The Chronological History of Harlingen
by
Norman Rozeff

    The author, Norman Rozeff, encourages comments and suggestions concerning this material and you can reach him via e-mail by clicking his name.
     

(Norman also has a page of articles on "Valley History" which can be opened by Clicking and another on "Harlingen History" which also can be opened by Clicking)

Click on a title to jump to a particular decade or to a category within a decade. Or, scroll down to an index of surnames.

Pre-Historical
Pre-Harlingen History Prior to the Twentieth Century
Decade 1900 to 1909
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Business/Commercial/Industry   People  
    Education   Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous
Decade 1910 to 1919
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industry  
    People   Education  Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous
Decade 1920 to 1929
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industry  
    People   Education  Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous
Decade 1930 to 1939
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industry
    People   Education   Religious   Organizations    Miscellaneous
Decade 1940 to 1949
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industry
    People   Education   Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous
Decade 1950 to 1959
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Businesss/Commercial/Industrial
    People   Education   Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous
Decade 1960 to 1969
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industrial
    People   Education   Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous
Decade 1970 to 1979
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industrial
    People   Education   Religious    Organizations    Miscellaneous
Decade 1980 to 1989
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industrial
    People   Education   Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous
Decade 1990 to 1999
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industrial
    People   Education   Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous
Decade 2000 to 2009
    Development   Agriculture/Ranching   Government/Politics   Business/Commercial/Industrial
    People   Education   Religious   Organizations   Miscellaneous

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Index of Surnames in the Chronological History of Harlingen

Click on a letter to go to a particular initial letter in the Index. Then use the browser's Back Button to return here and choose the referenced decade link above.

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M
N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    Y    Z

A

Abbott, Don, 1939

Abrego, Joe, 1910

Adair, Mrs. T. W., 1960

Adams, Ala Inatoe, 1913

Adams, Annette, 1909,

Adams, Beulah, 1909

Adams, Bob, 1937

Adams, Bros., 1953

Adams, Burton, 1909

Adams, C.E., 1913

Adams, C.H., 1913

Adams, Catherine, 1909

Adams, Caulton, 1909

Adams, Clara 1909

Adams, Earl 1909,

Adams, Elijah Harvey, 1909

Adams, Elijah, 1909

Adams, Elijah Keith, 1909

Adams, Frances Aileen, 1944

Adams, Harriet, 1909, 2002

Adams, Harvey, 1909

Adams, Helen, 1909

Adams, James (Cabbage), 1913

Adams, Jess, 1898

Adams, Jesse L., Pre-Harl.1898, 1910

Adams, L. L., 1900-09

Adams, Lawrence, 1898

Adams, Lucy Haynes, 1898

Adams, Mae, 1909

Adams, Malcolm, 1973

Adams, Margaret Sweeney, 1909

Adams, Mrs. Carlos (Quinnie), 1986

Adams, Mrs. E. H., 1913

Adams, Roy E., 1913

Adams, Sarah, 1909

Adams, Taney, 1898

Adams, Valerie Benoist , 1928

Adams, W.T., 1900-09

Adams, Wesley, 1928

Adkins, George, 1973

Adolph, Rose, 1930

Aguilar, Gavino, 1957

Aguilar, Robert, 1957

Aguirre family, 2003

Alaniz, Dr. Ricardo, 2003

Alaniz, Rose, 1923

Alaniz, W. W, 1923

Alberti, Lawrence, 1950-74

Alberts, Annabel, 2005

Albright, C.P., 1908

Alcott, Edward (Bert), Jr., 1931, 1951, 1960, 1969

Alcott, Edward (Ed), Sr., 1931, 1954, 1968

Alcott, Delores (Lori) Ann Cox, 1931

Alcott, Mark, 1931

Alcott, Mary Ann, 1931

Alcott, Mary Serena Lemon, 1931

Aldridge, 1925

Alexander, James, 1971

Alexander, Lila, 1928

Alexander, Van B., 1928

Allen, Dorothy, 1918

Allen, F. M., 1921

Allen, Henry, 1917

Allen, Howard, 1920

Allen, Janet, 1918

Allen, Lloyd, 1917

Allen Lloyd E., 1918

Allen, Lloyd E., Jr., 1918

Allen, Mabel, 1917

Allen, William Edward, 1917

Allen, William J. "Bill," 1938

Allerdice, Ada R., 1944

Allerton, Sgt. John S., 1965

Allex, David, 1963, 1996

Allhands, James L., 1950

Allison, Clar Lie, 1940

Alsbury and Son, 1911

Altus, 1925

Altus, Mrs. Clara, 1925

Altus, James Daniel, 1932

Altus, James W. (Kelly) , 1932

Alvarez, Francisco, 1910

Alvarez, Rev. R.B., 1962

Ambert, R.R., 1921

Amidon, Dr. Charles, 1945

Anderson, Guy, 1970, 1981

Anderson T. Howard, 1996

Anderson William (Andy) C., 1941, 19567

Anderson, Howard, 1974

Anderson, Laverne Vernon, 1918

Anderson, Mrs. Earle W. Brazil, 1915

Anderson, Teddie Howard, 1918

Anderwald, Eddie, 1980

Anglin, Elmer W. (E.W.), 1907 1910, 1921, 1929, 1931, 1937, 1939, 1959

Anglin, Mrs. E. W., 1933

Anglin, Elmer, Jr., 1910

Anglin, Emmett, 1908-09

Anglin, E.O., 1920, 1921

Anglin, Everett, 1905

Anglin, Lawson A., 1907, 1918, 1920, 1939

Anglin, Mayme (Mamie), 1923, 1926

Anglin, Olive, 1907

Antone, Albert, 1940

Apel, Annie, Pre-Harl. 1901

Applewhite, Marshall, Heiff, 1997

Arispe, Tomas, 2005

Armstrong, John B., 1903

Armstrong, William E., 1920-39

Arndt, Rev. A.W., 1925

Arnette, Aline, 1924

Arnold, E. O. 1926

Arredondo, Eddie D., 2003

Ashcraft, J.B. III, 1961

Ashley, Shirley, 1975

Atchison, J. C., 1924, 1926

Atchison, John Jr. and Lorene, 1953

Athey, Mrs. Isla Lou, 1919

Atlee, E. G., 1928

Atrops. Rev. H., 1922

Aune, Todd, 2009

Aune, Steve, 2009

Aultman, O., 1912

Austin, E.O., 1910-15

Autry, R. L., 1910

Avery, Catherine E., Pre-Harl. 1898

Avery, Henry, Pre-Harl. 1898

Avery, J. T., 1912

Avery, T.S., Pre-Harl. 1898

Avery, Thomas Jesse, Pre-Harl. 1898

Axelrod, Abe, 1926

Aycock, Sue Vaughn, 1928

Ayres, William Eugene, 1946

Ayres, William, Sr., 1945

Ayoub, Dave, 1961

B      Return to top

Bahnman, H.W., 1951, 1959   

Bailey, B.E., 1930

Bailey, Mrs. Kate, 1908, 1910

Baize, Ira T., 1920

Baize, Velma, 1923

Baker, A. Y., 1928

Baker, Ada, 1917

Baker, Audrey May, 1911

Baker, Bessie Beatrice, 1911

Baker, Bessie Gaskill, 1911

Baker, Blanche, Elizabeth, 1911

Baker, Bob, 1925

Baker, F. B., 1911

Baker, Gladys Juanita, 1911

Baker, John T., 1911

Baker, John Thurloe , 1911

Baker, Kay Wendell, 1911

Baker, L.R., 1949, 1968

Baker, Lila Salina, 1911,1929

Baker, Loren Major Loree, 1911

Baker, Mrs. J.C. Mitchell, 1925

Baker, Neal Vivian1911

Baker, P. W., 1932

Baker, Ray Wendell, 1911

Baker, Sam, 1925

Baker, Samuel J., 1919

Baker, Searcy, 1909

Baker, Virginia T. Dyer, 1919

Baker, Willard Gaskill, 1911

Bakhaus, O.F., 1950

Balch, G.T., 1920

Baldridge, John Raymond, 1907

Baldridge, Lillian Weems, 1905, 1907, 1914, 1928, 1930

Baldridge, Ramona, 1909-10

Balduf, Christian, Pre-Harl., 1895, 1907

Baldwin, W.J., 1925, 1926

Ballard, E.F., 1911

Ballard, Mrs. Margaret Elmore, 1919

Ballard, Warren W., 1909, 1948, 1962

Balli, Armando, 1905

Balli, Nicolosa, 1913

Barbe, Archie, 1910

Barbee, Allen T., 1970

Barbee, David Allen, 1909, 1910

Barbee, Lucille, 1908-09

Barbee, Luella, 1908-09

Barbee, Quinton, 1908-09

Barclay, Morgan, Pre-Harl. 1855, 1874

Bard, Mark, 1955

Bard, O.N. (Oscar Newton), 1955,  1965, 1967, 1986,

Barg, Ella, 1913

Barg, Mr. & Mrs. Ferdinand, 1913

Barrett, Howard, 1928

Barnett, J.R., 1909

Barnett, L.L., 1922

Barry, Hubert, 1911

Barth, Ernest C. 1922, 1925

Bartlett, John, 1909

Barton, H. M., 1921, 1922

Barton, Mrs. Edith McElwain, 1914, 1959

Bass, Dr. V.M., 1937

Bassart, Julia, 1923-26

Bats, O.G., 1907

Bauer, Vivian, 2008

Baw, Col. Edward L., 1960

Baxter , Sallie Murphey, 1927

Baxter, Brian, 1927

Baxter, Murphey, 1927

Baxter, Robert W. 1926, 1927, 1931

Baxter, Robert, 1927

Baxter, Tommy, 1927

Baxter, William C., 1954

Baynon, Thomas, Pre-Harl. 1855

Beach, Austin T., 918

Beach, Essie, 1918

Beasley, Michaela, 1906

Bebrick, 1930

Beck, Alfred

Beck, D.C., 1920

Beck, George,  1934, 1960

Beck, J.P., 1920

Belchner, Minnie, 1909

Bell, Alan, 1951

Bell, Dr. S.H., 1903, 1907, 1910, 1913

Bell, Henry, 1905

Bell, Jeff 1958

Bell, Linnie, 1900

Benevides, Ruben, 1948

Bennett Mrs. E.C. (Jennie Reed), 1921

Bennett, E. C., 1921, 1922, 1927, 1937, 1949

Bennett, Judge Fred, 1920

Bennett, Mildred, 1921

Bennett, Mrs. E.C., 1947

Bennett, Mrs. H. E. (Mary Jones), 1905

Bennett, Russell J., 1921

Benoist, A. E., 1928

Benoist, A. L., 1925, 1926, 1928, 1937, 1958, 1963, 1971

Benoist, Hattie , 1926

Benoist, Valerie, 1926

Benson, Joyce, 1978

Benson, R.C., 1978

Benton, Kenneth, 2007

Bentsen, Lloyd Millard, Jr., 1948

Berg, Patty, 1948

Berly, C.J., 1920

Berly, Marion Elizabeth Walker, 1920

Berly, Sid, 1920

Bermack, Lottie, 1928

Berna, R.C., 1950

Bernfield, Dr. Martin, 1934

Berry, Dorothy Lynn, 1924

Berry, Marlene Margaret Stahl. 1972

Berry, Nathan, 1972

Bhata, Andy, 2003

Bhata, Arun, 2002

Bhata, Vbhuit, 2002

Bickley, Charles, 1985

Bickley, Peggy Bush, 1985

Bihner, Bill, 1920

Bingham, Marshall, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963

Bingley Bros., 1925

Binny, Mrs. Charley, 1961

Binz, Paul, 2006, 2007

Bishop, F.Z., 1918, 1920

Bisno, Jules, 1943

Black, William C., 1937

Blackstone, Harry Jr., 1920-1939

Blackwell, C.W., 1930-34

Blake, Gregory Michael, 2000

Blakeney,  J. S., 1928, 1936

Blalack, Peter Ebenezer, 1907, 1913

Blankin, D. B., 1959

Blaylock, R. C., 1956

Bleakney, Dr. Phil A., 1949

Bledsoe, Ralph, 1937

Bliss, Stanley W., 1927, 1929

Block, C., 1914

Block, Harlon H., 1995

Blocker, Mr., 1935

Blunk, Mrs. H. G., 1927

Blythe, R. P., 1926

Bobo, C. P., 1920, 1922, 1928

Bobo, C.A., 1925

Bobo, Jesse, 1920

Bobo, Lucille, 1923

Bobo, Max 1928

Bobo, Mrs. C.P. (Ellen Harlow), 1920

Bobo, Scott, 1920

Bobo, S.S., 1926

Bock, Charles, Sr., 1906

Bodenhamer, David, 1981

Bodenhamer, Don Sr., 1935

Bodenhamer, Linda, 2000

Bodenhamer, Travis, 2000

Boggus, Frank, 1933, 1974, 1983, 2004

Boggus, J. Lewis, 1920-39, 1933, 1945, 1948, 1951, 1958, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1971

Boggus, Mrs. J. Lewis (Maude), 1920-39

Bohuskey, E. & M., 1951

Boner Dona P., 1992/93

Bonner, Neal, 1967

Boone, The Rev. Leslie Adams, 1959

Boothe, Clyde, 1929

Boothe, Edna, 1929

Borchardt, Elizabeth, 1925

Bordeaux, Mrs. Fred, 1986

Boren, C.A., 1925

Borgers, Bill, 1979

Borglum, Lincoln, 1970

Borglum, Mary Ann Bellingsworth, 1970

Bork, Robert O., 1950

Boros, Julius, 1948

Boswell, Chris, 2007, 2008, 2009

Boswell, L.T., Jr., 1971

Bothwell Elizabeth, 1925

Botts, Dan, 1921, 1939

Botts, Geneva Tarver, 1909

Botts, Pearl, 1911, 1916, 1918

Botts, Sam, 1908-09, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1957

Bodenhamer,  David, 1981

Boudin, Captain, 1970

Bouldin, Florence M., 1944

Bounds, Charles, 1950

Bowen, Andrew Johnson, 1919

Bowen, Birdie 1919

Bowen, C. E., 1921

Bowen, Frank, 1919

Bowen, Harry, 1919

Bowen, Jack, 1919

Bowen, Ray, 1919

Bowen, Ruth, 1919

Bowles, Chester, 1946

Bowman, Dennis, 1929

Bowman, Major Gen. George Shepard, 1973

Bowman, Velma, 1973

Bowman, Walter C., 1948

Boyd, Andy 1927

Boyd, H. P., 1920

Boyd, John Edward, 1927

Boyette, Barbara Davidson, 1922

Boyle "Smokey", 1967

Brackott, Mrs. R. Q., 1947

Brademus, John, 1929

Bradford, 1920

Bradford, Marie, 1951

Bradford, W. E.

Brady, J. B., 1916

Brady, J. B., 1951, 1972

Brady, Mrs. Lydia L., 1931

Bramlette, Ruth, 1926

Brandt, Corinna, 1918

Brandt, G.P., 1920

Brandt, Paul G., 1918

Branham, A. Brent, 1992/93

Bray, Lew, 1939, 1953

Brazil, Edward Norton, 1915

Breedlove, E. Clinton (Bud), 2009

Breedlove, E. Clinton, Sr., 1922, 1926, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1962, 1965, 1971

Brewer, Ivey, Pre-Harl. 1901

Brewer, Leonard G., Pre-Harl. 1901, 1900-09

Brewster, Billie Jean, 1941

Bricha, Mrs. Ralph, 1986

Briggs, E. H., 1926

Briggs, George M., 1913

Briggs, Mabel, 1926

Briggs, Mrs. Peggy Johnson, 1916

Brindley, B.H., 1925

Brindley, Miss, 1926

Briscoe, Dr. S. M., 1911

Briscoe, W. B. (Bill), 1946, 1951

Briscoe, W. P., 1932, 1937, 1938

Bron, A. Richard, 1948, 1955, 1982

Brons, Wendy, 2005

Brooks, A.L., 1909, 1911, 1919, 1925, 1926 (2)

Brooks, John H., 1913

Brooks, Judge R.E., 1910

Brooks, Mrs. A. L., 1921

Brower, Dr. Mary, 1993

Brown, Beatrice H., 1928

Brown, Charles H., 1919

Brown, Etta L. Shiver, 1919

Brown, Frank H., 1911, 1928

Brown, Frank R., 1910

Brown, Grover, 1908

Brown, Katherine Clarey, 1910

Brown,  Lorimer, 1928

Brown, M. M., 1939

Brown, Mrs. Serena, 1908

Brown, Paul H., 1925

Brown, Rachael, 1910

Brown, Santiago, Pre-Harl. 1855

Brown, Tell, 1929

Brown, Tyre H., 1920-39, 1921, 1923, 1925, 1927, 1931

Browne, James G., Pre-Harl. 1855

Browning, Michael, 2002, 2004

Broyles, Harvey, 1962

Brule, R. J., 1949

Brumley, Allen, 1975

Brumley, Dianne, 1990

Brumley, W. C., 1929

Brunneman, Cadwell, 1921

Brunneman, Frank C., 1921, 1923, 1928

Brunneman, Mrs. F.C. (Verda Nelson), 1921

Brunneman, Nelson, 1921

Brunneman, Robert, 1921

Bryan, William Jennings, 1905

Bryson, Ella Rachael, 1921

Buck, J.P., 1933

Bugance William C. Jr., 1958

Bullard, A.T., 1910

Bullard, Beatrice, 1910

Bullard, Col.  Robert Lee, 1905, 1913-17

Bullard, Mr.& Mrs. J. E., 1910

Bullard, Mrs. Billie Rodgers, 1927

Bundy, Arthur, 1929-38

Bundy, Gertrude, 1928-38

Burchard, Hoyte Hicks (H. H.), 1909, 1913

Burchard, Kate Dorothy, 1913, 1926

Burchard, Luallee Pendleton, 1913, 1917

Buck, Mrs. Pearl, 1933

Burdette, Grafton, 1920-39

Burdette, Bettie Jeanne, 1936

Burger, Elizabeth Hoelscher, 1926

Burger, F.E., 1926

Burger, James, 1926

Burger, William A., 1926

Burk, J.J., 1925, 1927, 1928, 1943

Burk, Janie, 1983

Burk, William Henry, 1924

Burk, Mrs. W. H., 1924

Burke, Jackie, Jr., 1948

Burke, Mrs. 1921

Burnett, C. E. (Dad), 1951

Burnette, Mrs.C.E. (Mary Lucille), 1951

Burns, Clyde, 1920

Burns, Ethelene, 1920

Burns, Frank, 1920, 2004

Burns, Nora Belle Hitt 1920

Burns, O.J., 1920

Burns, Oyer Robert, 1920

Burns, Ray, 1920

Burns, Sam W., 1951

Burns, Troy, 1920

Burton, Urban, 1920-39

Busa, Mrs. Jack, 1959

Busa, William B. (Bill), 1959

Bush, Gov. George, 1969

Bush, Mary Annise, 1926

Bush, Myrtle, 1919

Bush, Peggy, 1936

Bush, W. Edison, 1926

Buster, Mrs, Auro, 1908-09

Butler, 1926

Butt Howard E., 1920-39, 1936, 1951, 1967, 1971, 2003

Butt, Mrs. Howard E. (Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth), 1920-39 1922, 1928, 2003

Byrd, Richard, 1928

C    Return to top

Cain, J.K., 1926

Caldwell, E.H., 1903

Caldwell, Kenneth R., 1960

Caldwell, Stewart S., 1910

Calhoun, Charlotte, 1971

Calhoun, Jack, 1960

Calkin Sisters, 1925

Callihan, C.M., 1959, 1960, 1961

Calloway, James Edwin , 1918

Calloway, James H. (Chub), 1918

Calloway, Veda, 1918

Calvin, Kenneth, 1928

Cameron, Captain Ewen, Pre-Harl. 1848

Campbell, Francis M., Pre-Harl. 1855

Campbell, Mrs. William Mitchell, 1925

Campbell, W.T., 1910

Campos, Roberto Jr., 1951

Campos, Roberto Sr., 1951

Canales, J. T. (Jose Tomas), 1916

Canales, Mrs. Ramiro G.(Gloria), 1975, 2006

Canas, Mrs. Frances, 1948

Cano, Genaro, Sr., 1931

Cantu, Alonzo, 1978, 2003

Cantu, Blas, 2004

Cantu, Sigfredo, 2007

Cantu, Simon Garcia, 1918

Cantu, Thomas, 1942-43

Cantu, Tomasa, 1906

Cantwell, Billie Neel, 1944

Cantwell, Douglas Steve, 1944

Cantwell, Earl, 1944

Cantwell, Mackalee Neel, 1944

Capp, Milton, 1930

Card, Garrison, 2008

Card, H. William (Bill), Jr., 1982, 1987, 1992/93, 1997, 1991, 2008

Card, J.A., 1909

Carden, Frank J., 1951

Carden, Mrs. C.H. (Mildred), 1917

Carey Monterey McCay, 1919

Carey, 1972

Carey, Adella, 1919

Carey, Isla Lew, 1919, 1936

Carey, James Edmond (Ed), 1919

Carey, James Edmond, Jr., 1919

Carey, Lou, 1919

Carey, Mrs. Norma Johnson, 1916

Carey, Mrs. W.E., 1919

Carey, Wiley Edgar, 1919

Carlisle, Dorothy, 1936

Carlisle, Mrs. Henry (Hazel), 1936, 1963

Carnes, Eva R., 1922

Carnes, S. P., 1904

Carr, Peyton T., 1900-09

Carrassco, Moises (Morris), 1960, 1971

Carroll, Rev. C.L., 1956

Carruth, Cecil, 1929, 1930, 1946, 1950-7

Carruth, Cecil, 1959

Carruth, Kay, 1978

Carruth, Paul, 1929, 1960

Carson, Thomas, 1903

Carter, 1955

Carter, Claude, 1920

Carter, Kathleen, 1936

Carter, Lemuel, 1900-09

Carter, Ray, 1964

Carter, Thomas W., 1900-09

Carvazos, Jose Narciso, Pre-Harl. 1855

Casarez, Mariano, 1915

Case, Miss Jennie, 1918, 1959

Case, Mrs. Mattie, 1918, 1959

Cash, Dr. Clarence M., 1919, 1920, 1949

Castellanos, Eloisa, 2003

Castillo, Daniel "Danny," 2002, 2008

Castillo, Dora I. Salazar, 1930

Castillo, Leonardo, 1917

Castillo, Romulo, 1928

Castillo, Sara, 1917

Castro, Consuela, 1924

Castro, Felicitas V., 1924

Castro, Jesus, 1924

Castro, Ramon, 1920

Caswell, Lucille, 1925

Caul Stacie, 1925

Caul, Eustacia (Sunshine) Hill, 1905, 1925, 1926, 1949, 1971

Caul, M.L., 1949

Caul, Mac Upton, 1925

Cavazos, J.D., 1965

Cavazos, Roy, 1965

Cazavas, Clara A., 1924

Cecora, F., 1955

Certain, The Rev. Robert G., 2007

Chaffin, H. G., 1968

Challes, John B. (J.B.), 1910, 1919, 1924, 1926, 1971

Challes, Mrs. J.B., 1919, 1925

Chamberlain, Bland H., 1907, 1917

Chamberlain, Constancia, 1917

Chamberlain, Guadelupe (Lupita), 1917

Chambers, Alice Souther, 1910

Chambers, C.H., 1920

Chambers, Fred, 1908, -09, 1911, 1912

Chambers, J.B., Jr., 1920, 1949,1952

Chambers, J.B., Sr. 1909, 1910, 1911, 1920, 1926 (2), 1927

Chapa, A.B., 1947, 1956

Chapa, Felix,  1931

Chapa, Wenselado,  1912

Chapek, A. B., 1913

Chapman, Judge H. L., 1929

Chase, Virginia, 1919

Chase, William T., 1919

Chateau, Rev. Isidor, 1912

Chatfield. Lt. William, 1903

Chaudoin, Barney, 1910,  1920

Chaudoin, Eva (Evie), 1910, 1921

Chaudoin, Joan, 1932

Chaudoin, L. Mackey (Mackie), 1910, 1920, 1925, 1931

Chaudoin, Lily Polly, 1910, 1913, 1918

Chaudoin, Morris, 1910, 1911, 1914, 1920

Chaudoin, Mrs. Morris, 1915, 1921

Chaudoin, Ophelia Harrington, 1911

Chaudoin, Robert L. (R.L.), 1910, 1913, 1970

Chaudoin, Roberta, 1918

Chaudoin, R.M., 1918

Chavez, Dr. Jesus Honorio, 1995

Chester, Sam H., 1920

Cherry, Alan, 2008

Chestnutt, Emma, 1904

Childress, Jake, 1936

Chilton, Carl S., 1924, 1929

Chilton, Carl, Jr., 1924

Chilton, Charles, 1924

Chilton, Jennie, 1924

Chilton, Mildred, 1924

Chilton, Pauline, 1924

Chiswell, Pauline Chilton, 1924

Choate, Jack, 1950

Christiansen, Helen, 1997

Clarey, John, 1910

Clark, Barney, 1948

Clark, Dr. Thomas A., 1971, 1975

Clark, Jane, 1933

Clark, Mr. & Mrs., 1930

Clark, Mrs. Anna, 1909

Clark, Mrs. Bob, 1972

Clark, Mrs. William, 1925

Clary, John, 1968

Clausen, Annelle Miller, 1918

Claypool, T.C., 1920

Cleary, John, 1997

Cleary, Mrs. Lily Chaudoin Liston, 1910, 1930

Cleary, Pearl, 1916

Cleckler, JoAnn, 1950, 1997

Cleckner, J. Glenn, 1987

Clements, Bishop, 1932

Clevenger, S. A., 1929

Clift, Charles Wert, Sr. (C.W.), 1909, 1910, 1951

Clift, Mrs. C.W. Goldie Wilson, 1909, 1951

Clore,  Jean Phipps McKelvey, 1918, 1959

Clore, Walter L., 1918

Clover, Ernest Quentin, 1931

Clover, J.J., 1931

Clover, Sallie, 1931

Clowes, Shirley, 1996

Coakley, C.R. Jullian, 1960

Coakley, Mary E. 1960, 1962

Cocke, Bartlette, 1948

Cocke , (William) Hill, Jr., 1970

Cocke, (William) Hill, Sr., 1923, 1932, 1941, 1945, 1951, 1969, 1971 (2), 1953

Cocke, Jack (J.B), 1949, 1951

Cocke, Mrs. J. B., 1960, 1963

Coocke, J. J., 1900

Cocke, James "Jimmy" R., 1953, 1984

Cocke, Joan Chaudoin, 1932. 1970

Cocke, Joy, 1984

Cocke, Marian, 1954, 1975

Cocke, Mrs. Lucille, 1925

Cocozza, Orazio "Ray", 1941

Cole, Dr., 1910

Cole, Dwain, 1975

Cole, John H., Jr., 1924

Cole, Lillian A. 1924

Cole, Rev. Charles L. 1924

Cole, Wayne, 1924

Coleman, A. W. & M.  B., 1926

Coleman, Dixie, 1960

Coleman, J.D. Stetson, 1965

Coleman, Mary Alice, 1944

Coleman, W. O., 1907

Collingsworth, Mrs. E.R., 1900-09

Combes, Drs. Joe and Fred, Pre-Harl. 1895

Coneway, Albert, 1963

Connell, Archie, Sr., 1922

Connell, Ethel, 1922

Connelly, Morrison Holmes, 1934, 1937, 1941,  1948-49, 1951, 1968

Connolly, James, 1967

Connolly, Sen. Tom, 1938, 1950

Contreras, Estevan, Pre-Harl. 1880, 1900-09

Contreras, Josefa, Pre-Harl. 1880

Converse, Henry, 1932

Cooley, Butch, 2006

Cooley, Col. Buck, 1974

Cooper, Mrs. Helen Jones, 1926

Cope, Richard Moore, 1948

Cope, Zora Belle Moore, 1948

Corbett, Dr. C. M., 1918

Corbett, Michael, 1918

Corn, Mrs. R. D., 1921

Corns, I. B., 1928

Corres, George, 1927

Cortez, 1928

Cortinas, Juan, Pre-Harl. 1875

Cortines, Adolfo Ruiz, 1953

Couch, Ed C., 1920

Coursey, J. I., 1970

Coursey, Mrs. J.I., 1930

Cowan, George, 1926

Cowart, Ida Mae, 1912

Cowart, Myrtle Leona, 1912

Cowart, O. A., 1912

Cowart, T. E., 1910

Cox, Lee O. 1946

Cox, Tommy, 1981

Craighead, 1904

Creed, 1920

Green, Buddy, 2007

Crenshaw, Mack, 1917

Crittendon, Clyde, 1935

Crockett, Brad, 1972

Crockett, Eleanor Reeves, 1927, 1936

Crockett, Dr. John A., 1927, 1930, 1935

Crockett, Larry, 1959

Crockett, Maurine, 1908

Crockett, Pat, 1927

Crockett, Richard, 1927

Crockett, Stanley, 1919

Crockett, Stanley B., 1919, 1927, 1937, 1960

Crofoot, Rev. G. Wendell, 1903

Croft, Rev. Fred B., 1946

Cronenwett, Jack, 1946

Crosset, J.C., 1909

Crossett, Harold, 1931, 1946

Crossett, Lt. Harold, 1970

Crow, Larry M., Jr., 1955

Crown, Frank Lawrence, 1919

Crown, Mrs. F.L. (Ina), 1921

Crutchfield, John, 2003

Cuellar, family, 1977

Cuellar, Renato, 2002

Cullen, Louis H., 1960

Cumbee, Anne, 1925

Cummings, R. G., 1936

Cummings, S. S., 1914

Cunningham, Abner Webster (A.W.), 1908, 1910, 1911,1918

Cunningham, Diane Bowman, 1973

Cunningham, Florence Mays, 1908

Cunningham, Gary (Lan), 1917

Cunningham, George, 1956

Cunningham, J.W., 1955

Cunningham, Mildred L., 1917

Cutshall, Gene, 1926

D    Return to top

Dabney, Arthur Franklin, 1935, 1941, 1949

Dabney, Carolyn, 1935

Dabney, Charlotte, 1935

Dabney, Marguerite Smith, 1935

Dailey, Lottie Peter, 1961

Dailey, Rev, Frank P., 1961

Dale, Earl, 1956

Daments, Chris, 1920, 1925, 1926

Dancy, Judge Oscar Cromwell, 1920, 1925

Daniell, Carl, 1972

Daniell, Leon, 1972, 1975, 1977/78

Daniell, Mary Lou, 1972

Daniels, Alva, 1924

Daniels, Clara A. Cazavas, 1924

Daniels, Gov. Price, 1960

Daniels, L.R., 1924

Darfy, Mrs. Wil, 1910

Darnell, Mrs. W.L. (Elizabeth) McBee, 1905

Datry, Robin, 1955

Davanay, L. E., 1929

Davenport, Harbart,  1916, 1933

Davenport, Roe, 1921, 1923

Davidson, Dr. Noah Albert, 1920, 1922, 1926, 1929, 1945

Davidson, Mary, 1915

Davis, Chalis, 1961

Davis, Charles J., 1939

Davis, Dr. E. A., 1922, 1927

Davis, Dr. L.M., 1920

Davis, Edward (Ned) C. 1925

Davis, F. Earle, 1948

Davis, Frank E., 1925, 1935, 1938, 1971

Davis, Katherine, 1925

Davis, Mrs. Frances, 1919

Davis, Mrs. Georgiana Grant, Pre-Harl. 1895, 1901

Davis, Mrs. L. M., 1949

Davis, Mrs. Mildred, 1910

Davis, Richard D., 1925

Davis, W.D., 1920

Davis, W.T., 1920

Davis, Wilder, 1960

Dawson, J.J., 1943

Dawson, Mrs. J.J. Johnson, 1918

Day, David W., 1924, 1930

Day, Harry, 1920, 1931, 1971

Day, Lillian, 1930

Day, Louise, 1931

De Brooke, Bill,  1912, 1920

De La Garza, Connie, 1927, 1951, 1977/78, 1998, 2004

De La Garza, Eddie 2002

De La Garza, Elma, 1976

De La Rosa, Mrs. Eloisa Lozano, Pre-Harl. 1898

De Leon, Velma, 2003

De Welden, Dr.Felix W., 1981

Deering, E.C., 1937

DeLellis, Lou, 1954

DeLisle, Collie D., 1909

Delling, M. G. "Blaze," 1904

Demaret, Jimmy, 1948

Demic, A.B., 1960

Dennis, Eddie, 2009

Dent, A. O. C., 1954, 1975

Dent, L.L., 1920

Denton, D.M., 1930, 1937

Denton, J.M., 1911, 1912

Denton, Mr., 1910-15

Deveau, Mrs. Ralph (Rachel), 1986

Devine, W.F., 1950

Diaz, Alfonso, 1980

Diaz, Pete Jr., 1979

Dickerson, Frank, 1954

Diddley, Bo, 1982

Dietrich, Julia, 1923

Dillard, Pryor, 1946

Dilworth, R.S., 1910, 1911

Dishman, James Henry, Pre-Harl. 1893, 1909, 1928, 2003

Dishman, Mrs. Georgiana M., Pre-Harl. 1895, 1922

Dix, Theodore F., 1906

Dixon, Anne, 1909

Dixon, Mrs. A. W., 1927

Doane, Bruce, 1918

Doane,  Fred Crawford (F. C.), 1918, 1923

Doane, Kermit Carl, 1918

Doane, Kitchel Frad, 1918

Doane, Wilma (Martin), 1918

Dobson, T.M., 1926

Dorough, Bunny Shook, 1908-09, 1910

Dorough, G. S., 1900-09, 1905

Dorough, J.D., 1908-09, 1910

Dorough, Miss Moody, 1908-09, 1910

Dorough, Mrs. Bertha, 1910

Dorringer, Claribel, 1926

Dougherty, Jim, 1903, 1905, 1913

Douglass, Mr., 1898

Downing, Fred, 1911

Downing, May Simmons, 1911

Downing, Mrs. Ethel, 1925

Draughns, 1927

Dreck, Dr. Juan, 1971

Driscoll, Robert, Jr., 1903

Driscoll, Robert, Sr., 1903

Du Bois, C. Neal, 1951

Du Bose, V.P., 1920,1921

Dudley, R.I., 1911

Dugger, Edna Ann Worthen, 1927

Dugger, M.D., Jr., 1927

Dull Brothers, 1900-09

Dumont, Loren, 1917

Duncan, George W., 1950

Dunkin , family, 1999

Dunkin, Charles Matthew, 1922

Dunkin, Dial B. (Bus), 1945, 1951, 1956, 1959(2), 1962, 1971

Dunkin, Dial M. 1956, 1979

Duncan, Dwayne, 1947

Dunkin, Robert II, 1979

Dunkin, Robert, 1979

Dunlap, George, 1920

Dunn, Jane Evelyn, 1948

Dunn, J. C., 1981

Dunn, Maggie D., 1915

Dunn, Mr. Tommy, 1920

Durham, 1923

Durham, Dede, 1922

Dursey, M.F., 1924

E    Return to top

Easterling, Finis E., 1926, 1943, 1961

Eastham, James, 2004, 2008

Eaton, Seymour (S.P), Sr., 1910 (2), 1911, 1970

Eaton, Seymour P., Jr., 1910(2)

Ebbage, Harold, 1969, 1981

Eby, George, 1922

Eby, Orville R., 1922

Echols, Clovis, 1921

Echols, Lowell, 1921

Echols, Mrs. Owen W. (Ida), 1921

Echols, Owen N, 1921

Eckelkamp, V.J., 1938

Eddeblute, D.J., 1951

Edelstein, Morris, 1906

Edie, Phil, 1916, 1953

Edmondson, Lenna M., 1928

Edwards, Melinda, 1905

Eells, Ira E., 1930, 1933, 1935

Eggleston, Mrs. Harry (Ethel), 1919

Eidman, Seaman O., 1925

Eisenhower, Pres. Dwight David, 1953, 1960, 1983

Eldridge, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie, 1924

Elles, Joel William, 1953

Ellis, J. D., 1910

Ellis, S. J. , 1907

Elizondo, April, 1998

Elizondo, Freddy, 1998

Elizondo, Lenny, 1998

Elizondo, Margaret

Elliff, John, 1931

Elliff, Luther, 1931

Elliff, Rose L., 1931

Elliott, Alicia, 1962

Elliott, Gus, 1919

Ellis, Lula B., 1937

Ellis, Lyman C., 1950

Elmore, A.W., 1908

Elmore, J.B., 1919, 1928

Elmore, J.C., 1951

Elmore, James, 1919

Elmore, Margaret, 1919,

Elmore, Maurine, 1919, 1923

Elmore, Mrs. J.L., 1960

Elrod, Jesse N., 1960

Elwing, Birger A., 1909, 1920, 1921, 1925, 1926

Elwing, Sigus Hedstrom, 1920

Engle, A. F., 1922

Engelbrecht, H., 1923

Enny, Ruth Bowen, 1919

Enny, Thomas J., 1919

Enny, Thomas J., Jr., 1919

Ensminger, Charley, 1903

Epstein, Ben, 1926, 1928

Epstein, Morris, 1927

Ernest, E.J., 1909

Ernst, A.J., 1910

Estillette, Bettye, 1999, 2002, 2003

Estillette, Gene, 1999, 2002, 2003

Etchinson, Horace, 1960

Eubanks, Betty, 1915

Eubanks, Mary Alice Spencer, 1915

Eubanks, R.M., 1915

Eubanks, William (Bill), 1915

Evans, George F., 1903

Ewing, Ada McLendon, 1926-28

Ewing, D. E., 1937

Ewing, F. Finley, 1912, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1926, 1926-28, 1927

Ewing, James H., 1908, 1910, 1911

Ewing, R. E., 1920, 1925, 1926

Ewing, R.E., Jr., 1920

Ewing, S.F., 1904

Ezell, Ben Q., 1927

Ezzell Ben T., 1927

Ezzell, Frances

F    Return to top

Fall, Sen. Albert, 1919

Fanhauser, Henry Issac, 1959

Farmer, Mrs. Margaret Goodykoontz, 1909

Farren, J.L., 1926

Farris, Betty, 1987

Farris, Glenn C., 1926

Farris, Madge Hackler, 1926

Farris, Robert G., 1974, 1987

Farris, Robin, 1997

Favre, Mr. & Mrs. Albert, 1944-45

Fears, Bill, 1962

Feeny, Ida, 1912

Feldman Harry, 1929

Feldman, Charles, 1929, 1948, 1959

Feldman, Clara, 1929

Feldman, Sam, 1929, 1948

Fender, E. L., 1911, 1912

Fender, Mrs. E.L., 1910

Fender, Freddie, 1947

Ferguson, Claire McGee, 1922

Ferguson, Donald D., 1972

Ferguson, Dr. J., 1908

Ferguson, Gov. Mariam "Ma", 1925

Ferguson, Grace Williams, 1921

Ferguson, Hamlet, Pre-Harl. 1849

Ferguson, Henry A., 1921

Ferguson, Jim, 1935

Ferguson, Mattie, 1922

Ferguson, W.O., 1952

Fernandez, Bartolome, Pre-Harl.

Fernandez, Eugenio, Pre-Harl.

Ferree, Frank Ellis, 1983

Fields, W.G., 1970

Fincher, Clyde, 1927, 1957, 1968,  1974

Finn, Mrs. D.R. McCall, 1919

Finnegan, Mr. & Mrs. C.H., 1913

Fisher, Melba Maurice, 1998

Fisher, Davey M. , Jr., 1998

Fitch, J. Ernest, 1918

Fitch, Virginia, 1918

Fitzgerald, Mrs. Hugh, 1921, 1923

Fitzgerald, Hugh, 1928

Fitzgerald, J. R., 1916, 1935, 1948, 1959

Flagg, Mrs. Moody Dorough, 1908-09

Flanagan, john Anthony, 1913

Flanagan, Mary Sophie, 1913

Fleming, Boynton, 1970

Fletcher, Guy, 1981

Fleuriet, Gerry (Mrs. Randy, 1935, 1982

Fleuriet, Ken, 1935, 1992

Flinn, O.R.

Floore, John T., 1919, 1928, 1929, 1930

Flores, 1928

Flores, Julio, Sr., 1909

Flores, Steve, 2008

Florio, Tinas, 1955

Flory, Anne, 2004

Flory, Dr. David, 1968

Flory Dutch, 1940

Flynn, Fred, 1918, 1920-39, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1971 (2)

Foehna, Henry W., 1944-45, 1946

Folsum, Erlene, 1944

Fonville, Wes, 1931

Ford, Doug, 1948

Ford, Pres. Gerals R., 2007

Ford, J.S., 1911

Ford, Rip, Pre-Harl. 1865

Foster J. T. (Tom), 1917, 1920 (2)

Foster, Ethel, 1916, 1917

Foster, Mrs. J.T., 1917, 1928

Foster, Sam, 1922

Fox, E. A., 1912

Fox, Margaret, Pre-Harl. 1898

Fraim, Betty, 1983

Francis, W.A., 1925

Franklin, Mr. & Mrs. William A., 1910

Franklin, Dwayne, 1920

Franklin, Mrs. Ruth, 1920

Franklin, Talmadge, 1920

Frase, Beatrice Drake, 1946

Freburg,  Alfred, 1928

French, Wayne, 1946

Frey, Mr. & Mrs. Frank, 1955

Frizzell, Jim, 1944

Fronnfelter, Leonard S., 1919

Fulick, Claude, 1932

Fulmer, Merlin, 1966

Funk, Jack, 1931, 1973

Funk, Jerry, 1931

Funk, Sandi Jo, 1987

Funk, Tommy, 1931

Fuqua, Alice, 1979

G    Return to top

Gacia, Evaristo, 1916

Gaines, Judge John W., 1927

Gaines, T.N., 1959

Gaines, W. E., 1941

Gallagher, Elmo, 1922

Gallaher, Blanch Tudor, 1926

Gallaher, Dr. George, 1926, 1929, 1935, 1961

Gallaher, Julie, 1926

Galloway, Bishop Paul V., 1951

Galvan, I.J., 1924

Galvan, Mrs. Alonzo (Lupita) Chamberlain, 1917

Gamble, Bert, 1922, 1926, 1927

Gamin, Mrs. Edgar, 1911

Garcia Felipe, 1916

Garcia, Cecilio, 1916

Garcia, Gilberto, 1916

Garcia, Jesus, 1916

Garcia, Jesusa, 1907-09

Garcia, Juan 1916

Garcia, Juanita Narro, 1916

Garcia, L.G.1909

Garcia, Maria, 1916

Garcia, Mr. & Mrs. L.G., 1930

Garcia, Pancho, 1907, 1910

Garcia, Santos G., 1902, 1948

Garcia, Silvina, 1916

Gardner, John W., 1926, 1930

Garibay, Manuel I. (Meme), 1906

Garling, Betty Jean, 1922

Garling, Grace Wheeler, 1922

Garling, L.F., 1922

Garling, Forrest, 1922, 1947

Garling, Lou Hammond, 1922

Garner, John Nance, 1903, 1910, 1922, 1933 (2),

Garrett, F.J., 1931

Garrett, Grace, 1920

Garrett,  Joseph (J.J.),  1920, 1923

Garrett, Mrs. Jack (Avis Elizabeth Myrick), 1915

Garrett, Ruth, 1920

Garrett, W.W., 1946

Gary, howard E., 1965

Garza, Carmen, 1975

Garza, Connie G., 1931

Garza, David, 1980

Garza, Elma de la, 1976

Garza, Emilio, 1998

Garza, Eulagio, 1916

Garza, Joe, 1930

Garza, Lev, 1975

Garza, Martha, 2006

Garza, Michael, 1998

Garza, Raul, Jr., 1966

Garza, Tomasa Villareal 1910, 1928

Gaskill, Bessie, 1911

Gassiott, Joe, 1981

Gathwright, Gerald, 2004

Gavito, Joe, 1905

Gay, Minnie B., 1921, 1948, 1949

Gay, Portes, 1948

Gensberg, Fanny, 1934

Gerard, Sam, 1949

Gessler, Jim, 2002

Gibbons, Karl, Sr., 1949, 1971

Gibbs, H.A., 1912

Giddings, Rev. James B., 1969

Giffeth, Mrs. Mildred 1913

Gilbert, Arthur, 1920

Gilbert, Ida, 1920, 1923-26

Gilbert, John, 1980

Gilbert, Louis, 1920, 1923

Gilbert, Mike, 1920, 1962

Gilbert, Minnie Carpenter, 1910, 1999

Gilbert, R.E., 1920

Gilbreath, James, 1958

Gillespie, Ray V., 1932

Gillmore, R.M.1925

Ginney, Mrs., 1929

Glaevecke, Adolphus, Pre-Harl. 1879

Glascow, Major Gen. Harold, 1986

Glascow, Samuel McPheeters, 1909

Glick, Mr. Dorothy, 1920

Goetzke, H.J., 1923

Goetzke, Julia Dietrich, 1923

Goike, Ellen Nora Matilda Henrietta Block, 1923

Goike, Irene, 1928

Goike, John Patrick, 1923

Goldammer, Andrew J., 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908-09, 1911, 1923(2), 1937

Goldamerer, AndrewJ., Jr, 1939

Goldammer, Mrs. A.J. (Selma Weller), 1905, 1906, 1916, 1921, 1955

Goldammer, Velda, 1923

Goller, Jim, 2006

Gomez, Ninfa, 1930

Gomez, Senior, Pre-Harl.

