rio grande city trolley tours

Taking a Ride Through History

Words by Melissa Cortes Santiago

Edited by Abigail Vela

Haunted Hotels, underground tunnels used to smuggle goods, and forts dating back to the Civil War, where it’s rumored that the spirits of soldiers still lurk throughout the grounds. These all sound like the trademarks of an old scary movie or stories from a sleepy town somewhere in the South. But the truth is, you can find these locations right here in the RGV. All you gotta do is hop on a trolley and take a ride!

Bessie III is an air-conditioned trolley established in 2009 and operated by Rio Grande City’s Main Street Program. The trolley was named and modeled after a steamboat that brought goods up the Rio Grande River in the mid-1800s. It now serves as a quirky attraction for the city, taking tourists and locals on rides to important historical locations throughout the town.

Bessie III is one of the very few trolley tour services in the entire RGV! Its main goal? Educating citizens on the diverse historical and cultural legacies of Rio Grande City and preserving the town’s heritage. 

The trolley ride makes its way through different locations. The more notable ones include La Borde House, built by French immigrant Francois La Borde in the late 1800s, now serving as a hotel. The house has been the subject of speculation over the years and is rumored to be haunted. It also houses some of the tunnels used to smuggle goods into the U.S. during the early 1900s. Fort Ringgold served as a military base during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.

By highlighting these significant locations, Bessie III is bringing small pieces of the town’s history into the light for the public to explore and, more importantly, get educated on the hidden jewels of this small city.

• September 20, 2023

Support Community Journalists and Local Artists in the RGV

Other stories.

LNG Approvals Revoked: South Texas Activists Celebrate Court Decision

A D.C. court recently revoked permits for LNG terminals proposed in the Port of Brownsville. Explore what this means for the Rio Grande Valley and how activists continue fighting for environmental justice in our communities.

Op-Ed: Uncovering the Hardship and Struggle of a Flawed Bus System in Brownsville

Get to know the hardship of those using Brownsville Metro’s transit system. Despite recent upgrades, limited routes, long wait times and infrequent service persist. Riders are outraged over the proposed fare increase, arguing it unfairly burdens Brownsville’s community. It’s time for B-Metro to prioritize improving service over raising fares.

Deconstructing the Deep Lie of “There is Nothing Here”

Artist Nansi Guevara deconstructs the Rio Grande Delta’s imposed narrative of “There is nothing here” through art and cultural interventions. Guevara’s art and “Narrative Change Workshop” series exemplifies how creativity can generate connections between ourselves, each other, and the land.

Rio Grande City Trolley Gives Tour of Historic Sites

RIO GRANDE CITY – A local tour allows people to see the history of Rio Grande City.  

The Bessie Three is an air-conditioned trolley, sponsored by Rio Grande City, the Economic Development Corporation and the Main Street Project.

On this tour, people see both historic buildings and modern businesses that have been restored.

Passengers even get to travel through tunnels under the city.

"The tunnels were very important to the economic development of Rio Grande City. They were used to smuggle foreign goods into the U.S.," says tour guide Aminta Reyna Alaniz.

KRGV’s Rick Diaz has the story.

Watch the video above for today’s Con Mi Gente.

• Yaqui Animal Rescue closes intake after reaching capacity
• SpaceX speaking out following launch permit delays
• Mexican army soldiers perform water rescues in Matamoros
• Brownsville streets experience flooding from Tropical Storm Francine
• Escaped Reynosa tiger being relocated

Sports Video

• Playmakers - Week 2 of 2024 Valley High School Football Part 2
• Playmakers - Week 2 of 2024 Valley High School Football Part 1
• URTGV football team hosts first open practice for fans
• UTRGV athletic director speaks on football team's first open practice
• Five Star Plays 2024 - Week 2

Find your place in Rio Grande City ( 365 results)

Get in Touch

Why rio grande city.

Welcome to Downtown Rio Grande City! Over ten years ago, the Texas Historical Commission designated Rio Grande City as a Texas Main Street Community. We are one of four designated Main Street Programs in the Rio Grande Valley. We take pride in this level of distinction and the recognition it brings to our community. Our program focuses on revitalizing the downtown historic district by implementing the Four Point Approach™ set by the National Main Street Center. This includes building partnerships within the community, promoting downtown through Main Street events, designing and maintaining historical elements unique to Rio Grande City and identifying historical value and fostering economic development. We invite you to experience our rich history, genuine hospitality and South Texas charm and encourage you to visit our Historic Downtown District anchors: the Lopez-Tijerina Courtyard, the Rio Grande City Public Library, the Kelsey Bass Museum & Event Center, La Borde House and the Grotto of Lourdes replica. Enjoy our lively annual Paseo del Arte complete with wine tasting, Britton Avenue's Christmas Tree Lighting or hop on Bessie III Trolley Tour to explore downtown’s back streets, hidden places and points of interest. For a peek of our downtown night life, click here . To learn more about Rio Grande City, visit us online at www.cityofrgc.com . 

