By Rene Torres
One of the images associated with this article is a mural that hangs on the lobby wall of the Wells Fargo Bank at Ruben M. Torres Sr. Blvd which depicts Brownsville’s history that started in 1848.
Ruben M. Torres, for whom the old FM 511 was renamed, is illustrated in the center of the mural. Other notables in the mural are Francisco Yturria, banker and partner of James Stillman, founder of Brownsville.
Additional elements include the Charro Days Fiesta of 1938, Cameron County Courthouse, St. Louis, Brownsville Mexico Railroad, Brownsville-Matamoros’s ferry crossing and Edelstein’s delivery wagon.
The mural is part of Wells Fargo’s Community Mural Program. The project is dedicated to creating unique, custom-designed, historical artwork that respects the community’s legacy, celebrates its diversity and honors the past upon which the community was founded.” The painting is a perfect fit for Brownsville, one of the most historic cities in the Rio Grande Valley.
Additional elements include the Charro Days Fiesta of 1938, Cameron County Courthouse, St. Louis, Brownsville Mexico Railroad, Brownsville-Matamoros’s ferry crossing and Edelstein’s delivery wagon.
The mural is part of Wells Fargo’s Community Mural Program. The project is dedicated to creating unique, custom-designed, historical artwork that respects the community’s legacy, celebrates its diversity and honors the past upon which the community was founded.” The painting is a perfect fit for Brownsville, one of the most historic cities in the Rio Grande Valley.
Murals, like the one in Brownsville, are graphically designed photo collages, printed on a variety of materials and incorporated into many different settings.
Eda Goksel Jackson has designed over 300 murals nationwide, so if you’re ever in the area, it’s well worth a stop by the bank to view the mural in person.
Who was Ruben M. Torres Sr.?
A short bio of Torres, written by Noe E. Perez for the Texas State Historical Association, is reproduced below: Torres, Ruben M., Sr. (1929–1989), state legislator, educator, school superintendent, and the first Mexican American member of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, was born in Brownsville, Texas, on November 1, 1929. He was the son of Tomas and Irene Torres of Brownsville.
Torres enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on April 14, 1948, and served until 1952. He was a senior at St. Joseph Academy when he left to serve in the Korean War.
He attended and graduated from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville), where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He later received his doctorate from Western Colorado University in 1974.
After his studies at Texas A&M, he became an educator and coach and worked in the Brownsville and Point Isabel school districts.
After his studies at Texas A&M, he became an educator and coach and worked in the Brownsville and Point Isabel school districts.
He served as superintendent with the Point Isabel Independent School District from 1970 until 1974 and then resigned to run as a Democrat for the elective office of then District 50 (Cameron County) of the Texas House of Representatives.
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