Park Day, Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark, March 31, 2012

Texas has a unique military history reflecting its stages of growth and the governments that have contributed to its development. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) recognizes the importance of this heritage by supporting efforts to preserve historically important military sites.

The Military Sites Program was developed to provide the proper tools and support for these special places in Texas history. In addition, the THC produces travel brochures highlighting Texas' military sites.

Since 2007, the THC has been hard at work researching Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark and engaged in national and regional partnership development focused on increasing interpretation at this historic site. Current agency projects associated with the battlefield include:

Park Day
Since 2008, the THC, in conjunction with the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (NHP), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and with support from the Brownsville Historical Association and the Cameron County Historical Commission, has hosted Park Day at Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark, near Brownsville in southeastern Cameron County.

Park Day is an annual event sponsored by the Civil War Trust and History (formerly the History Channel), which seeks volunteers to clean and repair the grounds of Civil War battlefields. At each site, volunteers receive a free T-shirt and patches (while supplies last) and have the opportunity to hear historians interpret the battle.

Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark lies in the Texas Tropical Trail Region, which showcases the heritage, natural beauty, and rich culture of South Texas for the benefit and enjoyment of Texans and travelers. In an effort to continue the enhanced interpretation and preservation of the Last Land Battle of the American Civil War, the THC hosts Park Day at Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark.

Please contact the THC military sites program coordinator for dates and details for next year’s Park Day.

Exploring the Boundaries of Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark
Radio Broadcast Repeater Project
Standing on historic ground and hearing the stories of those who came before us puts people in a perfect frame of mind to consider their cultural heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations. To that end, the THC and its supporters established a Radio Broadcast Repeater System in 2011 that makes available locally on 1610 AM, the history of the battlefield to tourists driving the length of the national historic landmark on State Hwy 4 (Boca Chica Rd).

150th Anniversary of the Battle of Palmito Ranch Commemoration: May 12–13, 2015
This event is in the concept stage, please check back during the sesquicentennial for more details. For now, download the Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark brochure (pdf).