The Old Jail was built in 1904.  The original guardhouse was once located where the Gateway International Bridge is now. 

In 1906, during the “Brownsville Affray” when black soldiers were accused of attacking citizens of Brownsville, there was a guardhouse located where our library now stands.  None were imprisoned here.

Robert Runyon photos show Mexican soldiers being escorted to this building, where they were held for several weeks after escaping certain death from Mexican insurgents led by General Lucio Blanco in 1913. 

Fort Brown post commander Colonel Blocksom likely avoided trouble by not confining them with American soldiers jailed in the regular guardhouse. 

This Is a work in progress

If you want to congratulate us on setting up a terrific website, write an e-mail or better yet, if you’d like to donate photographs,  documents, books or magazines pertaining to our historic city or the Rio Grande Valley to share with future generations of people, please contact us!

Phone: (956) 983-7410

Fax: (956)-983-7105

Email:  jagarcia@utb.edu

The Arnulfo L. Oliveira Literary Society

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College

80 Fort Brown

Brownsville, Texas

78520