Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
CHARM OF OLD
WORLD FOUND
IN MATAMOROS
Attractiveness Of An
Gent Border City Is
Not Disturbed By
d Progress

o~ch 1eplete with stirring events
and whose 'old world" atmosphere
Is ever alluring to tourists and visi-
tors as well as to Valley residents,
lies directly across the Rio Grande
from Brownsville.
Modernism Is still an unknown
quantity in Matamoros despite the
TACT that its once deep-rutted main
thoroughfares are now paved and
development Of the Valley and the
rich agricultural sections on the
Mexican side OF the Rio Grande are
enhancing its prominence as a COM
mercial and distribution center for
Northeastern Mexico.
With its colorful Life. its customs
which to the average American ap-
pear quaint and unique, its game
dinners, clubs, ancient buildings and
all the glamor and romance Of old
Spain, the Mexican metropolis has
an almost irresistible appeal to the
tourists.
The city. its business places. its
people, and customs all bear the in
delible imprint Of the influence OF
the Spanish and French founders.
Within a few minutes after leaving
the thoroughly modernized city Of
Brownsville the tourist is transfer
red into the old world surround
ings and customs which give to the
ancient city Of the lower border its
Gttractiveness.
Two Bridges Connect Cities
Two international bridges across
the Rio Grande now connect
Brownsville and Matamoros. In
July, 1923, the second international
bridge at Fourteenth street, con-
meeting direct with the business
section of Brownsville was opened,
and a paved highway approximately
a mile in length. runs direct to the
business section Of the Mexican city.
Pavement also has been construct
ed from the old international bridge
and the main thoroughfare has
been paved TO the central plaza.
The old street car line, which for
merly ran from Santa Cruz 70
MatamoroS, has been abandoned
and part OF the track torn up. The
quaint cars, which were objects Of
curiosity to American tourists, have
been replaced by modern motor
buses which ply between this city
and Matamoros on regular Sched-
uleS over smooth pavements that
are a decided contrast TO the rutted
streets over which the tourists for
merly jolted.
Though practically no new build
tngs have been erected. many i'm
provements have been made IN the
past two years. Luxuriously fur
rished clubs have been established;
many of the old buildings in the
business section have undergone in
terror remodeling which has had no
touch OF mcdernity and has served
tc accentuate their charm. A mod
ern water system has replaced the
water carts Of former days for
which burros were utilized for mo-
tive power, and every section Of the
city is supplied with electric light
and power.
Agriculture Developing
In the rich agricultural and stock
country to the south and west OF
the city, thousands Of acres have
been brought under cultivation. and
herds of cattle and goats, which
became almost non-existent during
the years OF revolution. now cover
the rich pasture land. bringing rich
revenues. Cotton and corn produc-
ton has increased steadily. the
Matamoros district ranking among
the leaders in the southern republic
In the production OF these staples.
One feature Of the new spirit Of
the city is the fact that its cham
Der Of commerce not only functions
very efficiently. but Is also proving
an important factor in promoting
trade relations between the two re-
publics and attracting an ever-in-
creasing volume Of tourist traffic 70
the border. The city has an old
world atmosphere. but its chamber
OF commerce Is ultra-modern and Is
proving a potent factor in develop
ment on both sides Of the border.
MatamoroS IS the most prosperous
city in northern Mexico, and there
probably is no city in that republic
which more clearly reflects Amerl-
can influence in its commercial life.
Between the city and the agricul-
tural districts there is close coopera-
ton. and every movement toward
DEVELOPMENT OF natural resourca >
and expansion of commercial inter-
ests receives the united support Of
the citizenship.
CITY Founded i'm 1921
The first Spanish settlers arrived
at the present site Of Matamoros
about 1900. and the Congregation OF
Refugio was founded in 1921. In
1896 IL was established as a munich
ualitv and given the name OF Mata-
moros in honor OF the famous MeM-
car patriot. The city vas the CEN
ter for an immense ranching area
which at that time included both
sides Of the Rio Grande and grew
rauidly in size and importance.
when the Mexican war broke out
the city was seized by General
Zachary Taylor and made the base
for his march on Monterrey. AT
that time. 1876. il had a population
Of approximately 5000
Matamoros reached the zenith Of
prosperity during the war between
the North and South, when Browns
vile. held by the ~Confederates, be-
came practically the only outlet for
the cotton produced in the South
and the port Of entry for munitions
for the Confederacy. Countless mil
lions of dollars worth OF cotton
Was transferred across the Rio
Grande to Matamoros, transported
~ OK team to Bagdad at the mouth
Of the river and lightered to boats