Image courtesy of Nuestro Stories.
Located mere miles from the Mexican border is the historic district of Roma, TX. During its heyday, the area was known as one of the most important port towns along the Rio Grande and is currently one of the only areas that acts as a completely preserved and intact example of a historical border town, the kind that grew from the initial colonization of the land by the Spaniards.
Roma mirrors its sister city in Mexico, Ciudad Mier, with buildings built from caliche limestone and river sandstone, and all utilizing the rejoneado and sillar masonry techniques, all characteristic of Northern Mexico.
Roma is the only intact U.S. settlement that derives from the mid-18th century colonization and town planning efforts of Jose de Escandon, the Escandon town planning, colonization, and land grant system. Don Jose de Escandon founded the original area, known as Nuevo Santander, in the mid-18th century, which comprised the land of Mier and Roma, but when the Mexican war for Independence ended in 1821, Roma became an independent community.
Currently, the Roma Historic District is home to 38 historic properties, with the Mission Church being the oldest building, founded in 1829. The district comprises four different areas; The Plaza Area, The Wharf Area, The Customs House Area, and Northwestern Zone. All of which contain various properties and sights to view.
Things to know before you go:
- The Roma Historical Museum, which gives a general overview of the district’s history, is a good place to start.
- The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
- There is also a Roma Visitors Station, located at 77 Convent Ave. – call 210-849-3142 to find hours and information.
Location: Texas, United States.
Address: Roma, TX 78584, United States.
