Historical Markers in
Cameron County, Texas

1912 Cameron County Courthouse 1912 Cameron County Jail 1923 Point Isabel Coast Guard Building A.C. Purvis House African American Troops at Fort Brown All Saints' Episcopal Church Alonso Complex Alta Vista Apartments Arroyo Colorado Lift Bridge Augustine Celaya House Bagdad-Matamoros, C.S.A. Baldemar Garza Huerta a.k.a. Freddy Fender Barreda House Battle of Palmito Ranch Brazos Santiago Pass and Brazos Island Military Depot Brazos Santiago, C.S.A. Browne-Wagner House Brownsville City Cemetery Brownsville, C.S.A. Brownsville-Matamoros Bridge Brownsville-Matamoros Ferries and River Boardwalk Brulay House Cameron County Cameron County Cameron County Courthouse of 1883-1914 Camp Belknap Campo Santo Viejo Cavalry Barracks Cavazos House Charles Champion Chisholm Trail Church of the Advent Cisneros House Cisneros House Commissary-Guard House Convent of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Cueto Building (La Nueva Libertad) Dunlap House El Globo Nuevo El Rancho Granjeno (Vasquez) Cemetery Esparza Cemetery Estéfana Goseascochea Cemetery First Baptist Church of La Feria First Methodist Church of San Benito First Presbyterian Church of Brownsville First Presbyterian Church of San Benito First United Methodist Church of Harlingen Fort Brown Fort Brown Cavalry Barracks Fort Brown Commissary/Guardhouse Fort Brown Reservation Fort Brown, Buildings 85 and 86 Fort Brown, Texas Fort Polk Frank Rabb Getsemani Presbyterian Church Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes Harlingen Harlingen Army Airfield and Harlingen Air Force Base Harlingen Cemetery Harlingen Hospital Hebrew Cemetery Hebrew Cemetery (HTC) Hicks-Gregg House Hicks-Lawrence House Hinojosa House Home of Charles Stillman, 1810-1875 Home of Chas. Stillman Home of Col. Sam Robertson Howard E. and Mary Butt House Immaculate Conception Cathedral Incarnate Word Convent, Site of J.T. Canales James Henry Dishman Juan H. Fernandez Store Kowalski-Dennett Home Kraigher House L. E. Snavely House La Feria Cemetery La Madrilena Landrum House Las Rucias Last Battle of the Civil War Launching Site of First U.S. Army Warplane Lon C. Hill Home Longoria Cemetery Manautou Building Manautou House Matanza of 1915 McNair House Medical Laboratory Morgue Building Neale House Near Route of Alonso de Leon Expeditions Old Point Isabel Lighthouse Original Sam Houston School Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church Padre J. Nicolas Balli Palmetto Pilings Pan American Airways Blind Flying School Pitt House Planters State Bank Point Isabel, C.S.A. Port Isabel (Old Point Isabel) Port Isabel Cemetery Port of Brownsville Port of Matamoros Porter Cottage Post Hospital Post Hospital Annex Public Market and Town Hall Queen Isabel Inn Rabb Plantation Rancho de Santa Maria Rancho Viejo Rockwell House Rogers Massacre Rosalio Longoria House Russell-Cocke House Sabas Cavazos Cemetery Sacred Heart Catholic Church San Benito San Benito Bank and Trust Company San Benito Post Office San Roman Building Santa Rita Santos Lozano Building Site of First Bank in La Feria Site of Old Grammar School Solis Cemetery Southern Pacific Depot Spiderweb Railroad St. Benedict's Church Stagecoach to the Rio Grande, C.S.A. The Battle of Palo Alto The Battle of Resaca de la Palma The Gem The Old Weaver Cemetery The Spot Where "American Blood was Shed on American Soil" Tijerina House Town of La Feria United States Colored Troops Water District Building Webb-Martinez House Yturria Bank Zepeda Cemetery
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Cameron County, located in southern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Apache and the Karankawa. However, the arrival of Spanish explorers in the late 16th century marked the beginning of a significant shift in the region's history.

In the early 18th century, the Spanish established a presence in the area through the construction of missions and the establishment of ranches. This period saw the growth of agriculture and the introduction of Catholicism to the local population. However, these Spanish settlements faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with Native Americans and French incursions from Louisiana.

In the early 19th century, the area became part of Mexico after gaining independence from Spain. This period was marked by political instability, as Mexico went through numerous changes in leadership. In 1845, the region became part of the newly annexed state of Texas and experienced a surge in population as American settlers arrived. The county was officially named Cameron in 1848 after Ewen Cameron, an early settler and landowner.

The 20th century brought significant economic growth to Cameron County through the development of agriculture, oil, and tourism. The county became an important agricultural center, with cotton, vegetables, and citrus fruits being major crops. The discovery of oil in the nearby Gulf of Mexico also brought economic prosperity, leading to the establishment of a major oil industry in the region. Additionally, the county's beautiful beaches and warm climate attracted tourists, leading to the growth of the tourism industry.

Today, Cameron County continues to be an important agricultural and industrial region in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and remains a popular tourist destination, with its stunning beaches, historical sites, and natural beauty attracting visitors from around the world. The county's rich history is celebrated through various museums, festivals, and cultural events, showcasing the colorful past that has shaped Cameron County into what it is today.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cameron County, Texas.

  • 1848: Cameron County is established as one of the original counties of Texas.
  • 1850: The first federal census is conducted in Cameron County, recording a population of 285 residents.
  • 1866: The first wooden courthouse is built in Brownsville, the county seat of Cameron County.
  • 1875: The Rio Grande Railroad reaches Brownsville, boosting economic growth in the county.
  • 1893: The current Cameron County Courthouse is completed in Brownsville.
  • 1909: The first automobile bridge across the Rio Grande River is built, connecting Brownsville with Matamoros, Mexico.
  • 1925: The Port of Brownsville is established, becoming a major hub for trade and commerce.
  • 1933: The construction of the Brownsville Ship Channel begins, further enhancing the county's maritime capabilities.
  • 1967: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (formerly known as Pan American University) is established.
  • 2017: Cameron County experiences significant damage from Hurricane Harvey, leading to large-scale recovery efforts.