Investment Incentives

• Façade Grant
• Other Grant
• Rio Grande City EDC
• City of Rio Grande City
• Rio Grande City Main Street Program
• Starr County Industrial Foundation
• RGC - Main Street

• Texas Brazos Trail Region
• Texas Forest Trail Region
• Texas Forts Trail Region
• Texas Hill Country Trail Region
• Texas Independence Trail Region
• Texas Lakes Trail Region
• Texas Mountain Trail Region
• Texas Pecos Trail Region
• Texas Plains Trail Region
• Texas Tropical Trail Region
• African American Heritage
• American Indian Heritage
• Asian Heritage
• European Heritage
• German Heritage
• Hispanic Heritage
• State Historic Sites
• Arts and Culture
• Courthouses
• Cowboy Culture
• Historic Businesses
• Historic Downtowns
• Historic Trails And Highways
• National Monuments and Landmarks
• Presidential History
• Sacred Places
• Scenic Drives
• Undertold History
• Travel Newsletter
• Historic Overnights: Mason
• Historic Overnights: Galveston Island
• Mobile Tours
• Printable Guides
• Themed Excursions
• Roadside Heritage
• Smithsonian in San Augustine
• Submit Your Event
• Norwegian Country Christmas Tour
• Texas Route 66 Festival

Rio Grande City Downtown Historic District

Rio Grande City Downtown Historic District Roughly bounded by Corpus, Second, Wimpy, Mirasoles, and Avasolo streets Rio Grande City, TX 78582

This downtown district began in 1846 when Kentuckian Henry Clay Davis married Hilaria de la Garza, daughter of the owner of Carnestolendas Ranch, an 18th century Spanish land grant. The couple settled on family land north of the Rio Grande where Davis built a house, store, and river dock. During the U.S.-Mexico War, General Zachary Taylor brought troops to Davis’ landing for forays into Mexico and leased land nearby for the establishment of Fort Ringgold. Following the war, Davis formally laid out Rio Grande City, which evolved into a river port town of surprising diversity. The influence of French and Germans who arrived via Mexico is evident in the architecture, from delicate cast iron balconies to the many brick buildings of master mason Heinrich “Enrique” Portscheller. The Silverio de la Péna Drugstore and Post Office at Main and Lopez streets is one of the best examples of this international mix.A block from the drugstore is the restored 1897 La Borde House. Francois La Borde’s home eventually became a hotel for steamboat travelers and remains a hotel today. Call the city tourism office to book a trolley tour or a vaquero or dance performance at the Lopez-Tijerina Courtyard.

Watch the video below to learn more about Hispanic Architecture in Texas. This video was produced for inclusion in the Hispanic Texans mobile tour, more information about which may be found on our Hispanic heritage page at the following link: http://texastimetravel.com/travel-themes/main-hispanic-heritage

We only use cookies that are necessary for this site to function to provide you with the best experience. Learn More

Quick Search

Location map.

Eat. Shop. Play.

Bessie III Trolley Tour

Lopez-Tijerina Courtyard

Kelsey Bass Museum

Featured attractions featured attractions featured attractions.

Self-Guided Walking Tour

The walking tour encompasses ten sites and lets you go at the pleasure of your pace. Explore the history of homes and commercial properties located in Rio Grande City's Downtown Historic District recognized by the National Park Service in 2005. 

HISTORIC  DOWNTOWN

Our historic courtyard is available for your next business or social event.

Old Rio Grande City Cemetery

Old Rio Grande City Cemetery is a resting place for over 250 members of the Rio Grande City community. Some are well known, some are not, while others are unmarked but each contributes to the story of Rio Grande City and the Historic Old Rio Grande City Cemetery. Explore more...

Follow us @RGCMainSt

406 E. Main Street • Rio Grande City, Texas 78582

956-488-0047

Find out more about Rio Grande City

City of Rio Grande City

Rio Grande City EDC 

Welcome to Rio Grande City

© 2022 Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation

This Institution is an equal ofpportunity provider and employer. 

Bessie III Trolley Tour

Don't have an account yet? Register

Already have an account? Sign In

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.

Sign in to save, or add a business!