Conzales, Edelmiro, 1930

Gonzales, Francisco, 1971

Gonzales, Jose Maria, 1900-09

Gonzales, Maria, 1030

Gonzales, Mrs Yolanda Lozano, Pre-Harl. 1898

Gonzalez, Tomas, 2004

Gonzalez, Traci, 2004

Goodman, Barney, 1950

Goodrow, Paul, 1946

Goodykoontz, G.E., 1910

Goodykoontz, Joe, 1919

Goodykoontz, Minnie, 1910, 1919

Gorges, Matt F., 1967 (2), 1990s, 1997,

Gorges, Patty, 1990s, 1997

Gorges, Walt, 1972, 1990s

Gostzke, H. J., 1928

Gough, Mrs. Lucy A. Phillips, 1926, 1930

Goulet, Eloise, 1973

Gounod, Peter, 1955

Gounod, Rose L., 1955

Gracia, Antioneta Astorino, 1924

Gracia Carlos Z., Sr., 1924

Gracia Ezequiel, 1924

Gracia, Victoria Zamora, 1924

Grandi Bros., 1925

Grant, Christine, 1909

Grant, Frances, 1909

Grant, Hannah, 1909

Grant, Helena, 1909

Grant, James G., Pre-Harl. 1901

Grant, James, 1909

Grant, Samuel Davis, Pre-Harl. 1895, 1909, 1930, 1937

Grant, William, 1909

Grapengater, Jim, 1982

Grapengater, Vicki, 1982

Gray, Cheryl Card, 2008

Gray, Dr. H. E., 1947

Gray, Harold, 2008

Grayhill, Maude, 1922

Grayson, Aubrey Dale, 2002

Grayson, Burt, 2002

Grayson, Douglas, 2002

Grayson, Harriet Adams, 2002

Grayson, Liddie, 2002

Grayson, Luther, 2002

Grayson, Steven, 2002

Grayson, W.D., 1974

Green, Barbara Ruth, 1936

Green, F. H., 1936

Green, Dr. J. M., 1920-39, 1926

Green, J.H., 1927

Green, L.S., 910

Green, Mrs. E.H. (Mildred), 1978-79

Green, Ruth, 1920-39

Greenwood, P(aul) G., 1923

Greenwood, Mrs. Paul (Marion), 1963

Gregory, M. T., 1931

Gregory, Ophelia, 1931

Greiner, Mary Yeasel, 1919

Griffen, Mrs. Charlotte Snavely, 1921

Griffen, Mrs. E. D.Grimsell, 1913

Griffin, E.D., 1958

Griffith, Rev. Harold, 1943

Griffin, Henry, 1981

Grill, David Henry, 1917

Grill, Florence, 1917

Grill, Roy, 1913

Grimes, J.R., 1920, 1928

Grimsell, Ella Barg, 1915

Grimsell, Frank, 1958

Grimsell, Fred, 1913, 1921

Griswald, B.A., 1930

Griswald, Lelia, 1930

Gross, J.D., 1910

Groulx, Alma, 1930

Groulx, Dolphus M., 1930

Groulx, Robert, 1930

Grout, Jack, 1948

Guenzel, 1972

Guenzel, L.C., 1923

Guenzel, Rudolph, 1923

Guerrero, Antonio, Pre-Harl., 1879

Guerrero, Ann Rodriguez, 2005

Guest, G. D., 1924

Guilliland, Eddie, 1929

Guilliland, Odie, 1929

Guilliland, Oscar Newton, 1929

Guilliland, Ruth, 1929

Guilliouma, Larry, 1987

Guldahl, Ralph, 1948

Guseman, John L., 1952

Gustafson, Don, 1972

Guthrie, Bill, 1951

Guthrie Charles Rollie, 1920

Guthrie, Floyd, 1920

Guthrie, Geneviere, 1920

Guthrie, Juanita, 1920

Guthrie, Leonard, 1920

Guthrie, Maude Edna Thompson, 1920

Guthrie, Viola Mary, 1920

Gutierrez, Deanna Rodriquez, 1931

Gutierrez, Eugenio, 1905

Gutierrez, Javier, 1978, 1994

Gutierrez, Jose, 1909

Gutierrez, Lt. George, Jr., 1909, 1980, 1996

Gutierrez, Manuel, 1905

Gutierrez, Petra, 1905

Gutierrez, Robert, 2002

Gutierrez, Rosaura, 1905

Gutierrez, Tabita, 1981

Gutierrez, Secundo (Papa), 1905

Gutierrez, Yolanda, 1991

H    Return to top

-Haas, Rev. J.B., 1927

Hackler, Madge, 1926

Hackney, J.J., 1907

Hagen, Walter, 1948

Hahn, H.H., 1946

Haire, Ernest Holbert, 1926

Haire, Hazel, 1935

Haley,  Morline Connelly, 1934

Haley, Pat D., Sr., 1908-09, 1970

Haley, William (Bill) John Clifton, 1981

Haliburton, Mr., 1920

Hall, Claudia Lewis, 1920

Hall, Elaine, 1928

Hall, W. H., 1920, 1922

Halley, Rev. Paul, 1912

Hamilton, Aline Arnette, 1924

Hamilton, Berry, 1924

Hamilton, Claude Hayden, 1924, 1935

Hamilton, Claude Hayden, Jr. 1924

Hamilton, Dorothy, 1924

Hamilton, Lynn, 1924

Hamilton, R. B., Sr., 1918, 1920, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928

Hamilton, W.T., 1950, 1961

Hammond, E.C., 1907

Hand, James "Jim" R.,  1965, 1972

Hand, Mrs. Leona, 1986

Handson, C. D., 1923

Hanes, Goldie Pearl Boyce, 1916

Hanes, John David, 1916, 1980

Hanson, C.D., 1926

Hanson, H.J., 1925

Hanson, Mrs. 1918

Harb, Greg, 2004

Harbin, Jerry, 1950

Hardin, B. Frank, 1922

Hardin, Ben, 1922

Hardin, Frances, 1922

Hardin, H.H., 1924

Hardin, Harriet, 1922

Hardin, Mary, 1922

Hardin, Sarah Murray, 1922

Hardin, Sarah, 1922

Hargrave, L.E., 1922

Harkrider, Mrs. Antoinette Moss (Mrs. Moss), 1947

Harrington, Helen Harriet Smith, 1915

Harrington, James W., 1912, 1915

Harrington, Ophelia, 1911

Harrison, Dutch, 1948

Hart, George, Jr., 1972

Harvey, S.M., 1934

Harwood, Clair, Leverton, 1920-39

Harwood, Miller, 1920-39, 1925, 1928

Harwood, Winston, 1910

Hasselmier, Alta Lee Walker Stowe, 1924

Hasselmier, Eddie, 1924

Hasselmier, Frederick, 1924

Hatfield, Jack, 1986

Hathaway, Allie, 1908-09

Hathaway, Auro, 1908-09

Hathaway, James F., 1907, 1939

Hathaway, L.F., 1909

Hathaway, Petra, 1908-08

Hathaway, Rhubena, 1908-09

Hattie, Albert, 1927

Haufman, A.B., 1922

Hauft, Joe, 1920, 1925

Haugh, Claud, 1920

Hausman, Art, 1960

Hawkins, Lady, 1985

Hawkins, Mrs. Floyd, 1960

Hay, Isola, 1930

Hay, Jesse Clair, 1930

Hay, Jesse Clair, Jr., 1930

Hay, Jimmy, 1930

Hay, Pauline, 1930

Hay, Rev. G. W., 1930

Hay, Tim, 1930

Hayden, Ken, 1929

Hayes, M.R., 1925

Hays, Ed, 1946

Haynes, Mr. and Mrs., 1898

Head, James Laurese (J.L.), 1924, 1941, 1949, 1956

Head, Juanita, 1924

Head, L. C. 1925

Heaton, Josie, 1918

Hedstrom, Sigus, 1920

Hennema, Anthoney E., 1950

Hefner, James F., 1950

Heinz, A.E., 1935

Henderson, C.E. "Happy", 1939

Henderson, T.A., 1925

Hendricks, O.E., 1963

Hensen, G.C., 1920, 1931

Henslee, Douglas, 1958

Hensley, H. A., 1949

Hensley, W. A., 1948

Hentz, Walter, 1935

Herkimer, Ruby, 1922

Herkimer, Thomas, 1922

Herkimer, Thomas, Jr., 1922

Hernandez, Joe, 2004

Herren, Anne Cumbee, 1925

Herren, T.S., 1925

Herrera, Felipe, 1927

Herrera, Roque, 1928

Herron, C.A., 1905

Hertz, Herbert, 1935

Heslop, Mr.& Mrs., 1916

Hester, Darrell, 1949

Hester, Elnora, 1917

Hester, John Thomas, 1917

Hester, William R., 1917

Hext, Lillie, M., 1920-39

Hext, Walter Archelaus, 1920-39

Heywood, Alba, 1920

Hibbe, Mrs. E., 1925

Hicks, J.B., 1930

Hicks, J.B., Jr., 1930

Hicks, Marie, 1930

Hidell, Bill, 1993

Hilbun, L.T., 1918

Hilbun, Mrs. L.T. (Sarah), 1918

Hill, Annie Rooney, 1905, 1913, 1918, 1949

Hill, Eustacia Dabney "Sunshine", 1904, 1918, 1991

Hill, George, 1904

Hill, Gordon, 1905, 1910, 1911, 1914, 1916, 1918, 1926

Hill, Hickman, 1905, 1918

Hill, Issac (Ida) (Ike), 1900-09, 1905

Hill, John D., 1900, 1907, 1910, 1911, 1918, 1926

Hill, Joyce, 1995

Hill, Kate Adele, 1900, 1927

Hill, Kenny, 1959

Hill, Leonides Carrington (Lon C.), Sr., Pre-Harl, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1971, 2003

Hill, Lon C. (Mose), Jr., 1904, 1905, 1911, 1914, 1918 (2), 1920, 1925, 1935, 1951, 1971

Hill, Miss Paul, 1904, 1907, 1911(2), 1913, 1918, 1925, 1927, 1949

Hill, Mrs. R.B. (Dona Gayle), 1959

Hill, Robert Luther, 1920-39, 1922, 1929, 1936, 1937, 1971

Himes, Mrs. Louis (Amy Mae), 1919

Hinds, C.C., 1928

Hinojosa de Balli, Rosa Maria, Pre-Harl.

Hinojosa, Alejandro, Sr., 1962

Hinojosa, Alex, 2003

Hinojosa, Herlinda, 1906

Hinojosa, Juan, 2002

Hinojosa, Reuben, 1996

Hinojosa, Vincente, Pre-Harl.

Hirst, Alice, 1970

Hirst, Jerry, 1970

Hirst, John, 1970

Hirst, Katy, 1970

Hodes, Maybell Hilderbrandt, 1962

Hodes, Mike, 1962

Hodge, Eunice, 1914

Hodge, Jeff. 1914

Hodge, Martha Shockley, 1914

Hodge, Mildred, 1914

Hodge, Mrs. W.T. (Estella Hilburn), 1914, 1918

Hodge, W.T., 1914, 1922

Hodges, Mrs. Benigna Flores de, Pre-Harl. 1855, 1874

Hoffman Hilbert, 1909

Hoffman, family, 1925

Hoffman, Leroy, 1909, 1908-09

Hoffman, Mrs., 1909

Hofheinz, Judge Roy, 1952

Hogan, Ben, 1948

Hoiles, family, 2004

Hoiles, Raymond Cyrus, 1951, 2004

Hoiles, Tim, 2004

Hoisington, J.A., 1900-09

Holbrook, Mrs. Charles Bundy, 1929-38

Holdsworth, Mary Elizabeth, 1928

Holland, Bryon M., 1921, 1931

Holland, family, 1920

Holland, Manning, 1920-39

Hollembeak, Harry, 1924

Hollembeak, Mary Gertrude, 1924

Hollembeak, Zenobia Lafitte, 1924

Hollingsworth, Bob, 1920-39

Hollingsworth, H.R., 1933

Hollingsworth, L.R., 1915

Hollingsworth, W.E., 1904, 1907, 1909

Hollingsworth, W.L., 1926-27

Hollon, B.M., 1927

Hollyfield, John, 1939

Holmes, A.D., 1921, 1926, 1927

Holt, F.A., 1970

Holt, W.A., 1970

Hood, Walton D., 1925

Hoot, C.W., 1911

Hoover, Bob, 1975

Hopkins, H.L., 1910

Hopkins, J.S., 1909

Horlock, R. W., 1010

Hornaday, Emery Polk II, 1920-39, 1925, 1926

Hornaday,  Eustolia, 1925

Hornaday, Lucille, 1920-39, 1947

Hornsby, Mr. & Mrs. C.C., 1924

Hoskins, Dorothy Kuykendall, 1920-39

Hoskins, L.W., 1920-39, 1925

Houghton, Frank, 1923

Houston, John, 1985

Hover, Mrs. Mella A., 1919

Howard, O.D., 1925

Howell, C.C., 1926

Howell, G. C., 1928

Howell, Thomas A., 1942-43

Hubbard, Anne L., 1926

Hubbard, R. (Bob) E., 1928, 1929

Hudson, Hubert, 1931

Hudson, Miss Jewel, 1927

Hudson, Miss Mildred, 1927

Huerta, Baldemar, 1947

Hughes, J.B., 1950

Hulen, Brig. Gen. John A., 1915

Humphreys, Hubert H., 1967

Humphries, Jimmie, 1961

Hundley, C.J., 1918

Hundley, Mrs. W.H. (Ray Juniger), 1918

Hundley, W.M., 1927

Hundley, William H., 1918

Hurst, Evan, 1951, 1971

Hurwith, Howard, 1943

Husfeld, The Rev. Monroe, 1921

Huston, Merle, 1949

Hutchison, Jesse, 1923

Hutchinson, Tom L., 1939

Hutson, John, 1983

Hyde, Rudy Vallee, Jr., 2003

I    Return to top

Ingendorff, Otto, 1923, 1927

Ingle, Mrs. Dallas (Rhubena Hathaway), 1908-09

Ingram, J.W., 1926-28

Inness, G. James, 1975

Irby, Bill, 1957

Irby, David, 1957

Irby, Gail, 1957

Irby, Robert I. (Bob), 1957

Ireland, Gov. John, Pre-Harl. 1885

Ives, Dan, 1979

Ives, Dan, 1981

J    Return to top

Jackson, Dan, 1951

Jackson Doug, 1946

Jackson, D. F., 1920

Jackson, F.G., 1925

Jackson, Jeff, 1983

Jackson, Mrs. Lucie Weems, 1909-10

Jackson, Marjourie (Marge), 1957

Jackson R. C., 1957

Jackson, Roy W., 1915

Jackson, Wally, 1979, 1981

Jackson, Warren, 1959

Jacobson, Gust, 1918

Jacobson, Mrs. Bertha E., 1918

James, John B., 1914, 1925

James, Mary Callie Gaines, 1914

James, Nell, 1914

James, Samuel, 1918

Jarrett, Orville, 1928

Jarvis, Garland, 1956

Jeffrey, T.C., 1921, 1931

Jeffries, W.E., 1909

Jennings, Alice Covert, 1921, 1951

Jennings, Mary, 1923

Jennings, Mrs. S.R., 1925

Jennings, Ralph, 1921

Jenning, Ralph, Sr., 1972

Jennings, S.R., 1926

Jennings, Stuart, 1921

Jewell, Mrs., 1913

John, Abraham, 1926

Johnson Ben Franklin (B.F.), 1917, 1920-39, 1922

Johnson Bros., 1905

Johnson girls, Pre-Harl. 1901

Johnson, Anne Farrier, 1915

Johnson, B.F., 1918

Johnson, Mrs. B.F., 1925

Johnson, Bill, 1916

Johnson, Cage L., 1931, 1937

Johnson, Charles, 1975

Johnson, Clovis E., 1920

Johnson, Constable Bob,  1970

Johnson, Cpt. Frank I., 1904

Johnson, Elmer G., 1911

Johnson, Jennie, 1916

Johnson, Luther, 1918

Johnson, Lyndon B., 1960, 1967

Johnson,  Myrlin , 1937, 1964

Johnson, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth, 1918

Johnson, Norma, 1916

Johnson, Paul M., 1956

Johnson, Peggy, 1916

Johnson, R. E. (Bob), 1928

Johnson, R. H. (Bob), 1910,  1918, 1926, 1931

Johnson, Ross, 1918

Johnson, Thomas Baker, 1926

Johnson, Tom C., 1926

Johnson, (Mrs.) Viola Mary Guthrie, 1920

Johnson, W. Edgar, 1970

Johnson, W. E., 1926, 1929

Johnson, W. H., 1920

Johnson, William E., 1916

Johnston, Albert S., 1910

Johnston, Elmer G., 1945

Johnston, George A., 1900-09, 1902

Johnston, The Rev. Mrs. Gracie, 1979

Johnston, Kathleen J., 1944

Johnston, L.M., 1902

Johnston, Maria, 1910

Join, Meg, 2005

Joines, Dr. Andy J. 2003

Joines, Shein, 2003

Jonah, Col. F.G., 1903

Jondal, Willis, 1973

Jones, A.M., 1930, 1949

Jones, Beauma, 1932

Jones, Breckinridge, 1914

Jones, Clara, 1926

Jones, Dwight, 1929

Jones, Etta, 1905

Jones, Fulton, 1920, 1921, 1925

Jones, George, 1920

Jones, Gus T. (Buster), 1904

Jones, Harvey E. (Pop), 1929

Jones, Horace, 1926

Jones, Jack B., 1951

Jones, Jack, 1932

Jones, Jesse, 1959

Jones, John C., Jr., 1960

Jones, Lynn, 1905

Jones, Mabel, 1926

Jones, Mary, 1905

Jones, Max, 1971

Jones, Maxwell, 1926

Jones, Mrs. Alva McCoy (Lila Salina Baker) 1929

Jones, Ottie, 1920

Jones, Pomp Eddie, 1926

Jones, R. N., 1908-09, 1923

Jones, Suzanne Rodriguez, 2005

Jones, Thomas L., 1903, 1907

Jordan, John H., 1923

Jordan, Mrs. Emily, 1928

Joseph, Taylor, 1920-39

Jourdan, W. F., 1916

Joyner, Annie (Anne) Evelyn, 1920-39

Joyner, Evelyn, 1930-34

Joyner, Oscar Nathan, 1920-39, 1922, 1928, 1930

Judin, Lella Joyce "Joy" Davidson, 1922

Julian, 1948

Julliard, Ralph M., 1953, 1959

Juniger, Ray, 1918

Junkin, Cornelia, 1931

Junkin, John Hoskins, 1931

Junkin, Joseph "Joe" K., 1926

Justice,  Judge William Way e, 1981

K    Return to top

Kane, Tom, Jr., 1984, 2003

Kane, Tom, Sr., 1948, 1982, 1984

Kapneck, Harry, 1927

Kargler, Carl L., 1919

Kargler, Mrs. Blanche Palmer, 1919

Kasanoff, Mal, 1981

Keillor, Garrison, 1904

Kell, Eula, 1924

Kell, Ralph, 1928

Kelley, State Sen. Rogers, 1941

Kellogg, Jeff, 2006

Kellogg, Lynn, 1920

Kempner, R. Lee, 1929

Kenedy, John G., 1904

Kenedy, Miflin, 1900-09

Kennerly, Judge T.M., 1920

Kenny, Charlie, 1959

Kenny, Clarence, 1959

Kenny, Delphon, 1959

Kenny, Ella Virginia, Brown, 1959

Kenny, Gaylord, 1959

Kent, A. M., 1912

Keralum, Father Pierre Yves, 1905

Kibbe, Frank W.,1903, 1908

Kilgore, Anna M., 1908

Kilgore, James N., 1909

Kilgore, Joe Madison, 1955, 1960

Kilgore, W.A., 1910

Kilgore, William H., 1909

Kilpatrick, Mrs. Betty Eubanks, 1915

Kimmel, Edna Mae, 1918

Kimmell, A. A., 1918, 1919, 1925

Kimmell, Gordon A., 1918

Kimmell, Josie Heaton, 1918

Kimmell, Julia M., 1918

Kimmell, Roy, 1918

King, Aubrey, 1918

King, Bruce, 1976

King, Henrietta M.Chamberlain, Pre-Harl. 1886, 1903, 1904, 1917

King, Jack, 1937

King, Mrs. W.W. McBride, 1915

King, Richard, Pre-Harl. 1855, 1880, 1886; 1900-09, 1903, 1904

King, T.D., 1948

King, the Rev. Z. E., 1929

Kingston, T., 1921

Kirkman, F.T., 1912

Kirksey, J.W., Jr., 1948, 1953

Kirksey, Kathryn (Katie), 1948

Kirkwood, Joe, 1948

Kirsh,  Joe, 1939

Kirsh, Ruth Chernicoff, 1939

Kleburg, Caesar, 1903

Kleburg, Robert J., 1903, 1904

Klein, Arthur A., 1937, 1947, 1970

Klein, Chuck, 1948

Klein, Dr. Garner, 1965

Klinger, Frank, 2002

Kloperstein, C. Grant, 1929, 1956, 1959

Knapp Gretchen, 1954

Knapp, 1922

Knapp, Everett, 1954

Knapp, Fred, 1954

Knapp, Gilson, 1954

Knapp, John, 1954

Knapp, Parker, 1954

Knight, Bob, Jr., 1931, 1951, 1960, 1969

Knight, Bob M. Sr.,  1954, 1968

Knight, Gary, 1931

Knight, Normah, 1931, 1995

Knowles, Mrs. Julia, 1938

Kopp, J.M., 1929

Koppel, 1948

Kretchmer, Mrs. John, 1925

Kring, Sidney, 1937

Kroeger, R.J. (Duck), 1946, 1949

Kroeger, Zola Mae 1946

Kubala, Roger, 2004

Kuykendall, Dorothy, 1925

Kwiatkowski, Father Regis, 1965

L    Return to top

Laabs, A.W., 1923, 1925

Labbs, Mrs. A.W., 1925

Labar, Lee, 1985

LaBerge, Cheryl, 2005

Labunski, Rick, 1992, 1993

Lackland, Mr. N. B., 1933

Lad, Charles F. C., 1921, 1930, 1932

Ladd, Charles, Jr, 1921

Ladd, Regina Welch, 1921

Lairabe, E.E., 1948

Lairsen, John A., 1997

Lairsen, M.P., 1997

Lairsen, Ron L. 1997

Lairsen, Ron W., 1956

Lamar, Mirabeau B., Pre-Harl.

Lamon, Lillian, 2000

Lancaster, Leonard, 1927

Lancaster, Mrs. Walter, 1947

Lancaster, Walter, 1927

Landford, Dora, 1923

Lane, Rev. L.B., 1933

Lane, Rose Wilder, 1968

Lang, Charles Howard, 1928

Lang, Lila, 1928

Langham, Mr. & Mrs. William W., 1926

Langridge, George, 1914

Langridge, Mrs. Elizabeth, 1914

Lansing, Gen., 1928

Lara, Mrs. Abraham, 1961

Largent, F. J., 1912

Lasater, Mrs. Ella, 1914

Lasiter, Otis O., 1920

Latham, F.W., Pre-Harl. 1851

Lawler,  Marion  R., Jr., 1971, 2007

Lawrence, 1922

Lawrence, Jimmy, 1931-32

Leal, Dr. J. Gilbert, 1978, 2002, 2008

Leal, Juanita, 1996

Leal, Mrs. Benjamin Ramirez, 1921

Lear, C.P., 1910

Ledesma, Basilio, 1907

Ledesma, Eduado, 1907

Ledesma, Elvira, 1907

Ledesma, Manuel, 1907

Ledesma, Margarito, 1907

Lee Roberta, 1979

Lee, Dr. Donald, 1979

Lee, Dr. W. W., 1971

Lee, Rev. Dr. W. W., 1926

Lee, Russell, 1939-42

Lee, Thomas F., 1913, 1917

Leftwich, Micelle, 2006

Leggett, Guy, 1941, 1948

Leman, 1948

LeNoir, J.P., 1944

Leston, Aida Galvan, 1920

Leston, Albert A., 1920

Leston, Albert R.  (Tito), 1920

Leston, Luisa R., 1920

Letzerich, Alma, 1909

Letzerich, Dr. Alfred M., 1909, 1910, 1923

Letzerich, Dr. Casper W., 1905, 1906, 1909, 1911, 1923

Letzerich, Hugo, 1909, 1910

Letzerich, Maude Weller, 1909

Letzerich, Vera, 1923

Levine, Ben, 1934, 1950

Levine, Fanny Gensberg, 1934

Levine, Flora, 1920-39

Levine, J., 1946

Levine, Leonard D., 1920-39

Levine, Lewis, 1923-26, 1934 (2), 1947

Leweling,  L. P., 1936

Lewis, Abner L., 1926

Lewis, Claudia, 1920

Lewis, Mrs. J.L. (Martha Susan), 1955

Lewis, Mrs. Opal, 1909

Liberda, LeRoy, 1961

Liddell, Mrs. N.H., 1928

Liddell, Newton, 1971

Liddell, W. S., 1924

Liebert, Dr. Bruce, 1996

Lillard, Lula Fay, 1904

Lily, Anna Mae, 1926

Lily, Jesse Jerome, 1926

Lipscomb, J. W., 1921

Listman, Mrs. E., 1925

Listman, Rev. Dr. H. W. Emil, 1925

Liston, Annie Davidson, 1918

Liston, Claude (C.H.), 1918, 1937

Liston, Felice, 1930

Liston, Jo, 1930

Liston, Jolie, 1930

Liston, Lily Chaudoin, 1918, 1930

Liston, Minnie, 1918

Liston, Pat William, 1930

Liston, R. W., 1927, 1930, 1931, 1939, 1960-62, 1962

Liston, W. T., 1918, 1920-39, 1921, 1925

Liston, William Osie (W.O.), 1918, 1920, 1930

Little, Mrs. Ernestine Winter, 1914

Little, Lawson, 1948

Livingston, LaDonna Grace, 1922, 1936

Lock, Bobby, 1948

Locke, T.G., 1920

Lockhart, Bird, 1910

Lockhart, Brad, 1904

Lockhart, Emma Jean, 1904

Lockhart, Houston Bell, 1904

Lockhart, James, 1900-09, 1903, 1908, 1910, 1970

Lockhart, James, Jr.1904

Lockhart, John, 1904

Lockhart, Katheryn Crenshaw, 1904

Lockhart, Laura Ellen, 1904

Lockhart, Lula, 1904

Lockhart, Virge, 1931

Lockland, Mrs. Susie B., 1927

Lockwood, Sam, 1930

Loeb, 1921

Lofton, Margaret Ethel, 1945

Lomax, John T., 1910, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1931

Long, Bill, 1924

Long, Marcella Gafney, 1926

Longfellow, J.M., 1923

Longfellow, Sarah Ann, 1923

Lonon, Craig, 2006

Loomis, Mrs. Norine, 1922

Looney, J.C., 1960

Looney, Mrs. Harold (Allie Hathaway), 1908-09

Lopez, 1957

Lopez, Dr. Ruben M., 1971

Lopez, Fred L., 1931

Lopez, Frederico, 1916

Lopez, Jesus, 1907

Lopez, Jesus, Pre-Harl.

Lopez, Nat, 1992/93

Lopez, Petra, 1916

Lose, Jake, 1978

Lott, Uriah, 1900-09, 1903, 1904

Loving, R.M., 1926

Lowe, A.S., 1914

Loya, Guadelupe (Lupita), 1905

Lozano Mrs. Santos, 1919

Lozano, Dr. Alfred(o), 1906, 1921, 1928

Lozano, Edme, 1906

Lozano, Felipe. 1906

Lozano, Fivela, 1906

Lozano, Geromino, Pre-Harl. 1898

Lozano, Gertrude R., 1944

Lozano, Guillermo, 1906

Lozano, Hermina Hinojosa, 1906

Lozano, Juan .B., 1906

Lozano, Luisa, Rodriguez de, Pre-Harl. 1898

Lozano, Luiz, Pre-Harl. 1898

Lozano, Micaela (Mickey), 1906

Lozano, Michaela Beasley, Pre-Harl. 1874,

Lozano, Mrs. G. M.( Ida Preistly), Jr.

Lozano, Mrs. G .M.  (Willie, etc.), 1903

Lozano, Otila, 1906

Lozano, Otta Garcia, 1906

Lozano, Porfiro, 1906

Lozano, Sam, 1962, 1970, 1977/78, 1983

Lozano, Santos, Pre-Harl. 1874; 1906, 1907, 1910 (2)

Lozano, Sofia, 1906

Lozano, Tomasa Cantu, 1906

Lozano, Zaragosa, Pre-Harl. 1898

Lucio, Eddie, 2002

Lucio, Omar, 1969

Lucas, B.C., 1921

Ludden, F.C., 1930

Lueker, Rev. H., 1922

Luna, Mrs. Ismael Pena, 1910

M    Return to top

MacPherson, Hazel Haire, 1935

MacPherson, Juanita Stowe, 1935

MacPherson, Mr. & Mrs.Kenneth, 1935

MacPherson,  Kenneth, 1935

Macy, C.A., 1920

Macy, Ken S., 1920

Macy, Mrs. C. A. (Harriet Scott), 1920 (2), 1925, 1928

Macy, W. Scott, 1920

Madeley, Edwin, Jr., Pre-Harl. 1895

Madeley, Edwin, Pre-Harl. 1895

Madeley, Eunice Simmons, 1911

Madeley, Eunice, Pre-Harl. 1895

Madeley, Ewing, Pre-Harl. 1895

Madeley, Helen, Pre-Harl. 1895

Madeley, Isabel, Pre-Harl. 1895

Madeley, Neil S., Jr., Pre-Harl 1895

Madeley, Neil Shaw, Sr., Pre-Harl. 1895, 1912, 1922, 1925

Madrazo, Felix, 1960

Magana, Dr. Ignacio, 1963

Magee, Dr., 1908

Magee. Sam F., 1959

Mags, Miss Katie, 1910

Mahres, John, 1923

Main, Quincy A.

Maldonaldo, Elizabeth, 2009

Mangrum, Lloyd, 1948

Manley, Dr. Robert M., Jr., 1998

Mann, A.R., 1907

Mantz, Isadore, 1913

Mapes, Virginia, 1963

Marcum, Ed, 1927, 1973

Mares, Mike, 2005

Marino, Debbie, 1983

Marsden, Grosky, 1904

Marshall, James T., 1946

Martin, Don E., 1944

Martin, Mrs. E .K. Weller, 1906

Martin, E. L., 1944

Martin, Forrest D., 1945

Martin, Frank, 1911

Martin, Mrs. Frank (Ava) Simmons, 1911

Martin, Fred, 1908-09, 1909

Martin, Johnny, 1955

Martin, Link B., 1927

Martin, Louis, 1931

Martin, Louise, 1955

Martin, Mrs. Louis (Mary Ann Alcott), 1931

Martin Ray, 1967

Martin, Roy L., 1960, 1965

Martinez, Augustin, 1929

Martinez, Mary, 1962

Mason, Tom, 1939

Massie, J. S., 1918

Mattison, Jim R., 1952

Matz, 1925, 1950

Matz, Mrs. Anna, 1925

Matz, Brant, 1995

Matz, E.O. (Ehfried Oscar), 1922, 1925, 1946, 1948, 1995

Matz, Eleanor Ochsner, 1995

Matz, Frank, 1934

Matz, James, 1990, 1992, 1995

Maupin, W.H., 1923

Maxwell, Dr. Paul R., 1934

Maxell, Leah, 1934

Mayer, James L., 1956, 1971, 1975

Mayer, Mrs. James Raymond, 1927

Mayfield, Anne Ruth Stevens, 1926

Mayfield, Annie Ruth, 1926

Mayfield, Charles Russell, 1926

Mayfield, Charles, Jr., 1926

Mayfield, Ruth Kent, 1926

Mays, W. H., 1944-45, 1946

McArver, Jack R., 1948

McArver, Kathryn (Katie), 1948

McBee, Elizabeth, 1905

McBee, Frank, 1905

McBee, J. C., 1905, 1910

McBee, John, 1905

McBride, Dr. George A., 1915

McBride, H.S., 1929

McBride, Mary J., 1915

McBryde, W. A.  (Bill), 1959, 1965

McCall, C.A., 1919

McCall, Mrs. Clara H., 1919

McCall, E. P., 1934

McCall, Mararet, 1934

McCall, Porter, 1934

McCalla, Annie E., 1920-39

McCarley, Carolyn J., 1932

McCarthy, R. L., 1056

McCarty, Lilie, 1948

McCasland, Fred E., 1910

McCasland, Mildred J., 1910

McCaslin, Barbara, 1965

McCauley, Sgt. W. J. (Billie), 1904

McCay, L.B., 1918

McCay, Monterey, 1918

McClelland, Mrs. James (Eileen), 1986

McClendon, A. C., 1919

McClendon, A. E., 1918

McClendon, Ada, 1926-28

McClinton, A.E., 1930

McClinton, Mrs., 1932

McClish, Rachael, 1980

McColl, A.J., 1921

McComb s, Billy Joe "Red", 2007

McCool, Larry, 1948

McCorkle, Mrs. Wade (Linda), 1978-79

McCoy, Jay, 1943

McCreight, Mrs. Minnie Lee, 1924

McCrory, J.G., 1930

McCullough, Anne, 1920-39

McCullough, Gene, 1945, 1950, 1951, 1963, 1972

McCullough, Graham, 1920-39

McCune, Bernice, 1936

McDaniel, Troy R., 1930

McDaniel, Troy, 1960

McDermott, Marie, 2005

McDonald, Mrs. E. D., 1958

McDonald, E. D., 1958

McDonald, J.P., 1911

McDonall, Capt. Bill, 1904

McElwain, J.D., 1914, 1959

McElwain, Jesse J., 1914, 1959

McElwain, Liddie (Grandma)1914, 1959

McElwain, W. L., 1928

McElwaith, F. B., 1925

McFarland Ike B., 1908, 1910, 1911, 1950

McGee, Bettie Autrey, 1922

McGee, Claire, 1922

McGee, Glenn, 1922

McGee, Horace, 1953

McGee, Frank, 1922

McGee, Lucy, 1922

McGee, Ovie Stewart, 1922

McGee, Rev. Tom, 1963

McGehee, Dr. D. B., 1909

McGehee, Thomas G., 1900-09

McHenry, S.A., 1907

McKay, George, 1967

McKebbons, Maude Elizabeth, 1912

McKeever, H.G., 1913

McKelvey, Charles M., 1918, 1959

McKelvey, Edith, 1959

McKelvey, John W., 1927, 1953, 1959, 1971

McKelvey, John Walker, 1959

McKelvey, John Williams, 1959

McKelvey, John, 1952

McKelvey, Mrs. John W., Sr., 1959

Mckenna Gerald W., 1927, 1949

McKenna, Mrs. Gerald (Verna) Jackson, 1900, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1967, 1971

McKensie, Sam, 1904

McLamore, Alice Worsham, 1923

McLamore, Dr. A. C., 1923

McLamore, Mary Lou, 1923

McLean, Dan, 2009

McLelland, G. E., 1928, 1929

McLelland, Lois, 1997

McLelland, Randy, 2004

McLemore, J.R., 1926

McLemore, Thomas, 1923

McLemore, W.I., 1928

McLendon, A.E., 1925

McLeod, Essie, 1923

McLeod, Leo, 1962

McLeod, Wimberly, 1918, 1921, 1925, 1929

McMilland, Mrs. James (Frances Ezzell), 1927

McMillan, Dr. T. Carl, 1990

McMinn, A.D., 1931

McMinn, W. H., 1931

McNamara, D.R., 1925

McNelly, L.H., Pre-Harl. 1875

McPeak, Mrs. Yvonne Anglin, 1911

Meade, Charlene, 1979

Meade, Gary, 1979

Meadows, B. E., 1928

Medows, D. B., 1928

Means, Johnny C., 1974

Means, Mrs. Lee, 1953, 2007

Medrano, 1927

Meideros, Humberto Cardinal, 1965

Mendell, G. W., 1900-09

Meredith, Barney W., 1927

Meriwether, 1928

Metz, Dick, 1948

Metz, Rev. Erwin A., 1962

Meyer, Henry C., 1923

Meyer, Rev. H., 1919, 1922

Middlecoff, Cary, 1948

Milan, John, 1922

Miley, Mrs. Dorothy Rodgers, 1927

Miley, E. O., 1946

Miller, 1926

Miller, Ed C., 1923

Miller, Mrs. Ed, 1925

Miller, Gustav E., 1918

Miller, Harold, 1930

Miller, Jacob, 1910, 1911

Miller, Louis, 1911

Millerborg, Mrs. Ruth, 1961

Millington, W.T., 1900

Mills, Charles C., 1977/78

Mills, H. Raymond, 1922

Minton, D. A., 1936

Misenhimer, Dale, 1909

Mitcham, Ouida, 1931

Mitchell, Hays C., 1919

Mitchell, J., 1925

Mitchell, Ken, 2004

Mitchell, M. E., 1928

Mitchell, William A., 1925

Mizner, Addison, 1920-39

Mock, Joe, 1946

Moncus, Ben J., 1919

Moncus, Cal Thomas, 1919

Moncus, Helen, 1919

Moncus, Mrs. May, 1919

Monk, Capt. L., 1928

Montgomery, Rev. Mr., 1909

Moore, Benjamin Yancy, 1948

Moore, Mrs. C.O., 1927

Moore, C. S., 1908

Moore, D. C., 1920

Moore, Earl, 1948

Moore, Elvin, 1948,

Moore, Lee, 1920

Moore, L.H., 1926

Moore, Mabel, 1929

Moore, Mabel, 1939

Moore, Parke T., 1939

Moore, Parke T., Jr, 1939

Moore, Pearl, 1948

Moore, Presley, 1948

Moore, Ralph D., 1999

Moore, Richard, 1939

Moore, S. C., 1908

Moore, S. L., 1908

Moore, William, 1948

Moore, Zora Belle, 1948

Moothart, G.W., 1935

Morales, Cesar, 2000

Morales, Patricia, 2007

Morales, Rev.  Ralph, 1992, 2005

Moran, Dr. David, 2004

Moran, Tom, 1960

Moreles, Rev. Ralph, 1992

Morgan, Col. John R., 1941, 1961

Morgan, John H., 1962, 1966

Morris, Anne, 1920-29

Morris, Dr. Franklin, 1929

Morris, Gladys L. 1929

Morris, Louie, 1929

Morris, Dr. S. L., 1909

Morris, John, 1920-29

Morris, Joseph, Jr., 1927

Morris, Le Roy, 1924

Morris, Louis G., 1929

Morris, Mrs. Osco (Lula Fay Lillard), 1904

Morris, Nola Weaver, 1929

Morris, Osco, 1904, 1910, 1912, 1915, 1925, 1926, 1931

Morris, Rachael, 1929

Morrison, Sheriff Tom, 1970

Morrison, Thomas Henry, 1952

Morrison, Violet T., 1952

Morrison, William, 1910

Morrow, B. F., 1923

Morrow, Bobby, 1923

Morrow, Homer N., 1909, 1910, 1911

Morrow, Mrs. Homer N. (Ida) Hill, 1905, 1949

Morrow, Lucille, 1923

Morton, Ethel, 2005

Morton, J. H., 1929

Morton, J.P., 1920-39

Moses, Dayton, 1900-09, 1905

Moses, Mrs. Mary, 1926

Mothershead, Bouldin S., 1937, 1960, 1974

Mothershead, Mr. Bouding S. (Dorothy), 1974

Mothershead, B.C., 1941

Mothershead, Mrs. J. M., 1926, 1938

Moya, Hugo, 2003

Mr. & Mrs. Smith, 1918

Mueller, Mrs. Ozelia Smith, 1918

Mulhausen, Roy, 1921, 1925, 1926 (2)

Murphey, Sallie, 1927

Murphy, 1920

Murphy, Ellis, 1922

Murphy, Emmodell, 1922

Murphy, George Francis, 1922

Murphy, J.V., 1923, 1928

Murphy, Joseph, 1923

Murphy, Lora Langford, 1923

Murphy, Lucy McGee, 1922

Murphy, Mary Jane Barnes, 1922

Murphy, Michael, 2005

Murphy, Mrs. J. Neil, 1956

Murphy, Oma Lea, 1922

Murphy, Oscar, 1922

Murphy, Patty Rea, 1922

Murphy, Mrs. Robert (Lila) Lynn Jones, 1929, 1947, 1997

Murphy, Robert (Bob), 1997

Murphy, Rufus, 1922

Murphy, Vernon, 1958

Murray, Mrs. J. J. (Katherine), 1963

Murray, Joel Hendrix, 1959

Murray, Lottie Bermack, 1928

Murray, Menton, Jr., 1919

Murray, Menton, Sr., 1919, 1930, 1963

Murray, Mrs. Menton (Betty) Nosler, Sr., 1919, 1923-26,  2009

Murray, Phil, 1940

Murray, Ray, 1923

Murray, Sarah, 1922

Murray, Sid, 1928

Muse, Lamar, 1974

Myers, Clarence, 1925

Myrick, Avis Elizabeth, 1915

Myrick, John, 1913, 1915, 1918, 1921, 1925, 1926

Myrick, Mary Josephine, 1915

Myrick, Mrs. John C. (Mary) Davidson, 1915, 1920, 1921, 1936, 1963

N    Return to top

Nance, F.D., 1922, 1970

Nance, F.D., Jr., 1922

Nance, Maude Grayhill, 1922

Nance, William M., 1922

Napper, Gertie McGee, 1922

Napper, W.A., 1922

Naumen, Louise, 1921

Neal, Dewitt, 1935

Neff, Gov. Pat, 1905

Negley, Jack, 193

Nelson, Byron, 1948

Nelson Robert W., 1905, 1915, 1921

Nelson, Alton, 1915

Nelson, Gladys, 1915

Nelson, John S., 1926

Nelson, Leman, 1915, 1923

Nelson, Maggie D. Dunne, 1915

Nelson, Robert W., Jr.

Nelson, Thelma, 1915

Nelson, Verda 1915, 1921

Newman, John, 1939

Newman, Mrs. Jennie, 1959

Newton, Fleming, 1960

Nichols, L.G., 1909

Nichols, L.G., 1939

Nicholson, Mrs. S.P., 1921

Nickell, Mrs. Betty, 1920-39

Nickell, Dr. David, 1920

Nickell, Mrs. David, 1958

Niemann, C.J., 1931

Nigro, Ann O'Donnell, 1959

Nigro, Harry, 1959

Niles, M.S. (Dick), 1929, 1931

Nino, Edward, 1998

Nix, J. Gordon, 1958, 1975

Nolan, Tom, 1927

Nolen, Lloyd, 1961, 1978

Noonan, Father, 1933

Norwood, Charles E., 1973

Nosler, Betty, 1919

Nosler, James Bertram, 1919

Nosler, Marie Williams, 1919

Noyola, Narciso, 1970

Nunally, R.B., 1925

Nunez, Velma, 2001

O    Return to top

Ogan, Belle, Pre-Harl. 1895

Ogan, Benjamin F., 1906, 1908

Ogan, Cora, 1908

Ogan, Gladys, 1909

Ogan, Joseph, 1909

Ogan, Lois, 1909, 1913

Ogan, Mr.& Mrs., Pre-Harl. 1898

Ogan, Mrs. C.L., 1913

Ogan, Roland, 1909

Olcott, Cornelius, Jr., 1940

Oler, Emogene, 1913, 1928

Oler, H.L., 1920

Oler, Harvey, 1902, 1913

Oler, William L., 1913

Oline, Mildred, 1934

Oliver, Col. James F., Jr., 1953

Oliver, Porky, 1948

Ortiz, Solomon P., 1982, 2002

Osborn, M.M., 1908, 1910

Osborn, Mrs. Nellie, 1910

Owens, Carl, 1978

Owens, Leo E., 1944-1945, 1946

Owens, Robert L., 1944-45, 1946

P    Return to top

Pace, Miss Mattie, 1929

Pace, Seth. 1948

Packer, 1921

Padilla, Al, 1960

Page, D.L., 1931

Paine, J.M., 1912, 1970

Paine, Piner, 1918

Palmer, Blanche, 1919

Palmer, Dan, 1924

Palmer, Dr. A.J., 1927

Palmer, J.R., 1919

Palmer, Tom, 1919

Palmer, W. G. (Butch), 1987

Palmer, Wilson, 1973

Parce, Fred, 1972 (2)

Parker, A.F. (Al), 1926

Parker, Frank, 1956, 1967, 1971

Parker, George, 1931

Parker, Brig. Gen. James, 1915-17

Parker, Tate, 1926

Parker, W. L., 1925

Parkhill, Mr. , 1898

Parr, Samuel, 1900-09

Partida, Henry, 1929

Paschall Dr. Charles, 1945, 1976

Paschall, Fred L., 1939, 1945, 1960-62, 1962

Paschall, Irene, 1945

Paschall, W.E., 1920

Paschall. Jo Ellen, 1976

Paschel, Jeanette, 1945

Passmore, Mrs. Iola, 1923

Pate Brothers, 1953

Pate, Robert, 1948

Patee, L. L., 1920

Patterson Capt. E.W., 1909 (2), 1916, 1926

Patterson, H.W., 1925

Patterson, Maude C., 1909, 1916, 1917

Payne, Betty Gamble, 1913

Payne, H. B., 1913

Payne, J.M., 1920

Payne, Mrs. Vernie Belle Avery, Pre-Harl. 1898

Payne, Paul J., Pre-Harl. 1898

Payne, W. G., 1926

Peacock, 1992

Pecora, Frank, 1955

Pecora, Virginia, 1955

Pena, Bishop Raymundo, 2003

Pena, Eddie, 2003

Pena, F. H., 1910

Pena, Ruben, 1990

Pendleton, Al, 1911

Pendleton, Miller V., 1909, 1912, 1914

Pendleton, Mrs. C.D. (Sally), 1917

Pendleton, J. D., 1916

Pendleton, Mrs., 1921

Penick, Harvey, 1933, 1948

Penry, Joe, 1929, 1932

Penry, Joe L., 1945

Peoples, A.E., 1930

Percival, Ben, 1972

Pereira, F.E., 1962

Perez, Consuelo Castro, 1924

Perkins, Frank, 2006

Pernoud, V. V., 1932

Perry, Charles F., 1909, 1910, 1911, 1918, 1925, 1927, 1995

Perry, Gov. Rick, 2009

Perry, Velma Simmons, 1913, 1927

Perry, Virginia I., 1913

Perry, Vonnie Mae (Westbrook), 1913

Peter, Mrs. Lottie, 1961

Peters, Dewitt W., 1961

Pettis, Alice H., 1944

Petty, Rev. W.H., 1909

Pfeiffer, Mrs. Daisy McElwain, 1914, 1959

Phillips, Emma Hawthorn, 1919

Phillips, George Edwards, 1919, 1929

Phillips, Hawthorn, 1953

Phillips, John R., 2003

Phillips, Mrs. T.L., 1913

Phillips, T.L., 1913, 1939

Phillips, Weldon (Stoney), 1947

Philpott, B.A., 1915

Phipps, Miss Johnnie, 1905

Phipps, Mary Jo, 1936

Phipps, Mrs. Paul (Doris) Snavely, 1928

Phipps, Paul, 1918, 1925, 1930

Phipps. Susan Case, 1918

Picard, Henry, 1948

Pickens, D.B., 1920

Pickens, Jack, 1920

Pickett, Cecelia, 1908

Pierce, Mrs. Mildred, 1974

Pile, Mrs. Helen Porter, 1928

Pile, Jean Rozanne, 1936

Pillman, 1920

Pink, E.G., 1949

Pipes, S. A., 1918

Pittman, 1926-1928

Pletcher, Bill, 1960

Pletcher, George H., Sr., 1910, 1912

Pletcher, George, Jr., 1909, 1929, 1939, 1977/78

Pletcher, Jacob Samuel (Sweet Potato), 1909, 1912

Pletcher, Mrs. George, Sr., 1909

Pletcher, Rachel, 1929

Pletcher, Rachel Morris, 1929

Plunkett, John, 1900-09

Polhemus, Charles, 1922

Polhemus, Grace, 1922

Polhemus, La Donna Grace, 1922, 1936

Polk, James, Pre-Harl.

