Historical Markers in
Hidalgo County, Texas

1940 Train-Truck Collision 1st North Dakota Infantry American Legion Hall Archer Park Asadores Ranch Asociacion del Cementerio La Piedad Balli Cemetery Battle of La Bolsa Bazán and Longoria Murders Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park Bessie Bethel Baptist Church Brushwood Cemetery Buell School Camp Ebenezer Camp Llano Grande Camp Mercedes Campacuas Cemetery Campsite of the "Fighting 69th" Casa de Palmas Chimney Park, Site of Mission Canal Company Pumping Plant Citrus Fruit Developed in Rio Grande Valley - Red-Meat Grapefruit City of Pharr Cortez Hotel Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC D. Guerra & Sons Store Don Florencio Saenz Homestead Donna Donna Central Elementary School Donna Public Schools Dr. Hector P. García Ebony Grove Cemetery Edinburg Junior College Auditorium El Granjeno Cemetery El Horcon Tract and Rio Rico El Sal del Rey El Sal del Rey, C.S.A. Elder B. Barton Eli Jackson Cemetery Emilia Schunior Ramirez Everitt Building First Baptist Church of Edcouch First Baptist Church of Hargill First Baptist Church of Pharr First Baptist Church of Weslaco First Christian Church of Weslaco First Pharr School First Pharr-San Juan-Alamo School First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church of Hidalgo First Presbyterian Church of McAllen First Presbyterian Church of Mission First United Methodist Church Floyd H. (Slats) Rodgers Former Hidalgo Post Office Former Station Site of Spiderweb Railroad Gibson Park Gloria Evangelina Anzaldua Gregg Wood Home Guadalupe Cemetery Handy Ranch Havana Hidalgo City Cemetery Hidalgo County Hidalgo County Bank and Trust Company Hidalgo County's First Oil Well Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant Hidalgo-Reynosa Bridges Hilltop Gardens Home of William Jennings Bryan Immaculate Conception Cemetery Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery Immanuel Lutheran Church Indiana, Nebraska and Minnesota National Guards Jackson Ranch Church John Closner Home John H. Shary Home Juan Davis Bradburn Kiwanis Club of Pharr La Lomita Chapel La Lomita Farms La Noria Cardenena La Piedad Cemetery La Trinidad United Methodist Church of Pharr Laguna Seca Ranch Lamar Junior High School Laurel Hill Cemetery Leo Najo Los Ebanos Ferry Crossing Los Ejidos De Reynosa Vieja Louisiana-Rio Grande Canal Company M. & J. Nelson Building McAllen First Methodist Church McAllen Lodge No. 1110, A.F. and A.M. McAllen Post Office McAllen Ranch McCook Community Mercedes City Hall Mercedes Enterprise Military Highway of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Moore Field Nellie Leo Schunior School Oblate Park Oil Well, First Old Hidalgo County Courthouse Old Hidalgo County Jail Old Hidalgo County Jail Old Hidalgo School Old La Coma Ranch Headquarters Old Pharr City Hall Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery P.P. Ackley and the Texas Chisholm Trail Padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Paris Gum Factory Penitas Penitas Peñitas Cemetery Percy Herman House Pharr Volunteer Fire Department Progreso Quinta Mazatlan, Home of Jason Matthews Red Meat Grapefruit Relampago Ranch Restlawn Cemetery Richard Alvis Marsh Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Rio Theater Roselawn Cemetery Run Sacred Heart Catholic Church Saint Joseph Catholic Church Saint Joseph's Church Saint Paul Lutheran Church Sam and Marjorie Miller House San Antonio and Rio Grande Railway; "Old Flossie" San Joaquin Mission San Juan Hotel San Juan Plantation San Juan Townsite Santa Ana Land Grant Shary Building Site of Casa de Palmas Site of McAllen Hospitals Site of Monte Christo Skaggs House Southern Pacific Depot Southern Pacific Depot Speer Memorial Library Spiderweb Railroad St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church St. John the Baptist Catholic Church St. Joseph's Church Station KRGV-TV5 Stockholm Temple Beth Israel Texas Citrus Fiesta TexSun Corporation The American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation System The Border Theater The Donna News The Pharr Riot The Rev. Pierre Yves Keralum Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School Thomas Walter Jones Tom Mayfield Town of Hidalgo Vela Building W. L. Lipscomb Weslaco Weslaco City Cemetery Weslaco City Hall Weslaco High School Weslaco Water Tower
The discovery of oil in 1901 near Beaumont, Texas, sparked an oil boom that transformed the state's economy and led to the rise of the modern petroleum industry.
Texas random facts
Hidalgo County, located in Southern Texas, has a rich history that spans back thousands of years. The region was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan, Karankawa, and Caddo peoples. These tribes thrived in the area, relying on agriculture, hunting, fishing, and trade.

In the 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the region, bringing new settlers and establishing missions. During this time, the land belonged to Spain and was considered a part of New Spain. The Spanish influence can still be seen today in the names of many cities and landmarks in Hidalgo County.

In the 19th century, Mexico gained independence from Spain and Hidalgo County became part of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. However, with the Texas Revolution in 1836, the region became a part of the Republic of Texas and was eventually incorporated into the United States with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hidalgo County experienced significant growth due to the expansion of the railroad industry and the development of irrigation techniques. This led to the establishment of prosperous agricultural communities, with cotton being the main cash crop. Over time, the population became increasingly diverse, with a mix of Mexican, Anglo-American, and other immigrant communities.

Today, Hidalgo County is a thriving region known for its vibrant culture, strong agricultural industry, and close proximity to the US-Mexico border. It is home to cities such as McAllen and Edinburg, as well as popular tourist attractions like the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge and the International Museum of Art and Science. The county continues to evolve, with a growing population and a dynamic economy driven by healthcare, education, manufacturing, and international trade.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Hidalgo County, Texas.

  • 1749 - The area that is now Hidalgo County is explored by Spanish explorers.
  • 1767 - The Spanish government establishes a settlement called Reynosa in the area.
  • 1821 - Mexico gains independence from Spain, and Hidalgo County becomes a part of Mexico.
  • 1836 - Texas declares independence from Mexico, and Hidalgo County becomes a part of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1848 - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, ending the Mexican-American War, and Hidalgo County becomes a part of the United States.
  • 1852 - Hidalgo County is officially established as a county in the state of Texas.
  • 1909 - The city of McAllen is founded.
  • 1944 - The Hidalgo County Courthouse, a historic landmark, is completed.
  • 1954 - The Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 4 is created to provide irrigation and drainage services.
  • 1970 - The population of Hidalgo County reaches over 200,000.
  • 2001 - The new Hidalgo County Administration Building opens.