Gibson Park

DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION, DISPLACED MIDWESTERNERS CAME TO WESLACO AND ESTABLISHED HOOVERVILLE SHANTYTOWNS. HOPING TO IMPROVE THEIR POOR LIVING CONDITIONS, IN 1934, THE WESLACO LIONS CLUB WORKED TO ESTABLISH A PARK. WILLIAM HENRY HOGE AND J.J. GIBSON, FOR WHOM THE PARK WOULD BE NAMED, DONATED ACREAGE. WESLACO’S FIRST MUNICIPAL TRAILER PARK OPENED IN 1936 AS A TOURIST DESTINATION FOR CAMPERS AND FOR THOSE LIVING IN TRAILERS. IT CLOSED AS A TRAILER CAMP IN 1946, LATER DEVELOPING INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK. WESLACO’S ECOTOURISM INDUSTRY ALSO DEVELOPED AS THE CITY OPENED THE VALLEY NATURE CENTER ON THE PARK’S EASTERN PORTION. RECREATIONALLY AND COMMERCIALLY, GIBSON PARK REMAINS A VITAL LANDMARK IN WESLACO.