Pollard, Mrs. A. J., 1933

Pons, Lily, 1928

Porter, Deputy Sheriff, 1970

Porter, Roy, 1922, 1927

Posada, Edna, 2004

Post, John, 1923

Posy, Mr. & Mrs. J.W., 1910

Poteet, Dr. Ernest H., 1943, 1951, 1958

Potter, Jeanette Altus, 1932

Potter, Wayne, 1977/78

Potts, Arthur J., 1919

Potts, Frances Opal Poland, 1919

Potts, Frances Opal, 1919

Potts, Litha Marie, 1919

Potts, Prof. Arthur T., 1925

Powell, Dr. Nathan, 1959

Powell, Minnie, 1959

Powers, 1929

Powers, Charles R.  "Charlie," 1926

Powers, Charlotte Prenzier Cuild, 1926

Powers, Greg M., 1926

Powers, James Michael "Mike," 1926

Powers, Lawrence J., 1926

Powers, Marie, 1926

Powers, Mary Margaret, 1926

Powers, Pat L., 1926

Preistly, Ida, 1909

Price, B.C.,  1930

Prim, Natalie, 2000

Prior, R.C., 1951

Pritchard, Mr. and Mrs., 1955

Pritchard,  Clayton,  1926-1928, 1932

Pryor, Elsie C., 1959

Pryor, Roscoe E., 1959

Puente, Frank, 2005

Pulliam, Mrs. A.H., 1926

Purdy, Arthur, 1924, 1928, 1935, 1948, 1962, 1975

Purdy, Clifford H., 1955

Purdy, Ella Arthur, 1924

Purdy, Florence, 1924

Puska, Leona, 1965

Pyleas, Rev. R.L., 1910

Q    Return to top

Quintanilla, A.B., 1982

Quintanilla, Abel, 1918

Quintanilla, Antonio, 1918

Quintanilla, Jose, 1918

Quintanilla, Petra, 1918

R    Return to top

Rabel, A.J., 1917, 1918

Rabel, Ada Baker, 1917

Rabel, Aldolphus, B., 1917

Rader, Clay, 1923

Rader, Grant, 1939

Rader, Mrs. H. C., 1935

Rader, Mrs. Maurine Elmore, 1919

Rader, Paul, 1920

Rader, R. E., 1920

Ragsdale, Frank, 1959

Raid, Grover, 1919

Raid, Myrtle Bush, 1919

Raimond, Mary Lee, 1920

Raimond, Vance D., 1941, 1989

Raimond, Vance Delone, 1920

Ralston, G.W., 1931

Rama, Clarissa, 1920-39

Rama, Dr. Aldolfo, 1920-39

Ramirez, 1945

Ramirez, Antonie (Tony), 1969

Ramirez, D., 1910

Ramirez, Juan, 2003

Ramirez, Lupita, 1869

Ramirez, Luz, 1921

Ramsey Bothers, 1927

Ramsay, Hugh, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1971

Ramstine, Mrs. J. T. (Jo), 1978-79

Ransome,  Harry, 1948

Rapp, Leorah, 1920

Ray, Fount D., 1925, 1927

Rayborn, Susan, 1995

Raybourn, D. C., 1928

Raybourn, J. H., 1928

Raymond, Gerhard Henry, 1927

Reagan, Ronald, 1960, 1983

Rebes, John O., 1936

Rebes, Louranne, 1956

Rebes, Winnie, 1956

Rebman, Eldena, 1908

Reed, Grover, 1970

Reed, Jennie, 1921

Reeder, Sammy, 1955

Rees, Edna, 1926

Rees, Walter F., 1926

Reese, Dick, 1983

Reeves, Bill, 1956

Reeves, L.E., 1947

Reeves, Mr. & Mrs. J.A., Sr., 1924

Regelski, Elaine, 2001

Reger, Joe O., 1930

Reger, Pansy, 1930

Reininger, Susan, 2004

Renaldi, Richard J., 2007

Renaud, Basilio G., 1913

Renaud, Doloris, 1913

Renaud, Elvira Cavaza Olivarez, 1913

Renaud, Francisco Garcia, 1913

Renaud, Louis Philip, 1913

Renaud, Sofia Garcia, 1913

Rendon, Mr. & Mrs. Nicolas, Sr. 1945

Rendon, Nicolas, 1945

Rendon, Sgt. Luiz M., 1945

Rentfro, William, 1997

Rhone, J.W., 1913, 1920, 1925

Rhylander, Ruth, 1920-39

Richards, Ann, 1991

Richards, Harvey L., Sr., 1927, 1934, 1939, 1971

Richards, Harvey Leer, Jr., 1934, 1954, 1959

Richards, John, 1934

Richards, Kathryn, 1934

Richards, Lee, 1946

Richards, Mary Kay, 1934

Richards, Sue Riley, 1934

Richardson, Ryan, 2006

Richter, Dr. E. L., 1908

Rickard, Charles Edward, 1925

Rietschle, Frederick, 1923

Riley, Nancy, 1948

Ritter, C.H., 1904

Rivera, Alejandra, 1909

Rivers, Loula, 1916

Rivers, S.J., 1916

Roades, G.S., 1914

Roberts, Joseph R., 1915, 1922 (3), 1924-26, 1925

Roberts, Lela Smith, 1915

Roberts, T. P., 1904, 1915

Robertson, David Kenny, 1959

Robertson, Frank, 1920

Robertson, Ira, 1926

Robertson, Mrs. Kathleen, 1930

Robertson, Ruby, 1926

Robertson, Sam, 1925

Robinson, Lon, 1907

Robinson, Mrs. Geneviere, 1953

Robinson, Rosalyn, 1988

Robledo, Arnolfo, 1956

Rocha, Frank, 1933

Roddy, H.H., 1929

Rodgers, Charles L., 1910

Rodgers, Georgia, 1927

Rodgers, Harold, 1927

Rodgers, James N., 1910, 1921

Rodgers, John B., 1960

Rodgers, John C., Jr.

Rodgers, John C., Sr., 1927

Rodgers, John F. (J.F), 1912, 1921, 1926, 1930, 1939, 1971

Rodgers, John F., Jr., 1910

Rodgers, Josephine, 1910

Rodgers, L.P., 1910

Rodgers, Mary Yates, 1910

Rodgers, Ravilla, 1910

Rodgers, Ray J., 1921

Rodgers, Raymond J., 1910, 1923

Rodgers, W.D., 1911

Rodrigues, Filberto, 1930

Rodriques, Gilberto, 1930

Rodriguez, Agapito, 1900

Rodriguez, Alberto R., 1927

Rodriguez, Annabel (Ann) Alberts, 2005

Rodriguez, C.C., 1910

Rodriguez, Charles, 2005

Rodriguez, Dolores, 1931

Rodriguez, Cirilo, 1907, 1908

Rodriguez, Gabriel, 1931

Rodriguez, Gonzolo, 1900

Rodriguez, Gregorio, 1900

Rodriguez, Guadeloupe, 1900

Rodriguez, Guillermo (Mr. Rod), 1997

Rodriguez, Dr. Hesquiro, 2004, 2005

Rodriguez, Jesus .J. (Chuey), 1939, 1958, 1960-62

Rodriguez, Jose Anacleto, 1923

Rodriguez, Mrs. Cirilo (Jesusa) Garcia, 1907-09

Rodriguez, Margarita, 1930

Rodriguez, Maria Aurora Gonzales, 1930

Rodriguez, Maria Palacios, 1931

Rodriguez, Pedro, 1900

Rodriguez, Ramiro "Rod," 2008

Rodriguez, Rick, 2004 (2), 2006

Rodriguez, Rico, 1931

Rodriguez, Rita, 1900

Rodriguez, Roy, 2003, 2004

Rodriguez, Ronnie, 1931

Rodriguez, Ruben, 1931

Rodriguez, S.P., Pre-Harl.

Rodriguez, Seferino, 1900

Rodriquez, Susan L., 1999

Rodriguez, Tony, 1939

Rodriquez, Victor, 1999

Rodriguez, Y. 1900-09

Roever, Mrs. Katie, 1910

Rogala, Mrs. Felice Liston, 1930

Roiz, Al, 1961

Roney, G. E., 1974

Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1920-39, 1928

Roosevelt, Franklin, Delano., 1910, 1933

Roos, Mrs. Lee Bowden, 1924

Rork, Mrs. Margaret, 1925

Rosales, Anita Saldana Contreras de, Pre-Harl.

Rosales, Archie, 1967

Rose, R.A., 1929

Rosenfeld, Alfred, 1962

Rosenfeld, Sam, 1962

Rosow, Larry, 1950

Ross, A. D., 1955

Ross, L.S., 1909, 1912(2), 1914, 1920

Ross, Sul, 1912

Roth, George, 1972

Rothstein, Arthur, 1939-42

Rotke, Domingo R., 1926

Rountree, Oscar, 1904

Rousseau, Marshall, 1958, 1966

Rowe, Dr. James R., 1992-93

Rozeff, Norman, 1900

Rumbo, Earle Freeman, 1929

Rumbo, Edna Boothe, 1929

Rumbo, Mary Lou Sweeney, 1919, 2001

Rumbo, Mrs. Earle, 1920

Rumbo, Robert, 1929

Runnels, Forrest W., 1920-39, 1933 (2)

Runnels, Neal R., 1933

Runnion, Marvin F., 1946, 1963, 1970

Runyan, Paul, 1948

Runyon, Robert, 1904, 1910, 1912

Runyon, Virginia, 1962

Russell, George B., 1953

Russell, Jay, 1921

Ryan, C.T., 1904

S    Return to top

Sadler, Mrs. D.A., 1955

St. John, Ada Kay Snell, 1927

Salazar, Dora I., 1930

Salazar, Jesus, 1909

Salazar, Jesus, 1930

Salazar, Linda, 1987

Salazar, Ruben, 1987

Saldana, Felipa A., 1904

Saldana, Francisco, Pre-Harl. 1880; 1900-09, 1900

Saldana, Librada, Pre-Harl. 1880

Saldana, Paulo, Jr. Pre-Harl. 1880

Saldana, Paulo, Pre-Harl. 1880

Saldana, Secundino, Pre-Harl. 1880; 1900-09, 1900

Saldana, Wenceslao, 1904

Saldivar, Fernando J., 1913

Saldivar, Francisco, 1913

Saldivar, Humberto, 1913

Saldivar, Imelda, 1913

Saldivar, Nicolosa Balli, 1913

Salinas, Ninfa Cano, 1924

Salinas, Ricardo G., 1999

Salisbury, C. G., 1968

Salisbury, Mrs. Carl Dumont, 1917

Salyer, Jim, 2004

Sammons, Albert, 1907

Sanchez, Anselma, Pre-Harl. 1880

Sanchez, Atiliano, 1923

Sanchez, Joaquin S., Pre-Harl. 1880

Sanchez, Jose, Pre-Harl. 1880

Sanchez, Luis Lopez, 1928

Sanders, Bennie Roy, 1925

Sanders, Effa Stark, 1956

Sanders, Joe G., 1925

Sanders, John F., 1912,1925

Sanders, John F., Jr., 1925

Sanders, Mrs. J.W., 1960

Sanders, Mrs Lizzie Lee, 1920, 1925

Sanders, Nell, 1949

Sanders, Sam, 1911

Sandlin, W. J., 1928

Santos, Dr. Antonio L, 2006

Sauers, 1928

Saulsberry, Dathern C., 1944

Savio, Harry, 1981

Schaff, F.A., 1911

Schalebin, Hale, 1962

Schanders, H.H., 1923

Scheopner, Jim, 1970, 1999

Schiller, Milton, 1967

Schimaker, R. M., 1927

Schiver, Henry, 1919

Schleifer, Mary Carolyn, 1938

Schiver, Lila, 1919

Schmidt, Don, 1951, 1953

Schmier, M.S., 1900-09

Schmoker, Donnie Self, 1930

Schmoker, F., 1925

Schmoker, Fred R., 1930

Schmoker, Jake, 1923, 1930

Scholl, Art, 1975

Schuman-Heink, Madame, 1928

Schultz, Dr. Norma, 1975

Scott, Betty, 1978,

Scott, Earl, 1978

Scott, Harriet, 1920

Scott, Mary Elizabeth, 1910

Scott, Mary Lee, 1920

Scott, Robert, 1975

Scott, T.W., 1910

Scurlock, Herbert R., 1927, 1957

Seago, H.D., 1906, 1909, 1911, 1953

Seago, J.F., 1921

Seago, Mrs. H. D., 1921

Seagrove, J.A., 1926

Searle, O.P., 1925

Searles, Sam, 1965

Sebolt, Rev. Roland H. A., 1946

Sechrist-Hall, 1935

Segura, Cecilia, 1961

Segura, Dr. William (Bill), 2002

Segura, Martin, 1961

Seldon, Lt. Col. W. J., 1946

Selena, 1982

Sepulveda, Pete, Jr., 2004

Serna, Juanita, 1909

Shaff (H.E.?), 1903, 1909, 1929

Shanley, Father Mathias, 1965

Shannon, Capt. Ray,. 1981

Sharpe, W.S., 1970

Shary, John, 1922

Shaw, E.W., 1922

Shaw, W. B., 1929

Shawson, Andrew Jackson, 1963

Shawson, Elizabeth, 1963

Shawson, Julia, 1963

Shearer, G.K., 1921

Sheffer, Rev. Nathaniel, 1925

Shepard, Bob, 1941

Sheppard, Morris, 1938

Sherman, Clarence, 1926

Shipp, Darrell Wayne, 2007

Shipp, John, 1920

Shipp, Lucille, 1913

Shipp, Mr. & Mrs. L.K., 1913

Shirar, Jessie Wilson, 1907

Shivers, Gov. Alan, 1953

Shocky, P.C., 1912

Sholars, Major A.R., 1915

Short, Majarie, 1929

Sibley, Mrs. S.W., 1920

Sidener, Buren, 1918

Sidener, Nancy Jane, 1914

Sidener, T.L., 1914, 1939

Sigler, Eva Mary, 1944

Silva, Juan, 1900-09

Simmons, Anne, 1912

Simmons, Ava, 1911

Simmons, C.N., 1912

Simmons, Cecil Randall, 1923

Simmons, Mr. Charles, 1933

Simmons, Delores (Dodie) Barnes, 1923

Simmons, Dora, 1923

Simmons, Eunice, 1911, 1912

Simmons, G. N., 1923

Simmons, George LeClare, 1932

Simmons, George, 1912

Simmons, George, 1923

Simmons, Grace, 1932

Simmons, L.P., Jr., 1923

Simmons, Leonard Pierce, 1923

Simmons, Mrs. May, 1911

Simmons, Mary Estelle Fletcher, 1923

Simmons, Robert, 1923

Simmons, Rose Price, 1923

Simmons, Sam Edwards, 1923

Simmons, Tennie Dubert, 1923

Simmons, Velma, 1927

Simmons, William Edwards, 1923

Skaggs, 1955

Skaggs, Jack, 1961

Skaggs, Ruth Tucker, 1961

Slaughter, Prof. C.O., 1927

Sloan, Jim, 1930

Smith Homer L., 1918,

Smith Wilford, 1918

Smith, Bernice, 1920

Smith, Bobbie Lou, 1948

Smith, Doug, 1983

Smith, Dr. Ray, 2003

Smith, Edward H., 1910

Smith, Elaine, 1928

Smith, F. B., 1956

Smith, Floyd, 1927, 1928

Smith, Frank, 1927

Smith, Geneviere Beryl, 1941

Smith, Maj. Gen. George W., 1983

Smith, Graham Browning, 1918

Smith, Henry, 1947

Smith, Herbert, 1918

Smith, Horace O., 1918

Smith, James, 1995

Smith, Mrs. L.M., 1926

Smith, Margaret Ann, 1928

Smith, Martha, 1911

Smith, Mrs. Betty Marie Murray, 1919

Smith, Mrs. H. B., 1928

Smith, Odessa, mid 30s

Smith, Ozelia, 1918

Smith, R. E., 1948,

Smith, Reginald E., 1948

Smith R.P., mid 30s

Smith, S.J., 1911

Smith, Sgt. Guy, 1970

Smith, Sue, 1983

Smith, W. E,, 1946

Snavely, Berta, 1910

Snavely, Bertha, 1909

Snavely, Charlotte, 1921

Snavely, Doris, 1910

Snavely, Ed E., 1909

Snavely, Edward, 1910

Snavely, Guy Melvin, 1921

Snavely, I.E. (Renus), 1906, 1914

Snavely, Lenna M. Edmondson, 1928

Snavely, Levi  Elmer, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1921, 1928, 2003

Snavely, Mrs. Roberta Chaudoin, 1914

Snead, Sam, 1948

Snell, Kathryn Vaughn, 1927

Snell, Kenneth, 1927

Snell, Kitty, 1927

Snell, Rose, 2004

Snell, Van C., 1927, 1930, 1960, 1971

Snyder, Willard T. "Bill", 1976, 1983

Sokolsky,  Edward J., 1980

Soles, Linda, 1977

Solis, Diana, 1993

Solis, Diego Andres, 1993

Solis, Jim, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2002

Solis, Jim "Trey", III, 1993

Solis, Sofia Mata, 1943

Sommers, Cecilia Pickett, 1908

Sondock, 1948

Sondock, Marvin, 1926

Sondock, Ned N., 1926, 1932, 1971

Sondock, Tillye (Tillie), 1926, 1950

SoRell, Cecil Ray, 1912

SoRell, (Cecil) Lynn, 1912, 1939

SoRell, Myrtle Leona Cowart, 1912

Sosa, Elvira, 1910

Sosa, Felipe, Sr., 1910

Sosa, Rev. Philip, 1910

Sosebee, Judson Clement, 1973

Sotelo, Gavino, 1981

Souffrant, Dr. Gary, 2004

Souther, Alice, 1910

Souza, John Phillip, 1928

Spaeth, Johnny, 1941

Sparks, Sam, 1948

Sparks, Seanne, 1948

Sparman, 1920

Speer, John M., Sr., 1924

Speer, Patricia Williams, 1924

Spees, Shane, 2004

Spenser, I.W., 1920

Spenser, J.L., 1909

Spenser-Sauer, 1924

Spiegehauer, Volney, 1966

Spohn, Dr. Arthur E., 1903

Sprague, Rear Admiral C.A. F., 1946

Springer, Mrs. Mary Jane, 1910

Springfield, James (Jim), 2001, 2008

Springfield, Teri, 2001

Stacey, Frank, 1928

Stack, Jack, 1976

Stambaugh, V., 1925

Stanley, Hank, 1967, 1971

Stanley, Joan, 1941, 1967

Starbuck, W.H., 1926

Starnes, A.T., 1920

Starnes, Bryson, 1921

Starnes, Ella, 1921

Starnes, H. L., 1909, 1926, 1936

Starnes, Horace, 1921

Starnes, Richard, 1921

Starnes, Viola, 1921

Steib, Michael, 1945

Steib, Ruth, 1945

Steinberg, L.E., 1930

Steine, Doug, 1962

Steine, John, 1962

Steine, Madge, 1962

Steine, Mike, 1962

Steine, Sandra, 1962

Steine, Shelby, 1962

Steine, Sybil, 19612

Steine, Wallace W., 1962

Stevens, Annie Ruth, 1926

Stevenson, J. P., 1908

Stevenson, Mr.& Mrs., 1920

Stevenson, R.A., 1910, 1917

Stevenson, Ray, 1931

Steward, Mr.& Mrs. W.G., 1913

Stiernberg, Lloyd E., 1909, 1920, 1939, 1955

Stillwell, Harvey G., 1925

Stocking, Walter W., 1900-09, 1907

Stokes, Jesse, 1948

Stone, Charles D. "Chili", 1940

Stone, Ann, 1944

Stone, Boyd, 1944

Stone, Kenneth Douglas, 1944

Storer, George B., 1941

Storey, 1923

Storm, O.  P., 1932

Storm, Mrs. O.P., 1911

Stout, Anna M., 1921

Stout, George, 1921

Stout, Richard, 1923

Stowe, Alta Lee Walker, 1924

Stowe, Carl, 1924

Stowe, Juanita, 1935

Straub, Mrs. Harman, 1930

Stringer, G.A., 1920

Stringer, S. G., 1925, 1926

Strugh, S.G., 1925

Stuart, Maude Elizabeth McKebbons, 1912

Stuart, Otis (O. E.), 1916, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1928

Stuart, Mrs. O. E., 1933

Stuart, Mrs. O. E. (Grace), 1963

Stuart, Robert Terry, 1912, 1921, 1923, 1922

Sturgeon, Prof. William L., 1911

Sumners, Mrs. H. E., 1921

Surface, B.F., 1911

Svadlenak, Frank, 1927

Swafford, H. A, 1937

Swaney, Corinne, 2004

Swaney, Edwin, 2004

Swanson, Yvonne Thompson, 1926

Swanson, Harley W., 1926

Swartz, D.W., 1913

Sweeney, James William (J.W.), 1919, 1930

Sweeney, Mary Lou, 1919

Sweeney, Mary Yeasel Greiner, 1919

Synder, Bill, 1983

Synder, Jill, 1975

T    Return to top

Tadlock, R.H., 1910

Tait, 1926-28

Tait, Bob, 1928

Taleaferro, Warren A., 1950

Tamayo, Edna, 1983, 1991

Tamm, Alfred, 1921, 1922, 1949

Tamm, Alice, 1922

Tamm, Daisy, 1922

Tamm, Marian Anna, 1922

Tanaguchi, Alan, 1945, 1960, 1961

Tanaguchi, Izamu, 1945, 1961

Tanamachi, Kumazo, 1945

Tanberg, Carl Lee, 1913

Tanberg, Carl Anthony, 1913

Tanberg, Dorothy, 1913

Tanberg, Helen, 1913

Tanberg, Mary, 1913

Tanberg, Maurine, 1913

Tanberg, Robert Lund, 1913

Tanberg,Thea, 1913

Tanberg, Walter, 1913

Taniguchi, Evan, 1961

Taniguchi, Keith, 1961

Taniguchi, Leslie, 1961

Tarr, J.E., 1956

Tarver, Geneva, 1909

Tate, Jack P., 1972

Taylor, A.A., 1925

Taylor, Jim, 1972, 1975

Taylor, Zachary, Pre-Harl. 1871

Teas, J.L., 1920-39

Tebee, Foster, 1926

Templeton, Edwin R., 1910, 1921, 1925

Templeton, J.D., 1922

Templeton, Lena, Pre-Harl. 1895; 1909

Tennant, William, 1912

Thigpen, James I., 1966, 1974, 1975

Thomae, Adolf, Jr., 1992

Thomas, Ben, 1939

Thomas, J.E. 1912

Thomas, Lennard, Pre-Harl. 1901

Thomas, Mammie, Pre-Harl. 1901

Thomas, Ron, 2003

Thomason, Margaret, 1974

Thomason, Richard W., 1945

Thompson, 1921

Thompson, Alexander, 1919

Thompson, Carrol Lee, 1928

Thompson, Cellis, 1970

Thompson, Edna Taylor, 1919

Thompson, John, 1921

Thompson, Laile H., 1928

Thompson, Lloyd H., 1922, 1928

Thompson, Lois Eileeen, 1928

Thompson, Mr. & Mrs., 1913

Thompson, Orpha M., 1928

Thompson, Philip A., 1928

Thompson, Ralph, 1972, 1975

Thompson, S. A., 1918

Thompson, S. Eugene (Gene), 1960

Thompson, T. F., 1919, 1931

Tichenor, Geneviere Beryl Smith, 1941

Tichenor, Mac, 1996-97

Tichenor, McHenry, 1931, 1941, 1952, 1960, 1971, 1980, 1983, 1996-97

Todd, Flora M., 1925, 1956

Toland, Dr. George, Jr., 1999

Toland, George, III, 1999

Toland, June, 1999

Tolhurst, C.E., 1921

Tomason, James Effin, 1921

Tomason, Margaret, 1921, 1923

Toolan, George A., 1914, 1919

Toolan, George, 1926

Toolan, Maude O. Wheeler, 1914

Tope, J.E., 1930

Toscano, Salome, Sr., 1907

Tower, Sen. John, 1991

Towle, J.H., 1910

Townsend, John, 1920-39

Townsend, Ruth, 1920-39

Trailer, Dr. J.T., 1937

Trammel, Billie Faye, 1926, 1936

Trammel, Claribel Dorringer, 1926

Trammel, William L. (Bill), 1920-39, 1926, 1930, 1932, 1949

Traxler, David B., 1929, 1932

Traylor, Dr. James T.,1922, 1927

Traylor, Mrs. Bertha J., 1930

Trevinio, Justo, Pre-Harl. 1870

Trevino, Don Anastacio, 1900-09

Trevino, F., 1900-09

Trevino, Tomasa, 1900-09

Troop, Oren B., 1962

Trousdale, John F., 1959

Trousdale, Mrs. Edith M., 1912, 1959

Trousdale, Roy, 1959

Tsai, Maurice, 1993

Tucker, Orpha M., 1928

Tucker, Ruth, 1961

Tucker, S. C., 1920

Tumlinson, Dr. W.J., 1947

Tumlinson, Dr. William, 1920

Tumlinson, Ora Lee, 1920

Tumlinson, Pat, 1920

Tumlinson, V.H., 1920

Turner, Josiah, 1900-09

Turnesa, Jim, 1948

U    Return to top

Uhlhorn, H. M., 1974

Uhlhorn, Julie, 1951

Uhlhorn, Julie Gallaher, 1929, 1951

Uhlhorn, Martha, 1951

Uhlhorn, Tock, 1929, 1951

Uhlhorn, Tudor, 1951, 1992

Uhlhorn, William B., 1942, 1951, 1958, 1961

Utley, Bernice Smith, 1920

Utley, Dr. R. E., 1920 (2), 1927

V    Return to top

Vachon, John, 1939-42

Valdez, Francisco, 1907

Vallejo, Jose, 1929

Van Berg, C.E., 1930

Van Burkleo, Benjamin, 1919

Van Burkleo, Christina, 1919

Van Burkleo, Dora, 1919

Van Burkleo, Elizabeth, 1919

Van Burkleo, Hugh Perry, 1919

Van Burkleo, Nancy Jane Penn, 1919

Van Burkleo, Samuel Emmons, 1919

Van Burkleo, Tracy, 1919

Van Cronkite, John, 1918

Van Harlingen, Eliza, 1904

Van Hoy, Clara, 1925

Van Hoy, Max, 1925

Vann, J. W., 1908

Vann, Pinkie, 1929

Vann, Walter, 1908

Vann, W. T., 1929

Van Tyne, Gayle, 1943

Van Wyk, Wally, 1960

Varona, Rev. Severino, 1948

Vela, Antonio, 1938

Vela, Carlos Flavio, 1938

Vela, Filemon B., 1935, 1938

Vela, Dr. Leonel, 2002

Vela, Manny, 1998

Vela, Maria Luisa, 1938

Vela, Moises (Moe), 1930, 1938

Vela, Morse, 1971, 1975

Vela, Patricio, 1938

Vela, Roberto, 1938

Vela, Roberto Jr., 1938

Vera, Rev. Baltazar Garcia, 1943

Verhelle, Mrs. H.B. (Agnes) Weller, 1906

Verner, Morris, 1960

Vernon, Julia Shawson, 1930, 1963

Vernon, Thomas Spillar, 1963

Verser, Huron, 1910

Verser, Jack, 1910

Verser, Lucy, 1910

Verser, Murrell, 1918

Villar, M. Flores, 1927

Villareal, Dr. Jamie F., 1971, 2003

Villareal, Ellie, 1946

Villareal, Emma, 1916, 1934

Villareal, Mrs. Felipe Lozano de la, 1899

Villareal, Julian, 1909, 1910, 1916, 1934

Villareal, Margarita, 1903

Villareal, Mrs. Felipa Lozano de, Pre-Harl. 1898

Villarreal, J. 1931

Vincent, F.F., 1920

Vines, Tom, 1944

Vining, Fred N., 1946

Vinke, Otto A., 1926, 1927

Vinson, Althea Laverne, 1918

Vinson, Mrs. O.C., 1927

Voges, Mrs. Ida, 1925

W    Return to top

Wade, Davis, 1960

Wade, Mrs. Herbert L. (Mary Lou), 1947

Wade, J. W., 1936

Wade, Linda, 2008

Wagner, Rev. D. Grant, 1926

Wagner, Jo, 2009

Waitman, E.J., 1940, 1948

Walgreen, Sam, 1909

Walker, Mrs. Carl Jordan, 1928

Walker, Diana, 2004

Walker, James, 1983

Walker, Landers, 1920

Walker, Kevin, 1984

Walker, Marion Elizabeth, 1920

Wallace, Clyde, 1955

Wallace, Rose, 1928

Wallace, T. D., 1928

Wallace, Troy E., 1920

Walsh, W.C., Pre-Harl. 1879

Walsworth, Dr. Frank D., 1931

Walsworth, Thelma I., 1931

Walter, Jim, 1983

Walters, D. W., 1928

Walters, G. H., 1956

Walters, Mrs. Sam Raymond, 1927

Walton, Bob, 1941

Ward, Claude Oliver, 1927

Ward, David L., 1921

Ward, Delward, 1921

Ward, James Sterling, 1921

Ward, Mrs. Nellie, 1921

Ward, Myron, 1919

Ware, H.C., 1909, 1927

Ware, Rev. J.W., 1952

Warner, J.E., 1926

Washmon, 1925

Washmon, Charles A. "Cut,"1930,  1951, 1963

Washmon, Mrs. Charles (Dorothy Burchard), , 1913, 1967, 1981, 2007

Washmon, Charles Hoyte, 2007

Washmon, John Richard, 2007

Waters, Corbet, 1928

Waters, Father Harold, 1965

Waters, Mr. & Mrs. Lindsay, 1915

Waterwall, Charles W., 1909, 1910

Waterwall, Earl, 1908-09

Waterwall, Phillip S., 1912, 1915

Watkins, Daisy, 1924, 1925

Watkins, Dr. John Cory, 1924, 1925

Watkins, E.K., 1924

Watkins, George L., 1924

Watson, E.C., 1928, 1929

Watterman, William, 1928

Watts family, 1898

Watwood, Basil, 1908-09

Weaver, Bobba, 1958

Weaver, K. I., 1955

Weaver, Merle H., 1919

Webb, C.L., 1925

Webb, J., 1908

Webb, Mrs. T.C., 1921, 1925

Weber, Catherine, 1920

Weber, Matthew, 1920

Weber, William B., 1909

Weems, Lillian, 1907

Weems, Mrs. Elizabeth, 1907, 1909-10

Weems, Robert Kent, 1909

Weems, W.Z., Jr., 1914

Weems, William Zachary (W.Z.), 1907, 1909, 1921, 1931

Weerts, Wally, 1976

Weinberg, B.F., 1943

Weinberg, Katherine, 1943

Weiske, Gunter, 1923

Welch, Regina, 1925

Welder, J.J., 1903

Weldon, Dr. Felix W. de, 1981

Wellborn, Mrs. Retta C., 1908

Weller, Agnes, 1906

Weller, August H., 1905, 1906, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1915, 1953

Weller, H. H., 1906

Weller, Kathryne, 1905, 1906,

Weller, Mary Augusta Boch, 1906

Weller, Maude, 1906

Weller, Mrs. Otto, 1917

Weller, Otto, 1910, 1911

Wells, Carl, 1997-1998

Wells, Jim, 1902, 1903, 1910, 1920

Werner, Doreen, 1970

Werner, J.D., 1977/78

Werner, Mr. 1970

Weseman, Mrs. G.L. (Virginia), 1978-79

West, Bush, 1923

West, DuVal, Jr., 1926

West, H.C., 1923

West, Isabelle C., 1926

West, Milton Horace, 1933, 1946

West, Ruth Bramlette, 1926

Westburg, John E., 1959

Westbrook, Vonnie Mae Perry,  1913, 1927

Wetmore, Earl, 1909

Wheatley, Charles, 1932

Wheatley, Floyd, 1932

Wheatley, Jack, 1932

Wheaton, W.H., 1909

Wheeler, Dr. L.L., 1929

Wheeler, Jim, 1948

Wheeler, Maude O., 1914

Wheeler, Verda, 1929

Whiddon, Glyn, 1976

Whisler, Mr. & Mrs. H. G., 1926

White, 1948

White, A.T., 1906

White, Allie Lois, 1930, 1935

White, Babe, 1927

White, Dr. Ellison F., 1953

White, H. B., 1920

Whitley, Cloice, 1970

Whitley, Mr. & Mrs. H.E., 1919

Whitney, Elizabeth, 1959

Whitney, Mrs. Margaret, 1959

Whittington, Randy K., 1981

Wiggin, James, 2000

Wilder, Laura Ingalls, 1968

Wiles, Don, 1980

Wiles, J.J., 1909

Wiles, Mrs. J. J., 1924

Wiley, Mansel Thomas, 1934

Wiley, Susie Lottspeed Thomas, 1934

Williams, Bettylou, 1936

Williams, Bill, 1923

Williams, Bush, 1908

Williams, C.C., 1919

Williams, E.M.L., 1900-09, 1902

Williams, Edwin B., 1930

Williams, Gertrude, 1921

Williams, Grace, 1921

Williams, Grant, 1921

Williams, Isaac M., 1920

Williams, Jimmie Davis, 1920-39, 1923

Williams, Joseph, 1921

Williams, Mildred, 1921

Williams, Mrs. (Lois) Ogan

Williams, Patricia Jane SoRell, 1912

Williams, Rev. W. Roland, 1952

Williams, Steve, 1920

Williams, Thomas Read, 1920-39, 1923

Williams, Willie, 1921

Willingham, Bessie Ferrine, 1936

Willingham, J.J., 1924

Willman, Maylee (Mimi), Wilds, 1998

Wilmot, Benjamin A., 1930

Wilmot, Nannie Belle, 1930

Wilson, Dr. James Pierre, 1903, 1908, 1909, 1914, 1951

Wilson, J.E., 1912

Wilson, M.H., 1952

Wilson, Maria Guadalupe (MG) Moreno, 2005

Wilson, Preston, 1939

Wilson, Thomas Marion, 2005

Wilson, Thomas (Tom) Michael, 2005

Wilson, Timothy Michael, 2005

Wilson, Todd Matthew, 2005

Windham, Mrs. David, 1979

Windsor, N.H., 1926

Wine, I.W., 1916

Winkler, Edwin Martin, 2006

Winkler, Mary, 006

Winter, Mrs., 1921

Winters, William J., 1930

Witt, William, 1920

Wittenbach, A.J., 1923, 1925, 1959

Wittenbach, C.H., 1922, 1923

Wittenbach, Eva, 1922

Wittenbach, Hugo, 1922

Wolf, Lucille, 1943

Wolk, Alfred, Jr., 1971

Wood, C. Worth, 1953, 1958, 1959

Wood, Mrs. Carl, 1925

Wood, Charles, 1921

Wood, Cleo, 1909

Wood, Craig, 1948

Wood, Myron F., 1928

Woods, Carl, 1902

Woods, Mr. & Mrs. Cleo, 1924

Wood, Jeanne Shirley, 1936

Woodworth, J.C., 1929

Wooldrige, Ruby, 1900-09

Wooten,  Mary, 1911/1912

Word, Gladys, 1923

Worley, E. B., 1928

Worm, A.J., 1911

Worsham, Alice, 1923

Worthen, Edna Ann, 1927

Wright, Mrs. Ernest, 1931

Wright, Raymond, 1913

Wroten, C.S., 1920

Wroten, Dr. George, 1933

Wroten, George, 1922, 1925, 1926, 1933, 1935, 1946

Wroten, Mary Freese, 1933

Wyatt, Clark, 1908-09

Wyrick, 1920-39

Wyrick, Anna Mote, 1923

Wyrick, Luthur, 1951

Wyrick, Michael, 1923

Wyrick, Otha Alton, 1923

Y     Return to top

Yantis, Lynn, 1963

Yantis, Virginia Mapes, 1963

Yates, Frank, 1910

Yates, Mary, 1910

Yates, Thomas Leon, 1926

Yates, Mrs. Tom, 1911

Yates, Tom, 1910, 1939

Yeager, Mrs. Mary (Maria), 1923-26

York, (John Garth), 1948, 1951

Youker, Robert D. (Bob), 1971, 1974, 1977/78, 1980

Young, E.O., 1922, 1946

Young, George, 1956

Young, H.H., 1949

Young, M. Day, 1951, 1966

Young, Mrs. Florence Purdy, 1924

Young, Mrs. George Mira, 1956

Young, Mrs. H. L., 1924

Young, Mrs. Loretta, 1917

Young, Mrs. Nora Claudene, 1922

Young, Norine, 1922

Young, R.O., 1922

Young, Verna, 2000

Young, W.Y., 1922

Youngblood, Thomas S., 1956

Yturia, F(rancisco), 1903, 1904

Yturria, Fausto, 1971

Z    Return to top

Zamarripa, Nora, 2005

Zamora, Elias, 1981

Zamora, Humberto, 1999

Zamora, Martha, 1956

Zavala, Adiria de, 1925

Zehrer, Fred & Nancy, 1981

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Prehistorical

Before there were animals and before there were people, there were the land and the nameless river. Together they would shape the topography of the Harlingen area. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is a basin. The basin is a comparatively flat plain with a gentle slope to the northeast away from the river, which would be called the Rio Bravo, the Rio Grande del Norte, and eventually the Rio Grande, and towards what was to be designated the Gulf of Mexico. The political entities which were to come to be, Cameron County and most of Willacy County, lie in the basin subdivision called the Rio Grande Delta. "The area occupied by the delta, both ancient and recent, was once a broad valley, up to 400 feet deep, which was eroded from the coastal plain by the Rio Grande. It has since been filled with materials brought down by the river from inland areas."

The only natural drain in Cameron County is the Arroyo Colorado. Arroyo is the Spanish word meaning small stream. It flows along the only two exposed geologic formations. These are the Beaumont Formation of Pleistocene age and the overlying sediments of Holocene (Recent) age. Both geologic ages created material deposits related to the rising and falling of the sea during and after the last major advance of the continental glaciers in North America. All of the Holocene age deposits are less than 5,000 years old. South and east of Harlingen are the cutoff meanders, called resacas, of the Rio Grande. Natural depressions called potholes also abound. These are usually round.

The soils in the vicinity of Harlingen, 26° 12' north 97° 42' west and elevation 36 ' above sea level, have been classified by the Soil Conservation Service as Chromusterts and Pellusterts. These are level, very slowly permeable, high shrink-swell clayey soils. They fall into the Harlingen association, Harlingen-Montell saline association, and the Montell association.

The area has a variable climate because, for about seven months of the year, it is influenced by maritime conditions, but in the other five cooler months is subject to continental conditions. It is termed a modified marine, or coastal-type, subtropical and semiarid climate. It is characterized by long, hot summers and short, mild winters occasionally punctuated by severe freezes. At Harlingen, on the average, the last date when the temperature is 32° F or below in spring is February 4, and the first date in fall, December 12. The average length of the warm season in Harlingen is 341 days. While the mean average temperature is 74 degrees, extremes may range from 12° to 107°. The climate is tempered by the Gulf breezes which tend to stabilize the temperature.

The relative humidity decreases slightly from east to west as the distance from the Gulf increases. At noon, Central Standard Time, the east-to-west variation in relative humidity is estimated at 70 to 67 percent in January, 65 to 59 percent in April, 55 to 52 percent in July, and 63 to 60 percent in October. The prevailing winds are southeasterly to south-southeasterly for much of the year, but in the October through April period may be frequently interspersed with northerly winds wrought by the passage of Pacific and Canadian cold front systems.

The area is semi-arid in that the average annual rainfall totals are fairly low and the rain is not evenly distributed by month nor across localities. In an average year, free-water (lake) evaporation of 58 inches exceeds precipitation by 32 to 36 inches. Flood –producing rains may occur in any season. In April 1991 Harlingen officially recorded 17.15 inches in one six hour cloudburst and over 20 inches in unrecorded areas of the city. This may have been a once in 500 year event. The approximately 88 year rainfall record for Harlingen as compiled by NOAA is:

Harlingen Rainfall Data from May 1911 through April 2003

 

Rainfall Data Through 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total

Harlingen

Ttl
Yrs.

