Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-06-29
BRIDGES SPAN
RIO IN VALLEY
Ferry az Brownsville Al
One Time Only Means
Of Crossing

Where z few years ago there vas
oniy one international bridge across
the Rio CTinde IN the lower Valley
there now are six.
Brownsville. which also had th=
first bridge across the rio 70 Mex
leo, leads with two such structures.
IL has the original Missouri Pacific
bridge and the newer Gateway
bridge.
Brownsville was the first import
snt crossing point on the lower
border. II came into prominence as
q crossing point during the Civil
War when much cotton was run
!: across the river to Matamoros for
shipment to England. There was no
bridge then. but cotton was taken
across on a ferry and often times
Just floated over.
Ferry Always Ran
For many years only q ferry
operated across the u between
the twin cities OF Brownsville ana
Matamoros. i has often been told
that this ferry was the foundation
for the Stillman fortune, but those
who knew this family say that Il
had money before 10 came 70
Brownsville. The ferry probably did
play an important part in the bust
ness Of this family, however.
Construction Of the first inter-
national bridge did not cause the
ferry to cease operations It CONT
nued TO ply between Brownsvills
and the Mexican landing which was
known then and is still known as
Santa Cruz. long after construction
OF the Missouri Pacific bridge. It
was a tradition that no matter how
high the water, the ferry never
ceased operating. II was true, how
ever, that the water got so low al
times that the boats had to ply
only a few yards or that crossing
was possible on foot.
III Old Board Walk
One Of Brownsville's old land
marks was a board walk which ex-
tended from Levee street 70 the
American landing on the ferry
Along u were strung shops of I'll
kinds, mostly for the sale of curlcs.
groceries, fruits, candies, etc. At the
river end were located customs. TN
migration, health and other off
Gals.
Brownsville's ferry and old board
walk were doomed by construction
OF the Gateway bridge. Opening Of
the new bridge was observed with 4
big celebration. For a time the OLD
bridge was closed, but it has been
T~e-opened for some time.
Construction Of the new bridge
was accompanied by a number Z.
public improvements on the Mex.
lean side Of the river. Paved ROADS
were built from the center OF Mata-
moros to both bridges. Many other
civic improvements were made IN
Matamoros.
Bridge az Hidalgc
First bridge TO be constructed
between Brownsville and Laredo
was az Hldalgo. This bridge con-
nected the American town OF HI
dalgo and the Mexican town of
Reynosa. Tn eAmerican end OF the
bridge was connected with McAllen
and other cities of the Valley by
means Of q paved highway. Hidalpg
began ito reasSume some Of ~
former Importance, it having been
the first county seat Of HidalrJ
county.
Other bridges came in rapid sue
cessior. A bridge was built across
the iRo Grande near Mercedes.
There We're no towns at either enI
OF the bridge. bur a resort was built
on the Mexican side. Racing courses
Tor greyhounds. cafes. cabarets and
other attractions were provided.
Greyhound racing IS still had there
at intervals. This bridg ealso Is
connected with the main valley
highway by means Of pavement,
making IL easily accessible.
Roma soon announced a bridge
connecting II with San Pedro and
still late a structure was thrown
across the rio az Zapata.
Other bridges have been In con-
Temptation for some time near San
lBenito. Weslaco and Rio Grande
City.