Experience our History!

By Veronica Gamboa

Every day you can learn something new and exciting about how things and places began, and Laredo historical sites and buildings tell you a story about our city.

For example, the building that today houses the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum was the home of two Laredo merchant families in the early 20th century and still stands beautifully in our historic downtown. This Italianate-style residence is representative of the grand houses that populated the San Agustin District in the early twentieth century.

The home was abandoned for many years and survived numerous fires. In 2002, the Webb County Heritage Foundation and the County of Webb undertook its historic rehabilitation. The home now serves as the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum; it showcases the region’s history and culture through a series of changing exhibits. It is located at 810 Zaragoza Street where you can find other historic properties right down the street, so if you are in town, take some time to visit our historic downtown for a stroll down memory lane.

If you are planning to visit Laredo, you can book a guided tour with the Webb County Heritage Foundation at (956) 727-0977, and experience where and how Laredo was founded, as well as as other interesting facts and legends about our city. The tour also features Plaza San Agustin, the San Agustin Cathedral and the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum.

Veronica Gamboa is the LCVB Project Coordinator, loves to
travel, soccer player, dancer, and loves the outdoors.