1911

1

2.27

0.41

2.16

0.00

1.70

0.00

0.66

1.91

9.11

1912

2

2.38

1.78

0.38

2.98

0.05

8.45

0.00

0.60

1.76

6.47

0.85

1.72

27.42

1913

3

1.53

1.21

1.72

0.72

2.14

5.41

0.61

0.56

8.43

2.06

0.18

1.34

25.91

1914

4

0.10

1.37

1.84

1.72

9.63

0.50

0.00

2.79

2.12

3.25

4.62

2.07

30.01

1915

5

3.98

0.16

3.91

1.85

1.08

1.39

1.19

3.79

1.16

1.19

0.23

0.78

20.71

1916

6

0.29

0.00

0.08

0.40

2.51

0.97

7.21

10.34

2.71

1.96

2.22

0.76

29.45

1917

7

0.00

1918

8

0.00

1919

9

2.68

5.84

0.13

5.40

4.22

0.13

1.45

19.85

1920

10

1.24

0.42

0.34

0.03

1.89

3.09

0.00

0.35

2.09

1.35

1.32

0.00

12.12

1921

11

0.25

0.62

2.66

1.93

2.79

2.06

2.95

0.11

4.53

2.57

1.02

0.07

21.56

1922

12

1.05

0.43

0.94

0.74

2.00

7.16

2.27

1.94

13.18

0.49

5.17

0.12

35.49

1923

13

0.13

12.10

1.23

0.46

0.33

0.93

1.03

0.33

12.72

7.84

2.85

2.79

42.74

1924

14

4.58

0.47

0.35

0.00

6.07

1.63

0.96

0.46

4.75

2.42

0.00

2.24

23.93

1925

15

0.73

0.00

3.08

1.04

1.71

3.69

0.00

2.16

9.56

1.53

0.74

4.12

28.36

1926

16

2.39

0.06

3.12

0.57

1.53

5.77

3.84

1.61

3.13

1.18

1.47

1.68

26.35

1927

17

1.11

0.83

0.12

0.22

2.02

4.88

3.75

0.04

3.12

1.43

0.45

1.27

19.24

1928

18

0.65

1.75

0.14

1.47

5.00

1.14

0.18

0.00

10.39

0.50

4.80

0.80

26.82

1929

19

0.12

0.35

1.05

1.30

6.26

0.30

2.05

2.92

3.80

3.05

4.00

0.90

26.10

1930

20

0.55

0.45

0.86

1.10

4.70

2.95

2.40

0.00

5.65

9.04

5.15

0.00

32.85

1931

21

5.22

1.00

0.00

0.60

4.22

5.10

4.10

2.40

1.56

0.65

1.25

0.82

26.92

1932

22

0.73

1.32

1.20

3.55

1.64

2.75

1.15

3.25

7.85

3.40

2.02

0.48

29.34

1933

23

1.26

0.07

0.28

0.79

3.00

0.45

6.41

4.94

18.25

4.85

1.45

0.00

41.75

1934

24

3.61

0.45

1.20

0.45

1.20

0.40

4.35

2.00

6.67

0.02

1.20

1.75

23.30

1935

25

0.42

1.01

0.87

4.46

8.60

7.50

2.57

0.82

6.07

1.40

0.17

4.03

37.92

1936

26

0.32

1.08

0.07

1.90

3.85

0.30

3.06

7.45

8.72

0.31

0.30

2.15

29.51

1937

27

1.85

1.11

0.42

0.50

4.42

0.00

4.08

1.00

1.70

3.35

1.75

7.59

27.77

1938

28

1.25

0.30

3.45

1.75

2.02

1.38

0.01

6.92

1.17

0.02

1.62

1.86

21.75

1939

29

1.82

0.08

0.63

1.34

3.92

7.83

0.35

0.89

1.74

0.11

0.03

0.20

18.94

1940

30

0.09

0.45

4.13

0.03

5.90

3.78

0.70

0.60

1.35

2.57

1.91

9.11

30.62

1941

31

9.17

1.01

3.92

5.75

6.95

4.90

1.00

2.05

3.10

5.37

0.20

2.57

45.99

1942

32

1.03

1.15

0.05

0.10

2.40

6.00

2.82

0.80

0.62

1.10

0.75

0.25

17.07

1943

33

1.82

0.50

0.70

0.00

7.47

0.90

0.00

0.51

4.88

1.60

1.37

2.45

22.20

1944

34

0.74

0.40

1.73

0.00

5.25

1.30

4.30

7.20

6.43

2.85

1.60

1.80

33.60

1945

35

1.30

2.92

0.00

1.65

0.40

0.90

3.50

8.68

0.90

3.05

0.30

0.20

23.80

1946

36

1.85

1.30

0.20

3.30

0.60

3.60

0.02

1.17

8.60

6.03

0.27

0.39

27.33

1947

37

0.56

0.82

0.40

2.19

2.75

1.66

0.49

7.27

0.46

0.65

2.42

0.64

20.31

1948

38

1.14

2.05

0.49

0.15

5.32

0.20

1.98

4.57

8.06

2.24

0.54

0.01

26.75

1949

39

0.73

2.85

1.24

0.89

0.81

1.02

5.00

0.96

0.18

1.30

14.98

1950

40

0.33

0.17

2.12

0.91

3.73

4.08

0.35

1.18

1.69

3.53

1.78

0.00

19.87

1951

41

0.12

1.59

0.28

2.04

0.89

3.74

2.52

6.08

2.66

0.45

0.21

20.58

1952

42

0.54

0.20

0.34

0.82

3.97

3.01

0.72

0.34

4.30

0.00

3.41

0.57

18.22

1953

43

0.38

0.94

0.47

0.51

0.10

0.16

0.92

11.28

0.57

2.62

0.44

1.22

19.61

1954

44

0.32

0.01

0.38

4.18

0.46

2.43

0.18

3.41

1.21

6.77

1.38

0.09

20.82

1955

45

0.75

0.28

0.03

0.36

0.97

0.00

5.70

2.01

12.30

2.70

1.85

0.25

27.20

1956

46

0.01

1.17

1.00

2.43

0.26

1.98

0.64

0.30

1.66

1.55

0.32

0.07

11.39

1957

47

0.17

2.42

2.62

4.34

2.32

6.67

0.07

0.34

0.43

0.30

2.95

0.33

22.96

1958

48

5.12

7.13

0.74

0.08

2.53

2.34

1.45

0.00

8.05

10.73

1.73

1.66

41.56

1959

49

1.53

2.39

0.32

1.76

5.38

4.46

0.64

1.14

0.09

5.33

2.73

0.34

26.11

1960

50

0.22

1.00

1.07

2.28

1.34

1.76

0.42

6.28

7.44

3.58

1.14

2.83

29.36

1961

51

1.38

0.25

0.00

2.49

0.42

1.79

2.69

4.52

8.30

0.90

1.61

0.71

25.06

1962

52

0.34

0.13

1.30

0.85

0.69

2.98

0.00

0.88

2.28

1.35

1.95

1.64

14.39

1963

53

0.20

0.44

0.05

0.39

6.07

1.88

1.92

2.75

4.29

3.75

4.31

2.55

28.60

1964

54

0.17

1.51

0.08

0.75

2.65

2.96

0.42

0.27

2.76

0.48

0.65

1.69

14.39

1965

55

0.32

2.70

0.68

0.31

1.11

0.93

0.20

2.73

12.90

1.16

3.76

4.26

31.06

1966

56

3.52

0.92

0.80

3.51

7.99

5.15

1.48

3.00

2.56

4.19

0.09

0.35

33.56

1967

57

1.43

1.03

1.12

0.06

1.88

0.86

0.56

5.65

14.36

5.24

3.34

3.65

39.18

1968

58

3.79

1.57

0.93

0.77

4.83

2.49

2.74

2.71

4.98

1.87

0.49

0.15

27.32

1969

59

0.39

2.09

0.84

0.13

4.06

0.62

0.19

3.73

5.84

0.44

1.04

0.30

19.67

1970

60

3.82

0.87

0.72

1.60

4.40

3.85

1.96

1.32

7.84

3.56

0.32

0.31

30.57

1971

61

0.80

1.21

0.08

0.93

0.39

2.33

1.96

3.20

8.35

2.73

0.49

1.66

24.13

1972

62

0.46

1.14

3.17

1.04

2.61

4.73

2.85

0.58

4.49

0.51

1.27

0.37

23.22

1973

63

4.56

7.28

0.31

0.71

0.45

7.51

1.64

8.96

4.83

4.40

1.68

0.17

42.50

1974

64

1.21

0.02

0.24

1.02

1.10

1.92

1.24

4.21

10.46

3.71

0.42

0.91

26.46

1975

65

1.55

0.58

0.12

0.02

1.98

2.27

8.64

4.44

8.60

1.04

0.27

1.61

31.12

1976

66

0.30

0.04

0.20

9.52

1.87

2.15

8.87

5.55

3.55

7.11

3.53

1.95

44.64

1977

67

1.78

1.65

0.17

3.35

1.24

7.27

1.88

0.42

2.78

2.20

2.19

0.36

25.29

1978

68

3.54

1.40

0.02

1.65

0.02

2.37

1.54

2.04

8.72

2.75

0.59

2.17

26.81

1979

69

1.35

1.27

0.09

5.99

1.50

4.37

0.80

4.64

4.44

2.71

0.46

2.60

30.22

1980

70

1.21

1.45

0.40

0.02

3.14

0.10

0.69

8.39

1.38

1.85

2.38

0.60

21.61

1981

71

3.66

0.60

3.23

1.75

6.16

1.29

2.27

2.19

2.13

4.75

0.73

0.39

29.15

1982

72

0.05

9.50

0.32

0.71

11.96

0.00

0.42

1.85

0.80

1.59

1.07

3.18

31.45

1983

73

0.87

4.13

2.60

0.00

4.03

1.49

7.05

1.22

6.92

2.97

1.09

1.52

33.89

1984

74

3.16

1.22

0.05

0.05

2.96

0.71

1.56

0.98

17.70

1.05

0.02

2.00

31.46

1985

75

1.38

1.27

1.15

2.06

3.64

4.56

0.81

0.76

5.32

2.34

0.29

0.72

24.30

1986

76

0.00

1.26

0.38

0.48

5.88

3.99

0.41

2.56

4.34

2.63

3.73

4.33

29.99

1987

77

3.15

2.05

0.98

1.61

3.47

6.28

2.50

0.22

4.99

0.54

2.83

0.15

28.77

1988

78

3.49

2.08

3.95

0.12

0.65

1.64

0.75

2.57

5.41

1.33

0.73

0.17

22.89

1989

79

1.01

0.38

0.05

3.45

0.80

3.79

2.15

4.35

2.96

0.15

0.62

2.10

21.81

1990

80

0.53

0.96

1.80

2.48

1.81

1.07

0.88

1.13

2.32

1.75

0.26

0.09

15.08

1991

81

0.47

3.11

0.27

17.15

1.07

1.58

5.52

0.76

0.83

2.61

33.37

1992

82

3.37

1.96

0.24

5.74

6.57

1.50

0.55

1.70

3.87

1.14

3.07

1.59

31.30

1993

83

0.62

2.08

2.15

0.33

4.69

5.78

0.11

0.21

4.56

2.20

1.70

1.63

26.06

1994

84

3.42

0.35

1.13

1.95

3.15

0.30

2.58

4.02

0.64

4.01

21.55

1995

85

0.70

0.05

1.71

0.76

2.04

2.65

0.36

8.44

2.21

4.82

2.47

2.45

28.66

1996

86

0.00

0.20

0.64

1.11

0.36

2.27

0.08

3.90

2.73

6.10

0.58

0.47

18.44

1997

87

0.60

0.40

5.24

4.69

2.84

0.90

T

0.51

4.13

9.09

1.37

0.80

30.57

1998

88

0.01

4.57

0.79

0.05

0.00

0.02

1.08

1.25

11.39

7.16

5.20

0.32

31.84

1999

89

0.13

2.37

3.41

0.68

2.99

0.66

3.67

3.69

3.95

0.99

0.22

0.49

23.25

2000

90

1.40

0.35

2.24

1.61

1.77

2.93

T

3.49

0.72

4.38

0.31

0.90

20.10

2001

91

0.47

2.30

0.62

2.85

0.52

1.76

0.37

3.90

5.74

0.48

2.01

0.92

21.94

2002

92

0.06

1.02

0.25

0.65

1.56

1.21

0.00

0.24

6.71

8.67

4.86

3.50

28.73

2003

93

1.30

0.79

2.29

0.93

0.17

1.47

3.70

1.31

8.07

11.09

1.48

0.18

32.78

2004

94

1.10

3.68

3.83

8.61

Years

89

89

88

89

89

90

89

91

90

91

91

91

94

Average

1.43

1.45

1.15

1.71

2.93

2.65

1.85

2.64

5.21

2.88

1.54

1.44

25.75

The lower Texas coast was frequently visited by hurricanes and tropical storms in the late 1800s throughout the1900s. Those recorded by NOAA for the Valley are:

Date of Storm Remarks (hurricanes, except as noted)

9/16/1877 entire coast

8/13/1880 Matamoros struck

9/18/1885 lower coast

9/22/1886 moved inland near Brownsville

9/21/1887 made landfall near Brownsville

8/29/1895 moved inland near Brownsville

6/30/1909 tropical storm between Brownsville and Corpus Christi

8/27/1909 landfall south of Brownsville

8/31/1910 landfall south of Brownsville

9/14/1910 between Brownsville and Corpus Christi

10/16/1912 between Brownsville and Corpus Christi

6/27/1913 between Brownsville and Corpus Christi

9/6/1925 tropical storm moved inland near Brownsville

8/4/1933 hurricane moved inland near Brownsville

9/4/1933 hurricane moved inland near Brownsville

8/27/1934 hurricane passed near entire Texas coast

9/13/1936 tropical storm moved inland near Brownsville

9/27/1943 hurricane passed near lower Texas coast

8/1/1947 tropical storm moved inland near Brownsville

6/25/1954 Hurricane Alice made landfall south of Brownsville and

moved up the Rio Grande

6/15/1958 Tropical Storm Alma made landfall south of Brownsville

and moved up the Rio Grande

9/20/1967 Hurricane Beulah moved inland between Brownsville

and the mouth of the Rio Grande

9/14/1971 Hurricane Edith passed near entire Texas coast

9/2/1977 Hurricane Anita made landfall south of Brownsville

8/10/1980 Hurricane Allen was identified as "The Hurricane of the

Century." Fortunately, it weakened prior to entering

Texas just north of Brownsville

The Harlingen area retains only remnants of its native vegetation. This once consisted of numerous xerophytic plants in a jungle-like forest of trees such as elm, ebony, hackberry, ash, anaqua, tepeguaje, guayacon, huisache, retama, and possibly a few sabal palms, interspersed with a mesquite-cactus association. The thick undergrowth consisted of bushes and climbing vines. In some locations these may have thinned out to allow savannahs of native grasses. Eventually clearing and heavy grazing resulted in a general change to thorny shrubs and low trees on introduced grass pastures. In the urban area introduced tree species and ornamentals relegated many of the native plants to wildlife refuges and the undeveloped banks of the Arroyo Colorado.

The remaining native wildlife has also been limited to the latter locations. These include opossum, nine-banded armadillo, raccoon, coyote, ocelot, bobcat, black-tailed jackrabbit, eastern cottontail, Mexican ground squirrel, white-footed mouse, hispid cotton rat, Mexican spiny pocket rat, southern plains wood rat, Ord's kangaroo rat, frogs, tortoises, snakes, and possibly jaguarundi. The javelina, white-tailed deer, bridled weasel, feral pigs, wild mustangs, wild turkeys, quail, blue pigeon, occasional mountain lion, and such are long gone from the mostly urbanized Harlingen area.

Fish in the silt-laden and heavily polluted stream in the Arroyo Colorado are limited. Catfish are to be found and drum are too when cold Laguna Madre waters drive them inland. The canals have gar and tilapia.

What remains unusual and interesting to the area are the well over 400 species of bird life. The region lies in flyways from the northern states and from Mexico to the south. Species of special interest with peripheral occurrence in Texas include the least grebe, masked duck, jacana, white-tailed hawk, black hawk, chachalaca, red-billed pigeon, white-tipped dove, groove-billed ani, kiskadee flycatcher, tropical kingbird, ferruginous owl, buff-bellied hummingbird, beardless flycatcher, Lichtenstein's oriole, white-collared seedeater, Botteri's sparrow, aplomado falcon, and others. Flocks of noisy Mexican parrots have made the arroyo their habitat.

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Pre-Harlingen History Prior to the Twentieth Century

When the Spaniards of New Spain (Mexico) commence exploring to the north along the coast in the early 1500s they find that the area of what was to become the South Texas region is sparsely populated by various Indian groups. These include the Atastagonie (probably the same as the Taztasagonie), Cacalote, Garza, Pacuache (also given name variants such as Campacua, Paachiqui, Pacao, and Patzau), Pajarito (also called the Pacaruja), Pinanaca (Pimanco, Pinaca, Piranca), Tecahuiste, and Tepachuache. These peoples were all part of the Coahuitecan language group that may have encompassed up to 200 tribes.

The notorious Karankawa, who constituted a separate language group, did not inhabit the Valley area. In the mid 1840s, remnants of the Karankawa tribe moved from the Corpus Christi area into Tamaulipas, Mexico. Besieged by Mexico authorities after being accused of plundering Reynosa, they moved into Texas in 1850 and settled near Rio Grande City. In 1858 a Texas force led by Juan Nepomuceno Cortina annihilates the small remaining band of Karankawas.

In the late 1800s the area which was to become Harlingen was bounded on its south and east sides by the Spanish land grant called Concepcion de Carricitos awarded (1781) to Eugenio and Bartolome Fernandez. This boundary was delineated by the Arroyo Colorado.

To its north lay the 12 league Ojo de Agua tract, which had once been a part of the land grant parcel, Las Mestenas, Pititas, y la Abra owned by Vincente Ynohosa (Hinojosa), but assigned by him later to Rosa Maria Hinojosa de Ballí in payment for her survey expenditures. To the west lay her La Feria Grant with lands already being assigned to various descendents and relatives.

At the time of Texas independence in 1836 what was to become the Harlingen area has not been awarded to anyone either as a Spanish or Mexican land grant. It is claimed by the Republic of Texas as unappropriated public domain. In 1839 the Texas Congress fulfills a suggestion by President Mirabeau B. Lamar and sets aside land from the public domain for the support of the public schools. Three leagues are awarded each county and the next year an additional league is added.

The unclaimed area described above encompassed about 64.35 square miles or 9.3 leagues. A league is 4,428 acres or about 6.9 square miles. Since the remainder of Cameron County was previously Spanish and Mexico land grant areas, the school lands awarded to the county were restricted to this tract. The geographic coordinates for Harlingen are: 26° 12' north and 97° 42' west.

12/29/1845 U.S. President James Polk signs legislation making Texas the 28th state in the union.

3/19/1846 The first confrontation of what is to become the Mexican War occurs at the Paso Real. As described by the Stambaughs:

Taylor's forces camped three miles from the Arroyo Colorado, east of Harlingen. Mexican ranchers stationed on the south side warned an American reconnaissance officer that crossing would be considered a hostile act. Bugles were blown at several points south of the Arroyo Colorado to give invaders the impression that there was a sizeable force to oppose them. As a precautionary measure General Taylor placed his artillery in position along the north bank. Shortly thereafter he proceeded south to the Rio Grande.

Captain W.S. Henry in his 1847 book describes the Arroyo Colorado at this time as a "beautiful stream, about 100 yards broad with bluff banks some 20 feet high, and bordered for a depth of two or three miles on each side with a dense growth of mesquite and prickly-pear."

4/25/1846 The war between the United States and Mexico is ignited over disputed claims to Texas boundaries. One was Mexico's claim to its border at the Nueces River and the U.S.'s claim to the boundary of Texas at the Rio Grande.

5/46 The Mexican War is declared. Thirteen thousand Americans will die in it due to battles or disease.

2/12/1848 3,308 square miles are carved out of Nueces County to form Cameron County named after Captain Ewen Cameron of the failed Texian Expedition against Mier, Mexico.

2/20/49 The Cameron County Court issues a license to Hamlet Ferguson for a ferry at Taylor's Crossing.

5/2/51 F.W. Latham establishes a ferry at the Upper Crossing, now Rio Hondo, and in its short existence is allowed by the Court to charge the same rates as other ferries.

1/24/1852 Cameron County loses territory as Hidalgo County is formed from western portions of it.

1850-1900  The area is the border of two climate zones i.e. the dry tropical and subtropical steppe to the south and the humid meso-thermal subtropical zone to the north.  Generally then it is characterized by hot summers and mild winters with a 25-40 % departure from normal in its variability of annual rainfall.  The climax vegetation is composed of grass and other herbaceous plants. Broadleaf deciduous and shrubforms grow singly or in groups or patches. When over a period of decades in the last half of the 19th Century, the area was overgrazed by flocks of sheep and herds of goats then the natural grasslands were invaded by xerophytic trees and shrubs.  Coupled with periodic drought, soon large areas were overrun by heretofore rare and foreign species.  This is when cattle ranching came to dominate the local scene.

On 9/27/55 the Court issues a license for the Taylor's Crossing site to Gomez and Barclay. It is then Morgan Barclay to whom licenses are issued by the Court over a number of years. Records note 1/16/60; 2/18/63 when his temporary "license about to expire and the court being of the opinion that it would promote the public convenience greatly to have said ferry continued."… charge same rates as 22 November 1861 upon his paying sum of $25 and complying with the law regulating and governing ferries; Dec.1865-1879 at the Paso Real or Taylor's Crossing…upon posting of a $1000 bond with the presiding judge and license to be fixed at $5.00 per annum; 2/13/77, Court raises "license to $25 in currency per annum for privilege of running ferry at Taylor's Crossing"; 11/28/70; 11/18/70; 1/6/75; 2/1/77; 1879; and 5/10/80. On 1/19/81 James G. Browne is issued a license for Paso Real, and the following year Morgan Barclay's widow, Benigna Flores de Barclay, is issued one on 2/13/82. Records indicate that licenses were issued to her 1/8/83, 2/11/84, 2/13/89, 2/11/91,1892, and then in her now married name, Mrs Benigna Flores de Hodges 2/17/93, 1894, 1895-1899, and 1905. James G. Browne is issued licenses for the same location 1886, 2/1/91, 1892, 2/17/93 and 1894. It is Mr. Browne who operates a stage line carrying mail back and forth to Corpus Christi. Locked mail pouches are delivered to the stage coach drivers. He is one in a succession of stage operators. In 1854 Francis M. Campbell had stages on call to go to Corpus Christi. It was after the Civil War that Thomas Baynon, Richard King's general foreman, operated a stage line between Brownsville and Collins. Finally, in 1899 it is Santiago A. Brown who inaugurates a stage coach service and begins to carry U.S. Mail. The Brownsville to Corpus Christi trip by stage is a six day one. All must transit the Paso Real.

It is prior to 1870 that the Court issues a license to Justo Treviño to operate a ferry at El Palmetal. The community is just south of the Arroyo Colorado in what is now Treasure Hills. His crossing served those coming from the west and northwest enroute to Brownsville. There is record of the license being renewed 11/28/70.

In a location that was once part of the sprawling Armendaiz Ranch, the Paso Real stagecoach stop on the north bank of the Arroyo Colorado is built to service the Alice Stage Coach Line or perhaps an earlier predecessor said to call it the third stop on a route from San Antonio to Brownsville via Banquette. Some say it was built in 1887 while others put it as early as 1860. It is adjacent to the ferry crossing, which may have been started as early as 1854 by a Senior Gomez. The inn ceases functioning in 1904 when the railroad line from Robstown to the Valley is completed. Prior to the railroad it was the receiving point for mail destined for what will be Harlingen, much of it addressed to, or in care of, Lon C. Hill. For a time Jesus Lopez has a store at Paso Real before moving on to Brownsville. In 1975 salvageable parts of its structure are moved to the Rio Grande Valley Museum complex in Harlingen for restoration and subsequent display. According to S.P. Rodriguez, once an educator in Harlingen, his father owned and operated the ferry for a time. It was hand–powered along a cable tether and was said to be fifty-five feet long and thirteen feet wide. The fare was eight cents for a stage or wagon with four horses or mules and four cents for smaller wagons and carts. [For more detailed information on the Paso Real see "The Stage Line and the Paso Real" link.]

2/1/1861 Texas secedes from the Federal Union.

5/13/1865 Last engagement of the Civil War is fought at the Battle of Palmito Ranch east of Brownsville. This occurs a month after Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Confederate forces under Rip Ford are victorious.

3/30/1870 The U.S. Congress readmits Texas into the Union, but reconstruction continues for the state for another four years.

1870 In this year the Lower Rio Grande Valley lies in an area termed "The Frontier of the Cattlemen", that is, it contains less than 100 persons per 1,000 square miles.

1874 In this year Donna Benigna Hodges' first husband, Morgan Barclay buys first of two tracts from the Matamoros heirs of Jose Narciso Carvazos. He is licensed by Cameron County Commissioners to operate the ferry at Paso Real. When her second husband, Mr. Hodges, dies she maintains the ferry until the coming of the railroad ends stagecoach travel. Years later, bed-ridden in her home above the Paso Real crossing she appeals to Santos Lozano to care for her after two ranch hands are killed by bandits. The Lozanos take her to Harlingen and care for her. Having no heirs she wills her ranch to Micaela Lozano. Thus the mercantile Lozano family also becomes ranchers.

1875(Spring) L.H. McNelly and the Special Force of Rangers "brings a measure of security to several South Texas counties", primarily by limiting the brigand activities of Juan Cortinas, who is hero or villain or both depending upon the historian. The slaying of twelve cattle thieves by McNelly's men on the Palo Alto Prairie is a prime episode in restoring order as is a separate incursion into Mexico to recover stolen cattle.

1871 The Military Telegraph following the river from Brownsville to the Ringgold Barracks in Rio Grande City is completed. This gives the road its name, not anything to do with Zachary Taylor and his troop movements.

1873 The winter of this year is severe without precedent and results in the death of thousand of cattle. To later add to local woes, the year 1794 experiences an extreme drought.

1/20/1879  The Georgetown Railroad Company, which had earlier been awarded land in the area by the state as an incentive to build a rail line, sells Certificate No. 128 of the General Land Office of the State of Texas to Antonio Guerrero for $53.  This is Survey No. 22 of 640 acres in Cameron County. On 4/2/1898 James H. Dishman will purchase it for $1.50 an acre.

 

3/13/1879 Cameron County makes application for survey of school lands, namely to locate 2 ½ leagues belonging to the county. Adolphus Glaevecke, Clerk of Cameron County, attests to the Commission order.

9/29/1879 W.C. Walsh, Commissioner of the General Land Office issues a Land Script to Cameron County to take possession of Survey 36 with its 1,107 acres or quarter league. On 9/12/85 Governor John Ireland issues a letter patent to the county for this same parcel.

By 1880 Cameron County has a population of 14, 959, which grows very slowly. In 1887 it has risen to 17,001.

In 1880 Francisco Saldaña filed a patent on Survey 45 and officially was granted the land after occupation and improvements in 1886. Various members of the Saldaña family likely owned a total of about 510 acres south of survey 27. They called it La Providencia Ranch. Plats of about 170 acres each were numbers 45 (F. Saldaña), 46 (E. Contreras), and 47 (S. Saldaña). The "F" may have been Francisco, who was to marry Anselma Sanchez and upon her death Josefa Abrego. The "S" was his son Secundino from his first marriage. E. Contreras was Estevan (also spelled Esteban) Contreras, who had married Librada Saldaña. Their daughter Josefa, who was baptized in the Presbyterian Mexican Church, Brownsville on 3/7/86, lived on the ranch until 1896-98. Another daughter was to be Anita Saldaña Contreras de Rosales. Herlinda Saldaña of the ranch family was to marry Joaquin S. Sanchez, have a son Jose, and live at 831 Curtis Street, Harlingen. Paulo Saldaña, Sr. and Jr. were other family members.

9/12/1885 Richard King receives, as assignee of the Corpus Christi, San Diego and Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad Company, land patents, from John Ireland, Governor of the State of Texas, for Survey 287 640 acres, Survey 289 640 acres, Survey 299 320 acres, Survey 305 68 acres, and Survey 303 60 acres. On 2/17/1887 he similarly receives a patent for Survey 291 640 acres. All are north of, and many abut, the Arroyo Colorado. The parcels interspersed with other owners appear to follow the granting by the state to railroad companies of alternating parcels of land in order to encourage the railroads to lay the infrastructure and reward them with saleable land.

1893 James Henry Dishman, a native of Cherokee County, East Texas (and later Kaufman County), purchases undeveloped school land in what will later become the Combes area. He builds a homestead and by 1895 has established a working ranch. He gradually increases his area holdings to four square miles or more. Wounded by a cattle rustler in 1897, Dishman is aided in his recovery by brothers Doctors Fred and Joe Combes of Brownsville. In 1904 he donates land for a railroad right-of-way. In 1924 he donates five acres to the Combes Community as a site for a Baptist church and cemetery. In 1932 he gifts money and a site for the construction of an elementary school. It is named in his honor when completed in 1950.

He was born 2/22/1858 and received his education at public schools and the Masonic Institute. His forefathers had migrated from England to Virginia before the Revolutionary War. He served on numerous committees in the Great War and for 35 years was a Democratic Party committeeman along with serving as deputy sheriff as needed. Never having married, he dies 7/30/34. This first white settler of the Harlingen area is buried in the Harlingen City Cemetery along side his mother.

1895 Christian Balduf (also spelled Baldauf), a German, operates a small store and post office at the Paso Real.

5/22/95 Cotton boll weevil discovered in Lower Rio Grande Valley.

6/24/95 Sheriff E. C. Forto receives multiple wounds from outlaws near La Tasa Ranch. This is located on the south side of the Arroyo Colorado where some day the F Street Bridge will cross it.

It is this year that Mrs. Georgiana M. Dishman arrives with her seven year old granddaughter, Lena Templeton, and her bother Edwin Templeton. Accompanying them from Corpus Christi are Mrs. Dishman's married daughter Isabel and her husband Edwin Madeley, and their four children, Edwin, Ewing, Neil Shaw, and Helen. Mrs. Dishman would sell most of her Kaufman County property and buy 2,500 acres adjoining her son's land to the west. Mrs. Dishman , the former Georgia Murdock Berryman, was born 11/2/1835 and is to die 12/26/22.

Neil Madeley, who had been born in Kaufman County in 1894, would serve in WWI and return to Harlingen in 1919, where he would be elected three times as City Commissioner. Dying in 1956, this First Christian member leaves his wife Eunice, son Neil Jr. and daughter Dorothy.

In 1901 Lena, who will one day become Mrs. Sam Grant of Harlingen, lists "neighborhood" people as Ivey Brewer, Belle Ogan, Annie Apel, Mammie Thomas, the two Johnson girls, Lawrence Brewer, and Lennard Thomas. Lena will die 1/21/63 leaving one son James D. Grant and four daughters, including Georgiana Grant Davis.

1/2/86 The Last Will and Testament of Richard King is probated and all of his property is left to his widow, Henrietta M. King.

5/25/97 Col. Uriah Lott announces that he will build a railroad line from San Antonio to Tampico, Mexico via Brownsville.

1898 Three families come to western Cameron County from the Indian Territory (Oklahoma). The Jesse Thomas Avery family has two small daughters and a son, Henry Avery, was to be born in the area now known as Palm Valley where the Averys constructed a home. At a 2003 reunion Margaret Fox, a 1935 Harlingen High School graduate and descendent of the Averys relates an oral history. She recounts that 15 families were on their way to Veracruz, Mexico from Oklahoma. Their plans were to embark for Brazil where each family was to be awarded 694 acres. While camped in the Lower Rio Grande Valley the Averys were robbed, so they did not continue onward. The family patriarch, T. S. Avery (1/29/69-4/8/16), is buried in the Harlingen City Cemetery as is Catherine E. Avery (6/8/76-12/16/18), "Tender Mother and Faithful Friend."

From her obituary, a young Avery coming here in a covered wagon to the Wilson Tract from Winnewook, OK was to be Mrs. Vernie Belle Avery Payne. Born 9/7/95 she is to die at age 66 on 3/27/62. After marriage she moved to Mercedes, but on 1/1/43 became postmistress of the Combes Post Office. This member of the First Methodist Church, Combes left two sons, one of whom was J. Paul Payne of Harlingen.

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse L. Adams and Mrs. Adams' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ogan, are the other two families. The latter settle in the Tiocano Lake area where the Adam's daughter Carrie is soon born. Later the Ogans return to Oklahoma to be followed in1912 by the Adams.

Before the year 1900 others living to the southwest of James Dishman were a Mr. Douglass with his family and an old single gentleman from Kentucky named Parkhill who had come for his health. These soon departed when unable to cope with the harsh conditions of frontier life. Two other families were the Watts and Haynes.  Mr. Haynes was Lucy Adams' father. Other neighbors were Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Adams.  Their son Jess lived with them together with his wife Taney and their two tiny daughters. This family had come in 1898.

4/15/99 More talk about railroad building to the area but no action.

In this year T. S. Avery hauls lumber from Brownsville to what will become the Primera area, and a one room school house is erected.  He will pick up students from the area and transport them to the school.  He goes as far north as Mrs. Dishman's Rodeo Ranch.

The first of the Lozanos to come into the area are Geronimo and his wife Luisa Rodriguez Lozano. She had been born at Santa Rosalia, southeast of Brownsville. They likely came to the El Muerto Ranch which was located along what is now Godwin Road running north from FM508 east of Combes. Some time after 1906 when his brother Santos started a mercantile store in newly developing Harlingen town, Geronimo was to do the same, also on Jackson Street, thereby starting only the second mercantile store in town.

He will die in 1918, but the family will continue to live in their dwelling at the corner of C and Van Buren Streets. Later son, also Geronimo, will long have his home at 122 W. Madison. It has since been torn down. The senior Lozanos will parent sons, Luiz (father of Yolanda L. Gonzales, a lifelong Harlingenite), Geronimo, and Zaragosa, together with Mrs. Felipa Lozano de la Villareal, and Mrs. Eloisa Lozano de la Rosa. Luisa Lozano, who was born in 1877, will die in Harlingen on or about 11/21/51 at age 74.

It was sometime before the turn of the 20th century when the El Muerto Ranch was in existence. It was located in former School Lands about four miles north-northwest of where the center of Harlingen would be. It was in survey 28 platted to one J.M. Gonzales. Here Don Julian Villareal and his wife Guadeloupe Montalvo Villareal built a house of sod, mud and sticks. They were soon joined by Calixtro Rosales (1859-1947) and his wife Modesta Villegas Rosales (1859-1944) who also built a simple abode. Their daughter was Leonor Rosales Alvarez would be 100 on 2/2/00. At age 48 on 10/18/1882 Julian would die. His son of the same name would later remove to Harlingen to establish a dry goods store with his brothers. This Julian was born 8/26/76 and died 3/8/38. Both are buried in the El Muerto Cemetery located on Godwin Road east of Combes and running north from FM 508. In 1990 Ofelia Olsson would compile a brief history of the cemetery and a comprehensive list all those buried there.

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Decade 1900 to 1909

 

Development    Return to top

By the turn of the twentieth century all of the 64 square miles has been surveyed and platted into about 70 tracts. Cameron County is still in possession of the 2 ½ leagues of School Lands constituted by Survey Tracts 25, 26, 27, and 36. Much of the area is owned by railroad companies, some of which are only shell entities. Some of the major owners and the parcels they control (often jointly with assignees) are:

Corpus Christi, San Diego and Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad Company: Surveys, 275, 279, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 289, 290, 291, 292, 301,302, 303, 304;
Houston East and West Texas Railway: 49, 50, 275,276, 279, 280, 281, 282;
Georgetown Railroad Company: 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 39;
Beatty, Searle, and Forwood: 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44;
Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway: 137, 139;
Jose Maria Gonzalez: 28;
John Plunkett: 271;
Thomas G. McGehee: 272;
Samuel Parr: 273;
Mrs. E. R. Collingsworth: 274;
Isaac Hill (who is actually Lon C. Hill's daughter Ida b.10/19/85): 277, 278;
F. Saldana: 45;
E. Contreras: 46;
S. Saldana: 47.

An individual playing an important role in surveying the area is J.J. Cocke. Initially he was a State Land Agent that surveyed State lands in most counties from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the New Mexico border. In 1890 when he was engineer for the CC&SA Railroad he surveyed parts of the area and later located miles of right–of-way as its chief engineer before the company failed. In 1907 he was working out of Brownsville.

The railroad company first noted was one chartered in 1875 by Mifflin Kenedy, Richard King, Uriah Lott, and the Dull bothers of Pittsburg. Its intention was to connect Corpus Christi with Laredo, but it laid only 53 miles of track to San Diego before lapsing and later going under new ownership. One of the reasons the two ranchers may have entered this venture was a provision of an 1876 Texas law that allotted sixteen sections, that's sixteen square miles, of public lands for each mile of track laid. This law was repealed in 1882.

Some ranch and service communities in the area have grown to the point that they are recognized by map makers and named. In Survey 28 are Olmales and Muerto. Not far from them to the southeast in 272 is Cotio. Las Prietas is a community near where three trails intersect in Survey 26. North of the Arroyo Colorado in Survey 39 is Castanas adjacent to a crossing. Two other crossing communities are just south of the Arroyo. One is La Tasa where the F Street-Expressway 77 Bridge will one day be erected. The second is El Palmital, now the west side of Treasure Hills. These latter two serve travelers on one trail branching southwest from the Alice Stagecoach Road before it reaches Paso Real. Another trail joins it as it leads from the Santa Rosa Ranch northwest of Ojo de Agua.

Shortly thereafter, when it was clear that they would not be the ones to initiate railroads into the Valley, the railroad companies and others begin to sell parcels of their lands. By 1902 some of the owners not noted previously are:

M. S. Schmier: 18;
F. Trevino: 35;
G. S. Dorough: 40;
Y. Rodriguez: 42;
G. W. Mendell: 44;
W. W. Stocking: 50, 288;
George A. Johnston: 138, 290;
J.T.A.: 140;
L.L. Adams: 141;
Juan Silva: 238;
E. M. L. Williams: 276, 280, 286, 292, 302;
J. A. Hoisington: 282;
James Lockhart: 284;
Dayton Moses: 294;
L. G. Brewer: 296, 300.

Mrs. Collinsworth's 274 passes to S. R. Collinsworth.

The Dishmans, who had apparently assigned some of their parcels to the Georgetown Railroad Company, resume ownership of 20, 22, 24, and 38.

In later decades, after Harlingen is established, state law allows it to acquire extra-territorial jurisdiction and eventually annex additional contiguous area based on the city's population and the availability of unorganized adjacent lands.

Some of the first such lands are in the former Concepcion de Carricitos Grant, an area of approximately 83 square miles south of the Arroyo Colorado to the river. This grant and its subsequent disposition beginning in 1883 have a long and complicated history. The reader is directed to Ruby Wooldridge's 1951 Texas College of Arts and Industry Master's Thesis, "The Spanish and Mexican Land Grants of Present Day Cameron County." It deals with the history of this land grant. This work is to be found in Valley libraries.

By the 1990s Harlingen was moving west from the Stuart Place Tract into the next large tract, that of Adams Gardens. Its history, in brief, is this. Don Anastacio Treviño took possession of parts of the La Feria Grant in 1843. In 1851 Josiah Turner married one of Treviño's daughters. She died in 1854, and he married the remaining daughter, Tomasa Treviño. In 1867 he took charge of the ranch and "controlled it as my own." This was the Galveston Ranch. When Don Anastacio died in 1874 he left the property to his daughter, who later deeded a half-interest to her husband. He possessed what was to be the Adams Garden land for 39 years. In 1906 he sold the Adams Gardens portion of the property to three St .Louis men—Thomas W. Carter, Lemuel Carter, and Peyton T. Carr. After four years they sold it to W.T. Adams of Corinth, MI. He was a wealthy sawmill machinery manufacturer. It was 14 miles long and had 9,561 acres mostly in brush in the year 1910. In 1930 Adams decided to sell. Seventy-six miles of roads were built after a survey. Land was cleared and citrus orchards planted, however the depression in the 1930s hurt land sales.

1900 Leonidas Carrington Hill, a Beeville lawyer, comes by stagecoach to Brownsville to participate in a case. He observes scattered agricultural activities and gains some sense of the area's potential. His transition from Beeville lawyer to Valley developer is provided in detail in "Lon C. Hill 1862-1935 Lower Rio Grande Valley Pioneer" a 1973 biography compiled by his great-niece Kate Adele Hill. Additional background material is to be found in 1) "Harlingen Golden Anniversary Celebration –April 24-30 (1960), Official Program" compiled, written, and edited by Verna Jackson McKenna; and 2) Norman Rozeff's "Sugarcane and the Development of the Lower Rio Grande Valley 1875-1922, Chapter 5 The Hill Sugar Mill."

Also in the Valley this year is John D. Hill, no relative. Born in Lebanon, KY 9/3/57 Hill had come to Texas in 1877 after being educated in St. Louis. This Catholic of English ancestry married Linnie Bell 5/11/81. He was the manager for Lon C. Hill's hardware/implement store in Brownsville around 1902. He became a pioneer Harlingen land developer and real estate man. He would later serve the city and be involved in Lon Hill's enterprises.

When Mr. and Mrs. Guadeloupe Rodriguez move to Paso Real this year little do they know that the thriving community with over 80 homes is destined to soon shrink. The Inn closes first, then the ferry. Later periodic floods in the Arroyo Colorado sweep away many homes, and time and the elements do the rest. By 1975 only four will remain. The Rodriguez work a small farm south of the arroyo in Cameron County. Four of their boys and one daughter are born on the farm. These include Agapito in 1908, Pedro 1910, Gonzalo, Gregorio, and Rita. Seferino and his other siblings later call urban Rio Hondo home.

8/12/02 Lon C. Hill makes application to the Cameron County Commission to purchase the County School Lands of 2 ½ leagues (11,070 acres) for $13,837.50 or $1.25 per acre. He later receives approval for his bid on very favorable terms. The court takes a promissory note for the whole amount making the note due in ten years at 6% annual interest with payments. Part of the consideration is that he "enclose it with a four strand barbed wire fence with good mesquite posts 12 feet apart and to erect on said land at least three good windmills with dirt tanks."

9/20/02 E. M. L. Williams has been homesteading on Survey 290 which immediately abuts the Arroyo Colorado (and today would stretch from the arroyo north to Rio Hondo Road and have a width about from 4th Street east to16th Street.) He has acquired the 665.2 acres of 292, where he has erected a house, and the 640 acres of 280. He makes application to the state to purchase the 640 acres of 290 for $960 or $1.50 an acre. However it is George A. Johnston and his wife L. M. Johnston that again make application to purchase 290 for the same price on 4/7/03. They do acquire it only to turn around and sell it and also Survey 138, also 640 acres, to Lon C. Hill on 3/21/04 for $350.00 and the assumption of payments. Survey 138 is about three miles north of the Arroyo Colorado and .9 mile east of the La Feria Grant boundary.

10/18/02 Uriah Lott visits Brownsville to investigate railroad potential to the Valley.

11/28/02. In an interview with a reported for the Beeville Bee newspaper Hill notes that over the past 15 months he has purchased for himself and others 300,000 acres of Valley land including the Jim Wells ranch of 50,000 acres.

1/12/03 The St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway is formed this date and chartered 6/6/03 to create a railroad line from Sinton to Brownsville. Its incorporators are: Uriah Lott, R.J. Kleberg (son-in-law of Henrietta M. King), John B. Armstrong, R. Driscoll, James B. Wells, George F. Evans, John G. Kenedy, Arthur E. Spohn, Robert Driscoll Jr., E.H. Caldwell, J.J. Welder, F. Yturria, Thomas Carson, Caesar Kleberg, and R. King.

August 1903 Hill and associate Thomas L. Jones and their families leave Beeville for the Valley. The 155 mile journey with fourteen large wagons, their holdings, and sixty head of stock takes thirteen days.

8/10/03 The Lon C. Hill Improvement Company is chartered. The following year its name is changed to the Lon C. Hill Town and Improvement Company. Its capitalization is $200,000. Incorporators include Hill, his best fiend, Dr. S.H. Bell, and Jim Dougherty. James Lockhart, Hill's foreman, directs the clearing and grubbing of parts of the 543 acre Harlingen townsite. He also manages the first commissary. Jim Dougherty, a Brownsville resident, has been interested in developing the Valley for a decade at least. He worked with Lt. Chatfield in the failed Chatfield Irrigation Company, an outfit conceived ahead of its time.

11/03 A preliminary survey commences for the Sam Fordyce Branch(also called the Hidalgo Branch) rail line, 56 miles of track running west from Harlingen to Fordyce, west of what will be Mission. It is this line which opens the door for the settlement of numerous Valley towns such as La Feria, Mercedes, Weslaco, Alamo, San Juan, Pharr, McAllen, and Mission. Engineer Charley Ensminger is in charge initially but is so terrified by the wild territory that Chief Engineer Col. F.G. Jonah replaces him with W.T. Millington. By May 1904 work on this branch began in earnest. Because of the level grades involved, the line was two and a half miles from completion by September 20,1904.

3/11/04 For $4,736 Henrietta M. King, the heir to her husband Richard's estate, conveys to Hill 2,368 acres. The terms are $2,368 cash and the remainder in two notes of $1,184 each due one and two years at 8%. The total price is therefore $2.12/acre. The parcels he obtains are Survey 287, 640 acres; 289, 640; 291, 640; 299, 320; 303, 60; and 305, 68.

3/26/04 Township of Harlingen being laid out.

4/11/04 Arroyo Colorado steel bridge planned. It is to be the biggest on the Lott line.

The nascent community needs an official name to append to the railroad stop and station to be. In talking with Hill, Col. Lott, conceiver of the railroad line to the Valley, suggests the name Harlingen. His maternal grandmother is Eliza Van Harlingen who was born in Harlingen, New Jersey, itself named after the small northern Holland town of Harlingen from which her ancestors came. With the canals soon to be in the area and their commonality with the canals of Holland, this name is accepted. Hill might have named the community for himself, except that he had already selected the name Lonsboro for the planned Sam Fordyce Branch railroad station stop in the Capisallo Ranch he had purchased from Jim Wells in 1902. He later sold this land to the American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company, which eventually used the name Mercedes for a site slightly to the west.

4/20/04 Railroad reaches Harlingen at 10 am, but the temporary wooden bridge across the arroyo is not complete yet. The town is dry. It will reach Brownsville on 6/7/04.

5/2/04. The temporary bridge is completed. [For additional information on the railroad bridges see "The Railroad Bridges of Harlingen" link.]

6/3/04 On this date Wenceslao Saldana and Felipa A. de Saldana, husband and wife, convey to L.C. Hill 160 acres for $500. This parcel begins at the north boundary of School Survey 26 and north of what will become Combes. Hill buys it to dedicate part of it to the railroad right-of-way. Shortly thereafter on 6/10/04 Hill dedicates to F. Yturria, John G. Kenedy, and Robert J. Kleberg, trustees of the SLB&M Railway, 1/20 of all shares of the townsite and improvement company to be formed and 1/5 of other lands plus a 100' right-of-way.

6/24/04 A permit for the establishment of a post office is awarded. Some might argue that this action officially establishes Harlingen on the map.

7/4/04 On this date the first passenger train of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway to the Valley arrives in Harlingen en route to Brownsville. Before this date Sam Robertson, the railroad engineer, has surreptitiously been hauling individuals, their families, and chattel to the Valley on work trains.

The railroad company uses 4-4-0 locomotives, but these will soon supplanted by 2-6-0s. The 4-4-0 was built continuously through the end of the 19th century. It handled both freight and passenger traffic and was nearly universal, so much so that it acquired the name "American Standard" or simply "American." In 1884, 60 % of all U.S. steam locomotives were 4-4-0s. The widespread application of air brakes in the 1880s spelled the end for 4-4-0s. Air brakes made it possible to run longer and heavier trains and that created the demand for more powerful locomotives. The 2-6-0 had a swiveling lead truck which was self-centering, and together with the driving wheels, a three point suspension system was created. This allowed the locomotive to traverse uneven track. It had 50% more adhesion than a 4-4-0. It acquired the name Mogul because it could produce more power than a 4-4-0. Over 11,000 Moguls were built, but it never developed into a modern locomotive. It in turn was supplanted by the 2-8-0 with even more adhesion.

A two mile sendero (Spanish for path) has been cleared in the heavy brush from Lon C. Hill's Arroyo Colorado camp, named "salty lonesome" by the family, to a point on the railroad that is to be the junction ( present day Harrison and Commerce Streets) where the spur railroad line to the west side of the Valley will take off. The junction of sendero and railroad is marked on surveyors' maps as "Harlingen." The sendero then continues a mile directly west. The railroad construction crews and the trainmen have another name for the community –Rattlesnake Junction.

A box car serves as the very first railroad depot. After a real railroad depot is built, W.E. Hollingsworth, the first railway agent, used a curtained off portion for his personal quarters.

9/16/04 The Rio Grande floods at Presidio and later at Havana ( west of what would become Mission). The river is fifteen miles wide in the vicinity of Fordyce. The previous such high had occurred in 1846. Southwest of La Feria the overflow waters enter the Arroyo Colorado. At Harlingen, despite the dismantling in order to minimize flow obstructions of the wooden framework being utilized to erect the steel bridge, the steel work collapses to the floor of the arroyo as both concrete piers are undermined. The site of the crossing was poor as the floor around the piers was discovered to be quicksand.

9/21/04 Portions of the temporary wooden railroad bridge give way due to the effects of flooding. Before repairs are completed Brownsville train traffic is interrupted for 28 days. Harlingen postmaster Lockhart delivers mail to Brownsville on a railroad handcart. Reconstruction of the railroad bridge begins 10/6/04.

1/30/05 For $10 Hill turns over acreage under his name to the Lon C. Hill Town and Improvement Company. This includes 900.7 acres in Survey 36 with 206.3 acres being retained; Survey 289 with 640 acres; Survey 290 with 640 acres; and Survey 291 with 640 acres less the railroad right-of-way of approximately 55 acre.

1/31/05 For the planned Sam Fordyce Branch, Hill conveys right-of-way to railroad through Surveys 26, 27, 36, 289, and 290. The conveyance is filed 3/9/05.

9/18/05 Built by the Johnston brothers, railroad contractors, the steel railroad bridge which crosses the Arroyo Colorado, is nearly complete.

Sometime during the year 1905 Hill has constructed a brick kiln along the north bank of the Arroyo Colorado.

3/12/06 On this day, Hill kills a young man from Corpus Christi named Theodore F. Dix. Hill, on horseback, encounters the pistol brandishing youth on foot at a site east of the Arroyo Colorado. Hill asks the man to set aside the gun or give it to him. When Dix refuses and begins to wave the weapon, Hill, in the presence of one half dozen witnesses, opens fire and kills him with three shots. Dix leaves a widow and two young children. The following day Hill appears in court in Brownsville where friends post the $3,000 bail. In February 1907 the case is finally adjudicated. Hill is quickly found "not guilty" in that the homicide was one of self-defense.

3/19/06 The Brownsville Herald proclaims that Hill owns 100,000 acres.

January 1907 Canal intake excavation work at the river about 9.75 miles south of the Arroyo Colorado is in progress. Later in the year 450 men and seventy teams of mules and horses will be hard at work on the canal under the supervision of experienced engineer John D. Hill.

6/15/07 Hill is quoted as being broke when he came to the Valley five years ago. His wealth is now conservatively estimated at $800,000, and he owns 160,000 acres fee simple. In the Valley he assisted railroad magnate B.F. Yoakum and his associates. Hill at one time was begged to buy Brownsville area land at $3.00 an acre.

8/17/07 Plans are made for starting the power house pumping plant to lift water from the river into the Harlingen Canal. A.R. Mann, a mechanical engineer from Chicago is engaged to take charge of the machinery. He is already in Harlingen. It was the discovery of oil at Spindletop in1901 which made feasible and expedited the pumps along the river, for this energy source was economical and readily available in contrast to ever-diminishing forestry products burned to generate steam.

9/3/07 A Brownsville Herald article promotes the Harlingen Developments. It reports "Beginning tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, plots of the townsite and maps of the lands may be consulted at the office of J.S. Dougherty, Brownsville, where the opening sale is being conducted."

9/7/07 The Harlingen Canal pumps are scheduled to start.

9/10/07 The Harlingen Land and Water Company is chartered for the purpose of the construction, maintenance, and operation of flumes, reservoirs, lakes, wells, canals, and later other and all appurtenances for the purpose of irrigation, navigation, milling, mining, stock raising, and city water works, and the supply and transferring of water to all persons entitled to same for the purposes mentioned. With its office in Harlingen its life is set as 50 years. Five directors appointed for one year are Lon C. Hill, Paul Hill, John D. Hill, Dr. S.H. Bell and Peter Ebenezer Blalack. The capital stock is $300,000, par value $100 – all of the capital stock of the corporation being subscribed by the above directors. With eighteen miles of main canal, the pumping station and other facilities in place, 6,095 acres out of the Concepcion de Carricitos Grant are transferred to the water company. On 9/20/07 Hill also conveys other land to the Harlingen Land and Water Co.

