Laredo Has Flown Seven Flags Over Its History

Laredo has been ruled under seven flags: Spain, France (briefly, by claim), Mexico, the Republic of the Rio Grande, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. The border shifted many times over 270 years. Each shift brought a new flag over Laredo.

Every period of rule left something behind. You can see it in the buildings, the land records, and the culture. The San Agustín Plaza in downtown Laredo dates to the Spanish colonial era — laid out by royal commissioners in 1767. The San Agustín Cathedral stands nearby; its parish was established in 1760 during the colonial period, but the current cathedral building was constructed between 1866 and 1872. This layered history is a big reason why Laredo feels so different from other Texas cities.