The Contemporary World of Alamo, Texas!

jessetorres358
Aug 10, 2024
11 min read

Updated: May 14

Photo by Britney J Torres

For the most part, many of us grew up in Phar San Juan and Alamo, which is PSJA. But as time went on, many of us relocated in search of a better life or a better opportunity. I enjoy taking walks outside and seeing where they lead. Even though PSJA is made up of small cities, I am very happy that they are all growing.

Coming generations will be amazed by PSJA's growth.

Photo By Britney J Torres

The Land of the Free and the land of opportunities to come. So, dream big!!!!

Alamo Texas 78516

Photo By Britney J Torres

Alamo was not always what it is today. Growing up, most of us lived in a different Alamo. Alamo, once known as "Forum," is often referred to as the Land of Two Summers. One of the entry points to the Mexican border is Alamo. Reynosa Tamaulipas, Las Flores, and Santa Anna Wildlife Refuge.

Numerous stores from the 1980s and 1990s have closed because of the passage of time. Those were fantastic stores that we all used: Okies, Sandoval 907, El Chaparral, and Pronto Supermarket. Change is often positive, but it may also be sentimental at times.

Photo by Britney Torres

I was unaware of the existence of this museum in Alamo, Texas, until someone informed me about it. It was so real that I had to go check it out. The items I saw at the museum astounded me. They have a lot of excellent things, to be sure, but there are more things they could have.

The director told me that they wanted to put all of their books online, just like these daily publications. If they did, I genuinely believe it would be a fantastic idea. This is no longer how the news publications appear. Currently, the company that prints the newspapers is called Monitor. The way we live has changed to the point that websites like Facebook allow us to view the most recent news.

Photo By Britney J Torres

These fire engines are housed in the museum; one is located outside and the other within. These fire vehicles didn't look like the ones I remember from my childhood. Based on my investigation, it appears that these trucks date back to the 1970s and 1920s.

Photo By Britney J Torres

These days' fire trucks look so much sleeker and more modern. This truck caught my eye in the Alamo Wal Mart.

Photo by Britney J Torres

During my time, Ben Frankin Elementary School was located in Alamo. However, it was closed to make room for other schools. The population of Alamo was steadily increasing. However, I have a ton of happy memories from this institution. I still recall smacking my head on a flagpole after not paying attention to it. Even though so much blood was spilled, I remained calm.

I recall the activities we participated in as children. Another elementary school that was demolished and rebuilt was Farias Elementary. Ben Franklin wasn't reconstructed in the same way that Farias was. We lost a legendary school that children in future generations would never have the opportunity to experience.

If you attended Ben Franklin, you most likely had a wonderful childhood.

Phots by Britney J Torres

There are still farm laborers working today that we are unaware of. If someone has completed that kind of labor, you are aware that it is not a simple task. But people still have to put in a lot of work—both in the 1970s and now. No one can live without a job of any type. Many families found it difficult to send their children to school since they had to support their parents during that difficult economic period. My parents would travel to Washington State and Minnesota when I was in junior in high. I recall detesting our term "going up north." I had to create new friends as I was constantly separating from my old ones. It was the best time of my life, looking back.

I would have completed my education long ago if I had known that my employment as a migrant worker would pay for it. But I was unaware of that. In any case, I wasn't really considering the future at that moment. I was merely existing moment by moment. Many of us probably had no idea that society would shift to the extent that it has in the present.

Photo by Britney J Torres

I love nature, as many of you know, and these selections are simply amazing. It can get a little hot in Alamo, Texas, but I actually enjoy the heat. Alamo still has a lot of open areas for new enterprises to expand into. Future generations will find Alamo to be a massive city in 20 to 30 years, I'm very sure. I hope future generations will be aware of Alamo's origin story. Despite the fact that we lost a lot of stores, we will gain a lot more. So that future generations of Alamo would know what we had and what they missed, let's hope that the stores that we lost can continue to leave a legacy.

Photo by Britney J Torres

I can easily envision the generations that came before us in 1901, laboring in Alamo's cotton fields. How many of them spent their lunch breaks napping or simply lying under trees?

Alamo is the Spanish/Mexican word for cottonwood tree, which was named after the Alamo Mission in San Antonio.

Photo by Britney J Torres

As a child, I recall going on walks in the fields with my friends and never giving anything negative a second thought. I was completely ignorant of the past of those who came before us. However, as I grew older, I developed a strong interest in history and others who had once walked in the same fields as me.