10\07. In addition to selling Harlingen-area land through his own company, Hill is willing to pay commissions to other realtors to move acreage. One is W. O. Coleman, who came to Brownsville from Mississippi in January 1906. Another agency selling Harlingen Land and Water Company properties was the St. John Land & Investment Company of Brownsville.

10/29/07 The Big Flume being built by the land and water company to convey water across the Arroyo Colorado is scheduled to be finished in 30 days. Its cost is projected to be $20,000.

Hill's initial subdivision offering involves 4,500 acres to be sold in tracts ranging from five to forty acres, the prices being fixed according to their proximity to the canals, laterals, railroad, and Harlingen townsite. His assertion that the soil is sandy loam is a stretch because most of it is, in fact, heavy Harlingen clay.

Hill pays contractors $10 per acre to clear the land. By October 1907 2,000 acres have been prepared. The contractors, who at this time have a force of 400 men distributed in gangs of twenty, do not have claim to the timber which is mostly ebony and mesquite. Hill can sell these for fuel, fence posts, and railroad ties and sometimes cover the clearing costs.

Within two to three miles of his residence, Hill is running 450 head of cattle as well as hogs, chickens and turkeys.

1/9/07 A plan is afoot for the installation of a second pump at the river station. This will double the 15,000gpm capacity of the first one, now operating for two months. The machinery has already been reserved. At present the canal is reported to be 12 miles long and 50 feet wide.

1908  Likely in this year Harlingen has its first running water system.  It is the Mooreland Lateral that comes from the main canal south of town and is then connected by a pipe to the Mooreland Hotel. The water entered a cistern tank from which it was lifted by a windmill pump to a water tower higher than the hotel itself. Two private baths run by a Mr. Prelir (?) and several public baths were then available. A bridge at Jackson Avenue straddled the water lateral there.

1/1/08 Hill, in an expansive, salesman-like mode, says he is ready to plant 5,000 acres of sugarcane northwest of Harlingen and that contracts are now pending with Louisiana and Cuban growers to put out 10,000 acres of cane south of the Arroyo Colorado and west of the Brownsville rail line. A railroad spur built to connect Harlingen to the river was offered as a prospect. Prospects were also noted that the Arroyo Colorado would be dredged in part to become a section of the propose extension of the Intercoastal Waterway system. Money for a survey was appropriated by Congress.

2/8/08 The suit over the Las Mesteñas, Pititas, y la Abra tract is settled after 14 years of litigation; Hill gets 14,000 acres out of the 103,022 involved.

3/28/08 River irrigation water reaches Harlingen in the 11.5 miles of canal south of the community. The last stretch was across the arroyo on the flume. The newspaper notes that the canal was started 5/2/07 by Walter Vann, son of Capt. J.W. Vann, who is in charge. The one 24 inch pump is to be supplemented by two 36 inch ones, so up to 35,000 acres may be irrigated. Although Harlingen now has water, it still lacks water mains and other infrastructure for direct delivery of drinkable water to its residents. Cirilo Rodriguez would pump water from the canal near his residence at 802 W. Filmore, settle it in large tin tanks, and the deliver the water by barrel to customers.

6/5/08  On this date 22 miles of canals are said to be in operation, enough to irrigate 40,000 acres.  The cost of them is put at $280,000.

11/08 About 26 miles of canal, primary and secondary, are in operation and 75,000 acres are being or are ready for irrigation. During this period Hill is helping to frame the state law that will put into being the first semi-governmental irrigation district in the state. This is to be Cameron County Irrigation District No. 1, established on August 10,1914, when election returns were filed.

7/13/08  Hill contacts D. A. Garden regarding the compilation of a sales prospectus. He provides these figures. Canals now built valued at $200,000; sugar mill when constructed $240,000; 5,000 acres of land for mill production $200,000; 8,000 acres unimproved land $400,000; land with cane $200/acre and without $50/acre.  He notes that he, the Harlingen Land and Water Company, and J. P. Stevenson collectively own 46,000 acres.

7/14/08 The Land and Water Company submits a plat map to Cameron County Clerk, J. Webb. It is to subdivide Surveys 289, 290, and part of 36. The lots are all north of the company's main canal, which itself is north of and parallel to the Arroyo Colorado. East of present 7th Street are 27 lots ranging from about 11.4 acres to 18.8 acres in size. To the north of town are 17 lots of similar size and 8 more ranging from 24.6 to 55.6 acres in size. South and west of the town area are a total of 21 lots 5.1 to 15.6 acres in size. James Lockhart and Dr. Ferguson have adjacent lots where the railroad tracks turn from the south into the Sam Fordyce Branch. The train depot sits in the triangle bounded by the tracks coming from the north to the south and diverging from both directions to the west branch. Seventy five complete rectangular lots and nine partial ones sit in the town to the east of the tracks. West of the tracks are 57 whole lots and eight partial ones. Harrison Street is shown as 80' in width. There are no railroad track crossings at Tyler or Van Buren Streets. The town itself is a square of 414 acres or .64 square mile. It runs east-west from current 7th Street to current F Street and north-south from the south side of Washington to the north side of Lincoln. Three whole city blocks are dedicated to be parks. They are Bowie between Madison and Jefferson, Travis between Polk and Tyler, and Diaz between Harrison and Van Buren. By 1917, when the lots east to what is now 13th Street start to be developed, the city will be 1.06 square mile in size.

10/23/08 The Harlingen Land and Water Company has 100 acres of sugarcane seed and plans to plant several hundred acres next fall.

11/10/08 The above company holds its annual meeting wherein Lon C. Hill is named president and general manager. Kate Bailey is secretary.

It is in 1908 that a tract is laid out by Dr. Pierre Wilson and Frank W. Kibbe of Brownsville. It is the Survey 25 parcel formerly owned by Thomas L. Jones.

2/1/09 An example of the rapidly escalating prices for land is provided by the following transactions over a ten year period. On this date the HL&W Co. sells to James N. Kilgore farm block 44 (east of town). The 11 1/10 acre goes for $1,700 with water to be furnished and paid at $3/ac./yr.whether used or not. When planted the water rates are dependent on the crops. For corn and cotton this is $4/ac/yr.; sugarcane and alfalfa $6/ac/yr.; and for crops such as fruit, vegetables, rice demanding more water than cane are charged $10. On 7/31/09 J.N. Kilgore and wife Anna M. sell the property to William H. Kilgore for $2,775. On 12/24/09 it is conveyed to R.S. Chambers, bank president, Harlingen State Bank to secure a $1,000 mortgage note which is paid off 7/20/11. On 8/13/12 the property is sold to Searcy Baker of Harris County for $3,500 as notarized by Miller V. Pendleton. Baker in turn subdivides it and sells a 100' x 300' lot to H.H. Burchard for $375. On 1/11/19 Baker sells the remainder of block 44 to William B. Weber for $4,000.

7/2/09 The Improvement Company sells to the Land and Water Company 590 acres out of Survey 290. The price is $50 an acre, total $29,500.

7/10/09  With the hyperbole which only Lon C. Hill could generate the St. Louis Daily Globe-Democrat runs a large type headline with following article on him  The headline reads "How a Full Blooded Choctaw Indian Has Made $6,000,000 in 6 Years".

9/25/09 Plans are revealed to improve Harlingen drainage.

9/28/09 An election is held and a town government is formed. Twenty-seven voters are for incorporation. John Bartlett, Cameron County Judge declares the town to be duly incorporated. Also a school district is organized and seven trustees are elected. W.H. Kilgore receives 26 votes, R.S. Chambers 26, C.F. Perry 26, H.N. Morrow 26, John Snavely 23, J.A. Card 23, W.E. Hollingsworth 20. A.H. Weller with 18 votes is denied election.

Agricultural/Ranching    Return to top

1900 Jesus Saldana is part of the extended family operating La Providencia Ranch. It is located in Surveys 45 and 47 directly west of what will initially be Harlingen. The sendero opened in 1904, and which would become Harrison Street, runs a mile or so to the S. Saldana property. This is important because the ranch is a source of good water, a necessity the community still lacks. From the well on the ranch, water is hauled by the barrel until the canal reaches Harlingen in early 1908. The charge is 50 cents per barrel for this service.

The wagon road going south from the adjacent F. Saldana ranch to allow a low water crossing of the Arroyo Colorado is now Tucker Road. Just beyond where it ends on the north side of the arroyo was a community named Castenas. [For more information on this subject see "The Location of La Providencia Ranch" link.]

6/24/02 Hill invites Brownsville Herald newspaper editor to view his four 14" sulky plows pulled by a steam engine. This equipment is operating on his Brownsville holdings and for the Valley is revolutionary. Hill is a progressive farmer and even sends soil samples to Texas A&M College for analyses. He recognizes the good drainage and fertility of lands adjacent to the resacas after observing Mexicans growing vegetables on them. He also realizes that lack of water is the primary limiting factor for land away from the river. A key insight is his grasp of the fact that the river flows on terrain higher than the areas to its north. This means that gravity flow in irrigation transport canals is possible once the water is lifted out of the river. The elevation of Harlingen is, in fact, nine feet below that of the river bed.

August 1903 Lon C. Hill and associate Thomas L. Jones and their families leave Beeville for the Valley. The 155 mile journey with fourteen large wagons, their holdings, and sixty head of stock takes thirteen days. Jones comes with his wife and seven children.

Thomas L. Jones, a native of Mississippi who had come to Texas in 1901. He acquires from Hill the former Cameron County School Lands Survey 25 with its approximate 4,500 acres northeast (currently Primera) of Harlingen and perhaps prematurely attempts to irrigate portions of it but fails in his effort. [He may have utilized well water since no canals from the river were yet constructed in the area.] Mary Jones teaches school age children in the vicinity at her father's ranch house. While Hill had paid $1.25 an acre to purchase Survey 25 from the county we do not know what Jones paid him for the land. However Jones reportedly obtains $13 an acre when he later sells the tract to Dr. Pierre Wilson of Dallas and Frank W. Kibbe, an aggressive Brownsville real estate promoter who will also be president of the La Feria Townsite Company and the La Feria Land and Irrigation Company, in November 1908. Wilson had expressed an interest in building a sanitarium on part of the land though having retired from his medical practice in Dallas. Wilson was originally from Hennepin County, Minnesota possibly coming to Texas via Lawton, OK. In a land sales brochure he is advertised to have planted 108 acres of cotton in the spring of 1911 and raised 125 bales from it. The first 100 bales brought him $5,776.20 and the other 25, $1,250. Five acres of his sorghum which he cut several times in the year brought him 12 tons/acre which he sold for $10-14 per ton. The area thereafter is called the Wilson Tract and the road leading from it to Harlingen is Wilson Road. A 1909 map shows that the Wilson Tract had been platted into 110 lots of 40 acres each. Engineer A.W. Amthor of La Feria surveyed and laid out the tract. The Tract encompassed the whole of Survey 25. The uncleared land is offered for $150 an acre. After becoming ill, Dr. Wilson sells the land to Mr. (H.E.?) Shaff, former president of the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad, known for short as the Katy. Mr. Shaff was in town by April 1909. In the 1920s the property with its citrus orchids is used as a showplace. Prospective buyers are treated by Valley Developments, Inc. to meals at the ranch clubhouse.

6/11/04 Lon C. Hill buys the season's first two bales of cotton. He sends one to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis in order to publicize the area and give the U.S. an indication of the earliness of Valley cotton. He sends the second bale to the Houston Cotton Exchange for the same reason but also for the first bale produced in the year in Texas and the United States to be auctioned. This establishes a tradition.

7/1905 William Doherty in the Gulf Coast Magazine published by the Gulf Coast Line in Kingsville provides a cost figure for Hill's canal building. To be taken cautiously is the figure of $4,500 per mile from the quote "Every mile of it (canal) represents $4,500 worth of faith on the part of this man."

1906 With brick from his own arroyo-side kiln, Lon C. Hill builds the substantial brick barn whose site was the west side of the present municipal auditorium. It would later be used in the Valley Mid-Winter Fair.

10/23/08 The HL&WC sells one of its first lots, 30.6 acres, on the west side of block 47 to C.P. Albright of Barry County, MO for $510 including water delivery.

It is in 1908 that Robert Lewis Chaudoin becomes overseer of the Dilworth Ranch and Farm west of Harlingen and south of the Arroyo Colorado. Robert is from Oak Forest in Gonzales County. His wife and five of the children will follow in 1909. Winston Harwood may have some investment in R. S. Dilworth's ranch.

1909 Samuel Davis Grant, son of Hannah Harriet and William Talley Grant, comes to the area after surgery by Dr. Pierre (Perry)Wilson. He becomes foreman of Dr. Wilson's ranch. After the ranch falls into the hands of the Mr. Shaff, former president of the "Katy" railroad, Grant acts as the bookkeeper. Born in Robertson City, TX in 1883, he attended TCU and UT where he completed his studies in 1903. He marries Helena (Lena) Templeton of Santa Elena Ranch in 1914 and together they have five children: Georgiana, Christine, Francis, James, and Helena. Her Uncle James Dishman presents them with 320 acres of virgin land as a wedding present. In 1915 Grant purchases land east of Combes (and now HYW 77) and farms it, but in 1918 he commences the Ebony Grove Dairy with a herd of fine Jerseys. Sam is for a time president of Kiwanis, on the Harlingen School Board, and the Boy Scout Board. He is to die of a heart attack 1/23/46.

1908 Jacob Samuel "Sweet Potato Jake" Pletcher comes to the Valley from Ohio with his brother George H. Pletcher, Sr. In 1909 they buy 74 acres of "high ground", now Pletcher Floral Co. on W. Harrison and former site of the old Pletcher home. Paying $60 an acre they soon plant the first citrus in that area. His father-in-law John Snavely, who later is president of the first school board, comes about the same time. Pletcher receives his nick-name while supplying sweet potatoes to the government in the Great War. He makes the first sale of carpet grass here and exhibits a 16 lb. sweet potato in the 1921 fair. He and his brother start the first commercial nursery in the Valley. His son Bill and nephew George Jr. start their own nursery in 1926. In 1950 Jake leaves the Valley. He dies in Lufken 7/16/61 at age 79.

1909  Levi Elmer Snavely (1869-1939) of Thornton, Indiana hears a lecture in Corpus Christi about the Valley.  With capital of $1,750 he sets out 100 citrus trees near Brownsville.  Later he moves to the Valley and eventually by 1930 has 1,200 acres in tomatoes, 1,000 in potatoes, 200 in beans, in addition to 150,000 citrus trees.  He has packing plants at Snavely (Wilson Road?), Rio Hondo, Weslaco, Edcouch, and Santa Rosa. Later he will be the RGV district representative of the American Fruit Growers, Inc. In 1928 he builds an impressive Norman-style house on Wilson Road (next to where the Lt. George Guttierrez, Jr. Junior High School is currently located).Its designer is noted Harlingen architect Birger A. Elwing.  Named La Bonita, it will later warrant a Texas State Historical Commission marker.  The school site was the H.L. Starnes Farm from 1920 to 1982.

9/20/09 Soon after arriving from Lawton, OK, C.W. Clift is to plant 30 acres of cabbage. Later in the late fall he follows up with peavine hay.

10/2/09 640 acres of fine cane land near Harlingen are advertised for sale at $35 per acre.

In this year Earl Wetmore, who had come with his family, is credited with planting the first citrus tree in the Harlingen area.

J.C. Crosset and his wife of Minnesota purchase 40 acres in April of this year and arrive in Harlingen on 11/5/09. Mrs. Crosset will take an interest in local history. In May 1925 she is to tell a Briggs-Coleman gathering of Harlingen's early days. She notes that early land realtors, W.H. and J.N. Kilgore took prospective buyers out to the David and Stevenson Tract land in a hack or when muddy in a wagon pulled by four mules.

Harlingen itself is still a mixture of farm and urban lots. Where Piggly Wiggly would one day be on Jackson was a barb wire fenced pasture 1 ½ blocks wide holding five cows.

Business/Commercial/Industry     Return to top

2/7/05  The Lon C. Hill Town and Improvement Company is organized in Brownsville this date. With $200,000 capital stock its stated purpose is for building erection, improvement, loans for same and subdivision of real estate. Its principles are Hill, James R. Daugherty and S. H. Bell.  John D. Hill is secretary.

1906(early) Santos Lozano, who had come from Alice in 1905, buys the second commercial lots on Main (Jackson) Street. He builds a small frame structure for a general store with living quarters upstairs. This building is removed in 1915 and replaced by a large two–story brick structure. The bricks are imported from Monterrey, Mexico. Initially the building has "S. Lozano and Son-1915" etched on the top of its north-facing and west-facing facades. Don Guillermo Lozano, Santos' son, will open the first meat market west of the railroad.

Santos Lozano was born in Ejidos San Nicolas de los Garzas (now part of Monterrey), Nuevo Leon State, Mexico in 1863. His parents, Felipe and Otta Gracia Lozano had immigrated to Texas during the Mexican-French War and ended up in Collins, TX when Santos was two years old.  In Alice Santos would eventually operate a mercantile store for fourteen years before making his way to Harlingen. After the death of his first wife, Micaela Beasley, he would marry Tomasa Cantu with whom he would have children, another Santos and Edme. His oldest son Juan B. Lozano was born in Alice 4/12/92, educated at public schools, and, in 1909, became a merchant with his father in Lozano and Son. He was to marry Herlinda Hinojosa 5/12/12.  His younger brother, Santos V. Lozano was born in Alice on 7/27/94, and also educated in public schools. When he entered the business the store was called S. Lozano & Son Dry Goods Store. He came to Harlingen at age 11 and was to serve in WWI in a medical detachment. He later was an American Legion member and was in the Woodmen of the World. Both brothers were proud of their Irish-Mexican heritage.  The other Lozano children who came to Harlingen by train in 1905 were Fivela, Porfirio, Otilia, and Alfredo. In the 1920s the Lozanos will have placed store branches in La Feria, Donna, and Raymondville. Santos would die at the ripe old age of 90.  A daughter, Micaela "Mickey" Lozano was born in Harlingen on May 10, 1910.  She would go on to graduate Harlingen High School, attend Texas A&I, and receive a B.S. Degree in Education from Pan Am. She married Manuel I. "Meme" Garibay who died in 1954.  Retiring as a teacher in 1981, Mrs. Garibay was to die in Brownsville on 11/14/04 at age 94. Micaela's sister Sofia was also born in Harlingen.

1906 The railroad company feels confident enough of Harlingen's future that it constructs a two-story, u-shaped, frame hotel having 10 rooms with two baths and verandas on both floors. Its location is the center of town, Hill (now First) Street and Harrison. Its first manager is Mrs. August H. Weller. [Mrs. Weller's father, Charles Bock, Sr. (also spelled in the original German, Boch), has the distinction of being the first Texas Ranger.] She is followed in management by Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Ogan.

A.H. Weller opens one of a series of saloons around town. One large one is on the south side of Jackson a short distance east of Commerce Street. It has a large false front second story upon which it advertises "Saloon." It looks straight out of a Hollywood western. In time he will run thirteen "watering holes."

9/5/06 Weller buys the three lots at Tyler and Commerce and two lots at Commerce and Jackson.. These are the first lots conveyed by the Town and Improvement Company. Ten days later Santos Lozano buys two lots at Jackson and "A" Streets.

10/21/07 Sales recorded in Hill's lumber company ledger indicate local activities and individuals in the community. These include lumber for a windmill for Hathaway, lumber for American houses and Mexican houses being built by Elmer Anglin, for A.H. Weller's restaurant, O.G. Bats –shingles, Santos Lozano and Brothers, Pancho Garcia with the Harlingen Land and Water Company, Perrie Clarke, Jesus Lopez, A. Goldammer, Bland H. Chamberlain, S.A. McHenry, Lon Robinson, T.L. Jones (11/28/07), Francisco Valdes (12/07), James Lockhart (12/07, C. Balduff, Albert Sammons --barb wire, J.J. Hackney, W.Z. Weems for Hill, W.E. Hollingsworth, Walter Stocking --wire, E.C. Hammond, and to the Piper Texas Plantation a Pluto Disc Plow with three horse hitch.

1907 The Taylor Lumber Company opens. In November of this year Hill commences construction on his large two-story building.

4/08 M.M. Osborn commences publication of the Harlingen Star, a weekly.

1908 A.W. Elmore opens the community's first barber shop in a small wooden building at the southeast corner of what is now Commerce and Jackson Street.

1908 (fall) C.S. Moore purchases the hotel from the railroad company. It becomes known as the Moorland Hotel. It is razed in 1928 but was still in existence as the Madison Hotel was constructed to its northeast side. Mr. Moore is an avid fisherman and held the honor of landing the first summer tarpon at Port Isabel from 1906 through 1909. The Ogans, who have managed the railroad hotel in Raymondville, come to manage the Mooreland. In 1908 they then built a two-story frame hotel with 22 rooms at 321 W. Jackson, west of the tracks. It is razed in 1945 at which time Mrs. Ogan still owned it and four adjacent lots. Mr. Ogan had died in 1922.

Cora L. and Ben Franklin Ogan came from Sedalia, MO with children Gladys, Lois, and Roland. Lois was to become Mrs. Bush Williams. Mrs. Ogan's mother, Mrs. Serena Brown, lived with her as did her brother Grover Brown. They helped at the hotel, which Mrs. Ogan lived and worked in until 1945 when she moved to 301 W. Pierce. Her grandson, Dr. E.L. Richter of St. Louis gave her this two story furnished house. Mrs. Ogan, a First Christian member, died 2/15/49. Roland helped in the hotel too, later moving to Brownsville, dying 1/1/68. Grover Brown who was born 7/13/86 in Clinton, IL was chief clerk, 1910-52, for MoPac for 42 years. Also a First Christian and a Mason, he died in 1954.

1908  The large two-story brick Lon C. Hill Building is erected at the northwest corner of Van Buren and A Streets by contractor Andrew Goldammer. Its completion is slowed by the handwork needed at Hill's arroyo brick works and kiln. The bricks are marked with Lon C. Hill's kiln identification.  This was a bar K (K), the same as Hill used as his cattle brand.   Hill's brick kiln operations were semi-commercial in that he used much of the production for his own use.  The kiln and clay source were immediately adjacent to the Arroyo Colorado on its north side within a couple hundred yards west of the railroad bridge. Several industrial buildings were at the site. The commercial name may have been the Harlingen Brick Works, for at least the South Texas Lumber Co. billed an outfit with this name for materials on 2/16/10. When finished in 1909, one of building's first floor occupants, besides the Harlingen State Bank, is a general merchandise store operated by Sam Botts and Fred Chambers.  Upstairs are offices for the Hill interests along with sleeping quarters for the canal riders. Frank Martin is one of these.  To the east, across First Street, was a stable where the canal riders put up their horses.  Beyond this was a lumberyard managed by Pat D. Haley, Sr., who also was the village justice of the peace and coroner. The Lon C. Hill building, last owned by insurance man R. N. Jones, will be demolished in 1957 to make room for a bank parking lot.

This same year Ike B. McFarland arrives to manage a lumberyard.  Little does he know that two years later he will become the town's first mayor. In 1913 he will return to Houston.

Abner Webster (A.W.) Cunningham (b.7/29/63) and his wife Florence Mays (b.3/27/70 in Pinson, TX) come to Harlingen from Waco where he has been an attorney in an office with his brother. They would make their home at the corner of 1st and Austin Streets at 922 North 1st. He would go on to a long and illustrious career, serving as Harlingen's second mayor, a district judge 1923-30, on the county bench 1933-35, and then as a JP. He was a charter member of the First Methodist Church, a Mason, Shriner, organizer and first chairman of the Texas Unemployment Commission, and a real estate developer. The Cunninghams had been married in Belcher 8/7/94 and were, in 1944, able to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary in Harlingen though they had no offspring. Florence would die in 1948, but Judge Cunningham would live until 1963, dying a few weeks short of his 100th birthday. He left a sister here, Mrs. Retta C. Wellborn.

3/09 A.W. Cunningham and E. J. Ernest organize a real estate firm to bring in settlers. C.F. Perry also follows their initiative.

5/4/09 L.S. Ross purchases the lot at 521 E. Harrison and later in the year likely builds a house upon it. Eleven years later it will be purchased by C.F. Bobo. In 5/93 preservationists have it moved to the Rio Grande Valley Museum complex.

9/25/09. William Zachary (W.Z.) Weems, Sr., L.F. Hathaway, and David Allen Barbee form a partnership to manufacture cane syrup. The machinery to process the sugarcane and its juices has arrived and is expected to be set up in a month's time at Hill's farm. In 1908 Weems put in quite an acreage of sugarcane, but it is Barbee with his Coastal Bend syrup-making experience who will deal with the processing. Weems had come with his family to the Valley from Houston in 1907 to work on canal building and land clearing around Mercedes. He had married Lucy Keen in 1883 in West Columbia, TX. While he died in 1931 she, who was born 7/15/1864 in West Columbia, lived until age 82, dying in 1947. This charter member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church, left two daughters who had become school teachers when young.

1909 L.G. Nichols arrives to manage the lumber yard which the South Texas Lumber Company of Houston has purchased from Hill in 1908. In September H.D. Seago becomes secretary for the local branch. In 1985 it is the oldest continuous business operating in Harlingen.

This same year Harlingen's first bank is founded. It is the Harlingen State Bank and is located in the Lon C. Hill Building. Searcy Chambers is president and M.V. Pendleton, cashier and general manager. Later A.H. Weller purchases the bank and moves it to the Weller Building at "A" and Jackson Streets. As its new president Weller hires Bailey Dunlap of La Feria as supervisor and Hoyte Hicks Burchard as manager. On 4/1/18 R.B. Hamilton arrives from Bishop to become bank manager. By 1919 he has raised the capital stock from $15,000 to $25,000. By 1924 Hamilton will have left banking for the insurance business.

Julian Villarreal and his brothers buy two lots at the northeast corner of Van Buren and "C" Streets. They open a dry goods store there. Later he will have a confectionery store, become a deputy constable, and reside at 421 W. Taylor with his wife Emma.

By mid-1909 Jose Guttierez will have a company that sells groceries at 408 W. Harrison.

The Letzerichs [another source says Charles H. Waterwall] erect the brick building at 216 W. Jackson on the northeast corner of Jackson and Commerce. Substantial and continuing billing,10/15/09 through 4/1/10, of the South Texas Lumber Co. to Dr. Letzerich may indicate the building being erected in this period. It will later house the Harlingen Pharmacy owned by Hugo L. Letzerich on its first floor and the offices of his brothers, Dr. Casper W. Letzerich, and Dr. Alfred M. upstairs. One may even conduct some dental work as a building sign indicates. Hugo Letzerich first saw Harlingen as a mail clerk on the first train through the community in 1904. When the post office was in this building he was its postmaster. The structure is currently occupied by an antique emporium. Hugo will marry in 1916 when his fiancée Alma, who was born in Oakland, TX, arrives here. She is a dedicated Methodist whose work for the church will be recognized on Alma Letzerich Day in April 1977. Hugo, who was born in Warrentown,TX 1/6/81, will die in 1936 at age 55.

Casper, age 59, will die 9/5/35 of a heart attack while his wife Maude Weller Letzerich will die 7/7/50 of a heart attack. This First Presbyterian member was residing at 202 E. Tyler at the time of her death.

In 1909 a small telephone exchange can connect to Brownsville via Mr. Hill's private line to the pump station on the river. The exchange opens in the home of its first operator, Mrs. Hoffman, the mother of Leroy and Hilbert. It later moves to the upstairs back room of the Hill Building.

1909 was also the year Sam Botts established himself in Harlingen. Born on 1/4/83 in Bottsville, TX near Gonzales, by 1907 he was in the ginning business for himself in Gonzales. In Harlingen he started buying cotton and selling groceries, the latter with J.B. Chambers, in the Lon C. Hill Building. Botts later married Miss Geneva Tarver, who, in 1917, was a first grade teacher in town. In 1920 he became interested in the concentration, packing, and shipping of citrus fruit and vegetables and formed the Botts Produce Company of Harlingen. Other firm members were W.E. Jeffries and J.R. Barnett. By 1929 he becomes president of the Farmers Gin Company of Harlingen. He was destined to be Harlingen Mayor, 1928-36. This pioneer ginner and 33 year resident of Harlingen, who served on the city commission for 16 years, is to die in July 1942.

1909 According to a later Harlingen Star article by its owners in 1925, the newspaper had been started this year. In the next year on 7/30/10, a Harlingen Star printer is shot according to a brief Brownsville Herald article.

The second train depot, a stucco brick building on Commerce at Van Buren, is built this year or early 1910 because Robert Runyon photos show it but not the new Lozano Building nor the small city hall to come up in 1910. On 1/20/09 two trains daily commence departing Brownsville and coming through Harlingen.

People    Return to top

1902 Santos G. Garcia is born near what will later become Rio Hondo. It is his grandfather who sells Lon. C. Hill the 2000 acre Los Costanos Ranch for 50 cents an acre. Garcia will attend the first Harlingen school for Mexican ethnics. He is later to help subdivide the Mexican housing sections of Harlingen, Brownsville, and Mercedes before going bankrupt in 1934. He then became a claims adjuster for the Lloyd Caldwell Corp., where Harvey Oler was manager. In this same year he begins selling tortilla-making machines. These were invented in Mexico in 1911. Renting a vacant lot at 515 W. Monroe from Carl Woods for $3 a month, Garcia sets up a corn grinder and tortilla machine under a shelter. He soon improves his machine after seeing a more advanced model in Brownsville. By 1941 he is to open four more tortilla factories in Harlingen. A dozen sells for 10 cents. Over time he is to sell 4,000 tortilla-making machines across the southwest. In 1946 he will establish Club Educativo Commedo de Caming. This organization loans money to Latin students attending college. The club has 400 members who contribute 50 cents a month for the education fund.

11/15/02 John Garner, Democratic Uvalde judge is first elected to the U.S. Congress and to represent the Valley.

In 1903, rumors of a yellow fever epidemic sweeping down the river cause Hill to move his family from Brownsville to his holdings north of the Arroyo Colorado, likely near where Ramsey Park is today. Either the Hill or Lockhart family nicknames the site "Salty Lonesome." The sendero connects it to Engineer's Point, a camp on the railroad right-of-way, now near the intersection of Harrison and Commerce Streets.

Minnie Gilbert is to relate that later as Hill's daughter Paul and Ida ride down the newly cut sendero with Uriah Lott, he pulls the four ponies to a halt and says "Young ladies you are now in the city of Harlingen." This was an amazing and amusing statement to make, for prickly pear clumps towered as high as their heads in the mesquite jungle so dense that machetes had to be used to force entrance.

3/04 Upon their arrival in the area, the James Lockhart family live in tents for six months while they construct a crude house. The tenting area is called the Mitchell Place and "Salty Lonesome" by Mrs. Lockhart. They had come to the Valley from Beeville in wagons in November 1903. Near Brownsville Mr. Lockhart managed Lon C. Hill's rice farm. In November 1905 their son Houston is born at the location north of the Arroyo Colorado. Emma Jean Lockhart is later affectionately called "Mother of Harlingen." Born Emma Chestnutt in Iola, Grimes County, TX, she was married in Beeville in April 1899. Temporarily settling in the 100 block of E. Jackson, in January 1908 they move into their new two story home on the west side of the railroad tract on Van Buren. The strong tropical storm of 1909 severely damages it, but it is rebuilt and is not removed until 1943. In addition to assisting Lon Hill in construction and clearing work, Lockhart opens a general mercantile store on the south side of W. Jackson near Commerce. His oldest sons, James, Jr. and Brad work with him in this enterprise. By 1915 a Robert Runyon photograph reveals that this premise has a large painted sign on it saying C.H. Ritter. Lockhart was also the first postmaster in its quarters in the tiny first City Hall. He was also responsible for law and order in the early days.In the early days a false front wooden building adjacent to and west of Lockhart's bears a sign saying Dr. H. E. Whatley Drug Store. This store may have carried more veterinary medicines than human ones.

Mrs. Lockhart, a member of the First Christian Church, dies in February 1936 at the age of 64 and is buried in the Harlingen Cemetery along side her husband's grave. At this time her survivors are Houston and John of Harlingen as is daughter Lula Lockhart. Daughter Laura Allen lives in Dallas and Katheryn Crenshaw in Freer. Sons James and O.B. have preceded her in death.

In Company H of the Texas Rangers stationed here are Capt. Frank I. Johnson, Grosky Marsden, Oscar Rountree, Gus T. (Buster) Jones [He is to die at age 81 on 9/29/65 in San Antonio], and at least three others. Their presence may be one reason that the area is also called "Six Shooter Junction." It serves mainly to corral their horses (near a site which is presently First and Monroe Streets). In 1905 Texas Rangers continue to use Harlingen as a base. Stationed here are Capt. Bill McDonall, Blaze Delling, C.T. Ryan, Sam McKenzie, and Billie McCauley. Other Rangers soon to serve the Harlingen area are S.B. Carnes, and Ranger Craighead. C.T. Ryan will later be elected Sheriff of Cameron County.

1904 It is in this year that LonC. Hill, Jr. supposedly acquires the nickname "Mose". Apparently while cooking chow for the railroad engineers working on the surveys he is noted to be surrounded by the scrub brush. Jokingly someone remarks that he looks like "Moses in the bulrushes."

11/4/04 Near the end of 1903 a typhoid epidemic hits Brownsville. In 1904 the Hill family contracts five cases of the disease. It takes the life of forty year old Eustacia Dabney Hill. Their 25-month-old son George had died earlier that year of the same disease. At age 21 it is Miss Paul Hill who becomes surrogate mother to her younger siblings. Her unusual first name derives from the fact that her father had promised his best man that he would name his first child after him. After a life time of service to her family and community, she will die May 9, 1970 at age 86 in her E. Harrison Street home.

8/04 An early arrival to the fledgling town is Osco Morris. He comes one month after the first through train. What he does for a living in these times is unknown but by 1915 he is tending bar in one of Weller's saloons. Born in Searcy, AK 8/17/81 Morris was educated in common schools. He is a descendent of John F. and Emily Morris. He marries Lula Fay Lillard on 9/1/10. He becomes city marshal in April 1911 and serves in this capacity for 13 years. During WWI he assists in Liberty Bond drives. In the 1920s he is involved in real estate and farming and is, for nearly a decade, elected and re-elected as tax assessor and collector for the city. He is president of and a partner with T.P. Roberts and S.F. Ewing in the Harlingen Development Co., which is trying to dispose of over 1000 lots. His home is at 322 W.Buchanan Street. He dies in 1931 and together with his wife is buried in the Harlingen Cemetery.

1/1/05 The Hill family occupies the sizeable, but incomplete, new frame house. Only the three south rooms are roofed. It is located just east and on the same side of where the Casa de Amistad now stands. It is constructed by carpenters from Austin who also bring along material though some items come from Hill's Elizabeth and 11th Street hardware/implement store in Brownsville and the Cross Lumber Co. in that city. Initially the house had no inside water but later two large bath tubs were brought from Galveston to port Isabel and then by wagon to Harlingen. The house's shutters were fabricated in Brownsville.

To make room for activities at Fair Park it is moved years later across Fair Park Boulevard into a landscaped park setting. In 1992 it is moved to the Rio Grande Valley Museum complex for restoration and tours.

In its future years the home was to see many notables including the author Rex Beach, who uses it as a setting for his novel "Heart of the Sunset" which has Hill as one of the main characters in it. Others sharing its hospitality are William Jennings Bryan, Gov. Pat Neff, and Gen. Robert Lee Bullard.

In the summer of this year Hill has a black "mammy" to be a nanny for his children. Blacks are in the area but in low numbers. Most have helped construct the railroad lines, and some will remain to work for the railway company.

Everett Anglin, brother of Elmer, and from Gonzales, Texas, comes to the Valley as a Texas Ranger. After serving for several years he becomes a custom inspector along the border. In this period he is a participant in uncovering the notorious and famous Plan of San Diego. When the nation enters the Great War he raises a troop of cavalry, receives the commission of captain, and serves at Camp Stanley before being discharged. In 1926 he goes into the real estate business in Harlingen. The firm is Anglin Brothers and Berley. It promotes farm land and offers excursions to potential buyers.

Andrew Henry Goldammer of Fayette County, Texas comes to the Valley and first locates in Brownsville but then comes to Harlingen. Early on he constructs two buildings for the Letzerichs, four for Weller, and the home, which is removed in 1960, of Dr. C.W. Letzerich at 2nd and Tyler. He is estimated to have built 50% of the modern structures in Harlingen in the late teens and in the decade of the 1920s. Some of his structures include the Nelson Apartment House, and the large service station for its owner, R.W. Nelson; residences of Joe Gavito and C. A. Herron, an addition to the Harlingen Furniture Company building; and the Wilson Tract and Central Ward (Sam Houston) Schools. Goldammer will later have his offices in the Wittenbach Building, 119 South A and his home at 222 E. Van Buren. On 3/28/06 he marries Selma Weller in the First Baptist Church.. She is later to be a charter member of the Study Club and teach First Baptist Sunday School for 18 years. Mr. Goldhammer is to die at age 63 on 8/8/39. His wife lived to be 86 when she died on 12/1/69. Her Van Buren house is moved to 822 E. Polk where it is modernized and given a brick veneer.

The Secundio (Papa) Gutierrez family moves to a homestead at 313 W. Van Buren, Harlingen. The family has its origins in Amozoc Puebla, Mexico. Secundio's father, Manuel brought the family to Brownsville in 1862 due unrest in Mexico. Soon after he moved to northern Cameron County where he and his teenage son found work on different ranches. At age 22 Secundio was married by Father Keralum to Guadelupe (Lupita) Loya Loya. The ceremony took place on the El Mameado Ranch which was 2.7 miles north of FM 498 on an extension of FM 507. They settle in La Jarita, which is on FM 1420, and in 1876 started a succession of nine children. In 1890 they move to La Crucita Ranch. This ranch incorporated three smaller ones – La Crucita, El Gigante, and La India. Its initial acquisition was by Manuel Gutierrez. At this, their second home, they have four more children. The ranch encompasses Surveys 39, 40, 293, 294, and 295. It is bounded on the south by the Arroyo Colorado, the north by Garrett Road, the east by Tucker Road and the west by Altas Palmas Road. What is now Dilworth road cut through the ranch and led to a low water crossing of the arroyo and on to Turner Road leading to the Military Road. These provided a route to go to Brownsville. The serious drought of 1896 dries up the rangeland and kills their stock. The below-average region rainfall actually extended from 1893 through 1902. Survey 39 later fell into the hands of the Georgetown Railroad Company and eventually was subdivided by the developer F.Z. Bishop. Survey 40 came into the possession of G.S. Dorough and 294 Dayton Moses. 293 and 295 were bought by the Corpus Christi, San Diego and Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad Company. Secundio after selling the ranch will close his general store in that area and late commence a bakery on W. Van Buren then open a dry goods and grocery store on W. Harrison. Rosaura Guttierez is the daughter of Eugenio, one of the 13 children. She is active on the Cameron County Historical Commission, among many other activities. Joseph Muniz, assistant Harlingen librarian, is the great grandson of Petra, the sister born the year before Eugenio was in 1885.

Amando Balli, 4 years old, is to reside in the area for 51 years. He is a barber by profession until his death at 55 on 7/14/60.

9/11/05 Shot over his right eye by Bill Hoy, Henry Putegnat of Brownsville dies in Harlingen.

1906(early) Mr. and Mrs. August H. Weller and their daughters move from Brownsville. They initially live in the railroad hotel until constructing a residence in 1908 at the corner of Harrison and Commerce on the lot the City Hall now occupies. Mary Augusta Bock Weller was born 5/26/62. In 1942 she will celebrate her 80th birthday. One daughter, Selma, is to marry Andrew Goldammer, the builder; Kathryne will marry H.D. Seago, who will become County Clerk; Maude will become the wife of Dr. C.W. Letzerich; and Agnes, Mrs. H.B. Verhelle. When the Seagos are married 6/18/12 in the First Presbyterian Church they are the first to be married in the sanctuary.

Perhaps a brother, H.H. (Harmon) Weller is later to move to Harlingen where he will have considerable business interests. Born in Willisburg, TX in 1865 he came to Brownsville in 1904. In 1937 he is working for the Utility Pre-Cooling Company. In 1942 he will move to Kingsville to live with daughter Mrs. E.K. Martin. Dying 8/21/42 he leaves six daughters and two sons.

It was in 1906 that Morris Edelstein, a Lithuanian immigrant, arrived in the Rio Grande Valley. He began peddling his wares door-to-door carrying his merchandise in two large suitcases. Within a few months he had purchased a burro and a second-hand buggy for $65. Settling in Brownsville, his business selling a variety of goods grew as the city prospered. He had expanded to Harlingen and McAllen by 1925. His first store here was north of Jackson Feed Store and when he moved on to his first Jackson location Jackson's store eventually absorbed the old Edelstein site. Within a few years Morris had thirteen stores from Brownsville to Eagle Pass. When he died in May 1967, this civic-minded and philanthropic citizen left his business in the capable hands of his family. Ruben Edelstein, who had served in the Field Artillery in WW II, was the first to assume the reins. In the 21st century the Edelstein store name is to be found on twelve stores in the Valley from Brownsville to Rio Grande City.

1907 Mr. and Mrs. Elmer W. Anglin arrive in Harlingen with their four small children. They come from Alpine, Texas, where they have resided for seven years. They were married on 3/8/1898 in Gonzales. They reside near the Hill complex until building a two story home north of the City Lake. On 1/2/18 they move into the new two-story wooden frame house they have constructed at 201 East Madison Street. The building is currently occupied by a law firm. The area to the west of them across the street is a campsite for tourists and homeseekers though overgrown with mesquite and brush. It will later become Bowie Park. Anglin takes over the management of properties and business ventures for Lon C. Hill. He is deeply involved in civic affairs for many years. He served on the school board, City Commission, was the city's first marshal, a deputy sheriff for more than 20 years, and performs as chief of police for 16 years. From 1939 through 1959 he is a justice of the peace. [For more information on the Anglin family see "The Harlingen Connection" link.]

Later making his home at 209 W. Buchanan with wife Olive, Lawson A. Anglin also arrives here this year. He will later go into the general insurance business.

The W.Z. Weems family also comes to the Valley this year. He is involved in land clearing and canal building in the Mercedes area before soon relocating to Harlingen and eventually working with Lon C. Hill. His daughter Lillian will marry John Raymond Baldridge in 1912, teach school for a long time, and be principal of the Dishman School. In 1927 she will be selling real estate from her office in the Gateway Nursery. She is also to be noted as a writer and historian of the city. The Weems family takes pride in being among colonizer Stephen F. Austin's First 300 Families of Texas.

Upon moving from the business district, Texas-born Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Valdez construct a house at 1202 South H. They arrived here in 1904.

James F. Hathaway, a machinist, buys acreage for a residence for his family on what will later become Stuart Place Road. He later helps to install the pump plant on the river for Hill and contracts for land clearing.

Jessie Wilson Shirar is here this year. She will later become a dressmaker with the Wiser Shop at 110 North 1st Street.

Elvira Ledesma is born here this year to a pioneer family. She will have seven children with her husband Manuel before he dies in 1980. When she passes on 9/13/88 she leaves behind four daughters and Harlingen sons, Eduado, Basilio, and Margarito.

Cirilo Rodriguez and Salome Toscano, Sr. are to others who have taken up residence.

At this time S. J. Ellis is serving as Lon Hill's professional car driver/chauffer. Hill's vehicle is an open Buick with a right side steering wheel.  It is affectionately known as the Gray Ghost.

1908 At the age of two Cecelia Pickett, later Sommers, moves to Harlingen with her parents. She is a Stuart Place High School graduate in 1927. She dies in Los Angeles, CA 12/6/59. Two of her graduating classmates are Eldena Rebman and Maurine Crockett.

James H. Ewing comes to town to work for the South Texas Lumber Company.

In this year Dr. Magee arrives and becomes the first doctor to take up residence in the town.

By 12/08 S.L. Moore has arrived. By 1930 he will be manager of the E. Harrison Filling Station and live with his wife Mae at 1510 E. Harrison.

1909 This year sees the arrival of the Levi E. and Ed E. Snavely families, the Earl Wetmores, the McDonalds, "Captain" Patterson, Dr. D.B. McGehee, and Dr. C.W. and Dr. A.M. Letzerich.

Mrs. E.E. (Bertha) D. Snavely is to die in Combes at age 89 on 6/3/62. She had been born 7/25/72 in Summerville, PA and had married E.E. in Kay County, OK before coming to the Valley in 1909. She was a charter member of the First Methodist Church, Harlingen but in 1937 changed to the First Methodist Church, Combes when her husband died. She leaves her sons L.M. of Brownsville and F.E. of Combes and one daughter, Mrs. Opal Lewis of Combes. Mrs. Lewis was at one time superintendent of the Stuart Place School.

Miller V. Pendleton of Gonzales, TX and his family arrive. He is cashier and general manager of the new Harlingen State Bank. When the city government is formed he serves as City Commissioner April 1912 to May 1913 and Mayor, 1914-1918. Pendleton Park was later named in his honor.

 Anna Margaret Sweeney Adams and her husband Elijah Harvey Adams come this year from Houston.  He is Canadian and she from Louisiana. There children are Clara, Beulah, Sarah Mae, Helen, Catherine, Annette, Caulton, and Elijah Burton. Grandchildren in the Valley are Earl, Harvey, and Harriet Adams. The former two, along with great-grandson Elijah Keith Adams and Harvey's son-in-law Dale Misenhimer, operate Adams Farms in the Combes area.

2/1/09 Harlingen has 53 individuals who pay their poll taxes.

3/09 The J.J. Wiles family moves into acreage bought north of the townsite.

5/29/09 Dr. D.B. McGehee is the only medical doctor in town as Mrs. J.J. Wiles gives birth to her son Clyde. The doctor lives in a former large barn now known as "Dorough House." The site is currently an apartment house at the corner of Fourth and Polk Streets.

9/09 H.D. Seago, a native of Jerseyville, Illinois, comes first in 1906 to Fort Bend, Texas, then in 1908 to Harlingen. Here he later works up to manager of the South Texas Lumber Company branch but then moves on to open a mercantile store. In 1924 he runs and is elected as Cameron County Clerk. He marries Kathryne Weller of the pioneer Harlingen family. They build a home in Brownsville after his election. He is re-elected in 1926.

5/09 J.L. Spenser is already here and will become a painting contractor with a residence at 117 E. Monroe. His competition will be B.A. Philpott, here in February or earlier.

9/14/09 J.S. Hopkins, contractor, is in business and later will reside at 1222 S. E Street.

