Centuries ago, the Brownsville area was part of a larger region known as the Wild Horse Desert. By the late 1800s, ranching fortunes spurred growth in the city's downtown business district, which still contains dense sections of historic buildings. The THC plays a key role in this downtown area, including its designation as an official Texas Main Street city and Certified Local Government, with a recent National Register district listing. Heritage travelers can visit Brownsville to experience th