Laredo Was Founded in 1755 Under Spanish Rule

On May 15, 1755, Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera y Garza founded Laredo along the Rio Grande as part of José de Escandón's colonization of Nuevo Santander. A small group of families settled the site. By 1767, a royal commission visited, assigned land grants, and set up local government. By 1789, about 700 people lived there.

Laredo's long history means it predates Texas statehood, the Republic of Texas, and even Mexican independence. The community has been governed under Spanish, Mexican, Republic of Texas, Confederate, and U.S. flags at various times. This deep history shows up in Laredo's architecture, street names, and family ties that cross the Rio Grande.