12/10/09 An industrial accident kills seventeen year old Robert Keen Weems. While processing sugarcane syrup in his father's factory he slips into a large vat of boiling syrup and is scalded to death. There is no cemetery laid out for the new town. Hill is telegraphed in St. Louis and designates a site which is on Mexico Street (now F) close to the arroyo. This will later become the City Cemetery, and a Texas Historical Commission marker will provide the story of its beginnings. W.H. Wheaton assists in the funeral as does Mrs. A.H. Weller. The former is a veterinarian who came to Harlingen in 1905 to work with Lon C. Hill. An early Runyon photo appears to show a wooden false front building on the south of Jackson very close to Commerce Street intersection. The building appears to bear the name of Dr. Wheaton, who was married to Minnie Belchner, and advertises drugs. Joseph Ogan is soon to become the second individual buried in the cemetery.

1909 Charles Wirt (C.W). Clift comes to Harlingen from Hastings, OK. He is an early builder and developer of the area. In his long career he has interests in cotton gins, grain elevators, heavy construction, citrus and cotton farms, and extensive real estate. He will marry the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Pierre Wilson. He is a charter member of the First Methodist Church whose later chapel is named for the Clift family. When he dies at age 92 on 7/22/61 he leaves his wife Goldie as a widow.

Anna Margaret Sweeney Adams and her husband Elijah Harvey Adams come this year from Houston. He is Canadian and she from Louisiana. There children are Clara, Beulah, Sarah Mae, Helen, Catherine, Annette, Caulton, and Elijah Burton. Grandchildren in the Valley are Earl, Harvey, and Judy Adams. The former two are farmers in the Combes area.

By November the railroad has brought to town John Bullard. He and his wife Sallie will live at 402 E. Harrison.

E.W. Patterson will be here before year end. Later he will become city tax collector and live with his wife Maude C. at 109 E. Pierce.

Other individuals who arrived in this decade and played out a life here at least until the year 1960 were: Collie D. DeLisle (1900), L.G. Garcia (1904), Cleo Wood (1906), Juanita Serna (1907), Jesus Salazar (1909), and Opal S. Lewis (1909). Julio Flores, Sr., a native of San Luis Potosi also becomes a Harlingenite in 1909. This retired MoPac employee will die here 2/5/75 at age 73 leaving behind his wife, five sons, and eight daughters. Preceding them all here was Alejandra Rivera, who was apparently born in a vicinity ranch in 1890.

At age 36 Alfred Chew arrives in town this year. He will become a real estate agent by 1930 and then a rental agent. In the early 30s he resides at 518 E. Harrison. On 2/24/74 he will celebrate his 101 birthday.

 

Education    Return to top 

1903 The children of La Providencia Ranch hands are taught by Miss Margarita Villareal (later she becomes Mrs. G.M.(Willie) Lozano. Their son G.M. Lozano, Jr. will marry another early arrival to the Harlingen scene. This is Ida Priestly, who arrived here in 1922, as her father with ancestors from Clarksville, TX takes up tenant farming in the Rangerville area. In 2002 she is to celebrate her 86th birthday.) Having been graduated after eleven years of schooling in Brownsville Margarita is qualified to teach. Instruction is in English. Later the school moves into the second floor of the Pioneer Building. This serves some of the Hispanic children until the school district builds a facility.

9/05 Hill builds a small frame schoolhouse near his new home. It opens with the seven Hill children as pupils; three children (Frank, John and Elizabeth) of Hill's sister and brother-in-law –Mr. and Mrs. J.C. McBee; the children (Lynn and Etta) of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Jones, who had accompanied Hill from Beeville; Henry Bell; and later Kathryne Weller, daughter A.H. Weller. This is 14 students in all to be taught by W.A. Francis (1905-07). He will someday head the English Department at Texas A&I College in Kingville. He is to be followed by Miss Johnnie Phipps in the 1907-08 school year and Lillian Weems, later Baldridge, in 1908-09. According to Mrs.Baldridge her students were: Kathryne Weller (Mrs. H. D. Seago), Mary Jones (Mrs. H. E. Bennett), Lynn Jones, Henry Bell, Ida Hill (Mrs. H. K. Morrow), Lon (Mose) C. Hill, Jr., John and Frank McBee, Gordon Hill, John Hill, Annie Rooney Hill, Hickman Hill, Sunshine Hill (Mrs. M.L. Caul), and Elizabeth McBee (Mrs. W.L. Darnell).

1907-09 Miss Jesusa Garcia, later Mrs. Cirilo Rodriguez, teaches 12 to15 Hispanic students in a small house outfitted to be a school room. It is on the property her father, Pancho Garcia, has bought from Hill in the 300 block of West Harrison. Mrs. Rodriguez is to die at age 94 on 11/1/84 leaving four surviving daughters.

10/5/09 The Harlingen Independent School District Board of Trustees holds its organizational meeting in the office of the Morrow Brothers Lumber Company. The board consists of John E. Snavely (chairman), C.F. Perry, H.N. Morrow, J.A. Card, R.S. Chambers, W.E. Hollingsworth, and W.H. Kilgore. The first school site purchased was the Alamo School site, west of the railroad tracks between what is now South E and F Streets. Lon C. Hill donated half the site and the District purchased the other half, according to Warren W. Ballard, later business manager of the schools. Miss Anna Dixon, later Mrs. Clark of Austin, teaches at the school for Hispanics.

1908-09 The number of school children is still small enough to list. They are: Allie Hathaway (Mrs. Harold Looney), Auro Hathaway (later Buster), Rhubena Hathaway (Mrs. Dallas Ingle), Peter Hathaway, J.D. Dorough, Bunny Dorough, Moody Dorough (Mrs. Flagg), LeRoy Hoffman, Roland Ogan, Lois Ogan, Grady Ferguson, Lucie Mary Weems, Vivian Barbee, Archie Barbee, Lucille Barbee, Luella Barbee, Quinton Barbee, Emmett Anglin, Wyatt Clark, Earl Waterwall, Laura Lockhart, Basil Watwood, and Jesus ?.

1909 Mrs. George Pletcher, mother of George Pletcher, Jr., who would enter the nursery business and become mayor of Harlingen, along with Mrs. Wiles' sister Eula were school teachers in the Adventist Church building. Her brother H.C. Ware and his wife owned a home next door to the old Adventist Church building, which was later to become a community building.

One student, I.E. (Renus) Snavely, of this period recalls that before the first brick schoolhouse was built classes were held in a succession of places. These were the Adventist Church building, which the Adventists never got to utilize, the Baptist Tabernacle, a red brick building on Harrison Street, and two buildings on the downtown blocks of Jackson. One of these was upstairs over a saloon with a pool hall next door.

1909-10 Lillian Elizabeth Weems is teaching at the Wilson School. The next year she will teach in McAllen followed by a year in La Lomita. She will marry John Raymond Baldridge on 9/15/12, but he is to die 12/19/16 leaving Lillian and a two year old daughter Ramona. Her only sister, Lucie Weems, later Jackson, will be graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College and Texas A & I. She too will teach in Harlingen and be principal of Alamo School before moving elsewhere. She will die in the 1930s.

Religious    Return to top

9/05 The little school house which Hill built also is used for Sunday School. Periodically a circuit rider or missionary minister provides a service.

1906 A.T. White, pastor of the Brownsville Methodist Mission Church, and W.H. Petty, Baptist State Missionary of San Benito, occasionally hold services on Sunday afternoons. The latter would walk along the railroad track to Harlingen and back to San Benito.

1908 John Snavely, a farmer and leader of the Quaker faith arrives. He later will be named superintendent of the Union Sunday School, which holds classes in the Tabernacle on Van Buren. The Union Church is the outgrowth of people of several denominations to have Protestant services despite the lack of otherwise organized parishes.

3/28/09 Ten Baptist Christians of Harlingen led by two Baptist ministers organize the Missionary Baptist Church which is to become the First Baptist Church. The following year they will build a small, flat-roofed building at 317 E. Van Buren. Brother Rev. W.H. Petty is the first pastor. In future years A.L. Brooks, a strong lay member, is to provide firm leadership according to Frank Martin, who came in 1911.

5/31/09 In an appeal to a group of Seminary Graduates in Richmond, Virginia, in describing the potential of Harlingen, Dr. S.L. Morris said, " Now this rich country is a crude frontier where people who are pouring into the country are laying the foundation for great wealth; but there is little opportunity for organized religious worship—Here is the greatest opportunity for Christian service to be found anywhere."

It was Samuel McPheeters Glascow who arrived to take charge in answer to the above appeal. He described Harlingen in 1909 as a mud town, no paved streets, or roads, or sidewalks—coal oil lamps, not a plumber in the entire Valley—burros, or horses, or mules were the chief means of transportation, and he estimated the population to be about 200.

1909 A settlement of fourteen families of the Seventh Day Adventist church convinces the State Mission Board of Fort Worth of that church to proceed with the erection of a house of worship, the first of its kind for that specific purpose. This first church building in Harlingen was to be a little one on the northeast corner of 4th and Jackson. Construction materials are purchased from the South Texas Lumber Co. on 5/5/09. The Rev. Mr. Montgomery and his wife were living in a tent, when the church was being built. A tropical storm [perhaps that of June 30,1909 which came ashore north of Brownsville] that year partially collapsed the incomplete church building. Both the minister and his wife were injured. Though his wife recovered, the pastor died of his injuries. For this reason the Adventists never completed their building and, in fact most members of the colony later left for California. By public conscription, the building was later completed so people in Harlingen might have another place to worship. It was shared by several denominations. Later the structure was sold to the First Christian Church in 1918 for $400. Improvements to it cost $1,500. It was later sold to the Grace English Lutheran Church for $2,500.

Before the above little building could be put to use, the first Union Church services with improvised benches were held in the Hill Building prior to its completion. During the summer of 1909, it was a brush arbor constructed near the Mooreland Hotel that served for the interdenominational services.

1909 (fall) A small square Tabernacle building is erected at 517 E. Van Buren. It has a raised platform at one end and instead of windows has hinged panels on its sides. These can be raised or lowered depending on the weather. The building is used for Protestant services and also houses the first public school classes in town. Sam F. Marsh, Baptist minister who lives on "Canal Three", preaches here.

Organizations    Return to top

1906 Mrs. A.H. Weller organizes the Harlingen Cemetery Association.

Miscellaneous    Return to top

1904 Upon the establishment of the town with its businesses and residences, the streets for many years leave much to be desired after rains. Garrison Keillor describes a similar situation best when he writes "…4th day of rain and we are up to our knees in mire and a man can't walk cross the street but he may have to abandon his boots halfway across--this western soil, so highly advertised as an agricultural paradise, is clay and loam in the exact proportion needed to make thick soup with only a little water needed—a man is a prisoner in his house, surrounded by impassable swamp."

5/17/05 The first column of news notes from Harlingen are published in the weekly Brownsville Herald.

9/3/09 The Arroyo Colorado railroad bridge at Harlingen is damaged by high waters and train service to Brownsville is halted.

1909 (and earlier) Lacking a proper jail, alleged law breakers are chained to trees at several site before adjudication or movement to Brownsville. Across the street from what was to become the Rialto Theater was a shack containing Sam Walgreen's store. Behind it Rangers corralled their horses and a mesquite within it was used to secure prisoners.

This tree and others gained notoriety as Prisoners' Trees. On 4/1/52 an ancient landmark mesquite tree at the vacant lot on the corner of South 2nd and Van Buren Streets, 201 E. Van Buren to be exact, across from the City Hall is knocked down to make room for construction. It was the last of the "prison trees." The lot is the site of a building for Lloyd E. Stiernberg.

The summer is a disastrous one with two hurricanes and an August flood.

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Decade 1910 to 1919

Development    Return to top

1910 The city's population early in the year is estimated to range from 150 to 350, but the census puts it as 300.

1/1/10 Town lot sales are made to Osco Morris, H.L. Hopkins, Mildred J. McCasland, of St. Louis, J.H. Towle, Stewart S. Caldwell, Mrs. Katie Roever, Seymour P. Eaton Jr., and Mrs. Mary Jane Springer. Most lots go for $250 each, but three range in price from $300 to $350. The standard lots have 50' frontage and 140' depth. By the end of the year there are 92 homes in the city. Early on the Fischer-Schein Co. bills itself as exclusive agents for townsite sales and has Fred E. McCasland as its special agent. They point out there are no taxes for 1909. They advertise the lots at $50 to $500 and "on easy monthly payments."

W.A. Kilgore is credited with having the first real estate office in a one room frame building with a porch. Such a building is shown in an early photo placing it on Commerce across from the railroad tracks.

12/24/10 Developers Edward H. Smith and William Morrison dedicate land northwest and across the arroyo from Harlingen to the public. On 1/13/11 the town of Rio Hondo is laid out. The name means "deep river."

1911 City population is said to have grown by 500 people. Thirty odd frame residences and business have recently been built.

4/25/11 The Harlingen Board of Trade notes city improvements including $300,000 sugar mill, $35,000 cotton compress, $25,000 ice plant, $5,000 cotton gin, $20,000 pressed brick plant, new Methodist church $4,300, waterworks reservoir $5,000, canal extension $60,000, two brick schoolhouses $34,000, steel bridge over the Arroyo $17,000, two miles of graded streets $1,500, and drainage into the Arroyo $2,200 for a total of $509,000. The bridge is a one lane one at what is now F Street. To go to San Benito this bridge is the only way to cross the arroyo without descending into it. The Methodist Church sanctuary is a wooden one which was located at precisely the same location as the First Methodist Church stands today on Harrison.

5/24/11 Water from the Rio Grande comes via the canal into, what later will be named City Lake, a low place called a "chasco." It is also called by locals "Laguna Las Vacas" because cows of the village often wander into it only to become mired in its mud. The local canal branches from near Little Creek and runs north on 13th Street then west into the lake. Later the 13th Street portion of the canal is placed underground.

1911 Elmer G. Johnson commences his colonization work in Willacy County. He started with the Turner Tract west of Harlingen (adjacent to the present Bass Blvd.) of 15,000 acres then an adjacent 10,000 acres and still later the Santa Rosa Ranch and Farm properties of 22,000. In 1934 he purchases the 110 year old Stillman properties comprising 800 city lots and 400 acres of non-platted land in Brownsville. A native of Minnesota, he makes his home at 110 E. Polk Street, Harlingen.

6/12/11 For re-sale, speculation, or other reasons Hill buys farm lots 1,14,15, 18, 25, 26, 27,28,35,36 in Subdivision C (part of surveys 27 and 300)

5/10/12 Hill gives an interview in Kansas City to the Kansas City Star. He provides the reporter with the following: 2,500 inhabitants [in Harlingen]; sold land the last two months for $2 million and still owns 90,000 in the Rio Grande Valley valued at $4 million.

5/28/12  Whether it is truly  finalized or not, The Daily Sentinel of Brownsville reports the Col. Lon C. Hill has sold to E.A. Fox of the Fox Realty Co. of Brownsville the townsite of Harlingen.  In reality he likely contracted with him to sell the property, for Fox left soon thereafter for northern and eastern cities. The paper expounded "A good man with a good proposition should have no trouble in making things go, and The Sentinel predicts that under  the guidance of Mr. Fox, Harlingen will come into its own as the big city at the junction.  The Harlingen land is unsurpassed; it lies at the end of the main line of the Frisco and is an ideal place to live.  The people of that city are lively ones, and there is no reason why Harlingen should not grow."

6/8/12 A 50,000 gallon steel tank for Harlingen waterworks –largest in the Valley –on a concrete base is constructed; delivery lines are being buried. This black-painted tank is located in what is now the city parking lot at the southeast corner of 1st and Jefferson Streets. In 1915 the photographer Robert Runyon will use the tower's platform to take panoramic views of the city.

2/13/13 The estate of George M. Briggs, who died 12/9/12, sells to Thomas F. Lee and the Lee Land Company and R.T. and W.D. Stuart large acreages west of Harlingen. This will become known as Stuart Place.

7/12/13 An Intercoastal Waterway rally is held in Harlingen.

8/10/13 The Lon C. Hill Town and Improvement Company is reorganized as a corporation.. Its directors are Hill, Dr. S.H. Bell and James R. Dougherty (Bee County), P.E. Blalack (San Antonio), and John H. Brooks (Beaumont and Jefferson County). The capital stock is $200,000 in $100 shares.

10/15/15 Representing Harlingen as delegates to the Intercoastal Canal meeting in Houston are Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Waters and Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Weller.

3/25/16 Lot 1 & 2, Block A , Lake Side are being developed.

1917 An irrigation development map shows the Arroyo Front Gardens Subdivision with 10 large lots. This area between the Arroyo Colorado and the Resaca de los Fresnos and east of Rangerville Road will later be named the Lon C. Hill Subdivision. Over the years, it will be very slow in developing.

Agricultural/Ranching    Return to top

5/27/10 The first money to be placed in the new town government coffer was from a $1.00 fine imposed on Gordon Hill. He was cited for allowing one of his hogs to freely roam the town.

10/10 This month T.E. Cowart of Brooklyn, N.Y. and his Austin associates buy a section of unirrigated land four miles east of the Arroyo Colorado from I.B. McFarland for $32,000; also 160 acres of improved land north of town from J.L. Adams for $16,000. After five months work and with 20 days more to completion, Judge R.E. Brooks and Associates of Houston are to complete the Harlingen Land and Water Company canal to irrigate 4,000 acres adjoining Harlingen to the east. Gordon Hill is one associate and has a financial interest.

Albert S. Johnston is here by April and takes up farming. He and his wife Maria will by 1930 reside at 310 W. Polk.

1/11 S.J. Smith is here, and his residence at the very end of Washington Street where he resides with his wife Martha indicates that he is likely farming.

7/11 R.S. Dilworth sells his 530 acre ranch west of Harlingen for $200 an acre.

1912 The Rio Grande and Coast Truck Growers' Association is situated in Harlingen.

It is this year that O.A. and Ida Mae Cowart come to Harlingen from Caddo, TX where oil had been discovered on their farm. Ida Mae's brother, Ed Carey, was already farming here and praised the area. In 1919 the Cowarts purchase property after a land excursion. The site is between North First Street and Seventh Street.  Here O.A. begins raising dairy cows and delivering milk by wagon to Harlingen residents. By 1920 he is also raising cabbage and receiving that year $100 per ton. Coming with them in 1912 is daughter Myrtle Leona, who was born in Caddo, TX 8/5/1905. The big swimming hole in the Arroyo Colorado at Harrison was a fun place for her generation. She went to the Central Ward School on Jackson and was among the first to be graduated from the new high school on Tyler. She is to attend Baylor for a short time before working in California, 1927-28. In 1928 she was to marry Cecil Lynn SoRell, originally from San Marcos and who would precede her in death in 1983. By 1941upon her father's death they would occupy a family home on the New Combes Highway. Cecil with the encouragement and knowledge of Ed Carey would first open a Sinclair service station at 101 E. Harrison. The block glass building set at an angle exists today on the site. Cecil would then construct the modern Sinclair station at 522 N. Commerce.  It has been restored to its 1940's appearance by Bill DeBrooke. When Myrtle died at age 100 on 3/22/06, this First Baptist Church member since 1923, left behind son Cecil Ray SoRell of Combes and daughter Patricia Jane SoRell Williams of Harlingen and numerous descendents.

3/26/12 In promoting farm land sales at Palmitel Farms and Arroyo Front Estates, the Rio Grande Land Corporation of Harlingen and Kansas City notes in its brochure that L.S. Ross, O. Aultman, and S. C. Moore of Harlingen have been raising cabbage. Crops presented as being grown are staples, cotton, corn, alfalfa, sugarcane, and broom corn. They note that in 1911 the hill Sugar mill purchased cane for $4.31/ton based on the daily sugar market in New Orleans.

1913 This year will see a national economic depression.

9/20/13 An Oklahoma corporation with A.B. Chapek, H.G. McKeever, and Isadore Mantz of Enid, Oklahoma as principles buys 20,000 acres of the Ojo de Agua tract north of Harlingen. The Brownsville Herald reports that their San Dominic Colonization Co. will offer land to Catholic Germans and Bohemians.

In this year John Anthony Flanagan, of Worcester MA, will serve in the 3rd Cavalry in Brownsville and later the 90th Armored Division in 1917 in Germany. He will then own and operate farms here. This Lewis Lane resident was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus when he passes 10/18/62 at age 72. He leaves his widow Mary Sophie.

It is the year 1913 that H.B. and Betty Gamble Payne come to the Wilson Tract. Mrs. Payne was born 8/10/67 in Balesville, AR and married 1/21/86. These Methodists had six children. He died 10/11/25 and she in October of that year.

Also coming to this area on 6/22/13 are Carl Anthony Tanberg, his wife Thea, and daughters Maurine and Dorothy. This family of Norwegian ethnicity departs from Eau Claire, Wisconsin with plans to grow grapefruit and farm in south Texas. They are met at the Harlingen train station by Raymond Wright, who hauls them in a mule team-pulled wagon to their homesite. Wright is the rancher to the south of the Tanberg property. The grubbing contractor has just finished clearing their land. On it they put up a military style tent with a wooden floor to serve as their first abode. Over the years the family adds children Robert Lund (delivered by Dr. C.W. Letzerich with nurse Mrs. Jewell assisting), Norman, Walter, Helen, Mary, and Carl Lee.

This same year James A. "Cabbage" Adams began farming here. Having come to Texas in 1881 he and his wife Ala Indtoe moved here from Synder. When this Cavalry Baptist member was to die at age 81 on 8/1/50 he leaves behind his wife, one daughter, and sons C.H., C.E. and Roy E. His nickname derives from the fact that each year he placed some of his land in cabbage cultivation. A 1924 photo will show him, his wife and small son Carlos in front of their house said to be near the Harlingen airport, at the time west of the end of 13th Street.  Near the farm house is a citrus orchard with about five year old trees and a tall windmill pumping water from a well.

It is also 1913 when Mr. and Mrs. William L. Oler come to farm on a tract three miles north of Harlingen. With them are son Harvey and two year old niece Emogene Oler whom they raise. She will graduate from HHS in 1929 and later become its head librarian in the 1930s-40s. In WW II she will marry Roy Grill and move away. Son Harvey when he passes away is buried in the Harlingen Cemetery.

By 1914 the Wilson Tract area is estimated to have a population of 200, a weekly newspaper, several general stores, and a publishing house.

1/1/14 John B. James, a native of Jonesboro, TN, having been born there 9/16/1874, comes to his newly purchased farm in the Wilson Tract. Since 1910 he and his wife, Mary Callie Gaines James whom he married on 8/18/1895 in Maryville, TN, had been farming in Hunt County near Commerce, TX. In 1918 he is to purchase a garage in Harlingen. J.B. and his wife Collie reside at 714 N. A Street from which he carries out his farming endeavors. In 1940 the James move from Harlingen proper to be closer to their properties. James will serve on the school board in the mid-1920s. By 1926 he and a partner will have started a bus line, but after 1927 it isn't operating. He returns to farming in 1928. When he dies 3/11/59 he leaves behind seven surviving children, 20 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Daughter Nell James was among the first to be graduated from Harlingen High School.

1914 W.T. Hodge moves to Harlingen and in 1916 establishes himself as a shipper of fruit and vegetables. In this first year he ships only 58 carloads of produce. He was born in Sparta TN, 6/6/86 to Jeff and Martha Shockley Hodge. After being educated there he joined his father in the produce business, eventually moving to Fort Worth in 1903 and continuing in the produce business. He engaged in this same trade in Oklahoma City for six years before coming to the Valley. In 1921 he ships the first carload of grapefruit out of the Valley. This citrus fruit industry pioneer becomes, in 1924 the head of the Valley Fruit Exchange, a large corporation. By 1926 he ships 1,070 carloads of various produce from the Harlingen area. In 1927 it ships 1,400 carloads all over the country as well as to Canada. In 1929 he completes the erection of two packing sheds. The Harlingen one has a capacity of five carloads and a floor space of 52,000 square feet in its tile and brick structure while the Rogerville one handle three carloads in its 4,500 square feet in a sheet metal building. Hodge married Estella Hilburn of Fort Worth in that city on May 27, 1906. By 1929 they have daughters Mildred and Eunice. As well as being an Elks member, he is vice president of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Shippers Association.

3/12/14  Harlingen farmers want to take over the canal. They would issue $300,000 in bonds. A petition carries the names of 162 of the 258 land owners in the proposed district of 31-40,000 acres

5/6/14 Harlingen area farmers to vote on May 8 on $700,000 irrigation district bond issue. It carries when voted on this date and elected directors are A.S. Lowe, S.S. Cummings, J.P. Wilson, Gordon Hill, and G.S. Rhoades.

5/13/14 The Cameron County Commissioner's Court establishes Cameron County Irrigation District No. 1.

8/14 The Rio Grande and Gulf Association is established at Harlingen with 800-1000 members attending. Its purpose is to establish a "unit marketing" system for the sale of commodities and thereby maximize returns for produce.

12/13/14 The Cameron County Irrigation District No.1 is organized and will take over the system owned by the Harlingen Land and Water Company. On 12/29/14 The HL&W Co. conveys the pumps and canals to the district for $400,000. An additional $350,000 is voted for improvements. On 5/31/19 it changes its name to the Cameron County Water Improvement District No.1. $190,000 is expended to change the old steam engines to De La Vergne Diesel engines. In 1929 the power for the pumping is converted to Westinghouse Electric motors. In 1945 it is renamed as Cameron County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 and in 1978 it becomes Harlingen Irrigation District Cameron County No.1. It will come to serve 38,025 acres of irrigated cropland and have authorized water rights for 39,574 acres. This will yield 98,232.5 acre-feet of water per annum. In 2002 it will have 3,309 accounts. By this time the major crop acreages are 10,850 for grain sorghum, 10,000 for cotton, and 7,000 for sugarcane.

1915 James W. Harrington arrives to take up farming. Born in Blanco County, TX in 1873, he is to marry Helen Harriet Smith who will have given him nine surviving children when he dies in April 1925. One includes Mrs. Morris Chaudoin. He is a Methodist.

Roy W. Jackson also arrives in the Valley this year. Born 8/18/96 in Jacksboro, TX, he becomes prominent in the cattle and ranching business along with commercial cattle feeding. This WWI veteran is to die in Harlingen at age 66 on 1/9/63 leaving his wife Anne Farrier Jackson, one son and one daughter.

9/26-28/16 After being stabbed in the hand, Lon C. Hill's son, John kills a Mexican on the Armstrong Ranch being managed by the Hills.

9/29/16 Gordon Hill is clearing farm blocks 154 and 155. Plowing and irrigation commences on them in May 1918.

1916 Otis E. Stuart comes to the Valley. He and his brother, R.T. Stuart [he acquainted himself with the Valley as early as 1912], later develop and promote Stuart Place with its 10,000 acres, probably the largest individually owned agricultural and citrus fruit property in South Texas. Brand names are Stuart's Premium and Stuart's Tree Ripened. Its two packing sheds handling products have a total of 10,000 square feet. R.T. is a resident of Oklahoma City and president of the Mid-Continental Life Insurance Co. (of Oklahoma). In 1918 O.E. is selling land via the American Land Corp. By 1930 it is the American Land Co. with I.W. Wine, manager.

1916  The Lee Land Company publishes a series of brochures to promote the attractiveness of the area.  It maintains offices in the Railway Exchange Building in St. Louis.

1917 Here this year John Thomas Hester takes up farming and the management of orchards. He dies at age 81 on 8/13/60 leaving his wife Elnora, Mrs. C.H. (Mildred) Carden, Mrs. Loretta Young, and William R. Hester, all of Harlingen and others elsewhere.

Coming this same year is David Henry Gill. This pioneer farmer will reside on Grimes Road, dying at age 55, leaving his wife Florence.

Prior to 1917 Thomas F. Lee purchases a sizeable parcel of land just west of Harlingen with the intention of subdividing it. To attract buyers he builds an impressive two-story community clubhouse at "Leeland." When the Stuarts later purchase Lee's holdings, the building becomes the Stuart Place Community Club and the site of many social activities. It is still there at 7901 West Business 83. By 1917 Thomas F. Lee is heavily promoting sales of his farm land west of Harlingen. His Lee Land Company has offices in what he calls Leeland (now the Stuart Place area south of West Business 83), Dallas, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis. He is utilizing excursions to generate sales. One brochure exclaims "Our luxurious private steel Pullman car leaves the Union Station, St. Louis, the first and third Tuesdays of each month for the Home of the Golden Fruit--Leeland--the heart of the Rio Grande Valley." His brochure titles are "The Magic Valley", "Telephone for Rain", "Golden Fruit", Harvest at Christmas Time", and "My Southern Home."

7/17 Despite the loss of his mill due to fire, Hill hopes to harvest 6,000 tons of sugarcane from his 400 acres in that crop.

9/30/18 Harlingen Irrigation District to increase pumping capacity to 266,000gpm.

This year Antonio Quintanilla comes here and takes up farming. After living at 822 Pierce this Templo Bethel member dies 8/16/62 at age 69 leaving his widow Petra and sons Jose and Abel.

11/1/18 From his Dallas office F.Z. Bishop issues his second issue of the 39 page brochure titled "Harlingen Irrigated Farm Lands." [For more information on Bishop, see "F.Z.Bishop, Harlingen Developer" link.] The brochure will be updated at least two more times with additional updated photographs. Wimberly McLeod, who will later strike out on his own, is a salesperson for Bishop. Bishop is still around in 1926, this time with a Harlingen office as general agent for the Amarillo Townsite and Land Company. He advertises "The safest investment in the face of the earth—they are increasing in Values DAILY. We have City Property, Irrigated and Unirrigated Lands."

1918 is the year Samuel James came to Harlingen and set up a citrus grove, now the Woodlawn Addition. He had come to the Valley in 1908. This resident later of 421 E. Washington Street also operated a nursery for a time. A member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, he was to die at age 90 on 5/6/52.

In this year Lon C. Hill sells his La Sal Vieja Ranch in northern Hidalgo County to Dr. C. M. Corbett, a Bureau of Animal Industries veterinarian. The property contained one of two famous salt lakes. When Hill had obtained this property in the San Salvatore del Tule Grant is unknown. In 1987 Michael Corbett of Harlingen takes over the operation of the ranch for the Corbett and Green families.

It is also in the year 1918 that Myra Deeder and Fred Crawford Doane arrive to take up farming in Stuart Place.  He will farm citrus and other crops here and around Combes.  With them is daughter Margaret Louise (born 7/13/06 in Pikes County, IL) and perhaps sister Wilma and brothers, Kitchel Fred and Kermit Carl. Margaret will attend Stuart Place School then go on to obtain a teaching degree from South Texas State Teachers College in Kingsville where she will meet and marry Gustav E. Miller. He will die in 1974, and she, an active member of the First Christian Church, at age 99 on 5/21/06. Surviving are her daughter Annelle Doane Clausen and son Bruce. Annelle is well known for her genealogy and history activities including a weekly column in the Valley Morning Star.

1919 Frank Lawrence Crown arrives to become a farmer with extensive holding both north and south of Harlingen. One farm will later be subdivided by John McKelvey into the Laurel Park-Parkwood area, another will take the name Crown Heights, and a third will contain the Beck-Williams Addition. From Morrison IL the first Presbyterian will die here at age 71 on 10/25/61, leaving his wife Ina of Harlingen but no others here.
    This year Stanley Crockett, assisted by his son Stanley B. Crockett, sets out 1000 acres of citrus west of Harlingen. By 1970 the son will operate the largest citrus nursery in the state.

4/21/19  An agricultural land sale consummated this date provides a good example of land price appreciation.  In 1902 and 1903 Lon C. Hill had acquired thousands of acres for $1.25 to $2.50 an acre. On 3/29/09 the Harlingen Land and Water Co., of which Hill is president, sells 287.64 acres of Surveys No. 26, 27 and 300 to J. S. Massie for $12,307.80 or $42.79/acre. Ten years later on 3/11/19 Massie and his wife Mary sell 41.25 acres of this parcel to bachelor Gus Elliott for $4,950 or $120/acre. On 4/21/19 Elliott sells it to Levi Elmer Snavely for $8,512.50 or 206.36/acre.Even discounting Hill's original purchase price over a ten year period the per acre value has risen 482% or 48.2% per year.

5/15/19 The Cameron County Council of Agriculture and Home Economics is formed at Harlingen meeting.

This same year Wiley Edgar and Adella Carey arrive in Harlingen with their 20 year old son James Edmond (Ed) Carey. The following year Ed returns to Throckmorton, TX to marry and bring his bride, Monterey McCay, to Harlingen. He then builds and furnishes for her a two story California style house where Ed Carey Drive now meets Expressway 77/83. He plants 200 acres of citrus in the area and later also grows cotton and vegetables. His first attempt to operate a service station located at North Commerce near the old jail ends in failure. Later however he will successfully own and operate two or three service stations around Harlingen. This First Baptist Church member will support the Boy Scouts and be very active with the Kiwanis Club. His strong faith will encourage his young brother-in-law, L.B. McCay to take up the ministry. He and Monterey have two children, Isla Lou (later Mrs. Wallace C. Athey) and son James Edmond Carey, Jr. After recovery miraculously from a cerebral hemorrhage and semi-paralysis in 1950, Ed, a native of Caddo, TX, will die in late November 1951 at age 52. As the city expands and begins to name streets after states, Pennsylvania is proposed for what people call Ed Carey Road. Public opinion prevails, however, and the city retains the name Ed Carey. When the expressway is constructed in the 1950s, the Carey homestead is demolished. Mrs. Carey then builds a smaller residence on her property to the south. She will die in 1978.

1919 Leonard S. Fronnfelter begins farming in the Harlingen area, and then later Spanish Acres. He will retire in 1925 and die at age 71 in December 1931. This first Methodist will leave behind four sons and three daughters.

1919 Two cotton gins operating within the town are the C.S. Reynold Cotton Gin west of the railroad tracks along North Commerce, and the Gregory Gin Company on Washington Street near Commerce.

Government/Politics—City, County, State, National    Return to top

From November 9, 1903 until he resigns to become vice president 3/4/33 under Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John Nance Garner, a Democrat, is Harlingen's and the 15th Congressional District's representative in the U. S. Congress.

1910 The Combes Post Office is established in the store of Edwin Templeton who serves as postmaster.

1/1/10 On New Year's Eve Dr. Cole's house burns to the ground. Additional fires over time later stir Mayor Cunningham to organize a "Bucket Brigade" of Volunteers to turn out to fight fires. In fighting fires one line of volunteers passes the filled water buckets while a second line returns the empty ones. The system is designed not so much to extinguish a blazing structure but to keep it from spreading to adjacent buildings.

3/10 A petition requesting incorporation of the town is signed by 72 Harlingen residents and presented to County Judge Bartlett.

4/5/10 Forty-one of sixty-three votes cast favor a commission form of government. At this election M.M. Osborn is presiding officer, A.J. Ernst and James Lockhart are judges, and James H. Ewing and S.P. Eaton, clerks.

4/15/10 This date marks the official founding of Harlingen. The oath of office is administered to I.B. "Ike" McFarland--Mayor, and Commissioners John D. Hill and Homer N. Morrow. M.M. Osborn is appointed city clerk, assessor-collector, and treasurer of the Commission. The city's first marshal is E.W. Anglin, who is compensated $50 per month. City marshals following Anglin are Bird Lockhart, Osco Morris, and Bob Johnson. Dr. A.M. Letzerich is appointed (1/24/10) as the town's first health officer but he resigns by July. The history writer Minnie Gilbert says that registered voters at this time with Spanish surnames included the Lozanos, Francisco Alvarez, J. Villareal, D. Ramirez, Pancho Garcia, C.C. Rodriguez, and Joe Abrego. McFarland, who came to Harlingen in 1908, met his wife-to-be here when she journeyed to the area to see a bull fight. They returned to Houston in 1913. The Harlingen Board of Trade reported mid-year improvement expenditures as follows: sugar mill $300,000, cotton compress $35,000, ice plant $25,000, gin $5,000, pressed brick plant $20,000, Methodist church $4,300, waterworks reservoir $5,000, canal extension $60,000, steel bridge across the Arroyo Colorado $17,000, two miles of graded street $1,500, drainage to arroyo $2,500, and together with $34,000 for the schoolhouses a total of $519,300.

1910 (late) The Commission wants to incorporate the city under a Texas law regulating cities of more than 1,000 population. It authorizes M.M. Osborn and James H. Ewing to make a community census. They do with the result that 1,126 persons are counted. A petition for a commission form of government is signed by, among others, Hugo Letzerich, M.M. Osborn, Sam Botts, Santos Lozano, and James Lockhart. Seventy–two qualified votes are cast, eight of which are by Hispanics. The Commission rents the Harlingen Commercial Club building for its meetings.

This year Jim Wells, the political power broker in Cameron/County, loses control of Brownsville to "independent" Democrats and Republicans.

7/19/10 An election is held for the issuance of Water Works bonds whose amount is not to exceed $12,000. The thirty votes cast were all for the project, none against. The bond money is also supposed to cover the cost of smoothing of streets and building of bridges.

12/10 J.C. McBee, the husband of Lon C. Hill's sister, operates a small store and is also Harlingen postmaster at this time.

1911 Cameron County shrinks to 902 square miles after Willacy County is created from its northern portion and also a part of Hidalgo County.

4/4/11 In its second municipal election, 44 votes are cast in the office of Cunningham and Ernst. For this election Cunningham was presiding judge; James H. Ewing and Hubert Barry were judges; and S.P. Eaton and R.I. Dudley, clerks. John D. Hill receives all the votes for Mayor as does Dr. C.W. Letzerich for Commissioner. R.S. Chambers receives 42 votes. Hill resigns immediately after being sworn in to relieve Mayor McFarland. The Commissioners appoint A.W. Cunningham to serve, thus Harlingen has the unique situation of having three mayors in one day. Cunningham, who arrived in Harlingen in 1908, will go on to have a long career in public service, much as a justice of the peace. In partnership with F.B. Baker and O.J. Worm he will operate the realty firm, Land and Orchard Company at 1342 E. Tyler. His Cunninghams Subdivision just southwest of Combes will have 18 ten acre lots. He will be widowed in 1949 upon the death of his wife of nearly 55 years. In May 1962, two months short of his 99th birthday, he will cast his first ballot for a Republican candidate.

1911 With the town population now 1,126, this makes it eligible under state law to change to the city council form of government. Presiding Judge H.D. Seago certifies that the 26 votes were cast in favor of such a change. E.L. Fender, Jacob Miller, J.M. Denton, and Dr. C.W. Letzerich along with Mayor Cunningham constitute Harlingen's first City Council. It, along with five alderman elected in place, meets twice a month. Members of the first Equalization Board to adjust the tax valuation of property are A.W. Weller, Gordon Hill, C.F. Perry, C.W. Hoot, and R.S. Chambers.

The first money-raising ordinance provides for the licensing of dogs at $1.00 each. Some of the retail businesses are taxed and others licensed.

6/5/11 Dr. S.M. Briscoe is appointed to serve, without pay, as city's second health officer. He is mandated to abate the mosquitoes breeding in the stagnant water from broken pipes between City Lake and the ice plant.

Before the year is over the town has completed the installation of a 12,000 gallon tank atop a 50 foot tower east of the water plant. A water system is buried and hydrants installed up Harrison to 4th Street and along Commerce. The next year a five foot diameter hose reel on two wheels is purchased at a cost of $170. Nine of the ten members comprising the Volunteer fire fighting force are Otto Weller, Homer Morrow, H.D. Seago, Fred Chambers, Sam Botts, A.L. Brooks, Sam Sanders (the tailor), Al Pendleton, and Osco Morris, who acts as nominal head.

6/11/11 Contractor Alsbury and Son of Houston have commenced work on the steel bridge to cross the Arroyo Colorado at Mexico Street.

4/12 L.S. Ross, son of former Texas Governor Sul Ross who was a famous Texas Ranger, is elected Mayor. He was the president of the Harlingen Commercial Club, treasurer of the Rio Grande Construction Association, school board trustee and farmed. He is also president of the Harlingen State Bank in which he is provided a private office for the conduct of city business. He is authorized to purchase office furniture and provide stationery. The bank is the depository for city funds. Ross is also responsible for bringing J.F. Rodgers to "Six Shooter Junction" in 1910. After settling in the Wilson Tract area, Rodgers will enter into a partnership with Ross called Ross and Rodgers Realty. A post card photograph taken by P.C. Shocky is inscribed May 5, 1913 and the farm of L.S. Ross-Wilson Tract, Harlingen, Texas. It shows four men in white shirts, ties, and hats standing just inside a field of tall corn. Obviously it was taken to promote land sales.

Elected aldermen are A.H. Weller, J.M. Denton, M.V. Pendleton, who was formerly city clerk, H.A.Gibbs, and R.L. Chaudoin. Osco Morris becomes city marshal and F.T. Kirkman, the new city secretary. In an attempt to get Harlingen citizens out of the mud, a contract is let to William Tennant to build and install wooden platforms for street crossings.

4/12/12 J.E. Thomas is appointed as the city's first attorney.

11/9/12 Fred Chambers is named the city's first fire marshal with a compensation of $12 per annum. In 1916 he will be provided an assistant fire marshal, Phillip S. Waterwall. Waterwall has had a one room false-front store on Jackson for a few years and has even run the post office in its rear when it was located there.

1912 Built by the city, the first electric plant begins to operate and, together with the water works, has taken the expenditure of $20,000. From time to time it is leased to private operators but is constantly taken back due to poor management. The plant sometimes provides energy for up to two hours in the daylight hours and four at night.

The Harlingen Land and Water Co. is awarded a contract to provide river water to Harlingen's City Lake. When pumped by the city it is of substandard quality. This necessitates residents flushing the system on Friday mornings and boiling all water to be used for drinking.

The dirt streets are graded, some concrete sidewalks started, and wooden platforms are built at street crossing.

1/30/13 Morris Sheppard is elected to fill the unexpired term of Senator Bailey. Sheppard will serve as Texas U.S. Senator into the 1960s.

1914  Mayor Ross and three aldermen are re-elected.  W.Z. Weems, Jr. becomes the tax-assessor-collector.  On October 8 while in Harris County Ross dies at age 45 or 46. Miller V. Pendleton, who works at the bank with Ross, is named to fill the unexpired term. He is re-elected in 4/16. It is his M.V. Pendleton Oil Company that provides oil to the city during his term in office.

4/14 By this date troops are already being stationed in Harlingen, since Texas Governor Oscar Branch Colquitt has sent national guard units to the Valley to ease border tensions which have escalated.

4/22/14 C. Block and Morris Chaudoin are appointed as Harlingen's first policemen.

1/27/15  Hugo Letzerich, four year Harlingen Postmaster, has been renominated for the position.

7/15 The town falls into debt by $6,000 and has to issue treasury warrants due 8/29/16. The salaries of all city officers and alderman are suspended for six months while a $2,000 loan is arranged for the needs of the Water and Light Department. It is decided to cut off those customers in arrears until a 10% penalty is paid. By September 11 another $600 loan is needed. By June 1917 there are more financial struggles as a result of the abandonment of many houses and the military camps with resulting loss of income.

It is around 1915 that the first jail is built on North B Street across the alley east of the Taylor Lumber Company, which is at 116 North 1st Street. It is known affectionately as the "Black Maria."

1915-17 Soldiers of the 6th U.S. Cavalry, 26th Infantry, and the 3rd Texas National Guard are stationed in Harlingen as part of efforts to quell border unrest. They even have several field hospitals for the minimum of 10 companies involved here. The muster of Texas National Guard officers (158) and enlisted men (3,572) had begun on May 16, 1916 after which they were mobilized at Fort Wilson near San Antonio. It is now Fort Sam Houston. Second and Third Regiments of Infantry and Field Hospital were stationed all along the lower Rio Grande Valley from Harlingen to Roma. On 8/3/16 on the orders of Major A.R. Sholars, Companies K and L of the Third Texas Infantry are moved by truck from San Benito into Harlingen as the first step in consolidating all Texas troops into Harlingen. All Valley soldiers are under the command of Brig. Gen. James Parker headquartered in Brownsville.On August 6 the City Council orders a committee of three to consult with Texas State Adjutant General Hulen for plans of cooperation between the general and the City Council and the City Health Officer regarding the camp site. Brigadier General John A. Hulen was later to organize and command the 36th Division in World War I. This month the city appoints a City Health Officer to overlook the soldiers. The city provides the camp with free water and lights.

South Texas Lumber Company account records of early 1916-17 provide a record of some of the units stationed in Harlingen. These include Companies A, D, F, G, J, and L of the 26th Infantry and Companies C, E, F, and H of the 3rd Texas National Guard (and later K and L). These are supported by Field Hospital #5, Field Hospital #1 Texas National Guard, and Ambulance Company #5. In addition to the 6th U. S. Cavalry, there is also the 26th Infantry Band. The officers of the 26th Infantry organize an Officers' Club.

On 9/2/15 A cavalry unit had clashed with bandits near Harlingen. In December 1917 another cavalry unit south of Harlingen shot at five individuals crossing the Rio Grande and killed one who may have been Mariano Casarez, wanted by civil authorities on charges of banditry. [See link "Soldiers Stationed in Harlingen, 1915-16 and Some of their Action.]

After having passed regulation concerning the wandering livestock and odiferous hog pens which have plagued the city for five year, the Council ponders ordinances "compelling citizens to cut weeds on their property and to regulate speeding automobiles by setting the speed limit at 15 miles per hour…also 30 minutes before sunrise, automobiles must have lighted head-lights and a red-lighted lamp in the rear." The curfew regulation is amended to allow children to stay out as late as 10 p.m.

1916 Lon C. Hill donates a lot for a library site but nothing comes of it.

With the help of merchant donations a start is made in erecting electric light poles downtown. E.W. Patterson is deputy city tax collector. He and his wife Maude C. live at 109 E. Pierce.

4/3/16  In today's election two complete tickets were in the field. The Citizens' ticket headed by J.D. Pendleton, candidate for mayor, overwhelmingly defeated the Peoples' ticket. Pendleton received 124 votes versus 13 for Thompson.  Other results were: alderman (3 to be elected) Benton 123, Gibbs, 121, Weller 124, Cliff 13, Johnson 15, Berser 14; city secretary Seago 125, Dorough 12; city marshal Osco Morris 124, Largent 5, Bullard 8.

6/6/16  It is reported that the Federal Government has turned down any funding to dredge the Arroyo Colorado in order to create an inland harbor.

4/6/17 A state of war is declared between the United States and Germany and its axis allies.

10/7/17 A Garbage Department is started by the city when it is decided to "hire a man with a wagon to take up the trash." An earlier historian noted "A mild anti-Hispanic prejudice tinged the views of some Anglo settlers. This can be seen in the Harlingen city government instructions to the City Marshal on 7 February 1917 to hire "Mexican for cleanup town, picking up trash, burning papers, etc.ì"

6/25/18 Texas enters a period of state-wide alcoholic beverage prohibition.

11/11/18 The Great War ends with a declaration of an armistice.

1918-22 S.A. Thompson was Mayor this period and also City Commissioner 1916-21. In 1915 he served on the committee of fifteen to draw up a new city charter. He was the owner of the Planters State Bank 1919 until 1923. He joined with James W. Rhone and John Myrick to purchase the first parsonage for the Christian Church of which he was a charter member. His children were Walter and Marvel.

