Trip to Eagle Pass, Texas

Eagle Pass is about an hours drive from Del Rio. Though they have approximately the same population, Eagle Pass has two international bridges less than a mile apart and very busy.  The old bridge known as Bridge #1 is opened from 7:00 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.  The toll is $2.50 USD or $40.00 Mexican Pesos. The weekend toll rate which applies from Friday at 7:00 p.m. to Sunday at 7:00 a.m. is $3.00 USD or $48.00 Mexican Pesos.

 


During the Mexican War a company of Texas Mounted volunteers under the command of Capt. John A. Veatch established an observation post on the Rio Grande opposite the mouth of the Mexican Rio Escondido and beside an old smuggler’s trail that crossed the river at this point.  The crossing, known as El Paso del Aguila, was so named because of frequent flights of Mexican eagles from the wooded grove along the Escondido. Even though it was abandoned by the military at the conclusion of hostilities, it still remained a crossing point for trappers, frontiersmen, and traders.

Eagle Pass vibrant downtown area

The village, named after the crossing on the Rio Grande, changed from El Paso del Aguila to Eagle Pass as the Anglo presence grew.  Eagle Pass was the first United States settlement on the Rio Grande. Eagle Pass is one of very few cities that I have visited  that still has a vibrant downtown area.  I believe this is do to the fact that Bridge #1 is right next to downtown and people from Piedras Negras can easily walk there.  We saw a lot of people shopping on this day.

This is the view of Bridge #1 towards Mexico. Note the long lines to cross to the United States side.

There are two ways to cross to Mexico; one is entering the old part of the city with its stately old mansions on Ceylon Street that bring you to the downtown area. This is usually the route we choose to take. Took a lot of pictures of these majestic homes but unfortunately many of them were littered with political propaganda. I respect my readers and I do not want my blog to take on any kind of political connotations. 

Managed to crop a political sign on this majestic mansion so you could view its splendor

The other is to go down FM 375 also known as Bibb Street where most of the newer homes and businesses like the mall are located.  This route will take you to International Bridge #2.  We have never crossed into Mexico on this bridge but do take it to return to the US side as it has more lanes and personnel than Bridge #1.  This bridge is open 24 hours.




This old mansion had a Texas historical marker





Tried as I did my little cheap camera could not zoom in close enough to make out the marker




This weathered mansion has been vacant and for sale for as long as I can remember.  Bet the owners do not even know it is covered with political banners.

  


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DISCLAIMER:  I do not endorse or support any of the candidates that may appear in pictures on today’s post.

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$3.57 for regular was the going rate at a gas station in Eagle Pass on 2-23-12