Brownsville

 

city (1990 pop. 98,962), seat of Cameron co., extreme S Tex., on the Rio Grande c.17 mi (30 km) from its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico; inc. 1850. It is an important port of entry across the river from Matamoros, Mexico. A deepwater channel was dredged (1936) to accommodate ocean vessels; a land cut NE to the Brazos Santiago Pass, which bypasses the Rio Grande channel, is the southern terminus of the Intracoastal Waterway. Brownsville is a trade, processing, and distribution point for the rich, irrigated lower Rio Grande valley; it has many industries connected with oil and natural gas. Other products include shrimp, electronic equipment, and aircraft and auto parts. The establishment of Fort Texas there by Gen. Zachary Taylor in 1846 invited a Mexican attack that precipitated the Mexican War. The fort was renamed (1846) for Major Jacob Brown, killed while commanding its defense. Active until 1944, Fort Brown was held briefly by Union forces in the Civil War. The town of Brownsville grew around the fort and was a cattle-shipping point in the late 19th cent. In 1906 a group of African-American soldiers stationed at Fort Brown were blamed for a night gun raid on the town that resulted in an innocent civilian's death. President Theodore Roosevelt, in a highly controversial directive, ordered the dishonorable discharge of 167 of the soldiers. In 1972 the secretary of the army reversed that order. Brownsville has an international airport, and a zoo. Nearby recreation areas include Padre Island National Seashore (see under Padre Island).

Brownsville, Texas
Motto: On the Border by the Sea
Location within the state of Texas
Coordinates: 25°55′49″N 97°29′4″W / 25.93028, -97.48444
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Cameron
Government
- Mayor	Patricio M. Ahumada, Jr
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2000)
- City	{{formatnum:139722 (city proper)}}
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
- Metro
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
Area code(s)	956
FIPS code	48-107682
GNIS feature ID	13727493
Website: http://www.ci.brownsville.tx.us/

Brownsville is the county seat of Cameron County, Texas, United States, the southernmost city in Texas. As of 2005, U.S. Census estimates put Brownsville at a population of 167,493.

Geography and Climate

Brownsville is located at 25°55′49″N, 97°29′4″W (25.930307, -97.484424)¹, on the U.S.-Mexico border (marked here by the Rio Grande or Río Bravo del Norte) from Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 215.0 km² (83.0 mi²), making it by far the largest city in the Rio Grande Valley. 208.2 km² (80.4 mi²) of it is land and 6.8 km² (2.6 mi²) of it (3.16%) is water.

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rec High °F	93	94	106	102	102	102	104	104	105	96	97	94
Norm High °F	68.7	72.2	78	82.3	86.9	90.5	92.4	92.6	89.4	84	76.8	70.2
Norm Low °F	50.5	53.3	59.5	65.2	71.6	74.9	75.4	75.3	72.6	65.9	58.6	52
Rec Low °F	19	22	32	38	52	60	68	63	55	35	31	16
Precip (in)	1.36	1.18	0.93	1.96	2.48	2.93	1.77	2.99	5.31	3.78	1.75	1.11
Source: USTravelWeather.com [1]

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 139,722 people, 38,174 households, and 32,180 families residing in the city. The population density was 671.0/km² (1,737.8/mi²). There were 42,323 housing units at an average density of 203.2/km² (526.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 81.65% White, 0.41% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 14.66% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. 91.28% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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 was $9,762. About 32.4% of families and 36.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.0% of those under age 18 and 31.0% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, the median gross rent paid for housing in Brownsville was $405 per month. This was the lowest of any city in the United States with more than 100,000 people.^[1]

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 51.7% of the population has a high school diploma.
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 87.2% speak a language other than English at home.^[2]

History

• Fort Texas, a fort on the Mexican border was commissioned in 1845 less than a mile from what would become downtown Brownsville.
• Not even completed yet, the Mexican Army began the Siege of Fort Texas on May 3-9, 1846. One of the only two American soldiers who died in the attack was the Fort's commander, Major Jacob Brown, in honor of whom the post was renamed to Fort Brown.
• The Battle of Palo Alto occurred five miles from the present location of downtown Brownsville on May 8, 1846, the first battle of the Mexican-American War. On May 9, the Battle of Resaca de la Palma was fought within the bounds of the present city limits.
• Brownsville was established in January 13, 1849 by Charles Stillman.
• On July 13 1859, the First Cortina War started. Juan Nepomuceno Cortina would become one of the most important historical figures of the area, and continued to exert a decisive influence in the local events until his arrest in 1875. The First Cortina War ended on December 27, 1859. In May of 1861, the brief Second Cortina War took place.

