Nationally recognized since 1968, the month from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 is a time to celebrate the real places and real stories that shape this important element of Texas’ history.
“There are a number of truly remarkable historic sites throughout the state of Texas that are directly attributed to the Hispanic influence,” said Janie Headrick, state coordinator of the Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP). “Hispanic heritage has dramatically shaped Texas culture and the THC explores some of those legacies, stories and unique places in Texas in the Los Camino del Rio brochure.”
The THC features a special tourism guide encouraging visitors to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Los Caminos del Rio (The Roads of the River): Legacies of the Borderlands. This colorful brochure entices travelers to experience shared Hispanic traditions from food to music to a mixture of the English and Spanish languages along the historic Los Caminos del Rio heritage corridor.
Notable sites that contribute to the story of Texas include the Jesús Treviño Fort in San Ygnacio, a remnant of the fortified stone compound built by Spanish settlers for protection from Native Americans; the Roma and Ciudad Miguel Alemán International Suspension Bridge –– the last suspension bridge over the Rio Grande; the Southern Pacific Depot in McAllen, illustrating the importance of the steam engine to commercial transportation in the early 1900s; and the Old River Pumphouse in Hidalgo, the last river irrigation pumphouse, which has been transformed into a museum.
The THTP provides helpful resources for those looking to get out and explore Texas history. The award-winning regional tourism initiative increases visitation at cultural and heritage sites in regions across the state and revitalizes local economies through tourism development and marketing. A key component of the THTP is a series of heritage travel guides designed to enhance visitors’ experiences at local attractions.
The program currently offers eight heritage travel guides –– Texas Brazos, Forest, Forts, Independence, Lakes, Mountain, Plains and Tropical Trail Regions. Each heritage guide offers travelers a valuable opportunity to personally experience what makes this state extraordinary, while providing maps and historical information related to specific regions.
The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.
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