Mcallen Chase Bank 8-3-2024 Photo by Britney J Torres

I would always see the chase bank from the fields in San Juan and Alamo, but I never thought I would ever be able to take a priceless picture from the fields of Alamo. But as I got older, history and other people who formerly walked in the same fields as I piqued my curiosity greatly.

Photo by Britney J Torres

Santa Anna is a beautiful place to go and relax and just enjoy nature to its fullest. Santa Anna was threatened at one time by President Trump, who wanted to build a wall so the illegal immigrants couldn't cross. The wall was built, and the monasteries that were there—well, the family members were at risk of not being able to see them. So, a huge commotion came out of it because of it.

Although the government ultimately decided to preserve the land, my mother did own a portion of it. My parents owned the land but never paid taxes on it; therefore, a lot of taxes had to be paid. I never got to meet my grandfather, but the one I did meet was incredible with me; my mom didn't even know about that land because my grandfather didn't raise my mom. So, I will get to that later on in this story.

Photo By Britney J Torres

If you ever go and see the beauty that we have here in Alamo, Texas, all of you will be amazed. Every picture tells a great story. A man is looking at nature at its finest and looking at that beautiful owl that was stuffed after it passed away.

Photo By Britney J Torres

Santa Anna has old cemeteries of people from past generations. I'm not sure who these folks were, but I enjoy learning about the earlier generations that formerly roamed the planet. I urge you to visit this stunning location if you haven't already. It's serene and truly lovely. Make memories the way the previous generations did.

Photo by Britney J Torres

This area has been home to the Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge since 1952. In the initial years of its operation, there were not many pedestrian, car, or business crossings on the bridge.

Photo by Britney J Torres

A charming city to visit, Las Flores is a few miles away from Santa Anna. Since I was a young child, my parents and I have visited this city. But now that I'm older, I go out and have a few drinks with my pals. Don't overlook their food, though. They serve a huge assortment of delicious meals. Things at Las Flores used to be so cheap when I was a child, but that was a long time ago.

Prices have increased, but that's OK. In one way or another, everyone must survive. The children in Las Flores never stop asking for money. However, they do it to support their parents rather than because they want to. The social structure there differs greatly from that of the US. Unlike their Mexican counterparts in Las Flores, children in the US do not have to worry about how they will pay for their high school education.

Photo By Britney J Torres

I suggest everyone to visit Las Flores, Mexico, if you haven't already. You'll create wonderful memories and have a terrific time. Don't limit yourself to one dining establishment; try others. Dine al fresco at the taco stands while striking up discussions with strangers. You'll be astounded at how amiable individuals can be.

Photo By Britney J Torres

October is El Dia de los Muertos, a celebration observed in Las Flores, Mexico. It's what many Latinos do. According to their beliefs, food and images of the illness should be placed there so they can consume them. People I spoke with expressed their conviction that the loved one who has passed away will return on that particular day and partake in the food that has been set out on a plate. The residents get ready for the occasion and gather with others to partake in food and beverages. The way these stunning people dressed astounded me.

Photo By Britney J Torres

They look fantastic. They don't celebrate Halloween, so I've been told. El Dia de Los Muertos is like Halloween. It reminds me of Halloween, I think. I hope that everyone in the next generation can realize how awesome this is.

Photo By Britney J Torres

As you can see, a memorial was assembled with candles and the urns of the departed. They left them for the enjoyment of the dead, along with food and candies. On the Day of the Dead, people honor their ancestors with loving remembrance.

Photo By Britney J Torres

And then there's my ant zesters, buried in the Jackson Cemetery in San Juan, Texas. This place is another world, even though it may not seem like much at the moment. I fell in love with this antique church the moment I saw it. All I wanted to do was open it and see inside. Old crosses like this one used to be found in churches, and some still do. I hope these photos do this place credit, as I was unable to speak with anyone to learn more about its history.

Photo by Britney J Torres

I proceeded to explore the area and saw old, deserted homes that had been used by families in the 1930s. The scene was incredibly beautiful. I heard stories about this place from my mother. Honestly, I had an incredible feeling when I witnessed it for myself.

Since I love the outdoors, I would be happy living outside of a city. I recall going out to parties with my buddies only when I was within city boundaries. But everything changed for me when I at last reached a mature mental state.

