Saturday, August 26, 2017

Robert Runyon Family Portraits and Ft Brown Oddities


 We don't know who this family is but here are a few random portrait photos from the Robert Runyon Collection
 Mayor Benjamin Kowalski and sons
 R.B. Creager maybe
Early 1900s photo of a man simply identified as Charly Allen, the majority of black families lived along railroad tracks behind Amigo Mall area and by the 1940s their children attended the Frederick Douglas school near railroad tracks and Palm Blvd.
Another unusual photo from the Runyon collection is this photo of the King Carter Band out of Houston, Texas who we can probably surmise was taken while visiting Brownsville when jazz music was a new trend sweeping across America.
 Sightseeing soldiers
 He's higher than a tent

 Mr Handsinpocket
 Corporal Leanonatree
 Cabeza de Baca
 Cabrito and conejo on the menu tonight
 Before the ocelot was an endangered species
 Brothers in Arms
 Cactus Jack and the Jerk-offs

Having a picnic on the river's edge

Sunday, August 20, 2017

2017 Hot August Update at Old Market Square / City Hall


 With all the overhead electrical wiring removed and newly planted tress and fancy brick paving this will the the spot where many photographs will be taken of the newly restored Market Square dome.
Here's a photo of last week's visit with Rogelio and Xochil Agrasanchez who are Rio Grande Valley archivists for the world's largest privately owned archive of Mexican cinema.  They have also published of several books on the topic.   We believe a considerable amount of film memorabilia collected through the years from donors of local theaters and a collection of movie posters and other resources will be used to create a rotating gallery exhibit on the second floor for what should be the final phase of the Market Square completion but we do not know when that will be.
 One of many lampposts that will illuminate the Market Square plaza
Repairing tiles over 12th St side entrance to Market Square which will lead to archives where vaults which used to protect City Secretary records for birth and death certificates are now used to store archived historical resources.
 These manually retractable bollards will be used to bar any unauthorized vehicles.
 Raised planters will also provide seating under the shade once these trees mature.
 It's time to look at some fancy brickwork.
 Base materials of sandy soil and gravel with some cement retainers will hopefully keep these bricks from budging with all the foot traffic they will get.
 Here the bricks are cut to fit 
 That checkerboard pattern should be scene of chess games and competitions
 Looking toward 12th St from plaza side
 Two brick laying masons taking pride in their work.  The two others were camera shy.  
 A free demonstration on how NOT to place an end-brick to complete a herringbone pattern
 I will have to return to see how that retangular area will be completed
This fountain was dedicated to the memory of soldiers at Ft Brown in 1912 by a women's benevolent society.  Marble pieces cut from headstones left behind when graves were interred and relocated to National cemetery in 1911 were used to decorate exterior of fountain.  It will surely be fixed soon and we hope to post that and more for the next update at Market Square.  There are many simultaneous projects going on at this time and I will try to give more updates as time and chance opportunity arise as that is how this these updates are done.  Thanks for your interest.  

Friday, August 18, 2017

1942 Who's Who in the Rio Grande Valley

In 1942 the Brownsville Herald printed a list of mini-bios for people who left their mark on the RGV for their 50th Anniversary Edition.  Here's the condensed version of names alphabetically listed for easy reference.  There are many Mexican / Spanish names which should be included on this list.  JM Stein was the publisher of the Brownsville Herald and made sure to include himself on this list.  
 cont'
 cont'


Sunday, August 13, 2017

1967 More Hurricane Beulah Photo Slide Images

These images were scanned from 35mm slides borrowed from Mel & Del Trevino at Mel's Antiques and Collectibles in Olmito, Texas.
 Gateway bridge connecting to Matamoros.  Note man ascending stars on pedestrian footbridge.
May be "Sea Ranch Motel Ma__" next to an Enco service station on Padre Island 

 A man seen making repairs to resort hotel walls
 An obliterated building 
 Mobile park massacre


 It looks like a fleet of red trucks came from somewhere to eradicate mess left by Hurricane Beulah while guy on right relies on good ol' fashioned pick-up truck to handle his mess
What was once a drugstore next to what appears to be "Marjorie's Beauty Salon Gift Shop"

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

1958+ Golden Gloves Boxer George M. Sanchez

shared by George E. Sanchez
George M. Sanchez was a champion Golden Gloves boxer for the Brownsville HS Eagles

1958
1960