Brownsville Heritage Complex


The 1851 home of Brownsville founder Charles Stillman, and later the Mexican Consulate in Brownsville, is part of the Brownsville Heritage Complex. Next door, in the main museum building, a reconstruction of the historic Crixell Saloon is the centerpiece of displays that recount the history of Brownsville. This is a good place to learn about the downtown area.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Gem

0.09 MILES

The Gem, between E Levee St and E Elizabeth St, was one of the city's first brick commercial structures when it was built in 1848. Its projecting…

2. Galeria 409

0.09 MILES

Founded by artist Mark Clark to showcase local talent, this small gallery hosts rotating exhibits on important local issues (border communities,…

3. Immaculate Conception Cathedral

0.14 MILES

An 1859 Gothic Revival example of the artistry of local brick masons, this was the first Texas seminary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

4. V Fernandez Complex

0.17 MILES

The old trade links to New Orleans are clearly visible in this dilapidated 1877 building.

5. Fort Brown

0.45 MILES

This former US army outpost, dating from 1846, is named for Jacob Brown, who died here that year fighting the Mexicans. Flooding forced an 1868 relocation…

6. Russell-Cocke House

0.51 MILES

An 1877 Victorian house that shows the wealth of the local traders. Like many downtown buildings, it has an interesting historical marker, but the…

7. Historic Brownsville Museum

0.52 MILES

Housed in the grand Spanish Colonial–style 1928 Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, this small museum houses historical artifacts and photography. In the…

8. Alonso Building

0.54 MILES

This two-story 1877 structure was home to the popular Los Dos Cañones mercantile store, and the cast-iron balcony upstairs is one of several around…