Spanning approximately 100 miles along the northern bank of the Rio Grande River in Texas, the Rio Grande Valley possesses a long and interesting history.
The first mapping of the area was in 1519 by order of Francisco de Garay, the then Governor of Jamaica. Over the next four centuries, Spanish settlers established several distinct towns, and it was not long before these towns were integrated into one bustling region called the Rio Grande Valley.
The topography of the Lower Rio Grande Valley ranges from beach to desert, and is comprised of four counties with almost 1.2 million people in 12 cities, including Brownsville, Harlingen, Alamo, Port Isabel, Mission and McAllen.
In Hidalgo Country, the city of McAllen is the largest with 130,000 denizens. Aztec Indians, Europeans, Spaniards and others were among the many cultures that came and went here in the early days, however, settler James McAllen from Edinburgh, Scotland, who later became a major landowner and investor here, officially founded the city in 1909.
Today, McAllen is a very international city and one of the nation’s fastest growing cities, drawing new residents from all around the globe including México—its closest international neighbor—India, England, Canada, Ireland, Sweden and the West Indies, just to name a few.
In the 1960s, McAllen and the surrounding area became known as the “Citrus Basket” of the U.S., a tribute to the rich, fertile soil that produced not only one-third of the nation’s succulent citrus crops of grapefruit, lemons and oranges, but also a wide variety of vegetables and other crops such as cotton and sugar cane.
Bolstered by several very efficient irrigation systems throughout the region, McAllen became part of what is now called the Texas Tropical Trail Region, in honor of its still vibrant agricultural production.
Quinta Mazatlan
On my first day in McAllen, my guide and I went to Quinta Mazatlan, the McAllen Wing of the World Birding Center.
The Rio Grande Valley is recognized all over the world for its 120 miles of bird habitats ranging from coastal wetland to freshwater marshes, riverside thickets and dry chaparral brush. As a result, nine birding centers have been established along this 120-mile stretch to highlight, preserve and educate the public about this natural ecological area.
The name “Quinta,” Spanish for an estate, villa or country house, and “Mazatlan,” an ancient Indian translation in México meaning “Land of the Deer,” came from its first owners, international travelers who in the 1930s began building their home here.
Quinta Mazatlan is simply stunning and today the property still encompasses the original Spanish architectural style home, plus 15-acres of nature sanctuary encompassing unique South Texas flora and fauna, serene walking trails, private reflection areas, native woodlands and beautiful tropical landscaping. Inside the home visitors will find several early history exhibits, a bookstore and outdoor patio and pool area for special events such as weddings.
Museum of South Texas History
Located about 20 minutes away in the suburb of Edinburg, the Museum of South Texas History (MOST) offers a great deal of history about the cultural heritage of this area straddling both sides of the border.
Today’s MOST was formally the Hidalgo County Historical Museum that was situated in the old Hidalgo County jail built in 1910. Now it is a very modern facility, offering a wide array of historic, educational and fascinating exhibits and gallery spaces. The facility itself is a great testament to the many people who helped transform the area from an open, citrus-rich agricultural area into a vibrant, economic engine and driving force in the U.S. economy.
According to the public relations representative for the museum, “When people come to the [Rio Grande Valley], they expect dirt roads and donkey carts. What they find instead is a very clean, not “border town” (in reference to the stereotype that primarily Hispanic populated towns along the border are dirty and unsophisticated) place where the growth was very well planned out, is warm, family-oriented and possesses an entrepreneurial culture that was always looking for the best way to make things happen for families and business.”
Visitors at MOST will find numerous state-of-the-art displays and exhibits encompassing European colonization, native animals and plants, full-scale steamboat and windmill replicas in the old jail, and a new expansion building around the grounds.
Around town
McAllen has a great deal to offer visitors from beautiful parks to bustling shopping areas, great restaurants, multicultural events, interesting tourist attractions, outdoor recreation opportunities, an exciting entertainment district and a great deal more.
In our coming adventures, we’ll explore more of this wonderful and surprising tourist destination situated along the beautiful Rio Grande Valley.
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