The Webb County Heritage Foundation will host a celebration of Dr. Jerry Thompson’s new publication – Laredo: A Pictorial History on Wednesday, August 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St.
The event will include a book-signing and presentation by the author on this exciting volume of local history. Illustrated with brilliant photographs, the Laredo Pictorial History brings to life a chronicle that begins with the founding of Laredo and moves through the 20th century. This edition adds five new chapters to a previous volume published in 1986.
One of the new chapters relates the triumphal story of “Bill Batey and the Boys of ‘56” – a thrilling account of the phenomenal coaching team of Bill Batey and John Valls and their underdog Martin High School basketball team that came from behind to astonish the entire state of Texas by winning the state championship tournament in 1956.
Other new chapters illustrate the historic streets of Laredo; Aldo Tatangelo and the Fall of the Old Party; Warriors, Artists, Reformers, and Sports Figures; and Education and Growth of a Border City.
The event will feature a photographic exhibit showcasing the ’56 MHS basketball team and this chapter of the book.
Also part of the evening’s entertainment will be a Silent Auction of the #1 copy of this new hardcover edition.
Through the generous donation of Dr. Jerry Thompson, the Webb County Heritage Foundation will receive all profits from the sale of this new volume. Books will be available for sale at the opening reception or can be pre-ordered by contacting the Webb County Heritage Foundation at www.webbheritage.org or (956)727-0977. Full payment must be made at time of order.
