Roma, city in Starr County, Texas, United States
Roma is a small city sitting directly on the border between the US and Mexico, with the Rio Grande running through it. The town has old buildings and streets from different periods, with simple homes and palm trees shading the residential areas.
Ranchers from Mier began settling here around the mid-1700s, with the Saenz family among the first inhabitants. After 1848 when the area joined the US, the settlement took the name Roma and became an important trading port on the Rio Grande by the early 1900s.
Spanish language and tradition remain woven into daily life in this border town. The central plaza and preserved houses show how the community gathers in churches, markets, and local festivals to celebrate together.
The town is accessible via US Highway 83 and lies near an international bridge for crossing to Mexico. When walking around, be aware that border patrol presence and helicopters are part of daily activity in this active border region.
The film Viva Zapata was shot here in 1952, leaving a touch of Hollywood in this border town. The central plaza looks nearly the same today as it did back then, making the place part of cinema history.
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