Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark

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.

Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark, near Brownsville in southeastern Cameron County, 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.

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 South Texas Refuge Complex, and with support from the Brownsville Historical Association, and the Cameron County Historical Commission, have worked together to increase visitorship to the battlefield.

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. 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.

Please contact the THC military sites program coordinator for dates and details for this 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

Palmito Ranch Battlefield brochureThis 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 (pdf).