Main article: Cortina Troubles

• During the Civil War Brownsville was used as a smuggling point for Confederate goods into Mexico.
• On May 15, 1865 a month after the surrender had been signed at Appomattox Court House the Battle of Palmito Ranch was fought.
• On Valentine's day, 1895, 6 inches of snow fell in Brownsville. This was the first recorded instance of snow in the region.
• On August 13, and 14th 1906 Brownsville was the site of the Brownsville Raid.
• On December 8, 1911 Brownsville's first international bridge was opened, which was called the Brownsville & Matamoros Bridge.
• On September 8, 1926 The Junior College of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (later known as Texas Southmost College) admitted its first class.
• In 1945 Fort Brown was decommissioned and in 1948 the City and College acquired the land.
• From 1945 to 1970 Brownsville population doubled from 25,000 to 52,000 people.
• On April 3, 1984 17 members of a religious group in Brownsville were killed and ritually mutilated.^[3]
• In 1991 Brownsville receives a University via the partnership between the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.
• Brownsville was declared an All-America City in the year 2001.
• On December 25, 2004, Brownsville had its first instance of measurable snow in 109 years, with 1 1/2 inches, and the first recorded White Christmas. This was part of the 2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm. The snow was subsequently sold on eBay.[2]

City Government

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. With elections for one At-Large and two District seats every two years. General elections are held on the first Saturday of May in odd numbered years.

As of 2006, the members of the Commission are:

• Mayor: Pat Ahumada (Since 2007)
• Commissioner At-Large "A": Anthony Troiani (Since 2007)
• Commissioner At-Large "B": Leo T. Garza (Since 2007)
• Commissioner District 1: Ricardo Longoria Jr. (Since 2003)
• Commissioner District 2: Charlie Atkinson (Since 2006)
• Commissioner District 3: Carlos Cisneros (Since 2002)
• Commissioner District 4: Edward Camarillo (Since 2005)

The next regular elections for the City will occur in the following years:

• Mayor: 2011
• At-Large "A": 2011
• At-Large "B": 2009 (*)
• District 1: 2011
• District 2: 2011
• District 3: 2009
• District 4: 2009

(*) Leo T. Garza will run for the At-Large "B" position again in 2009 as he is completing the remainder of the term left by Ernie Hernandez resigning his commission seat.

The City Commission appoints the City Manager. As of 2006, the City Manager is Charlie Cabler.

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.

Education

Universities and Colleges

• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health (UTSPH), Brownsville Regional Campus

The university opened in 2001 as part of the legislated Regional Academic Health Center program, or RAHC and is phyically located on the campus of the University of Texas at Brownsville. UTSPH - Brownsville is a regional campus of the University of Texas School of Public Health statewide network which offer students a graduate certificate in public health and the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) graduate degree in a subtropical, multicultural, bilingual, bordertown community. 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 public health concerns include occupation health and safety (especially among the migrant and international communities), behavioral and lifestyle concerns among adolescents (pregnancy, STDs, and otherwise reckless decisions), air and environmental pollution, as well as examining the impacts and issues that are affected as a result of cross-border health, health care and prescription services. To date, over $10 million in research funding has been received by the Brownsville Regional Campus to address these local concerns. http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/brownsville).

• The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
• South Texas Vocational Technical Institute

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Most of Brownsville is served by Brownsville Independent School District. The B.I.S.D. counted its total enrollment in the 2003-04 at 45,986 students in 50 schools. 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 B.I.S.D. magnet schools. Each B.I.S.D. high school has a magnet school within the school (example, Homer Hanna High School, a B.I.S.D. high school, has the district's medical magnet program).

State charter schools

• Raul Yzaguirre School For Success
• Sentry Technology Prep Charter High School
• IDEA Public Schools Frontier Academy and College Prep

Private and Parochial Schools

Grades 9-12:

• Saint Joseph Academy (grades 7 through 12)
• Valley Christian High School
• First Baptist High School

Grades 1-8:

• Brownsville SDA School
• Episcopal Day School
• First Baptist School
• Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School
• Faith Christian Academy
• Guadalupe Regional Middle School
• Incarnate Word Academy
• Kenmont Montessori School
• St. Luke's Catholic School
• St. Mary's Catholic School

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brownsville operates area Catholic schools.

