Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-06-29
MATAMOROS A
HISTORIC CITY
Much of Interest Is to Be
Found There; Growth
Seen Certain

The casual visitor to Matamorcs
Br~ownsvllle'S sister city across the
Rio Grande. who does not progress
further than the main square and
does tarry more than a few hours
cannot absorb Ia such haDhazard
fashion the traditions in which the
historic old city Is steeped.
Matamorcs, indeed. has PLAYED an
important part il the history OF
Mexico and for Its gallant defense
against enemies Of the government
It was given the title. Heroic" The
name must properly be written
with the title. thus, II. Matamoros
That is the way al truly patriotic
Matamoros citizens write il.
Matamoros can look back farther
than any other community in this
part Of the Rio Grande Valley. II
has passed Its hundreth birthday.
In that span Of a hundred wears
and more ii has seen many eras %
prosperity and viclssitudes as well.
II knew the prosperity attendant %
being a port Of entry for goods
needed by the Confederate States
OF America and IL has known the
v~icclsSitudes Of its own wars which
nave reduced its population. .
Spaniards Came In 1900
First known settlers OF Matamo-
ros yer Spaniards who came about
1900. In 1921 the Congregation del
Refugio was founded ana III 1926
the governor Of the state Of Ia
maullpas issued an edict establishing
it as a municipality. 1t was named
after Mariana Matamoros. a priest
and general in the Mexican army
which fought for the independence
OF that country. There was nothing
except brush on the other side OF
the river where Brownsville now
stands.
Various things contributed TO the
growth OF Matamoros but ii
achieved its greatest prosperity
during the Civil War when it was
one Of the chief sources Of sup
plies for the Confederates whose
other ports were bottled UP by the
federal navy. Great warehouses
were built in Matamoros and much
trade was carried on. Much cotton
10 Matamoros for shipment
from that city to England.
The war ended and with ID this
immense trade. The population Of
MatamoroS which had reached
considerable proportions. some say
as much as 10000 dwildled. Then
came troubles IN Mexico and the
revolutions contributed to the de-
cline OF the border city.
City Is Coming Back"
Matamoros Is coming back now.
Always the mecca Of tourist who
came as far as South Texas. - may
become an important port Of entry
Tor tourists who wish to 20 into
the interior Of Mexico with the
construction Of new roads in that
country. A road connecting Mata-
moros with Monterrey, Victoria,
Iampico, Mexico City ard other
cities IS expected 70 be built soon.
When this road Is completed Ma
tanoros Is expected 70 reap the
benefit Of increased tourist travel.
Matamoros also Is an important
point with Brownsville on the in
ternatlolal air lines which will
connect the Americas. Air routes
q the future connecting the United
states with Mexico. Central and
south America are likely 70 chose
safest land route by way OF
brownsville and Matamoros.
Matamoros IS al present con-
nected by rail with the interior OF
Mexico BY means OF the National
Lines Of Mexico. Connections ARE
nad with ell parts Of the United
states over the Southern Pacific
and Missouri Pacific Lines.
Points OF Interest
N acaitlcn 10 various places Of
nse'lent and refresh aent, Mata-