Starr County is set to take over the longtime Knights of Columbus hall in Rio Grande City, a fixture of the border town long recognized for its deep historical roots. The move adds another chapter to a community already steeped in preservation efforts, as the county seat works to shore up its aging architectural landmarks.
According to KRGV, Starr County will take over the historic Knights of Columbus hall, a building described simply as longtime and historic in the station's report. Specific details about how the transfer will unfold, including any purchase terms or timeline, were not included in that reporting.
A City Built on Historic Bones
Rio Grande City is no stranger to this kind of attention. The city serves as the county seat of Starr County and is regarded as one of the oldest settlements in Texas, according to Spectrum News. The town traces its founding to Henry Clay Davis in the mid-19th century, per Preservation Texas.
The city's downtown historic district carries official recognition well beyond local lore. The Rio Grande City Downtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, and the district contains 84 contributing buildings, two contributing sites and two contributing structures, Preservation Texas notes. Beyond downtown, the Texas State Historical Association points to other landmarks that define the area, including Fort Ringgold, La Borde House and a replica of the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
A Push to Save Downtown's Crumbling Properties
The Knights of Columbus hall takeover comes as Rio Grande City separately weighs a new ordinance aimed at cracking down on unsafe and deteriorating buildings downtown. Spectrum News describes a measure on the table to strengthen the border town's ability to deal with properties that are unsafe and in disrepair.
If passed by the City Council, the ordinance would hold property owners accountable for fixing their buildings or face fines and potentially criminal charges, per the same account. One supporter framed the stakes plainly, saying, “What this is going to do is bring our downtown back to life again,” according to Spectrum News. The outlet reports the City Council was expected to finalize the ordinance later in October.
This is not the first time local government has stepped in to rescue an aging structure in Rio Grande City. KRGV previously reported that the city took over the historic 1848 Robert E. Lee house for repairs after an agreement transferred it from Rio Grande City Grulla ISD to city ownership, though the circumstances of that handoff differ from the county's current plans for the Knights of Columbus hall.