Transportation

Mass Transit

Established in mid-Brownsville, expanding bus service to rapidly developing North Brownsville.

Highways

Brownsville is served by the following U.S. Highways:

• U.S. Route 77 (U.S. 77 is a proposed part of NAFTA's future Interstate 69).
• U.S. Route 281
• U.S. Route 83

International Bridges

Brownsville has 3 international bridges:

• The Brownsville & Matamoros (B&M) International Bridge, known locally as the "Old Bridge".
  • The B&M International Bridge also serves as an international railway for Union Pacific
• Gateway International Bridge, known locally as the "new bridge" despite the fact that it's no longer the city's newest international bridge.
• The Veteran's International Bridge at Los Tomates, or locally simply known as the "Los Tomates" or "Veteran's" bridge.

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 one commercial airline, Continental Airlines, with an average of seven flights to Houston-Intercontinental (depending on the day of the week).

Art and Culture

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 all over the world. The Brownsville Heritage Complex.

Television

The Brownsville area is served by numerous local television affiliates.

• KVEO-TV (NBC 23) - Brownsville
• KGBT-TV (CBS 4) - Harlingen
• KRGV-TV (ABC 5) - Weslaco
• KNVO-TV (Univision 48) - McAllen
• XHRIO-TV (FOX 2) - Matamoros, Tamaulipas
• KTLM (Telemundo 40) - McAllen
• KMBH-TV (PBS 60) - Harlingen
• KVTF-CA (Telefutura 20) - Brownsville
• KLUJ-TV (TBN 44) - Harlingen
• KBDF-LP (Azteca America 64) - Brownsville

Radio

• KFRQ 94.5FM
• KKPS 99.5FM
• KNVO 101.1FM
• KVLY 107.9FM
• KBFM 104.1FM
• KBNR 88.3 FM Radio Manantial (Spanish Christian)

Trivia

• Brownsville is the largest city in the Rio Grande Valley, both in population and size.

• The motto of Brownsville is "On the Border by the Sea".

• Local attractions include the Gladys Porter Zoo, 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 only shopping mall in the city of Brownsville. Since being remodeled in 2000 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 after many of its tenants moved from Amigoland to Sunrise.

• Brownsville (Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville) is one of the "America's Greenest Cities" according to Forbes.com.^[4]

• Brownsville has been referenced in a number of songs. It is the hometown of the heroine in the song "Delta Dawn". Bob Dylan performed a song called "Brownsville Girl" (co-written with Sam Shepard). It is mentioned in the song "Matamoros Banks" by Bruce Springsteen, and in the song "Texas Women" by Hank Williams Jr. Jim White recorded a song titled "That Girl from Brownsville, Texas". John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats wrote a song about Brownsville called "It's All Here in Brownsville" that appeared on Full Force Galesburg. Brownsville Bay is referenced in the song "Somewhere Between Texas and Mexico" recorded by Pat Green. Also, Brownsville is in the first track title of the album Chill Out by the ambient/trance group The KLF ("Brownsville Turnaround on the Tex-Mex Border").

• Judge Reynaldo G. Garza (1915-2004) [3] of Brownsville was first appointed to the United States District Court in 1961 by President Kennedy, and to the United States Court of Appeals by President Carter in 1978. Garza's biography All Rise: The First Mexican-American Federal Judge was written by Louise Ann Fisch, also a Brownsville native.^[5]

• The US Ambassador to Mexico, Antonio Oscar Garza, was born in Brownsville, TX.^[6]

• Federico Peña, former U.S. Transportation Secretary, former U.S. Energy Secretary and former mayor of Denver, Colorado, was raised in Brownsville.

• Actor Kris Kristofferson was born in Brownsville on June 22, 1936.

• Actress Elka Walker,^[7] best known for "The Real World" series, was born in Brownsville on February 2, 1978.

• Formerly the home of Eagle International (later Eagle Bus Manufacturing), from 1975 until filing for bankruptcy in January 1998.

External links

• City of Brownsville
• Brownsville Area Parks
• Brownsville Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Brownsville Chamber of Commerce
• Brownsville Economic Development Council
• Brownsville History
• The Art of Brownsville Blog
• The Brownsville Herald
• The Handbook of Texas Online Brownsville, Texas
• Rio Grande Valley Wing of the Commemorative Air Force

Coordinates: 25.930307° N 97.484424° W

References

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