VICTORIA Population - 60,603 Altitude - 93

General-

Feeding the resident ducks of Riverside Park in Victoria.The only people in this area before 1824 were small groups of scattered Anglo-Americans; until Don Martin de Leon founded a town site with 41 Spanish families in 1824. Named for General Guadalupe Victoria, who became Mexico's first president. Several historical markers and graves in the Evergreen Cemetery (Red River and Vine Sts.) cite the de Leon family, who were very prominent in early Texas colonization. Victoria, was one of the first three towns incorporated by the Republic of Texas. Today, Victoria is a major industrial and agricultural crossroads of South Texas; also the home of Victoria College and the University of Houston at Victoria.

McNamara Historical Museum-

Collections of Texana, documents and artifacts from Spanish, Mexican and Texan historical eras, plus antique furnishings in the charming 1876 Victorian homestead. Open Tues. - Sun. I - 5 p.m. 502 N. Liberty St. For information, call (512)575-8227.

Nave Museum-

Named for Royston Nave, the native Texas artist who achieved critical acclaim and distinction in New York City art circles in the 1920's. Nave painted extensively in and around Victoria. A Greco-Roman hall was built by his widow in 1931this structure houses Nave's paintings. Also features contemporary art, sculpture and traveling exhibits. Open Tues. - Sun. 1 - 5 p.m. 306 W. Commercial St.

Riverside Park Zoo-

Over 400 acres of woodland bordered by the Guadalupe River; 200 picnic areas with tables and barbecue pits; several locations provide playground equipment. Beautiful trees border fairways of 27-hole Riverside Golf Course.

The Texas Zoo-

The endangered Red Wolf is native to Texas. Devoted exclusively to native Texas species; This zoo displays rare, endangered, and indigenous animals in their natural environment without any bars, or cages! Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (till 7 p.m. Sat. & Sun. May - Sept.). In Riverside Park. Admission.

 

Victoria Memorial Square-

Landmark is old grist mill; hand-shaped logs fastened by wooden pegs and homemade nails of early German farmers. South Texas winds once turned giant blades, grinding corn into feed for livestock, or cornmeal for family table. Mechanical parts of mill brought from Germany before 1860; park also features Southern Pacific oil-burning locomotive. E. Commercial and De Leon Sts.

 

 

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