cross the border, and see Acuña

Ciudad Acuña, Del Rio’s sister city is small but, I bet some of you have heard of her even if you didn’t know it!

In the 1930s, Ciudad Acuña (then known as Villa Acuña) became the home of XERA. A radio station also known as a "border-blaster" because it broadcast with power far superior to those licensed in the US. The station was founded by John R. Brinkley, a medical doctor from Kansas who became famous for his male sexual enhancement operations and treatments which he advertised by radio. XERA was closed by the government of Mexico in 1939 upon pressure from the United States.

In 1947 the radio station came to life once more when the government of Mexico licensed XERF-AM, the super-power border-blaster run by Mexican investors. They made most of their money by selling its airtime after nightfall to American Evangelists broadcasting in English to the United States. In 1959, a group of Texas investors formed the Inter-American Radio Advertising, Inc. They boosted the power to 250 kW, which was unheard of in the US. This massive radio station gave fame to disc jockey Wolfman Jack between 1962 and 1964. The radio station is now back in the hands of Mexican investors and they play Spanish music and programs.

Now if you have not heard of all this perhaps then you’ve heard the song called "Mexican Blackbird" by ZZ Top. The song tells the story of a few men from Texas crossing the border to visit a prostitute in Acuña.

Well, then how about the song "Blame It on Mexico" by George Strait, which tells about one night in Acuña/Del Río and references Crosby's, a historic restaurant in Acuña.

If music is not your thing then are you a movie aficionado perhaps?
Here are some movies titles you may recognize, which were filmed in Acuña

El Mariachi (1992) filmed on the streets of Acuña

Desperado was filmed in Acuña and the scene where Antonio Banderas kills everyone in the bar was filmed at the Corona Club

Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004), the lead character Beatrix Kiddo travels to Acuña to meet with Bill's friend Esteban Vihaio.

Like Water for Chocolate was filmed on Presa de la Amistad (Amistad Lake) in Acuña.

Well, even if you have never heard of this place before, if you are ever in Del Rio I completely recommend you cross the border and see this little city. It is well worth it!