the rio grande valley
summer 2009

On June 18, 2009, the Executive Board (T. Hebert, L. Harris) of the Travel Committee of the University of Houston College of Architecture Class of 1985 Veterans Association departed on a four-day fact-finding mission to the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Among the Executive Board's agenda items were:

1. Survey and assess the socio-economic history, material culture, and built legacy of the Lower Rio Grande Valley with regard to The Kingdom of Spain (1519 - 1821), The Republic of Mexico (1821 - 1836), The Republic of Texas (1836 - 1845), The State of Texas (1845 - present), and The Holy Roman Catholic Church (1519 - eternity).

2. Survey and assess the current socio-economic status and built legacy of Rodolfo "Rudy" Molina, Jr., A.I.A. (B. Arch, University of Houston, 1985)

3. Assess and discuss transportation alternatives with regard to the mind-numbing drive from Goliad to Raymondville.

4. Avoid heat stroke.

5. Don't believe your GPS when it says there's a Cracker Barrel in Victoria.

6. Have a total blast.

stately and restored:
the Goliad County Courthouse

Mission Espiritu Santo
(or to be exact: Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga)
Goliad State Park, Goliad, Texas


it's not a mission, it's a fort with a chapel:
Our Lady of Loreto at Presidio La Bahia
Goliad, Texas

Terry has her photo taken here on every vacation to Goliad


it was after closing time, but I'll return soon:
architect Lake / Flato's award-winning World Birding Center visitor's center
Mission, Texas


The Valley's one-stop shop for quality architecture:
Rudy, A.I.A.

to the rio grande valley
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photos copyright Lawrence Harris