1919 A city ordinance to ban the construction of wooden buildings in the downtown section passes, and the council moves to eliminate existing fire hazard structures.

This year Lon C. Hill travels to Washington, DC to testify before Albert Fall's senate committee investigating the border situation the last decade. Hill recalls the bewilderment of Texans when they heard the Mexicans were going to run all the Gringos out. This is likely a reference to the Plan of San Diego.

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1910-15 The Rex Theater said to have existed here in these years. In a Jubilee Issue article in 1960, Mike Gilbert, manager of the Interstate Theaters here and later to become Harlingen Postmaster, reports that it was built and owned by a man named Denton. It was a corrugated iron building having the projection booth sticking out of its back side. It was later run by R.A. Stevenson. In 1917 Stevenson is associated with the Dreamland Theater. He will serve on the City Commission 4/18-4/22. Emmett Osborn (E.O.)Anglin took the position as a projectionist in the theater as a part time job. The movie, being projected by a single machine, had to be interrupted as each reel was finished and a new one inserted. The Sanborn map of 1919 appears to show this theater on lot 62 which would put it two lots west of where the Rialto would arise on Jackson.

In February 2004, his younger brother, Elmer Anglin, Jr., was still going strong at age 92, in retirement and living with his daughter Yvonne McPeak in Farwell, TX. He recalls being an usher in the second Rex Theater, soon to renovated into the Acadia Theater, and also working with his father and the four-mule teams pulling the Fresno scrapers. He remembers when he, among nine other boys were playing in a barn filled with sacks of oats to feed the mules, and the barn was ignited and burned down. Later he was to work at the Thompson Mortuary, but when left alone and given jobs beyond his uncertified qualifications, he resigned to work in a men's clothing store.

1910 Arriving by train, Mr. and Mrs. William A. Franklin are soon to set up a confectionary store adjacent to Elmore's Barber Shop. They may later have been proprietors of the Franklin Variety Store to the west of Edelsteins Furniture Store at 217 W. Jackson.

F.H. Pena operates a variety store at 323 W. Van Buren. Each evening he or his daughter, who will become Mrs. Ismael Luna, hangs a candle-lit lantern bought for $2.50 Mexican money on a post in front of the store to guide night customers.

2/3/10  The Harlingen Ice and Gin Company is organized.  Its shareholders and shares are: R. W. Horlick of Varasotoa, Texas 100 shares, Lon C. Hill 20, C.W. Clift 30, Jacob Miller 10, Kate Bailey 4, O.H. Weller 10, S.H. Bell 20, J.D. Ellis 4, S. Lozano and Son 2 for a total of 200. The purpose of the corporation is to construct or purchase and maintenance of mills and gins, manufacture and supply to the public by any means of ice, gas, light, heat and electric motor power or either in connection with such mills and gins. By 1912 Gordon Hill and R.L. Autrey are involved with the company.

3/10 Harlingen has an early chamber of commerce in the name of the Harlingen Commercial Club. It spends $290 for lumber to erect a building in the triangular lot where Commerce meets Monroe Street. Its first unpaid secretary is H.D. Seago. The building is later used as City Hall and when it is demolished is dedicated as a pocket park named after Gordon Hill. It still exists today west of the Grimsell Store.

John T. Lomax arrives in the Valley and later becomes a formidable force as banker, producer, cotton gin owner, and fruit merchant. While working mostly in San Benito, he, in 1924, becomes president of the reorganized Valley State Bank of Harlingen.

12/10 Hill places order in New Orleans for a sugar mill. By late 4/11 eighteen carloads of machinery have been delivered for erection by the contractor, D.J. Haynes Company of Houston. John Clarey of Houston is the on-site superintendent. Its cost ranges from $125,000 to $600,000 depending on the source. The lower figure is more likely for the wooden-clad, 500 tons per day capacity mill. The mill's location is where Harlingen Field, the baseball stadium, now stands.

In late 1910 or early 1911 Mr. C.W. Waterwall builds a two story frame house at 114 W. Monroe. It is soon to offer a home and business venture to the Chaudoin family. Robert Chaudoin had come to the area to work with R.S. Dilworth and Winston Harwood. The R. S. Dilworth Ranch was south of the Arroyo Colorado where Dilworth Road reaches it. After some hard times, the Chaudoins moved to town. They turned the spacious building into a rooming house and also offered board but not for long. Soon Huron and Lucy Verser of Riley, TN came to Harlingen with their five children. Mr. Verser came for his health and stayed to farm. The Versers purchase the structure and continue to rent rooms and offer board. Mrs. Verser's southern hospitality becomes well known, the place prospers, and it becomes a temporary home to many new Harlingenites. Son Jack is born in the house in 1916 or 1917. The Chaudoin house becomes known as the Verser House. When unoccupied in 1979, a series of fires occurred in it. Jack Verser offered the salvageable parts to the Rio Grande Valley Museum to use in the restoration of Harlingen's first hospital which had been moved to the complex. [For additional information on the Verser House see "Southern Hospitality in Harlingen—the Verser House" link.] Huron Judson Verser, who first farmed where Four Corners (F and Harrison Streets) was later to be, died 4/30/50 at 81 in his Monroe Street home. This member of the First Baptist Church born in Austin, AK left behind his wife Lucie, four daughters and son Jack.

This year the V & K (?) Saloon was in business at 320 W. Van Buren to serve an Hispanic clientele. The wooden frame building would later be occupied by the Cavasos Grocery Store.

3/21/11 The Hill Sugar Company is incorporated. "The purpose for which this corporation is formed is for the growing and selling of sugar cane, with the right to make and refine sugar and molasses, and all the by-products of sugar cane and to sell same." Its five directors are: Lon C. Hill, Gordon Hill, John D. Hill, Paul Hill, and F.A. Schaff. The capital stock totals $300,000 in 3,000 $100 shares. At the 5/6/13 meeting of stockholders the breakdown of the shares is revealed. Gordon Hill has 288.4, Paul Hill 42, Schaff 1, Lon C. Hill 507.6, and L.C. Hill, Jr. 2,161.

7/10/11 Harlingen compresses its first cotton bale in its new compress plant.

10/26/11 There is a big demand for rental houses, since there is not a vacant house to be had.

10/27/11 E. F. Ballard of Tupelo, Mississippi is reported by the Brownsville Herald to have organized a state bank with the capital stock of $25,000. Accompanied by his wife and children he is staying at the Mooreland Hotel.

W.D. Rogers, with wife and son, of Sabinal, TX arrives to start a sheet metal business.

11/11 The mill commences grinding sugar cane. It will process cane in the 1911-12, 1912-13, and 1913-14 seasons.

5/12 A new eight-stand gin with provisions for long staple cotton is being built while the green corn processing plant will soon be completed. Ground for an oil mill has been set aside.

1912 F. Finley Ewing of Ballinger, Runnels County, TX comes to San Benito. After four years there he works for the government in border construction projects. Then in 1919 comes to Harlingen to enter the hardware business as half-owner of Ewing and Phillips Hardware Company at the northwest corner of Commerce and Jackson. Later he is president of the Peoples Gin Company. By 1929 he is president of the Harlingen Development Company. This is the relic of the original townsite company which was acquired by local interests from foreign capitalists in 1924. At this time in the original townsite there are1,000 building lots left which this company owns and controls. He is elected Mayor on 4/6/26 and serves until 1928.

It is also in 1912 that Robert Terry Stuart of Kaufman County, TX first comes to the Valley. His development work starts in 1916 with investments near Harlingen, Brownsville, Edcouch, and tracts near Mercedes and Mission. He was born near Terrill in Kaufman County, TX on 1/24/80. His parents are Texas born, his grandparents having come here from Scotland when Texas was a republic. He is educated at the Sam Houston School in Huntsville and the M&F Institute, Chicago. In Oklahoma City he becomes president of the Mid-Continental Life Insurance Co. and the Robert T. Stuart and Co. Investment Banks. He married Maude Elizabeth McKebbons 6/30/04.

Here this year also is Wenselado Chapa. This native of Mexico, born 1883, will later open a small grocery store, become a Latin American civic leader, and owner of Chapa Tortilla factory and Grocery. Upon his death of a heart attack at age 64 in 1947 he will leave behind his wife Cruz, two sons and four daughters.

P.C. Shockey may have come to Harlingen this year. He is likely to have become Harlingen's first resident photographer. He helps to publicize the whole Valley by placing many of his more interesting photographs on post cards for sale.

10/13 At this point in time Hill is in debt to the Mississippi Valley Trust Company. A list of judgments against him totals $210,023.68.

11/25/13 H.A. Gibbs is editor of the Harlingen Star newspaper. He and his wife may have taken over the weekly as early as 1909. Sales records indicate he was here by January 1911. He also serves on the City Commission 4/12 through 11/16. For a time the Gibbs operated at the back of the Hill Building

1913 R.L. Chaudoin opens his real estate office above the Harlingen State Bank at Jackson and A Streets. Later as president of the Rio Valley Land Co., he will hire D.W. Swartz as vice-president and sales manager. While R.L. Chaudoin came to Harlingen in 1910 he had been in the Valley since 1908. He was born in Caldwell County 2/14/59 and attended common schools as public schools were then called. He marries Lily Polly on 10/27/82. Of Hugenot descent, his father was a medical doctor and classmate of Robert E. Lee; his mother a descendent of Robert Morris of Philadelphia. In Harlingen he will serve as city recorder, City Commissioner (4/12-4/19), and justice of the peace. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Methodist Church. In 1930 he is located at 613 N.1st Street.

8/4/14 At a special meeting of the Harlingen Sugar Company directors it is revealed that the company has $120,000 worth of bonds that have matured on 7/25/14 and also owes six months of interest on them at 6% and is unable to pay the principle or interest. The bond holders want additional security and agree to extend payment until 1/25/15. The company then give a chattel mortgage to Breckinridge Jones of St. Louis for all its farm implements and the crops to be grown on its farm in Cameron County for the year 1914, also all profits and returns from the sugar mill.

1915 T.P. Roberts establishes a general store. In 1918 his son, J.R. Roberts, takes it over, the same year that he will be elected Mayor for two consecutive terms. It is the largest store of its kind in Harlingen and employs 15 people. J.R. was born in Colmesneil, Texas in 2/21/95 and educated at Uvalde High School. In WWI he serves 10 months overseas with the 36th division. He marries Lela Smith on 8/14/23. He becomes vice-president of the First National Bank and, by 1929, president of the Harlingen Development Company of which Osco Morris and S. Finley Ewing are partners. Over time all three gentleman lay claim to be the president of the company acquired in 1926. He is also v-p of the Peoples Gin Co. and president of the Willacy County Gin Co.

Gregorio Garcia, who came to Harlingen in 1910, publishes El Precurso, the first Spanish language newspaper in town.

In this year too, after being away two years, L.R. Hollingworth of Brazoria County, TX comes back to San Benito, where his father has a cattle business. Here he works six years for banks, including three at the Farmers State Guaranty Bank as assistant cashier. In WWI he served four months in the aviation section. In June 1922 he establishes the Hollingsworth Motor Company, an agent and distributor of Ford and Lincoln automobiles and Fordson tractors. At 220-222 W. Harrison he builds a two story structure with the showroom downstairs and family quarters above. In the 1930s he is to construct the handsome art deco showroom at 221 W. Harrison. Hollinsworth was born in Valasco, TX 10/9/99. After attending the Wentworth Academy, he served in the Signal Corps in WWI. He married Eleanor Campbell on 3/15/20 and together they sired three boys. One of the first to have a radio set in the 1920s, he is a Mason and Shriner. He left the Valley for San Antonio where he ranched and was involved in real estate. He is to be buried in Beeville

Robert W. Nelson and his children at the time come to the Valley. Five years later he will become the local agent and outside investor for the Magnolia Oil Co. He was born in Clarke City, AK 8/28/73 and educated at common schools and Hill's Business College. He married Maggie D. Dunn 1/25/99. Of Scotch-Irish descent he and his family are members of the Christian Church. The Nelsons have daughters Verda, Thelma, and Gladys and by 1926 also Leman, Alton and Robert. The Nelsons will erect the Nelson Apartments at 1-2 W. Madison.

Early in 1915 the S. Lozano and Son wooden mercantile store is torn down and replace by a substantial two-story building constructed of brick from Monterey, Mexico.

It is thought that this is the year that the Thompson Mortuary at 209 E. Jackson Street opens as Harlingen's first funeral home. T.F. Thompson, funeral director, was born in Washington County in 12/1841. He attended pioneer schools and married Annie Bell 8/11/65. His father Alexander was from Tennessee and fought at San Jacinto as well as under Gen. Green in the Civil War. John T. Thompson, the mortician, was born in Hempstead, TX 12/15/80 and attended high school there. He married Edna Taylor of Waller, TX on 9/26/02. He is an Episcopalian and a Shriner. Eventually the mortuary will be merged into Kreidler-Ashcraft. While most of the original mortuary building with its cupola remains on Jackson Street part of it was moved elsewhere in years past.

2/17/16 The South Texas Lumber Company suspends the account of the Hill Sugar Company which owes it $500.

2/27/16 Eulagio Garza is operating the West Side Tavern and Pool Hall. Julian Villareal and his wife Emma are doing some remodeling and will later open their confectionery store at 322 W. Van Buren. They will reside at 423 W. Taylor by 1930.

1916 Some of the companies in existence this year will no longer be on the scene by 1930. These include: the Seago Grain Co., Pendleton Oil Co., Beebe Pharmacy, Security Trust Co., RGV Ice Association, and the Valley Meat Market.

1917 Planters State Bank goes into operation at southeast corner of Commerce and Jackson. A two story brick building is erected where Mack Crenshaw once ran his barber shop in a small frame building. About this time the Harlingen State Bank had deposits of $78,919.81 and the Planters State and Guaranty Bank $22,516.84. The Planters State Bank organized by B.F. Johnson takes over the assets of the Harlingen State Bank and is later purchased itself by S.A. Thompson on 1/1/19. In 1923 it closes its doors. Its assets are taken over by the Valley State Bank, organized by B.M. Holland, a former bank examiner. John T. Lomax of San Benito becomes president and Tyre H. Brown vice-president. The Valley State Bank fails in 1931 after occupying the ground floor of the building 1924-1927. In the years 1927 thru 1965 the Cameron County Irrigation District No. 1 office is in the building. Currently the Junior League runs a thrift shop in the lower floor and the upper one is occupied by the Downtown Development office. The building bears a bronze Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 plaque.

4/16/17 As indicated by rent paid to the South Texas Lumber Co., R.A. Stevenson's Dreamland Theater is in operation. Another entity with a lumber company account at this time is the National Theater.

7/17/17 Mexican bandits are said to burn the wood-clad Hill Sugar Mill to the ground. It had not been operated for several years. Because of the limited fire protection for it and an adjacent warehouse, no insurance company will provide coverage for the flammable structures.

Here this year is A.J. Rabel. He was born in Moravia, Lavaca County 2/11/88 and received a degree from Hamilton College, Chicago. Of French-Austrian ancestry his people were in Texas by 1866. He married Ada Baker of Columbus, TX on 12/15/13. Her father was editor of Columbus' first newspaper in 1850 and had come from Virginia. Rabel is the second established lawyer in Harlingen. In 1928 he is a partner in Rabel-Napier and Fristoe (Osce). He served as the city attorney for a time and was the first attorney for Willacy County. This Baptist is a Mason and Kiwanis member. His son is Aldolphus B.

J.T. (Tom) Foster also comes to the Valley this year. His public service is to be lengthy. For three years he is superintendent of schools, Cameron County Commissioner, Cameron County Deputy Tax Collector, and for a time administrator of the Valley Baptist Hospital. From McKinney, TX, this First Baptist Church member was also a Mason and a charter member of the Kiwanis. Residing at 509 E. Harrison he dies at age 77 on 4/16/62, leaving his wife Ethel and others. Mrs. Foster came to Harlingen in 1918 and ten years later commenced teaching. In 1949 she was still going strong at the Sam Houston School.

An arrival from San Antonio in the Valley this year is William Edward Allen. He is to go into the fruit packing business and later own a motel. He is to die at age 66 on 5/7/62 leaving a widow, Mabel, son Lloyd Allen here, a daughter in Houston, and a brother, Henry in Rio Hondo.

4/1/18 R.B. Hamilton comes from Bishop, Texas to become manager of the First National Bank, whose capital stock stands at $15,000. He increases that to $25,000 in 1919. He is to serve on the City Commission 4/23-12/31.

6/4/18 A Chamber of Commerce is organized.

William H. Hundley is here this year. He is general agent for the Gulf Coast Lines for whom he has been employed for 24 years. He will also become a director for the First National Bank of Harlingen. He was born on 1/28/76 in Commerce,TX, where his father C.J. was the first medical doctor in the eastern part of Hunt County. He was educated at common schools and married Ray Juniger 9/9/07. He is a Mason and a Rotarian.

1918 A.A. Kimmel establishes a business with his name, A.A. Kimmel and Company Hardware and Implements It is in a brick front building on Jackson to the east of that of H. Letzerich. This native of Williams County, Ohio first came to Riviera, Kleberg County in 1908. By 1925 his brother Roy is helping him manage the store, and by 1929 the company is called the Kimmel Implement Co., Inc. and deals in hardware, implements, machinery and is agent for International Harvester. Now at 219-211 N. Commerce, it boosts a floor space of 4,000 square feet. Kimmel was born in Montpelier, OH 9/27/84. He married Josie M. Heaton of Norton, KS on 11/19/06. In WWI he serves on the Registration Board. He serves as a City Commissioner 4/21-4/23 and again 1/36-12/38. In 1928 he is president of the Retail Merchants Association and treasurer of the Rotary Club. Serving as commissioner again in 1942, he runs for re-election in May 1944. Mrs. Kimmel is active in the Business Women's Club, the Red Cross, and with her children Gordon A., Julia M., and Edna Mae.

Having been here in 1912, 1918 is the year W.T Liston returns from Elysian Fields, TX for good with his son William Osie (W.O.) Liston. Of Scotch-Irish descent he was born in Panola County 10/19/70 and married to Annie Davidson of Robstown in 9/15. She is the mother of Sibyl and Eunice. In 1919 W.T. Liston and his son start a building contractor firm. It is in 1922 that he starts his W.T. Liston Cast, Stone, and Concrete Co. It supplies ready-mix concrete until this item is dropped in1986 but continues with concrete-formed items, especially pipe and culverts. W.O. will later marry Lily Chaudoin of another pioneer Harlingen family. W.T. is a Knight of Pythias and an Oddfellow. The business location at 821 W. Harrison will later be the site of H.E.B. Market No. 2. Liston's son Claude is, in 1922, to marry Minnie who came here 10/8/19 from Caddo, TX. In 1926 he is operating a dry cleaning and dye works establishment. After construction of the municipal golf course, he will manage it for many years before joining his father's firm and remaining there until his death in 1956. Minnie will then work at the First Baptist Church nursery for 29 years. She is honored for her work on her 84th birthday on 9/29/85.

10/29/18 At this time S.A. Pipes is the publisher of the Harlingen Star.

1919 The present Harlingen Chamber of Commerce takes shape with A.A. Kimmel as president and J.B. Challes, who had come to Harlingen in 1918, as secretary-manager. In 1921 it incorporates with A.L. Brooks as chairman and Challes remaining as secretary-manager but now being paid. John Challes, after a career in insurance and service to the Rotary Club, will die at age 90 in May of 1971. In 1923 Myron Ward is to become manager, followed by George A. Toolan, and John T. Floore through 1932, then Challes again, 1935, Mrs. Mella A. Hover and A.L. Brooks, and C.C. Williams in 1937.

This same year Sam J. Baker comes to town. He later co-founds Baker-Potts Nursery on the road west of town so named for this entity. This native of Howard City, KS (b.3/12/72) dies at age 87 (11/2/59) in Baytown, TX at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Louis (Amy Mae) Himes. A second daughter, Mrs. Frances Davis, resides in Harlingen. His wife, Virginia T. Dyer Baker, preceded him in death. Baker was a community activist being a Mason, Odd Fellow, Woodmen of the World, and member of the Christian Church. In WWI he assisted in Liberty Bond drives.

Arthur J. Potts is a nursery man as well as secretary-treasurer of the company. He was born in Weatherford, TX 3/16/83. He attended Texas A&M College and the U. of California. He married Frances Opal Poland of Muncie, IN on 6/2/10. During the war he was an instructor to the A.T.C. At 802 Harrison they have a daughter Litha Marie.

 

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2/3/10  One of the first Harlingen natives to be born in the official new town is Felipe Sosa, son of Cirildo and Refugia. For many years he will be employed by Southmost Sash and Doors in Harlingen. When this Queen of Peace Catholic Church parishioner dies 10/4/06 at age 96 he leaves behind his wife Elvira of 67 years, four sons and three daughters. His priest son Philip will conduct his service.

1910 James F. Rodgers and his wife come to Harlingen. He was born in Illinois 10/22/71 and educated at Warrensburg Normal School. For a time he was a school teacher in Missouri. Of Irish descent he married Mary L. Yates of Monroe City, MO 10/30/1900 at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Indian Creek, MO. She was schooled at the St. Joseph Academy, Dubuque, IA. He is a landowner and was one of the founders of the Wilson Independent School, which from one room has by 1928 grown into a beautiful two-story $40,000 building and employs 11 teachers. Rodgers is chairman of the Valley-Texas Farm Bureau Cotton Association. He is a Kiwanis, Knight of Columbus, and member of the Chamber of Commerce. On 5/20/22 James F. Rodgers is appointed U.S. Postmaster for Harlingen and serves until 1935. They are parents to Charles L., L.P., Raymond J., Josephine, Ravilla, and J.F., Jr. Mrs. Rodgers was involved with the Red Cross during WWI and also with the Ladies Chamber of Commerce. They will eventually reside at 818 E. Madison where they will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Mrs. Rodger's brother, Tom Yates is also to come here in 1910. He was born in Missouri on 9/24/90. He will purchase 160 acres of Wilson Tract land from Jesse Avery. He will farm it and later be involved in cotton ginning, produce buying, and be associated with both federal and state departments of agriculture.

His wife to be is Rachel Brown born in Duluth MN on 1/1/94. She arrives here in 1912. Her father, Frank R. Brown, is sent here by a northern bank which has loaned Lon C. Hill money and wants to check on how things are going. He will stay to become associated with the water district office. Rachel will teach at the Wilson School. Rachel and Tom's son, Frank, will be a long-time employee of CPL. Brown's second wife, Katherine Clarey Brown, is a doctor who has worked in Hopkinville, KY and St. Louis, MO before coming to Harlingen with Frank in 1911. She and the widowed Frank had been married in 1907, honeymooned in Alaska, and stayed there six months before moving on. Here she is not a practicing physician but does offer the first in-patient care in Harlingen when she takes patients into their spacious 1222 W. Harrison Street house. When the first F Street hospital opened in 1923 she may have ceased this service. By 1930 the Browns are living in an apartment on Madison.

4/10 Mrs. Tomasa Villareal Garza, sister of Julian Villareal, has work done on her 416 W. Harrison residence.

10/17/10 Hill, dissatisfied with and critical of the courts and sheriff's office decides to run for Cameron County sheriff on an Independent-Republican ticket. He is termed by some a "hatchet man." In the November election 3,232 votes are cast. He loses by161 votes in a year when Democrats are strong across the nation.

C.P. Lear moved to the Valley in 1910 and to Harlingen in 1919. This CPL employee dies 9/1/60.

Coming to Harlingen from Sherman in 1910 is T.W. Scott. He becomes one of the city's early developers and keeps his hand in real estate until his death of an automobile accident 9/7/59. He leaves his wife Mary Elizabeth Scott of Harlingen and a daughter in McAllen.

Also coming to the Valley this year is J.B. Chambers, who then went back to Corpus Christi only to return again in 1920. His parents came from Mississippi and had settled in Texas in 1858. He was born in Waco on 5/7/70. He was educated at Baylor University and served in the secret service in WWI. This Baptist Church member married Alice Souther on 6/3/96. His first time here he sold hardware and implements; the second time he became president of the J.B. Chambers Real Estate Co., president of the Harlingen Real Estate Board, and chairman of the Arroyo Colorado Irrigation District of Cameron and Willacy Counties.

1911  It was for health and business reasons that the John Thomas Baker family of La Porte, TX moved to Harlingen this year.  Born in Danville KY in1868, he went to Kansas State Normal College.  Eventually he owned a lumber company and served as mayor of LaPorte.  He married Bessie Gaskill at Stilson, TX in 1903.  She had attended the Chicago School of Music in 1901 and majored in voice. She is to die at age 75 on 5/22/59. Baker was involved with the drafting of the city's original charter. He owned the first Ford agency and next to it the first garage. These were on Commerce at the northeast corner of Van Buren.  Around 1925-26 he was to demolish them and construct the two story, brick commerce building in the site. The Bakers had a very large family.  Born in LaPorte were Neal Vivian, 1904; Loren Major Loree, 1905; Audrey May, who died at birth in 1906; John Thurloe, 1907 and Lila Selina, 1911.  Born in Harlingen were Bessie Beatrice, 1914; Blanche Elizabeth, 1916; Gladys Juanita, 1919; Willard Gaskill, 1922; and Ray Wendell, 1924.  By 1930 the telephone book lists John's occupation as landowner and his home address at 310 S. 8th Street.

1912 Later to be Mrs. Edith M. Trousdale, she arrives here at age 15 from Minnesota. This member of the First Methodist Church has one son, Roy R. Trousdale. She dies 10/10/59 at age 62.

Other newcomers this year are J.W. Harrington, C.N. Simmons, John F. Sanders, the J.M. Paine family, Jake S. Pletcher and the J.E. Wilson family.

Eunice Simmons comes this year with her parents, George and Anne Simmons. In April 1923 she will marry Neil S. Madeley, Sr.

Also coming to the Valley this year and later to become a Harlingen resident is A.M. Kent. He becomes a Cameron County attorney, 1913-17, then judge on the 103rd Judicial Court until 1938. In WWII he serves as a Captain in the Corps of Military Police. For a time he is chairman of the Cameron County Democratic Party as well as a partner in the law firm of Kent, Brown and George. Born in Rolfe, Iowa 4/12/87, this First Presbyterian Church member dies of a heart attack 1/3/60 at age 72.

This year E.L. Fender is operating a general store in town.

9/13 Hoyte Hicks and Luallee Pendleton Burchard come to Harlingen by train from Gonzales, TX at the urging of her brother Miller Pendleton. Their daughter Kate Dorothy Burchard, later Mrs. Charles Washmon, is two years old. H.H. takes the position of executive director of the Harlingen State Bank. In 1915 when the Pioneer Building is inaugurated he opens the Burchard Pharmacy in a corner of the building, for he is a graduate of the University of Texas and its School of Pharmacy. Born in Gonzales, TX 9/19/82 he serves as president of the school board for five years, is on the city council (4/22-4/24), chairman of the Liberty Loan committee, and is postmaster under President Wilson. This gentleman of Hugenot descent is a Mason and Knight of Pythias.

1913  Mrs. Charles Velma Simmons Perry, as a young woman, is among those who attend the first touring Lyceum Courses conducted between 1913 and 1918 in the Central Ward School. Her daughters will be Virginia I. Perry born in Harlingen 12/17/11 and Vonnie Mae (later Westbrook.) The former will be graduated from HHS and attend Southern Methodist University.  Returning to her hometown she will teach at Stuart Place and be connected with its music programs.  In 1939 or 1940 she begins her career as a piano and organ teacher and continues this pursuit until a few years before her death on 11/28/05. She was also organist at several Harlingen churches. This spinster will be preceded in death by her sister of Brownsville.

Under the 1916 entry on A.J. Rabel insert the following after "Rabel is the second lawyer in Harlingen.":   A 1920s photo shows the Planter Bank Building with the names of three lawyers painted in this order in a second floor window: J. T. Canales, H. Davenport, A.J. Rabel. The former two are noted for political and history activities.

In this year, as a young woman, Ella Barg comes to San Benito with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Barg. Married to Fred Grimsell they move to Harlingen in 1938. At age 74, she dies 11/1/60, leaving one daughter, Mrs. E.D. Griffen of Harlingen.

On 11/15/13 Sofia Garcia Renaud is born in the Harlingen area, but her mother, Elvira Cavaza Olivarez Renaud, dies in giving birth. Sofia's family has an interesting history. It is a Frenchman, Louis Philip Renaud, who comes to own the sizeable El Sauz Ranch in what is now Willacy County. A descendent, Doloris Renaud, is to will it to her son Francisco Garcia Renaud. He sells the ranch land and later uses part of the proceeds to purchase lots on Harrison across from Diaz Park and on the corner of D and Tyler. He also is to establish a general store on D Street. Sofia, his daughter, is to marry Fernando J. Saldivar (born 1/28/07 in Hidalgo, Tamaulipas) who comes here in 1928. Fernando is to operate several cafes on South D and C Streets as well as W. Harrison. He will become a member of the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in the 1940s-50s. In 1935 he will divorce Sofia, who will die of TB on11/15/40. He will marry Nicolosa Balli (b 12/6/16) in 1936. She will raise his son Humberto (b.12/13/31) while Humberto's brother Francisco (b.1935) will be adopted by Uncle Basilio G. Renaud. Humberto will later teach school for 30 years. Nicolosa will teach the floral business, which she runs, to Humberto's wife, Imelda, who will carry on Saldivars House of Flowers when her mother-in-law retires.

1914 This year Mrs. Ella Lasater arrived in the Valley. She attended the First Baptist Church until her death at age 82 on 3/14/61, leaving daughter Mrs. Ernestine Winter.

Little is also known about Mrs. Elizabeth Langridge who arrives this same year. She succumbs at age 74 on 4/13/61, leaving her husband George.

It was 1914 when Mrs. Liddie (Grandma) McElwain came to the Valley in a covered wagon from Oklahoma. Her husband J.D. McElwain managed the affairs of L.C.Hill, Jr. for many years. Born 2/17/77 she dies at age 81 on 8/1/59 in Kingsville. She leaves one son Jesse J. McElwain of Harlingen and two daughters, Mrs. Edith Barton and Mrs. Daisy Pfeiffer, both of Kingsville.

In this year George A. Toolan comes to the Valley. He was born in Lansing, MI on 4/3/82 and educated in its high school. He becomes secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and president and secretary of the Valley Association of Chambers of Commerce. He helps to organize five Rotary Clubs in the Valley while active in community building and publicity work. He married Maude O. Wheeler 10/7/05. This man of Irish descent is a Catholic, an Elk and a Rotarian.

T.L. and Nancy Jane Sidener arrive in Harlingen. He will become involved in real estate while she is active in the Women's Christian Temperance League and PTA. They own the building at 109 E. Jackson. She is to die at age 85 on 4/7/50.

William T. "Uncle Billie" Chase was born in Hiawatha, KS 9/20/1866 and went to the Cherokee Strip of Oklahoma on 9/13/1893. He comes to the Valley on 9/14/14 where he purchases 60 acres of land on S. Dilworth Road. In the spring of 1927 he moves into the old Lon C. Hill house at Fair Park.  When the adjacent Municipal Auditorium is completed in 1928 he takes the job of being its manager at a salary of $170 per month plus free housing.  He will continue in this position for 30 years until he retires several months before his 91st birthday.

1915 R.M. Eubanks moves to the Valley when Harlingen's population was only 700 (?). In 1917 he marries Mary Alice Spencer here. They have two children—Bill (later of Corpus Christi) and Mrs. Betty Kilpatrick (later of Taylor). Initially he works for Ewing- Phillips Hardware Store and in 1919 the Pierce Petroleum company, predecessor to Sinclair Oil. He serves as city secretary at one point. In the 1930s he is Sinclair's local agent then branch manager. He moves away for a short period but returns in 1956 in charge of sales for the company. At the end of 1959 he takes retirement.

1915 is the year John C. Myrick becomes Harlingen's first practicing attorney. In 1923 the firm becomes Myrick and Coursey. An Alabama native of Irish descent, b. Gadsden 2/12/79, his first degree was from Emporia State Normal College, and he received his LL.B from UT in 1915. On 6/1/10 he married Mary Davidson of Indiana in Kansas City, Missouri. When first in Harlingen the Myricks will reside in the Verser House before finding other accommodations. They have two daughters, Mary Josephine and Avis Elizabeth (later Mrs. Jack Garrett), who will later help them celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. He helps to found the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Harlingen and is active in the early years in promoting it across the Valley. In WWI he was chairman of the Questionnaire Board. By 1930 he will have his office in the Myrick Building 113-115 S. Commerce.

Another resident to the Valley this year is Edward Newton Brazil. His occupation becomes law enforcement, and he serves in Ft. Worth, Beaumont and the Valley. At the time of his death, 2/1/62 at age 69 due to a heart attack, he serves as a constable here. This WWI veteran and American Legion member leaves one daughter, Mrs. Earle W. Anderson. Brazil Road on the west side of Harlingen may possibly be named in his honor.

Dr. George A. McBride claims he came this year. In 7/1917 he enters the army as a captain in the Medical Reserve Corps, eventually retiring as a major then working as a medical officer at Camp Auburn, AL. Here he serves as American Legion commander. At age 72 on 5/18/38, this First Presbyterian will die of a heart attack survived by his wife Mary J. and daughter Mrs. W.W. King.

B.A. Philpott, who resides at 704 W. Jackson, is a painter kept busy the next few years with new construction. So is P.S. Waterwall with his teamster and construction business. His home is 1310 W. Monroe.

John David Hanes, a native of Marshall, IN, arrives to take up carpentry. According to his obituary this First Christ member dies at age 73 on 9/15/61. There is however conflicting information on a document at the RGV Museum listing numerous family heirlooms and guns donated by a John David Hanes. It states that he was born 10/14/1874 in Argos, IN and came to Harlingen 7/20/1920. He was married on 7/25/1917 to Goldie Pearl Boyce Hanes who was born 11/22/1890 in Argos.

William E. and Jennie Johnson of Walnut, IL comes this year. They will own and operate early Harlingen cafes, one at 210 W. Jackson and later another at 717 E. Harrison, and produce baked goods and food items in the first wholesale bakery. He is to be a sales representative for the Lee Land Co., which houses home seekers in its Community Building, later to be the Stuart Place Clubhouse. In 1918 he brings his family. The children are Bill, Norma (Mrs. C.L. Carey), and Peggy (Mrs. Briggs). Over the years the Jackson Street café will see various owners --Mr.and Mrs. Heslop by 1941, Phil Edie by 1944, and the J. R. Fitzgeralds by 1948.

J.B. Brady's family with nine children moved to the Valley from Commerce, TX in 1916. His father bought a farm just east of what was then downtown Harlingen at a location that is now near Van Buren and 4th Streets. J.B. went on to become executive officer of the First National Bank of Harlingen and organized the first Rio Grande Valley Clearing House for checks.

Late this year Cecilio and Silvina Garcia emigrate to Harlingen from Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. With them are six sons and two daughters. They establish one of the city's first small minority owned businesses, Garcia Cleaners. In 1968 son Gilberto takes over ownership of the business but closes it in 1992 because of health reasons. Gilberto and his wife, Juanita Narro Garcia, are active in civic and church affairs. He serves in the U.S. Air Force 1945 to 1947, is the first commander of the local chapter of the Catholic War Veterans, contributes to the construction of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and is a member of Our Lady of Assumption Church. In death on 10/17/04, this 93 year old born 2/4/11 leaves his wife of 64 years, five sons, and one daughter. Four of his brothers, Felipe, Juan, Jesus, and Evaristo, and one sister, Maria have preceded him in death.

11/19/16 By this date James Thomas Foster has settled in. By 1930 he will be in real estate working out of the 237 Commerce Building. He and his wife Ethel reside at 509 E. Harrison. S.J. Rivers is yet another real estate agent having already been settled here by April 1916. He and his wife Loula will reside at 209 N. 1st Street.

At the end of the year, Frederico Lopez has lumber transactions. By 1930 he will be working for the Valley Barber Supply Company, and he and his wife Petra will reside at 413 ½ W. Harrison.

1917 Loren Dumont comes to the Valley this year, from Iowa. When he died at age 70 on 1/4/61 he left his daughter Mrs. Carl Salisbury.

11/8/17 Guadelupe (Lupita) is born in Harlingen to Bland and Constancia Chamberlain. He is a nephew to Henrietta Chamberlain King but is estranged from her due to disagreements over land matters. Bland's family owned and farmed some land north of City Lake. In 1936 Lupita was to marry Alonzo Galvan whose family owned the Galvan Grocery Store and Tortilla Factory down the street from her Polk Street home. He husband became a truck driver for Pearl Beer. Nine children were to come their way, but Lupita still found ways to serve her faith, church, and community. She was to die 10/13/03, a month before her 86th birthday.

12/13/17 Later to become Mildred L. Cunningham, she is born in Mercedes but is a lifelong Harlingen resident. Well-known in the construction industry she was for the years 1957-93 bookkeeper for the Mion Tile Co. Dying at age 82 she leaves her son Gary (Lan).

12/30/17 Leonardo Castillo and his wife Sara spend over $216 for lumber supplies. This is a goodly sum for a laborer and may have been to enlarge his house at 622 W. Van Buren.

10/29/18 Gordon Hill dies of influenza while being treated in Devine Providence Hospital in Brownsville. He is survived by his father; three brothers, Captain John D. Hill who organized Company L of the 9th Infantry while stationed in Harlingen, Hickman H.

Hill who is training at Fort Hancock, Georgia, and Lon C. Hill, Jr. who is CEO Rockwell Aviation, San Diego and formerly in command of Brooks Field, San Diego; sisters are Mrs. H. K. Morrow, Clarksville, Tennessee, Annie Rooney Hill and Miss Paul who nursed him. His brother Lon C. (Mose) Hill is to go on to a distinguished career as builder of the Central Power and Light Company where he will serve as its president and chairman for many years. He was a promoter of the Valley Chamber of Commerce and worked diligently to improve the quality of Rio Grande water.

Harlingenites going to Brownsville to attend the funeral are: B.F. Johnson, Miss Pearl Botts, A.W. Cunningham, C.F. Perry, A.J. Rabel, Aubrey King, Piner Paine, Lawson Anglin, Murrell Verser, Buren Sidener, Mr. & Mrs. John Hill, Mrs. Hanson, and R.M. Chaudoin.

11/18 Moving to Harlingen are Mr. and Mrs. Smith with daughter Ozelia (later to marry a Mueller) and sons Graham Browning, Horace O., Herbert, Homer L. and Wilford.

It was in 1918 that James Edwin Calloway came to the Valley from St. Louis. He is credited with shipping the first carload of produce from Los Fresnos. A resident of 1418 South 1st Street, he dies at age 67 on 12/16/60 leaving wife Veda and son James H. (Chub) Calloway.

Also here by this month are Paul G. Brandt and his wife Corinna. He later will be associated with Harlingen Body Works, an early automobile repair service at 208 N. Commerce. They will reside in 1930 at 310 E. Jackson.

Austin T. Beach, who will take employment with the Household Furniture Co. by 1930 is here. He and his wife Essie will live at 1333 E. Taylor.

J. Ernest Fitch has plenty of work in his trade of building construction. By 1930 he and his wife Virginia will have an abode at 706 E. Filmore.

He was middle aged when he came to the Valley in 1918, but Simon Garcia Cantu, a laborer, was to see many years here before he died at age 90. Living at 312 W. Tyler he dies 1/3/61.

Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Johnson had come this year from Paris, TX. She was widowed in 1946 upon the death of her husband R.H. (Bob) Johnson, a former Texas Ranger. Passing 7/7/61 at age 70, this Calvary Baptist Church member leaves behind seven daughters including Mrs. J.J. Dawson of this city and four sons including Luther and Ross of Harlingen.

Jennie Case comes to the Valley from Missouri. She is a graduate of the George Peabody College of Nashville. She and her sister, Mrs. Mattie Case (d.5/51), begin teaching in Harlingen in 1920. This First Methodist Church member dies 7/19/59 leaving a niece Jean Phipps Clore (here in1920). Her brother-in-law, the late Paul Phipps, was an early Harlingen school superintendent. Paul Earl Phipps was superintendent of schools in Princeton, Missouri in 1918 when, due to his father's health condition, he brought his family including his father, wife Susan Case, and daughter Jean to McAllen in the summer of 1918. Two years later he was selected to be Harlingen Superintendent of Schools, a position he filled until 1932. Jean, who was born in 1917 in Sullivan County, MO, was to lead an eventful and fruitful life.  She was graduated from Brownsville Junior College, UT, and attended summer school at George Peabody College, Nashville. She was a society editor for the Daily Sun in Goose Creek, Texas (near Baytown) for a year, returned to Harlingen upon the death of her father and worked for F.L. Flynn at the RG Building and Loan Assoc. In 1942 she was to marry Charles M. McKelvey.  He would be killed in action in the European Alps in March 1945.  A military training facility in Harlingen was later named in Capt. McKelvey's honor. Jean worked as a reporter for the Valley Morning Star and then as secretary of John Van Cronkite's public relations firm. In 1948 she married Walter L. Clore and had three children by him in addition to her daughter by McKelvey. Seeking income for her college-bound children she taught at Coakley Junior High School for eight years. This First Methodist Church member compiled a history of the Harlingen church, published the Tip of Tex Genealogy Society bulletin for four years, was a member of the Cameron County Historical Commission and responsible for two historical markers here, a member of the Harlingen Museum Board, the DAR , and other organizations. She was to die at age 88 on December 15, 2005.

From DeLeon, TX, the family of (Althea) Laverne Vinson arrives in the Harlingen area. She had been born in DeLeon 8/15/15. On 4/11/38 she is to marry Teddie Howard Anderson, beginning a union which lasts 45 years until his death. In the 1950s after 77 Sunshine Strip is constructed they open Andy's Model Market, where Lopez Supermarket now exists at the corner of 7th Street. In 1983 they sell the store. Laverne is a long-time member of the First Baptist Church where for many years she serves as Superintendent of the Junior's Sunday School Department and altar flower coordinator. She was known as "Mom" to many Air Force Cadets at the HAFB. Dying on 5/11/04, she is survived by two daughters and their families.

12/31/18 Lloyd E. Allen, Sr. is born in Mercedes to Valley pioneers W.E. (Bill) and Mabel Allen. He will be graduated from HHS in 1934, serve in WWII in the Philippines as an artillery office then later in Korea. Back in Harlingen he became vice-president and general manager of the Tri-Pak Machinery Corp. Dying at age 81 on 7/27/00 he left his wife Dorothy, daughter Janet, and son Lloyd, Jr.

1918 is the year Mrs. Bertha E. Jacobson takes up Harlingen residence. This Assembly of God member will eventually live at 702 E. Pierce, dying 5/6/52 at age 76 but leaving behind husband Gust, a carpenter, and two sons.

L.T. and Sarah A. Hilbun come this year. In 1919 they will run the Mooreland Hotel. He will die in 1931, but she will live until age 83, having been born in Yoakum 6/8/68 and died 7/10/51. She leaves son L.F. and daughter Mrs. W.T. Hodge, both of Harlingen.

1918 is the year the Hill family moves to 421 E. Harrison. This is nearer his business office and the children's school. The new house has large foundation timbers beneath it which were salvaged from the sugar mill's workshop.

1/19 The J.B. Elmores with children James, Margaret, and Maurine arrive in Harlingen. With all hotels full they share, with another family, an empty store next to the Tope Building. Later they will occupy a house at 722 E. Taylor. Son J.C. will be secretary-treasurer of the HISD. Margaret will later marry a Ballard and Maurine a Rader.

8/24/19 The Hill family moves into their new home at 421 East Harrison. William T. and Virginia Chase were to occupy the Hill's old house for many years. This childless Episcopalian couple had arrived in 1914. She, who had been born in 1883, died at age 68 while he, born 1867, lived until 1958.

1919 Mrs. Clara H. McCall came to Harlingen this year from Louisville, TX When she dies at age 64 on 5/7/61 this First Methodist member leaves behind her husband C.A. McCall and here a daughter, Mrs. D.R. Finn.

Blanch Palmer arrived the same year as a 16 year old. She later marries Carl L. Kargler. When she dies at age 59, 5/15/61, she leaves behind her husband and two brothers, J.R. and Tom Palmer of Rangerville.

In this year Minnie Goodykoontz is to arrive in the Valley. For many years she is superintendent of the first hospital in Mercedes. When she dies 8/26/62, this resident of 815 Van Buren leaves behind her husband Joe, whose trade has been carpentry, but no children.

Grover Raid will arrive to become Harlingen's third practicing attorney. This native of Cleveland AR was born 4/21/86 of Scotch-Irish heritage. After serving in the navy from 1905 to 1913, he marries Myrtle Bush of Wolfe, TX on 8/30/13. He is to become a justice of the peace and an abstractor. He and his wife reside at 506 E. Jackson.

1919 In this year, four year old Betty Nosler came to San Benito from Indiana with her parents James Bertram and Marie Williams Nosler. He would build and operate the San Benito Electric Gin, the first of its kind in the Valley and which operated until the mid-30s. In 1937 Betty would be graduated from UT-Austin with a degree in education. On12/27/38 she marries Menton Murray, a young lawyer who has an office in Mercedes but lives in Harlingen. They had two children, Menton Murray, Jr., a District judge for many years, and Betty Marie Murray Smith, now in Tennessee. The senior Murray served in WWII, as a city judge, and in the state legislature from 1947 to 1975.

Betty over the decades amassed a splendid record as a school teacher, in various clubs promoting civic endeavors and most importantly as an advocate for history and historic preservation. Through her efforts Texas State Historic Commission markers were obtained for city sites. She led efforts to salvage the old F Street hospital as well as the Ross-Bobo House (121 E. Harrison) by moving them to the RGV Museum. Numerous honors have been bestowed upon her in recognition of her many accomplishments.

James William Sweeney came to the Valley in 1919. Born in Texarkana 10/2/98, he had, along with four siblings, been orphaned. The children were raised in the Incarnate Word Orphanage in San Antonio. Jim finished high school, went on to St, Mary's University, lettered in three sports including football where Dwight David Eisenhower was his coach, and was graduated in 1917. In WWI he was a ground crew member of the Lafayette Flying Esquadrille.

He came to work for the American Refrigerator Transit Co. (A.R.T.) in San Benito. It specialized in providing insulated railroad cars for the transportation of produce. He soon was working for the Ice Company, precursor to CP&L. In 1923 he married Mary Yeasel Greiner who, in 1919, had come to San Benito from Chicago with her grandfather. They lived in company housing next to the loading dock adjacent to Fair Park and later moved to San Benito. Sweeney worked for a division of CP&L for 45 years, finally retiring at age 70. This three pack a day smoker died of lung cancer on 4/14/69. A daughter Mary Lou Sweeney Rumbo was to be a long time school teacher and organizer and first president of the Harlingen Historical Preservation Society. [For more on Sweeney and the ice/cooling business see "More Cool Stuff" link.]

