mexican War, fort was in continuous use until May, 1946. It was originally among series of border forts guarding against Indian attacks and was base for border patrol. Laredo Junior College and Laredo State Univ. now on grounds. The old guardhouse, chapel, warehouse and commissary remain. One is used by the college's art department; the others are destined to become a children's museum. Foot of Washington St. on banks of Rio Grande.
• LAKE CASA BLANCO STATE PARK- 371-acre park near eastern city limits on U.S. 59. Picnic facilities, camping, rest rooms, dump station, boat ramp, and fishing pier. The 1,656-acre lake is among the state's best for black bass fishing.
• LAREDO CHILDREN'S MUSEUM-Meet new friends, The Primaries-Yippee, Rudie, and Booboo, as they guide you through the museum. Yippee loves history and culture; Rudie is into art; and Booboo is a science nut. Through hands-on experimentation and exploration, museum encourages the explorer and inventor in children. Open Thurs. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. West End Washington St. on campus of Laredo Jr. College. 210/721-5321. Admission.
• LAREDO VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER-Details about Laredo, attractions, accommodations and events. At 2310 San Bernardo. Open Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Exit I-35 south at U.S. 59, turn right on Lafayette St., left on San Bernardo.
• NUEVO LAREDO-Founded 1775, "New Laredo" across border is bustling city of 350,000. Fine hotels, motels, and restaurants cater to large flow of visitors throughout year. Shoppers find profusion of gift shops specializing in jewelry, crystal, onyx, metallic arts. El Mercado, traditional marketplace two blocks from international bridge, features handicrafts, baskets, hand-dyed cloth, serapes, clothing leatherwork, silver goods-all with Mexican flair.

  The Nuevo Laredo Turf Club, within walking distance from international bridge, offers wagering via live transmission from major U.S. and Mexican horse and greyhound tracks; restaurant and bar, opens 11 a.m. daily.

  On seasonal basis, bullfights are staged at the Plaza de Toros La Fiesta bullring, six miles from the bridge.

• REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE BUILDING-Seven flags have flown over quaint, one-story building. Whitewashed plaster covers walls of rock and adobe that measure more than two feet thick. Now a museum, building served as capitol of unsuccessful Republic of the Rio Grande; displays guns, saddles, household goods of frontier homes with emphasis on period of Rio Grande Republic, 1839-41. Open Tues. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 1000 Zaragoza St. on San Agustine Plaza. Contributions.
• ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH-Originally built in 1767; present structure, third on sites, dates form 1872. On San Agustin Plaza in heart of old Spanish section.
• TEXAS TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTER-ONE of the centers provided by the state at key highway entrances to Texas, in State capitol Complex, and at the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center in Langtry. Operated daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's. Staffed by uniformed, professional, bilingual travel counselors, free services to all visitors include information, maps, literature on every part of the state, and expert assistance in charting routes. On I-35 north of Laredo; operated by Texas department of Transportation.

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