Brownsville, city (2020 pop.
186,738), seat of Cameron co., extreme S Tex., on the Rio Grande c.17 mi (30
km) from its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico; inc. 1850. It is an important port
of entry across the river from Matamoros, Mexico. A deepwater channel
was dredged (1936) to accommodate ocean vessels; a land cut NE to the Brazos
Santiago Pass, which bypasses the Rio Grande channel, is the southern
terminus of the Intracoastal
Waterway. Brownsville is a trade, processing, and
distribution point for the rich, irrigated lower Rio Grande valley; it has
many industries connected with oil and natural gas. Other products include
shrimp, electronic equipment, and aircraft and auto parts. The establishment
of Fort Texas there by Gen. Zachary Taylor in 1846 invited a Mexican attack
that precipitated the Mexican War. The
fort was renamed (1846) for Major Jacob Brown, killed while commanding its
defense. Active until 1944, Fort Brown was held briefly by Union forces in
the Civil War. The town of Brownsville grew around the fort and was a
cattle-shipping point in the late 19th cent. In 1906 a group of
African-American soldiers stationed at Fort Brown were blamed for a night
gun raid on the town that resulted in an innocent civilian's death.
President Theodore Roosevelt, in a highly controversial directive, ordered
the dishonorable discharge of 167 of the soldiers. In 1972 the secretary of
the army reversed that order. Brownsville has an international airport, and
a zoo. Nearby recreation areas include Padre Island National Seashore (see
under Padre
Island).
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