Photo By Britney J Torres

Nathaniel Jackson, a devoted Unionist during the Civil War, originally owned the Jackson Ranch and Eli Jackson Cemetery in Hidalgo County, which are located along the Rio Grande. Jackson departed Alabama in the 1850s along with his son Eli, his African-American wife Matilda Hicks, and several other adult offspring. They wanted to leave behind the bigotry of interracial marriage that they were accustomed to in the South.

The Jacksons were accompanied by eleven emancipated African Americans. Jackson established his property on an old Spanish grant in 1857. It is reported that escaped slaves from Texas and the Deep South have taken up residence on his land.

As the Confederate and Union armies fought for control of the Lower Valley in 1863 and 1864, they would have passed by the Jackson Ranch, which was located close to the Military Highway between Fort Ringgold and Fort Brown.

Jackson passed away in 1865, the same year his son Eli founded the clan cemetery where current members of the Jackson family are buried. The grave of Nathaniel Jackson is not marked.

My grandmother chose to leave for a better life after three months of living here with my mom at the Jackson Ranch.

Gloria Garza Torres Jesus Garibay Torres

Photos not by me

Since the 1950s, when my parents were born, the name Alamo had already been altered to Alamo. My parents were married when they were fairly young. Mother was fifteen, and Dad was eighteen. My folks were from separate cities. Alamo was the birthplace and hometown of my father. Alamo didn't have a hospital in those years, and my mother was born in San Juan, TX, and it's apparent that San Juan did have a hospital.

I still don't think my parents have given me a lot of information about Alamo and San Juan. My father only mentioned to me that Alamo formerly had a theater when he was growing up.

Photo By Britney J Torres

The first to introduce ranching on the island was Nicholas Balli Padre, the guy from whom the island took its name. Santa Cruz de Buena Vista Rancho was established by his nephew Juan. To be known subsequently as the Lost City. Juan owned horses, mules, and cattle. Today, Buena Vista appears to be really lovely.

The island was known by a number of names for many years, both before and after Balli acquired it, including A Michel, Isla Blanca, La Florida, Isla Malha do, Isla de Boyan, Ysla del Vallin, and Isla de Santiago on occasion. Padre Balli claimed to have owned 1,000 heads of cattle in his 1811 will. The Padre not only had enormous herds of cattle but also constructed the island's first chapel for the purpose of converting the Karankawa Indians and providing for the welfare of the ranch hands and their families. Strangely enough, Balli never resided on the island that is named after him. His nephew Juan, who possessed title to a substantial portion of the island, took over the day-to-day management of the ranch from him.

Photo By Britney J Torres

Serving the material and spiritual needs of his people, Padre spent much of his time on the mainland. After passing away on April 16, 1829, Padre Balli was buried close to Matamoros.

Photo By Britney J Torres

Around 1768, Padre Nicolas Balli was born. He was born in the Mexican town of Reynosa into an affluent family. Reynosa's captain and chief justice were his brothers. His grandpa had served as a captain and a justice as well. He was a large landowner in the Rio Grande Valley. Nicolas decided to follow the priesthood.

The first settlers to arrive on the island were his family. He also constructed the first chapel on the island to serve the Karankawa Indians and the settlers. El Rancho Santa Cruz de Buena Vista is a little town that he founded around 26 miles (42 kilometers) north of the southern tip of the island. After that, it was found again in 1931 and given the moniker Lost City.

Photo By Britney J Torres

Before the American Civil War, Port Isabel, which was founded as a town following the Mexican War of Independence, rose to prominence as a port for the export of cotton. During the Civil War, there were battles and exchanges for control of the town, lighthouse, and harbor.

At 26° 425" North and 97° 1248" West, Port Isabel is situated in eastern Cameron County. Built in 1852, Point Isabel Lighthouse was demolished in 1905. Constructed with brick that Schooner transported from New Orleans, the beacon's 16-mile range directed ships into the harbor and along the Rio Grande, facilitating trade in Southwest Texas. It was utilized as a lookout by both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War and once more during World War 1.

Photo By Britney J Torres

That's my vision, hopefully, and I live with you, grinning broadly.

Alamo has changed since then. Though there is still much to be done, we shall succeed in the end. One day, I hope, we will begin to love one another and support one another when we need it. Numerous generations have arrived and vanished. My hope is that future generations will all become familiar with the histories of their forebears.

Every image has a backstory, just as every city has one. Inform them about your city's history, current state, and, ideally, your plans for the future.

Story By Britney J Torres