Victoria's history is rich and runs deep. Our hometown was founded in 1824 as a Mexican colony, and the Republic of Texas established Victoria County on May 17, 1836. Our city has survived the Civil War, the Great Depression and everything in between and since. In another 12 years, our hometown will be 200 years old.

So we think it is fitting that Victoria is reconnecting with its roots. More than 300 years after Sgt. Major Diego Ramon and Gov. Alonso De Leon crossed the Rio Grande looking for the La Salle colony, Victoria has reconnected and forged a partnership with Guerrero, Coahuila, the place where the two men began their journey.

On Aug. 25, Victoria's Mayor Will Armstrong and Mayor Francisco Garcia Castells, of Guerrero, planted two olive trees at the site of the former mission in Riverside Park, a tribute to the olive trees Franciscan priests grew at their missions when they were first established. The mayors previously planted two olive trees at the San Bernardo mission, which was the parent mission for many of the mission settlements in the Crossroads.

In addition to the olive tree planting, the delegation from Guerrero also brought Mayor Armstrong a saddle, which sits in City Hall, as well as two paintings, one for Victoria's City Hall and one for the Victoria College's Museum of the Coastal Bend.

All of these gifts and exchanges are exciting efforts to see as Victoria and Guerrero reach across an international border to become partners in history. A big part of that partnership is working together to promote historical tourism in both cities. And we think historical tourism is a largely forgotten, untapped industry in Victoria.

According to Armstrong, about 2.5 million tourists visit the Alamo in San Antonio, every year, but only about 5,000 visit the Museum of the Coastal Bend. And according to the Goliad Presidio la Bahia website, only 33,000 people visit that important piece of Texas history annually. But this partnership with Guerrero was initiated because an outsider looked at our history and thought it was significant enough to be part of a documentary. And we agree.

We think Victoria is missing a chance to be a hub for historical tourism in the Crossroads. There are several sites of historical significance around us that people would love to visit, if we can find a way to care for and promote them properly. Unfortunately, the mission in Riverside Park was torn down before anyone understood the historical significance of it, but Armstrong says there is some interest in setting up information stations in the area to give visitors an idea of what used to stand there and what its significance was.

Victorians have become complacent about the city's history. But we see this as a chance for a new direction. With a little effort and investment, Victoria and surrounding areas could see a sustainable historical tourism industry blossom in this area. But first we must improve what we have and make these sites worth visiting.

As Armstrong said, "If we're ready to invest in ourselves, others will be willing to invest in us."

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.