Cameron County - The Sleeping Tourism Giant

On February 12, 1848 the Texas legislature decreed the existence of Cameron County, with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgoqv, on July 4, 1848 the area officially became part of the United States.

Cameron County, was named for Scottish born, Captain Ewen Cameron, who was executed by order of Santa Anna, on April 25, 1843, at age 32, in Huehuetoca, Mexico, one month after surviving the "Black Bean Episode".

While there are many stories to tell between 1848 and the present, I will leave those to historians and later musings on this blog.

In the last 2 decades, since Texas started its diversification from an oil based economy to its present state, the border towns of El Paso, McAllen and Laredo have experienced phenomenal growth, while Cameron County slumbers, with 1 eye open.

Yes, there are some new restaurants, stores and a few roads, but nothing compared to the rest of Texas.

Cameron County is the only county in the continental U.S. that has a coastline and a warm year round climate, outside of southern Florida. There are 31.5 miles of sub-tropical coastline and an Island Resort Community in the Gulf of Mexico, a fishing/boating community with miles of deep water frontage (unique between Houston & the Yucatan Peninsula), a deep water shipping port, 3 airports, 4 international bridge crossings, 1 University, Union Pacific & Rio Grande Intl. Railroad service and more less notable infrastructure to be sure.

While on the recreational front we boast the best shallow water flats and deep sea fishing in Texas, the best surfing in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the best windsurfing & kite boarding spots in North America, home to over 300 butterfly species, where 2 major avian migratory paths cross (almost 400 bird species) and the friendliest county in Texas to live in..., so what's next?

Anything is possible:

• UTB becoming a center for biotech, medical, nano, reusable energy & tourism studies?
• A year round tourism economy on the southern tip of Padre Island (the longest barrier island, on planet Earth) that benefits the entire area?
• A Tourism Destination Project, i.e. Disney, Six Flags, Cesar's/Venetians?
• More domestic non-stop flights: Chicago, Denver, St. Louis, Kansas City, OK City, etc.
• International tourism? Non-Stop flights from Monterrey, Mx, Toronto & Calgary?
• Bring Whole Foods and H.E.B.'s Central Market to Brownsville?
• World class health care & activity centers for our seniors? (They deserve it!)
• World class (Landmark/PGA) golf course communities?
• MLB Spring training camps?
• Upgrading the Port of Brownsville to a container shipping port?
• Three thriving airports, each with its own strengths?
• A 50,000 person capacity event center/coliseum for performing arts, concerts, sports, etc.
• An international cruise ship terminal with Carnival, Princess, Norwegian, etc.
• A Performing Arts & Music Center
• Museum of Arts
• Museum of Natural History
• Enhance our existing facilities/attributes:
• Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary
• Gladys Porter Zoo
• Isla Blanca Park - Hotel, Marina, Aquarium, IMAX Theater, enhanced beach with lifeguards , 24-hour clinic, expanded parking, new Surf City Jetties Restaurant & Museum
• Palmetto Battlefield
• Palo Alto Battlefield
• El Jardin Hotel

Let us designate what we want to save and preserve and then master plan the rest.

The next 20 years will be easier, more profitable and pleasant for all, when we have charted our course.

By the way, Happy Birthday Cameron County, you've come a long way in 160 years.

Roman C. Esparza