Based on documents from the Laredo Archives, Life in Laredo shows the evolution and development of daily life in a town under the flags of Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Isolated on the northern frontier of New Spain and often forgotten by authorities far away, the people of Laredo became as grand as the river that flowed by their town and left an enduring legacy in a world of challenges and changes. Because of its documentary nature, Life in Laredo offers in sights into the nitty-gritty of the comings and goings of its early citizens not to be found elsewhere. Robert D. Wood, S.M., presents the first one hundred years of history and culture in Laredo up to the mid-nineteenth century, illuminating--with primary source evidence--the citizens' beliefs, cultural values, efforts to make a living, political seesawing, petty quarreling, and constant struggles against local Indians. He also details rebellious military and invading foreigners among the early settlers and later townspeople. Scholars and students of Texas and Mexican American history, as well as the Laredoans celebrating the 250th anniversary (in 2005) of Laredo's founding, will welcome this volume. "Although there have been a number of books on the history of Laredo, …

Patent for a device that combines the function of a land-roller, furrow opener, and marker. Illustration included.

Patent for air brakes. Illustration included.

Script from the WBAP-TV station in Fort Worth, Texas, covering a news story about eight members of the Southern Methodist University track team traveling to Laredo to compete in the Border Olympics competition.

Onoinskin carbon copy of a letter sent by John J. Herrera to Arnulfo A. Zamora in Laredo, Texas. The letter was in regards to Felix H. Morales and his Federal Communications Commission application for a radio station in the Houston area. Herrera is seeking assistance from Zamora to prove discrimination in the application process.

Carbon copy of letter from Oscar M. Laurel, LULAC Executive Secretary and Legal Adviser, to A. Walter Skoglund of Bay City, Texas, dated March 18, 1952. An inquiry from Skoglund sent to the prior LULAC Executive Secretary and Legal Adviser, Blas M. Salinas, has been forwarded to John J. Herrera as Herrera is closest to the property in question in Bay City, Texas.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Patent for "a novel and improved device for fastening corrugated sheet metal roofing, and the running board supports or blocks upon the car." (lines 9-12) including instructions and illustrations.

Sworn statement by Manuel Lozano related to the charges of adultery in the case of Texas vs. Elena Pruñeda and Esteban Treviño. It includes a note in Spanish and witness signature at the bottom.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Photograph of the 1601 Hidalgo in Laredo, Texas.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas relating a news story.

Interview with Jessie Degollado, a reporter at KSAT 12 News in San Antonio. She discusses her family and growing up in Laredo, Texas, as well as her education at Baylor University and her career in the news.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Survey of the Southern part of Webb County noting geographic features as well as some man-made constructions (railroads, highways, pipelines, windmills, etc.). Scale 1:48,000

Postcard of a bridge across a river, labeled, "International Bridge over the Rio Grande, Laredo, Texas." Several unknown buildings are visible on either end of the bridge. There is a letter on the back written 3/3/1917 that says, "Wanted to get across this bridge but on account of Typhus Epidemic on other side could not do so. Will cross at Brownsville. Wish you were along." (The epidemic mentioned was in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.)

Portrait of 53 first grade students, Laredo, Texas March 9, 1893. The teacher on the right was Julia Schultz.

Portrait of 34 students of Josephine Roberts Baird class sitting on the South steps of Central School in Laredo, Texas. The man in the back is a monitor named "Juan." The signatures of all the students appear on the back of the portrait.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Copy of transcript for a report that outlines the movements of the Mexican Army and details the status of the Texas Army.

Affidavit submitted by Manuel Urbina, and witnessed by Alfonso Pena, in Webb County, Texas. The affidavit states that Urbina is able to support his wife, Irene Salce de Urbina, and their children, and he would like them to live with him in the United States, as they are currently residing in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.