On Saturday October 1, 2011 the Webb County Heritage Foundation opened the Haunted Heritage Exhibit at the Antigua Villa Heritage Museum. This exhibit presented to the community the most well known myths and legends of Laredo. For those who are in for a good scare this is the place to visit to learn about Laredo’s ghostly past.
The exhibit showcased photographs of the haunted places in Laredo and described the events that occurred there. Eduardo Garcia, Special Program Coordinator, mentioned “a priest was killed here in San Agustin Plaza, a long time ago, so people starting seeing a priest walking in the San Agustin Plaza,…so it’s part of the folklore of Laredo”. It has been said that there are spirits haunting numerous sites in Laredo including the Old Mercy Hospital, La Posada, the Laredo Community College dorm rooms, the Ft. McIntosh cemetery, and Casablanca Ballroom.
The most well known legends that are on display at the museum include the chupacabra, “La Llorona”, and the “Tomato Man” (a space creature found near Laredo). Shante Monroy, a student at Laredo Community College said that “La Llorona” is her favorite legend because, “It’s creepy and one of the oldest legends I’ve heard”. LaLlorona is the most prevalent story told in the Hispanic culture and the scariest of them all.
The exhibit takes place throughout the month of October open Tuesday through Saturday from 1pm – 9pm. It is located at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum at 810 Zaragoza St. in historic downtown Laredo. Admission is $5.
You may contact Mayra C. Gonzalez at mayra.gonzalez@dusty.tamiu.eduand Priya Gianchandani atpriya.gianchandani@dusty.tamiu.edu.