National Register Listing

Oblate Park Historic district

Roughly bounded by Doherty, Keralum, W. 16th St. and W 10th St., Mission, TX
The Oblate Park Historic District is a residential neighborhood significant for its association with Anglo-American "home seekers" who migrated to the Rio Grande Valley in the 1920s, '30s, and '40s seeking wealth in citrus or oil, as well as relief from cold Midwestern winters. The house forms and architectural styles in Oblate Park are Mission's best and most intact material document of the accelerating migration to the area until the early 1950s when severe freezes crippled the citrus industry. The small cluster of large, early Craftsman-style houses around Oblate Park represents the few pioneers of the citrus industry who came to the valley in the 1910s. Continuous blocks of Craftsman bungalows and Spanish Colonial Revival cottages, popular in the 1920s and 1930s, indicate the sharp jump in housing construction in Mission during that period. The infill development of Early Ranch houses at the edges of the neighborhood marks the steady demand for housing that continued through the 1940s and then tapered off in the early 1950s. The mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment houses in the area similarly documents the rise of the phenomenon of "Winter Texans," chiefly prosperous Midwestern farmers and businessmen who would purchase a second home and possibly a small citrus grove in the temperate Valley. Additionally, Oblate Park is architecturally significant for its concentration of exemplary California Bungalows and the Spanish Colonial Revival cottages. The houses in Oblate Park mimicked California's architectural styles not just on the surface but in spirit - citrus promoters fashioned Mission after California's citrus towns, and many longtime residents intended to just pass through Mission en route to California but ended up staying. The Oblate Park Historic District is associated with the historic context "Grapefruit's Lone Star Home: The Development of Mission, Texas" outlined in Section E of the National Register Multiple Property Nomination for the Historic and Architectural Resources of Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas. It is eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C for Architecture and under Criterion A for Community Planning and Development, both at the local level.
Local significance of the district:
Architecture; Community Planning And Development

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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.