It is 1919 when Etta L. Brown moves here from Montecello, MO with her husband Charles H. Brown. He will enter the real estate business and serve as City Commissioner 1937-41. He will precede her in death. When she dies 714/62, she leaves no children, but one of her five sisters here is Lila Schriver and brother Henry Schriver.

Some lesser lights who made Harlingen home this decade and remained here until at least 1960 were: Merle H. Weaver (1912) with the South Texas Lumber Co., Hays C. Mitchell (1914), Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Whitley (1917) with the Harlingen Ice Co., Ben J. and Helen Moncus (1917), whose sons Cal and Thomas would be with CP&L, Mrs. May Moncus (1918), and Mrs. W.E. Carey (1919), the wife of the policeman.

George Edwards Phillips will also take up residency this year after moving from Marlin. He will become involved win real estate and be on the executive board of Valley Baptist Hospital. This First Baptist Church member and Mason will die at age 69 on 1/18/52 leaving his wife Emma and son Hawthorn.

5/19  Andrew Jackson Bowen and wife Birdie Hubbard of Madison, Kansas move to Harlingen. With them are Ruth Bowen, age 6, and her brothers Frank, Harry (later of Combes), Jack (later of Long Beach), and Ray.  Frank, later a firefighter, is to die in the line of duty in 1932.  Her father operates a grocery store for many years next to Day's Drug Store on Jackson. In fact, after initially buying 10 acres of farmland, where Tri-Pak now stands on N. Commerce, for $315 an acre he buys and sells a series of stores. The first was purchased from Marlow and Clair Grocery and later sold to A.E. McClendon. Then he bought another store at 117 E. Jackson for $1,200 selling it 15 years later for $18,000.  Next he purchased the store at 310 E. Jackson holding it until his retirement at age 64 in 1945. He is a Mason and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Ruth is to work for H.E.B for 27 years as office manager of its store No.2 on Harrison next to the old Sear's store (now Johnny's True Value).  She was to marry T.J. Enny, a farmer for many years in the Stuart Place area.  When she dies at age 93 on 3/15/03 in San Antonio she is the last of her family and leaves one son, Thomas J. Enny, Jr. of Universal City and a daughter-in-law.

Education    Return to top

5/14/10 The School Board of Trustees considers a bond election. On 7/8/10 the issue is set for $40,000, payable in 40 years at 4% interest in order to construct, equip, and purchase the sites for two brick schools. Forty-six voters (51 in another account) out of the population of 1,126 participate on 11/9/10. All vote in favor. L.S. Green of Green and Briscoe, Architects, Houston is selected for the "Main School" to serve grades 1 through 11. A.W. Cunningham is instrumental in purchasing a whole city block between 5th and 6th Street along Main Street for the site of the school. It is purchased from Lon C. Hill for $3,500. The Anglo students are attending school in the former Seventh Day Adventist building while the Hispanic students are in the brick one-story two-classroom school on what will be South E Street.

It is 1910 when Dr. Pierre Wilson and John F. Rodgers work to erect a two room wooden school house about in the center (presently Primera) of the Wilson Tract. Rodgers, with six children to educate, has a vested interest in providing a school.

4/15/11 Contract for $5,649 let to R. H. Tadlock to construct the second story addition to the existing two-classroom brick school for Mexican ethnics. To some this school was called the Benito Juarez School after the president of Mexico. Juarez was called the Lincoln of Mexico for expulsion of the French and his many reforms during his service as president 1861-1872. The school will then have four classrooms. This school is located between what will later be named South F and South E Streets on the east side of the 400 block of South F Street at 415. The School Board Trustees accept this addition on 3/12/12. At this time J.S. Ford is president of the Board and Prof. William L. Sturgeon is school superintendent and secretary to the board. He is also a staunch First Christian Church member. Later when the board is reorganized, John E. Snavely will handle security. This is the first of two schools to carry the name Alamo. By 1930 the original building was no longer being used as a school. Its second story was removed in 1949, and the rest demolished in 1975.

4/25/11 Andrew Goldammer is awarded a $25,000 contract to build a three story brick schoolhouse on the northwest corner of Jackson and 6th Streets. J.P. McDonald is to supervise its construction. Another source puts the low-bid contract at $22,800. Now called a $40,000 school, it is nearing completion by 10/26/11. The building is accepted 3/25/12. First called the Central Ward School, it is, in 1936, renamed the Sam Houston School.

1911/12  Mary Wooten is a schoolteacher at the Dilworth Ranch School west of town. In 1912 she will marry Mackie Chaudoin, son of ranch overseer Robert Lewis Mackie.

4/1/12 The Central Ward School is occupied. It serves as a school from 1912 to 1950 then several years as a community center. Before a new separate high school is built in 1925 the school is taxed for room with Harlingen's increasing school population. Two wooden classroom buildings for early graders are constructed to the north of the brick edifice. They are later moved adjacent to the second Alamo School when it too requires more classrooms. In 1952, with its name by now changed to Sam Houston School the Central Ward is purchased and renovated into an office complex named the E.O. Matz Building.

E.W. Anglin, a school board member in 1911-12, recalls, "We gathered up all the classes scattered about town on April 1, 1912 and moved them all to the new brick building on Jackson Street. The next year was a rainy one and we had to build a board walk all the way from downtown to the school."

1913 Enough boys are enrolled in the high school, so a 14 man football team organizes.

1913-18 Lyceum Courses for adults are held in the Central Ward School in these years.

5/14 The first graduating class (then 11 grades) of the Harlingen High School is compose of Roberta Chaudoin (later Mrs. I.E (Renus) Snavely), Murl and Gladys Snavely, and Fred Osborn.

1915 The Wilson School at Primera to the west of J.F. Rodgers' place is built. Rodgers and J.T. Avery are its prime movers. Lilian Weems Baldridge is to be its first teacher. It is located just south of the church on Winchell Street.

The Sacred Heart of Mary opens a three room school. Three years later a fourth class room is added.

4/7/16  W.F. Jourdan is superintendent of schools and Pearl Botts is principal of the high school. Domestic science classes will be added next term. Miss Pearl Cleary is principal of the Wilson rural high school.

1918 This is the year Paul E. Phipps comes to the Valley where he later becomes Superintendent of McAllen schools for two years. He comes to Harlingen in 1922 and takes the same position here until 1933, the year of his death. He is a native of New Boston, MO having been born there 4/30/88. He was educated at Kirksville Teachers College in Missouri and Columbia University where he received an M.S. degree. He also has a Superintendent School Diploma from Columbia. This Methodist and Mason married Susan Case on 6/28/11. He was president of the Valley Mid-Winter Fair Association its first two years in Harlingen. His daughter, Jean Phipps Clore, will provide a valuable service by documenting the history of the First Methodist Church in Harlingen.

1919  Some time before 1920, the population of rural Leeland to the west of Harlingen had grown enough that a school was warranted. A frame building consisting of two large rooms to serve all grades was erected at the corner of what is now Business 83 and Altas Palmas Roads. Before 1923 this facility was being outgrown, so a one room frame building was added to hold the first and second grades.

Religious    Return to top

1/30/10 The First Presbyterian Church is organized by 17 charter members in a gospel tent. Its first sanctuary on E. Jackson, four blocks west of the present one, is erected at a cost of $1,200 in 1912. A second and larger one is constructed at 402 E. Jackson. The hurricane of 1933 is to badly damage this church sanctuary but repairs are made in 1939. On 6/16/40 a completely new sanctuary is dedicated at the same site.

2/19/10 The First Methodist Church is founded by 31 charter members. At that time it is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. With the Rev. R.L. Pyleas as its minister, the church's list of members provides an indication of whom some of Harlingen's and its nearby citizens are. They are: Mr. and Mrs. David Allen Barbee and children Lucille and Archie; Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Bullard and children A.T. and Beatrice; W.T. Campbell; Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Clift; Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Chambers; Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Chaudoin and children Eva, Mack, Barney, Morris, and Lily (later Lily Liston Cleary); Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Cunningham; Miss Mildred Davis; Mrs. Bertha Dorough; Miss Moody Dorough; Mr. Bunny Shook Dorough, J.D. Dorough; Mrs. Wil D. Darfy; Mr. and Mrs. S.P .Eaton, Sr. and S.P. Eaton,Jr.; Mrs. E.L. Fender; G.E. Goodykoontz; Mrs. Minnie G.; Miss Katie Mags; M.M. Osborn; Mrs. Nellie Osborn; Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Perry, Mr. G.H. Pletcher; Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Posy and daughter Lola; Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Snavely and children Doris, Ed and Berta.

4/10/10 Lon C. Hill designates several blocks of the townsite for parks and a number of corner lots to be donated to denominations for church building sites. The Methodists had previously selected the northwest corner of Harrison and 4th Street. The deed for Hill's gift is for lots 13, 14, and 15 of block 72 recorded 2/23/10. They build the first brick church in the city. Its contractor is J.D. Gross. It will later be torn down and replaced with a much larger brick edifice.

10/16/10 The Very Rev. Henry Constantinau blesses the new 50'x25' frame chapel, as a Catholic mission named the Sacred Heart of Mary.

1911 On Easter Sunday of this year the completion of the Methodist Church sanctuary is celebrated. Among the first marriages in the Church were those of the Simmons daughters: May to Fred Downing; Ava to Frank Martin; and Eunice to Neil Madeley, Sr. A few years later Ophelia Harrington and Morris Chaudoin were married.

1912  A small elementary school sponsored by the Sacred Heart of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church opens in southwest Harlingen with 48 students. It is in a frame house donated by the Extension Society. In 1918 Sisters of Mercy will come from Laredo to join the teaching staff and take care of administrative duties.

1912 Rev. Paul Hally, curate in San Benito, takes charge of Sacred Heart of Mary Mission in Harlingen relieving Rev. Isidor Chateau.

The Methodist Church builds its first parsonage for $600. It is for the Rev. J.D. Dorsey, a bachelor, who heretofore has used a portion of the church for his living quarter. Newcomers to church membership this year are John F. Sanders, Jake S. Pletcher, the J.M. Paine family, the J.E. Wilson family, and the J.T. Avery family.

2/9/13 The First Christian Church is organized by 31 members. Among its charter members is 29 year old Miss Paul Hill, who would teach Sunday School. Others are her sister Annie Rooney Hill, Mr. & Mrs. John Myrick, Mr. & Mrs. L.K. Shipp, Mr. & Mrs. C.H. Finnegan, Mr. & Mrs. S.A. Thompson, Mr. & Mrs. W.G. Stewart, Mrs. C.L. Ogan and daughter Lois, Miss Lucille Shipp, Mrs. T.L. Phillipps, and Mrs. E.H. Adams. It uses the old Seventh Day Adventist building at 4th and Main Street as its sanctuary around 1913-14. J.W. Rhone, S.A. Thompson, and John Myrick are later to gift the lot at 710 E. Jackson and loan $1,800 for the erection of a parsonage. In the future this five room house is sold to Mrs. Mildred Griffeth for $2,250.

1916 During this year the First Baptists secure three lots at Jackson and 3rd Streets and erect a church building on the southwest corner at a cost of $2,500 to $3,000, $400 of which is donated by the State Mission Board. Church member Andrew Goldammer constructs it for the 58 members. After being placed in use, the old church on Van Buren becomes a parsonage and is used as such until 1923 when a new one is built at 609 E. Harrison.

1919 Pastor H. Meyer of San Benito begins ministering to the Lutherans of Harlingen by conducting services in their homes.

Organizations – Social, Civic, Service     Return to top

3/7/10 Construction starts on the modest wood frame building near the junction of Monroe and Commerce. This costs $260.55 and will house the nascent Chamber of Commerce organization and also serve as the city hall.

1911 This is the year Louis Miller arrives in Harlingen at age seven. Born 9/8/04 in Baxter Springs, KS he will die 11/21/63 at age 59 leaving a widow Lois here and three sons.  This gentleman was a charter member of the Harlingen Optimist Club.

2/11 The Harlingen Civic Club through the Cemetery Association requests the city appoint a cemetery commission. C.W. Clift, E.W. Anglin, and B.F. Surface are named. On 2/1/12 for the sum of one dollar Lon C. Hill (acting for the Harlingen Land and Water Co.) sells the aforementioned gentlemen, who are trustees for the Harlingen Cemetery, 7.6 acres of land to be used as a cemetery. This is to be on the San Benito Highway, later South F Street.

`2/6/11  The City Council thanks the women of the Harlingen Civic Club for their effective cleaning and beautifying of the town. The club may have begun when a group of women came together to beautify the railroad station area.  Miss Paul Hill, Miss Pearl Botts, and Mrs. Edgar Gamin drafted the club's first constitution while Mrs. O.P. Storm was elected its first president.

1912 The Harlingen Volunteer Fire Department is organized early in the year after the installation of hydrants and a water system.

1914  The Better Harlingen Club is organized "to work as a civic and beautification body." In 1925 it joins with the Valley Midwinter Association to hold a flower show and continues this tradition annually ever since though under various sponsor names. In 1928 the BHC joins the Woman's Chamber of Commerce as a Garden Club Department and remains as such until 1934 when it transforms into the independent Harlingen Garden Club

1915  The Camp Fire Girls here is chartered.

7/22/17 The organization meeting for a Red Cross Chapter here is held in the Methodist Church. Seventy three members are enrolled. President is Mrs. C.D. (Sally) Pendleton; Miss Paul Hill, secretary; Mrs. H.H. Burchard, treasurer; Mrs. Otto Weller, sewing chairman; and Mrs. E.W. Patterson, finance chairman.

12/4/19 Harlingen Masonic Lodge No.1132 receives its charter. Dr. Cash was a prime mover in its founding as he was later for the Rotary Club.

In this year the PTA is first organized here with Mrs. J.B. Challes as president.

 

Miscellaneous    Return to top

11/10/10 Eight buck deer killed within Harlingen city limits.

1910  According to an April/May 1985 Sand Dollar article, in this year in Harlingen "gambling was open, as was most everything else here."

1910-20 Robert Runyon, who comes to Brownsville in 1909, will open a photograph studio in 1910. In 1910 and throughout the decade he will come periodically to Harlingen and photograph the community. Seventy-one of his Harlingen area photos may be viewed on the internet by going to www.loc.gov, clicking on American Memory, Collection Finder, List All Collections, Texas Border Photographs 1900-1920, then Harlingen search. Runyon will become famous for Valley pictures and those of the Mexican Revolution and will go on to do outstanding botanical work also.

1911 Harlingen's first, but unofficial hospital, is operated by Mrs. Katherine C. Brown at 1222 W. Harrison Street. This physician, born in Coverton, KY 9/7/59, practiced medicine in Hopkinville, KY and St. Louis before moving here this year. While she did not practice medicine here, she did turn her home into a hospital. Her husband, Frank H. Brown came here as a representative of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company and later joined the water district. In the 1930s the Browns moved to Brownsville. When she died at age 80, she left behind he husband and two daughters, including Mrs. Tom Yates.

1912  Lon C. Hill prepares a Texas style barbecue in St. Louis for 150 nationally known bankers. It is written up and pictured in the National Geographic Magazine.

5/1/12  A Mr. Yoakum, bookkeeper at the train depot and nephew of the railroad magnate, shoots F.J. Largent five times.  The latter had gone to the station to rectify a 30 cent misunderstanding involving his son.  In due course his anger led him to strike Yoakum with a cane he was using due to a recent accident in which he was injured after he fell from a boxcar. Largent's wounds are treatable, but he may lose an arm.

1913-17 At intervals troops are stationed in the Valley and in Harlingen as border unrest accompanies the decade-long (1910-20) revolution in Mexico. The units here are the 2nd and 3rd Texas Infantry, the 26th Infantry, and the 6th Cavalry. Camps are located at the high points in the area bounded by East Lee and Austin Avenue and south of town in the brush at about the corner of South 4th and Polk Streets. Runyon photos also show a camp west of the railroad tracks where Jefferson ends. The extended trouble is reflected in the year 1916 as the Methodist church records only three new members but 45 departing ones.

Lon C. Hill during the "Bandit Period" was said to have guided several posses into Mexico in search of bandits.  He was also a scout for Col. Robert Lee Bullard when U.S. troops crossed the Rio Grande in pursuit of organized outlaws.

1/16/17 A tent show comes to Harlingen. Most likely this was one which presented a Chautauqua Society program, that is, an edifying educational one traveling around the country.

10/29/18 Returning home for his brother Gordon's funeral, Lon C. Hill, Jr. lands the first airplane ever in Harlingen. The light bi-wing aircraft puts down in a football field close to where the present Harlingen field exists. In his trip from San Antonio he has refueled at the King Ranch and approaching Harlingen looks for sheets spread along side the grass field selected for his landing.

5/19 Harlingen has a smallpox outbreak. Dr. Letzerich vaccinates many, but Mrs. Santos Lozano, who helps to nurse others, dies of the disease.

1919  As the decade drew to a close the 1919 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of the town showed it to be well platted but with scant occupiers. Most lots east of lot 28 on Jackson Street were not built upon nor were the lots of almost all of Van Buren. The number of lumber companies which existed at the time indicates quite an optimism about the town's future. On the south side of Monroe between Hill and Fordyce was the McMurray Lumber Co. East across Fordyce from it was the South Texas Lumber Co. At Madison and Commerce was the H.D. Taylor Lumber Co. The F.Z. Bishop Lumber Company was located at Hidalgo and Jackson.

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Decade 1920 to 1929

Development    Return to top

1920 The official U.S. Census places Harlingen's population at 1,784.

1920-1939 As the professional people of Harlingen become more affluent, the city's first suburb develops just southeast of the business district. Substantial and beautiful houses are constructed on Taylor Street along the so-called "silk stocking row." These include: The pink-colored Southern Colonial brick built by L.W. Hoskins in 1921 at 614 E. Taylor. Hoskins developed the neighborhood along with Miller Harwood. In 1926 the house was occupied by attorney Emery Polk Hornaday II and his wife Lucille, who was principal of Austin School. Hornaday was elected in a special election to the 39th State House of Representatives and then served in the 40th and 41th, and his son Emery, who would later attend TCU, was state mascot for one year. He was city attorney for six years and served on the Charter Commission. A daughter was to marry famous magician, Harry Blackstone, Jr.

In 1925 Dr. and Mrs. J.M. Green construct the two-story Prairie Style house at 822 E. Taylor. They have been here two years. Born in Weimar, TX 11/19/87, he was educated at Northwestern U. in Chicago. He married Ruth Rylander 1/5/14. He is in investments and real estate. This Baptist is also a Rotarian, city commissioner of streets, and will have an office in the lobby of the Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel. By 1930 the house is occupied by Tyre H. Brown and his family.

The Wyricks, who move here in 1923, are by 1945 to own this property. They remove much overgrown vegetation to return the property's looks to its original simplicity;

The Italian villa style home built by W.T. Liston at 613 E. Taylor is for Oscar Nathan Joyner and his wife Anne Evelyn. The house was built in late 1925 and early 1926 for the Joyners who had come to Harlingen in 1919 from Rosdale, TX. He became the first Valley agent for the Texas Co. (Texaco) and will later own the Joyner Oil Company. The house was modeled on Boca Raton, FL homes designed by Addison Mizner, a famous architect of the day. The Joyner family owned it to the early 1980s when the new owner completely restored it. O.N. Joyner was born in Rockdale, TX on 9/1/91 and attended high school there. He married Annie E. McCalla on 7/15/13. They came to Harlingen 7/26/19. This Presbyterian member was also a Mason and Shriner;

At 902 is the 1926 Spanish Colonial Revival home of Mr. and Mrs. Manning Holland.

At 617 E. Taylor is the Georgian style 1927 home of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Franklin Johnson. He is a banker;

The first Harlingen Ford automobile dealer Bob Hollingsworth and his wife own the 1927 Georgian brick mansion at 701 Taylor. It boasted Harlingen's first private swimming pool. In 1935 it was purchased by real estate developer Sid Berly and his wife;

Around 1928 William L. (Bill) Trammel moves into the English stone house at 1022. He was owner, president and general manager of the Valley Baking Company and later was in top management with the Holsum Baking Company here;

At 618 Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins own their own two story timber frame Georgian style house which they build in 1929. In the 1940s the home is purchased by Mr. and Mrs. McHenry Tichenor;

At 717 Taylor Joseph and Fred Flynn own the 1929 Spanish stucco house until 1957.

In 1930 John and Ruth Townsend build a two story brick Palladian-style Italian villa. It originally had a blue tile roof and still retains Austrian glass chandeliers, ornate plaster moldings, a stained glass window, spiral entry columns, and parquet and oak floors. A few months after its completion it is purchased by Howard E. Butt founder of the H.E.B. grocery chain. He added the tennis courts on the west side. Mr. Butt assisted greatly in developing the new Valley Baptist Hospital, the Harlingen Public Library, with boy scouting, in the establishment of the TB Hospital here, and donated the original building housing the RGV Museum. Howard and Mary Butt live in the house until 1940 when they move to Corpus Christi. They retain the house until 1943. In the year 2000 the Texas State Historical Commission authorized a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark plaque for the house. It was erected in January 2004;

At 917 E. Taylor John and Anne Morris live in their 1930 two story Spanish Colonial stucco house. It has solid wood-hewn beams in its living room. He is a produce buyer, packer, and shipper. It remained in the family until 1968. The house is now owned by Attorney Graham McCullough and his wife Anne;

In the early 30s Mr. and Mrs. Grafton Burdette live in a two story Southern Colonial frame home at 905 E. Taylor. He is a mortician and owner of Kriedler-Ashcraft Funeral home;

Under construction for R.L. and Ola Hill as the Hurricane of 1933 strikes is a Spanish Colonial Revival home at 1102 Taylor. It has notable architectural elements including arched doorways, and windows and a hand-carved front door. The panels of the mesquite door show brush as the explorers found it here, ranch scenes, brush clearing and the introduction of water, and citrus and palm trees. Eleanor Roosevelt was entertained here as was Gov. W. Lee O'Daniel. The Hills had come to Texas in 1926 from Stroud, OK and Harlingen two years later. He was born in Lowell, Indiana, 8/13/90, and she was from Oklahoma. He ran the ice plant partnership with J.B. Morton of McAllen, and they have prosperous branches across the Valley. He is also to be a partner with H. E. Butt in constructing the huge food processing factory at F Street and West Jackson; later he is its president as well as a vice president of the First National Bank. He owned the Commerce Building as well as property on Jackson .Street. Struck suddenly with appendicitis in December 1941, Robert Luther Hill is to die at age 50 leaving a wife and two daughters. A surviving daughter in 2005 is Mrs. Betty Nickell. The house's subsequent owners are Walter Archelaus Hext and his wife Lillie M. (1949 or 1950 to 1968). He was a cotton farmer here from the late 1930s and later owned the W.A. Hext and Sons Gin, Inc. in Combes. Leonard D. and Flora Levine next occupied the house from about 1972 until 1988 or 1989. He was a partner in the Man's Shop and managed Hartogs. Ervin Burton was in the house by 1990 and there until 1995-96. Dr. Aldolfo Rama and his wife Clarissa are to restore and beautifully decorate the premise by 2004 and then open Casa Rama, a bed and breakfast enterprise.

Added in 1933 or 34 is Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Teas' 602 E. Taylor Mexican hacienda style home;

It was in 1935 that the home at 721 was built by William E. Armstrong for Thomas Read Williams, Sr. and his wife, Jimmie Davis Williams. It is a Georgian style frame house. Williams, who came here in 1925, was a pharmacist and opened the Rio Grande Pharmacy on the ground floor of the Baxter Building in 1929;

At 702 E. Taylor, J. Louis and Maude Boggus construct a Southern Colonial frame house for $9,000 in 1939. Boggus had come to the Valley in 1917, soon setting up a dealership in McAllen before coming to Harlingen two years later. Here he has both Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealerships, was president of the C of C and promoted highways and schools. The city's largest stadium, east of Memorial Middle School, is named in his honor after his death in 1966. The house is sold in the late 1940s. Forrest Runnels, one of the founders of Tropical Savings and Loan Co. and the Valley Beverage Co. is later to own it.

1920 Sid Berly is attracted to the Valley. He is a native of Mansfield, LA having been born there 8/23/96 to a father, C.J., who was a stockraiser. Berly was to marry Marion Elizabeth Walker of Lake Charles on 3/18/17. They had one daughter who was given the same name as her mother. Although he studied law for two years he never completed his studies. Instead he became a representative for the Willys-Knight Motor Co. As president and general manager of Valley Properties, Inc. located in the Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel he becomes a potent factor in the development of both agricultural and city land in the Valley, especially around Harlingen. In 1926 he is a partner with the Anglin Brothers in a real estate firm. He serves as Chamber of Commerce president in 1946-47 and is a Rotary member. In 1952 he is president of Adams Gardens. [See link "The Adams Gardens Connection –Ballí to Berly".]

This same year J.B. Chambers, Sr. and later his sons J.B. Chambers, Jr. and C.H. Chambers become developers of real estate with the J.B. Chambers Realty Company of Harlingen, "the gateway to the rich lower valley."

1920s (early) The Briggs-Coleman Tract is developed. This area north of the airport covers 3,000 acres and is named after the pioneer Harlingen businessmen who bought part of the virgin area. As late as 1961 it was sparsely populated with 42 families and 200 people. In this year the area people had met monthly on the first day of the month since 1924 at the school (on FM 507) for a covered-dish potluck.

1920 (fall) This is the period that 17 year old Vance Delone Raimond treks 550 miles in a covered wagon from Converse, LA. With his parents, one brother and five sisters, they journey to the Valley because the year before his father, enticed by the Al Parker Land and Development Co., has purchased 15 acres north of Santa Rosa. They farm it and prove unsuccessful in this endeavor. Moving on to La Feria his father takes jobs as city secretary and town barber. From his father Vance learns the municipal bond business. Born 2/2/03, Vance is to marry Mary Lee Scott in 1930 after she has come here with her family from Madison IN. They move to Harlingen in the 1940s when Vance and two partners establish the Harlingen Airfield Bus Company which is to grow over the decades into the Valley Transit Co. He will eventually become its president and sole owner. Vance was a Mason, Shriner, Kiwanis, Rotarian, and First Methodist Church member. He was port director of the Arroyo Colorado Navigation District, served the Red Cross, American Heart Assoc., Boy Scouts and numerous trade organizations. In 1996 he was 93 years young. In honor of their service and contributions the Boy Scout District headquarters on Expressway 83 west of Harlingen is named the Vance D. and Mary Lee Raimond Scout Center.

10/30/20 The St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway Company assigns for $1.00 a year a lot to the Better Harlingen Club. The 115' x 350' lot is north of the railway depot on then East Street, later N. Commerce. It lies next to the tracks between Jackson and Van Buren and is to be beautified into a park-like setting.

1921 Widespread unemployment of returning Great War veterans is one contributing factor to an economic depression across the country this year.

9/17/21 The city goes on full twenty-four hour electric service.

6/8/22  In the Lee Land Tract, land is being leased for oil and gas exploration, but 5,000 acres are needed before a driller will come in.

1925 The Harlingen Development Company with Osco Morris as president, J.R. Roberts, vice president and S. Finley Ewing secretary-treasurer advertises it capital stock at over $100,000. More importantly it is trying to unload numerous unsold city lots. It offers 300 homesite lots east of the concrete highway (F Street) with 50 foot frontages at %$500 for a corner lot and $450 for an inside one. All are part of the Original Townsite of Harlingen.

8/11/26 A full page ad is taken in the Harlingen Morning Star to welcome the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and its officials to the city.

8/20/26 The Chamber of Commerce endorses A.F. Parker's proposal for a channel up the Arroyo Colorado to Harlingen. $100,000 is sought, perhaps by assessing $1 per acre from land owners. Parker, a major land developer, donates $16,500. On 12/6/27, $500,000 of the new Arroyo Colorado Navigation District bonds are offered. They attract a premium price, according to J.B. Chambers, chairman of the newly created district.

10/1/26 Spanish Acres subdivision with 233 opens. It is on the Harlingen-Combes Highway. John S. Nelson and J.L. Farren are principles. With six streets, no city utilities are yet available for it.

This year there are a number of Harlingen real estate dealers pushing land sales. These include the O.P. Storm Company which promotes "22 years knowing the Valley and Valley values", Svadlenak and Pierce in the Turney Building, John D. Hill and C.D. Hanson, Eubanks and Pitcock, W.H. Starbuck and Company, and the Association of Real Estate Boards having J.B. Chambers as president and T.M. Dobson as secretary.

1926-27 The Southern Pacific Railroad completes its 135 mile line from Falfurrias to Edinburg. On 2/15/27 the tracks reach the city and on 3/10/27 the line is operational to Harlingen. In June work begins to extend the line to Brownsville and on 10/21/27 the work train reaches there with a freight one to follow the next day. On 11/10/27 Brownsville passenger service commences. W.L. Hollingsworth, who was a conductor for the SP on its first trip to Brownsville, is also on the last trip of the SP connection of daily passenger service from Brownsville to McAllen in the 1950s. It isn't until 1941 that the railroad irons out legal problems brought about by the voting of a bond issue for a Brownsville bonus for the railroad. Since it was impossible for the city to vote bonds for station property, "park" bonds were issued. The so-called park extended from the station to the old Brownsville city limits at Paredes Line Road.

1926-28 S. Finley (Finn) Ewing is Mayor. Born 6/22/75 the son of a Presbyterian minister in San Angelo, he studied at UT. He served 18 months in the army in WWI before marrying Ada McLendon on 1/19/19. He helped to organize the Valley Mid-Winter Fair Association. He is active in the American Legion, twice being commander and served as Rotary Club president. As one of the city fathers he pushed to have planking erected at street crossings. He ran for office on the slogan "Progress with Cooperation." Mrs. Ewing is to be active in the Presbyterian Church and other organizations.

8/6/26 Pritchard, Tait, and Pittman offer 24 lots with citrus on them north on Fordyce just beyond the city limits. The neighboring owner, J.W. Ingram, then offers 12 acres more.

9/24/26 N.H. Windsor, owner of land just east of East Harrison, opens the New Windsor Place addition of 47 acres and lets it be known that the street pavement will be extended to the property.

1/4/27 The first trainload dedicated only to the transport of cement is unloaded in Harlingen. The fifty cars are an indication of Valley growth.

1/11/27 700 tourists/potential land buyers arrive in Harlingen. Eighteen land companies have brought them here.

1/18/27 Harry Kapneck, an associate of Morris Epstein, electrical supplier of Washington, reveals the $12,500 purchase of acreage from George Corres and Frank Svadlenak. at the east end of Harrison. Plans are to construct 45 modern homes. Initially 30 Spanish style homes will be put up at a projected total cost of $250,000. This will be called Washington Park.

2/18/27 With the Southern Pacific rail lines now laid through the area, land sales begin. Being the first SP station (5 miles northwest) out of Harlingen, it is named Primera. It is promoted by the Delta Development Co. of Weslaco for its fine water at a shallow depth of 22" and the two story Wilson School. Four hundred business lots are offered as well as 100 residential ones.

Mayor Ewing directs the Intercoastal Canal Association, and it holds its 1927 convention in Harlingen. He convinces the Association to back Hill's plan to dredge the Arroyo Colorado.

9/23/27 Otto Vinke advertises three lots for sale in Windsor Place along the canal andfacing E. Harrison. He wants $3,000 for all.

This year the Arroyo Colorado Navigation District is created when a $500,000 bond issue is approved. A second bond issue for $625,000 will be approved in 1946, making the total indebtedness $1,125,000. By 1958 when Clifford Purdy is chairman of the board, the total has been reduced to $404,000. The original area tax was 60¢ per $100 valuation but drops to 30¢ by 1959.

This year also, the light and water systems finally see a profit. The city licenses town buses, and a line opens between Harlingen and Raymondville.

1928 Natural gas is brought to the city from nearby gas fields. By 7/17/28 a large ad appears for gas installation in homes for gas stoves, water heaters, gas fireplace logs, etc. By 1936 Harlingen has more domestic gas connections (1,644) than any other Valley city.

1928 The population has risen to 13,500. Hotels in town have the following capacities: Gateway 29, Madison 110, Reese-Wil-Mond 130, and Travelers (112 ½ W.Jackson) 27. The two banks operating have a total of $1,618,719 in deposits.1929. Central Power and Light Company's Department of Industrial Development summarizes Harlingen's progress. It notes the city possessing eight parks, three theaters, twelve churches, two high schools, one junior high school, and three elementary schools, plus one school for Hispanics and one for blacks. Twenty-four miles of paved streets are credited to the city along with 49 miles of sanitary sewers, 47 ½ miles of storm drains and 47 ½ miles of water mains. The city is attributed to have 1,759 telephones and to have issued $347, 540 value of building permits.

Sam Botts, who served on the City Commission 4/19-12/28, becomes mayor in 12/28 and is in office to the end of 1930, his administration is similar to Ewing's in that it has drive, integrity, idealism, and the business know-how. Botts came from Bottsville in Central Texas near Gonzales. He set up a store, a cotton gin and operated Botts Produce Co. He was involved in the Valley Mid-Winter Fair and chairman of the board of the First Methodist Church. It was his motion under Mayor Ewing that the city voted not to charge churches a building fee. Under him, air passenger service was established at the relatively primitive municipal airport whose location was the south end of the present-day golf course.

1/7/28 T.D. and Rose Wallace plat the Wallace's Home Lawn subdivision. It was west of the F Street Bridge between the Arroyo Colorado and Rangerville Blvd. (Road). It has more than 86 lots of 140' x 50' plus six lots of 38 acres or more. The streets in it named Oleander, Canna, and Rose will later be renamed King, Knox, Lamb, and La Salle.

7/31/28  The telephone company increases its line capacity by 300 bringing the installed capacity to 1,240.

8/18/28  Southern Pacific adds 2000 feet of tracks in the city bringing its total to five miles.  With its new passenger depot it has about $600,000 invested here.

At the cost of $6,500, 24 city blocks will be paved and N. 1st widened.

9/4/28  There is considerable public support and agitation to dredge at least a 9" deep channel at the mouth of the Arroyo Colorado and make  a cut through a South Padre Island in order to move to making Harlingen a deep water port. It is endorsed by former Corps of Engineers chief Gen. Lansing. [Nothing will come of this.]

9/23/28  The San Angelo Standard Times comments on the Harlingen promotional slogan "Harlingen Wants You!" First used in 1926, it has gone into paid newspaper ads, radio, Sunday supplements, and magazines. The Times showed pictures of Harlingen landmarks including the rancho style house with a tower later owned by the Listons.

9/25/28 In an editorial the Harlingen Star lists objectives for Harlingen. They are:

Continuation of municipal program of expansion and development;

Cannery operating by the end of the year;

Cotton mill now under construction in operation at least by the end of the year;

Location of several industries here as a result of board of development;

Continued harmony in municipal affairs and cooperation in building of city;

Paved highway north to county line;

Dredging Arroyo Colorado canal channel in six months;

50,000 population in five years;

Federal building for Harlingen on site furnished by the city;

Prosperity for farmers as a result of reasonable prices for their produce.

At the end of the decade Harlingen is developing in all four directions though sales may be erratic. The table shows the various additions:

East

West

North

South

Nicholson Place

Commercial Heights

Lake Side Heights

Harlingen Land & Investment Company.

Clara Pierce

Park View

Lake View

Ebony Heights

Nicholson

Brown

Lake Cove

Brooks Lawn

Taylor

Laurelhurst

Shaw

Austin

Nichols & Howell

Svadlenak & Corris

Hornaday

Johnston Acres

Miller

West End

Powell

  

Otto

Lockhart

Newton

  

Marriott

R.W.Nelson

Pottinger

  

Pollard

Benoist

    

Francis

Brown

    

Beasley

Carlton

    

Castle Court Annex

Colonia Mitchell

    

La Quinta

Scott

    

Arroyo Vista

Eells

    

Fitch

Place

    

Barton

      

Scheele

      

East End

      

Anglin

      

By mid-October of this year O.E. Stuart had taken over the old Valley Realty Company.

9/30/28  Proposals are made to construct a parallel road with a new bridge across the Arroyo Colorado in order to facilitate movement between Harlingen and San Benito.  It will take until the 1950s for this to take place.

11/26/28  The Finwood Corp., developers of Finwood Heights having "Over a Mile of Water Front" are advertising a large number of homesites. [These are east of the current Wood Park.]

Early in 1929 the Valley Developments, Inc., based in Harlingen, spends considerable money in publicizing Valley real estate and agricultural potential. It publishes photographs of enticing Valley ranches, buildings, schools, aerial views, etc. Its personnel include: H.H. Roddy, president; R. Lee Kempner (of the Imperial Sugar Company family), vice-president; J.M. Kopp, secretary; David B.Traxler, sales director; and R.A. Rose, manager service department. In mid-October 1928 Wimberly McLeod had been president, Roddy a vp, J.C. Woodworth, secretary and George E. Phillips, assistant secretary. Potential buyers are housed in the club house amidst citrus groves at Shaff's Ranch (Dr.Wilson's old property in the Primera area) west of Harlingen.

1/13/29 The Harlingen Arroyo Park development deal is halted when opponents of its plan are granted an injunction.

1/22/29-2/4/29 The MP and SP Railroads put on extra cars to bring in a surge of homeseekers visiting the Valley via Harlingen. Over a three-week period over 3,700 people arrive.

11/4/29 The telephone directory puts Harlingen's population at 11,071, 6,440 of whom it characterizes as American, 1,486 English-speaking Mexicans, 2,792 Mexicans, and 353 Negroes.

 

Agriculture/Ranching    Return to top

11/1920  After viewing the land wheat farmer Joseph J. Garrett  comes back to the Harlingen area where he takes up farming southwest of town.  He and his family have taken 11 days to travel from Wakita, Oklahoma to the Valley. He is the oldest resident of the area as attested by the fact that Judge Dancy names Garrett Road after him. Wed 10/2/01, he and his wife Grace will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in October 1961. Their adopted daughter upon marriage to Talmadge will become Mrs. Ruth Franklin. Their mentally challenged son is Dwayne.  J.J. is to die in 1967 and Grace in 1971.  Both are buried in Restlawn Memorial Cemetery near La Feria.

Traveling with the Garrett family is Wakita businessman Charles Rollie Guthrie, his wife Maude Edna Thompson Guthrie, 15 year old Viola born in a log cabin at Dillon, Colorado and perhaps her some of her siblings including brothers Floyd and Leonard and sisters Geneviere and Juanita. Having moved to Oklahoma in 1910 the family left Wakita, OK to come to the Valley and settle on land purchased in Stuart Place. Viola, one brother and her sisters attended the Stuart Place School where Viola was among those in the first graduating class of the school in 1924. On the 75th anniversary of the school in March 1999 she was honored as the only surviving member of her class. She went on to San Marcos Teachers College and Texas A & I University, teaching for three years upon being graduated. She married Clovis E. Johnson on 4/17/34 in Raymondville.  He was to die in 1970 as would all of Viola's siblings before she succumbed at age 99 on 2/24/05. She had no children but did have numerous nieces and nephews. She worked at Montgomery Ward, the St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Judy-Lin Motel, and was a member of the Church of Christ as well as the Valley Baptist Hospital Auxiliary. Descendents Matthew and Catherine Weber, great-great grandchildren, of Charles and Maude still live on the original farm property.

It is the fall of this year that Oyer Robert Burns and his wife Nora Belle Hitt Burns together with their children O.J., Ethelene, and Ray move to the Stuart Place area. They had been married in 1911. Five more of their children were to be born there. Also coming with them were Mr. Burn's brothers Clyde and Troy and his nephew Landers Walker. They had shipped all of their possessions here by rail. These included horses, cows, hogs, chickens and one billy goat. Oyer was employed by the Stuart Land Company as a foreman in charge of land clearing and preparation of farm plots. Large plows pulled by eight mules were used to turn the soil. The laborers were primarily "wetbacks." It was in 1925 that the Burns planted trees along Fair Park Drive, Harlingen in order to beautify the area. For sixteen years the Burns lived in company housing. When Oyer retired he built a home on his son Frank's ranch in Primera near the Wilson School. While he died in 1957, his wife who was born in Tyler on 1/24/1891, would live on to celebrate her 95th birthday in 1986.

It is 1920 when the Valley Gin Company is organized by G.C. Henson, John T. Lomax, and H.P. Boyd and based in San Benito. It grows until 22 gins are in the organization. In the 30s it attempts to go into bankruptcy, but this is denied by Judge T.M. Kennerly, and the $200,000 corporation company goes into the hands of new stockholders, W.P. Lincoln, pres., Claude Carter, sec.-treas., Lloyd Stiernberg, Isaac M. Williams, and Mrs. S.W. Sibley. Its offices are moved to Harlingen.

12/20 H.L. Oler of Harlingen's American Legion Post, and owner of a Harlingen insurance company, speaks before a crowd of 200 in Brownsville. His message is clear: he wants no more Japanese coming to the Valley He would accomplish this aim with intimidation, physical if necessary. Two weeks later this threat is put into practice. In January 1921 when two Japanese families from California arrive by train at the Harlingen station they are met by a crowd of people and told in no uncertain terms that they are not welcome. Shocked by this reception, the Japanese families immediately move on. Soon thereafter, following California's lead a state senate bill is introduced which would prevent all Japanese immigrants from owning or leasing land in the state. After some lobbying by Texas Japanese, an amendment is added that in effect exempts all Japanese then living in the state. In 1926 for his insurance company, Oler advertises "We pay cash for ashes."

1921 (spring)  In what is termed an "offseason" Harlingen area farmers still ship 583 solid carloads from the city. Shipped are tomatoes, beans, beets, carrots, onions, green corn, squash, spinach, peppers, cucumbers, and cantaloupes. Freight and passenger revenues for Harlingen Station during 1920 were $568,000.

O'Hea Brothers, the heaviest buyers of cotton in the U.S. for export to England, have their office in Harlingen.

Advertising orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit trees for sale is Dorton's Southwest Nurseries.

11/11/21 CCWD to lower irrigation water rates:

1921 $240,000 budget $4.50/acre annual flat rate plus $2.50/acre per irrigation

1922 $150,000 budget $2.50/acre annual flat rate plus $1.25/acre per irrigation.

This was because wartime and postwar fuel prices had come down.

1921 Citrus shipments this year are above 20,000,000 boxes and remain in this vicinity until the freeze year of 1949 after which they dip to 14,000,000.

Coming in 1921 from Bishop, TX were Joseph Willie and Gertrude Grant Williams. Mr. Williams, a blacksmith by trade, had bought 25 acres in the Lon C. Hill subdivision south of Harlingen in 1920 and wanted to change his line of work. He farmed the land and grew citrus to be sold on the streets of Harlingen. He is to die at age 92 on 10/17/61 leaving his wife Gertrude and daughter Mildred. Daughter Grace, who was born 11/30/05 in Barry, TX, attended Central Ward for her senior year and was graduated in 1922. She would marry Henry A. Ferguson on 10/7/25and live all over Texas before she returned here in 1984. At age 98 on 3/1/04 this active First Methodist member would pass from this life. Sister, Zora Mildred, would be graduated in 1937, work at the high school for three years, be an assistant librarian in the public library during WWII, and then Nursery Supervisor at the Farm Security Administration's labor camp on Rangerville Road. She married Russell J. Bennett, Sr. in1947, received a teaching degree in 1970 and a masters in 1976. She retired in 1988.

It is also in the year 1921 that the Rio Grande Valley Development Co., an unincorporated firm, has sales offices in Harlingen and San Antonio. It pushes to sell irrigated farmland in the Harlingen district. Its officers are C.E. Tolhurst, pres., B.C. Lucas, v-p, and J.W. Lipscomb, sec.-treasurer.

5/23/22 The LRGV Citrus Growers Exchange is organized by O. E. Stuart, vice president of the Stuart Place Marketing Organization.  900 growers are to participate in it.

5/24/22 A serious fire at the CCWD pumping plant causes $5,000 worth of damage. Two of the three pumps are untouched. The area has 5,000 acres of corn and 14,000 of cotton at present.

1922 H. Raymond Mills organizes the Valley Packing Co. in Harlingen. It is the first citrus packing shed outside of the California-Florida-Arizona districts. C.B. Wood is secretary. A Houston Chronicle spread on Sunday 1/25/23 shows six photos of the plant including its exterior, two of grading tables, sizer and packing bins, the applicator and elevator, and where the fruit is packed. The wooden crates are labeled Valley Sweet. The plant is at N. Commerce and Washington. It packs 40 carloads in 1922 and 23 by the spring of 1923. In this year the John Shary interests purchase the machinery and move it to Sharyland, an area which will become the Valley's center for citrus culture.

It is this year that Frank and Bettie Autrey McGee move to the Wilson Tract from Lincoln Parish, LA. Accompanying them are their children Lucy, Claire, Glenn and Gertie, who comes with her husband W.A. Napper, a carpenter. Coming by train to Harlingen they bring livestock including horses, mules, cows, pigs, and chickens, and also lumber enough to construct a large barn and three houses on adjacent 20 acre blocks (now about one mile east of Bass Blvd. and just north of Wilson Road). The parcels were occupied by the senior McGees, Gertie and her husband, and Glenn and his wife Ovie Stewart McGee.

Another tract family is that of George Francis and Mary Jane Barnes Murphy who also arrived in the early 1920s. Their children are Ellis, Rufus, Oscar, Curtis, Patty Rea, Oma Lee, and Emmodell. Some members of the family return to Union County, AK after the 1933 hurricane. Ellis however is to marry Lucy McGee in 1925. It is after Claire marries Mattie Ferguson in 1930 that W.A., Frank, and Ellis build the newly weds a house on the southwest corner of Frank's parcel and just east of the Yate's farm. Frank was to add 12 acres to his 20 when the Debois family left the area.

The McGees and Nappers grew cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, corn, and cotton along with livestock feed. When the Southern Pacific railroad came through in 1927-28 they profited by providing cooked food for the construction crews. In the late 1930s Glenn Murphy was to purchase a home one mile west of Primera. Gertie Napper was to teach several years at the Wilson School in the 1920s and also coach the girls' basketball teams.

Coming this year to the Briggs-Coleman area is Forrest Garling who initially purchases 20 acres. He is a native of Bellefontaine, OH having been born there 10/4/05 to L.F. and Lou Hammond Garling. By 1938 he will have expanded his farming to 1,500 acres primarily in corn, cotton and vegetables. After producing a daughter, Betty Jean, he will be divorced from his wife Grace Wheeler Garling of McKinney, TX whom he married 3/15/34.

8/6/22  Through 7/29 about half the cotton crop is in and 6000 bales have been ginned in Harlingen—a great start.

In this year the Harlingen district has 1000 acres of citrus averaging 60-70 trees/acre and at age 5-6 years should produce 10 boxes of fruit per tree.

12/19/22 With W.T. Hodge originating the idea, the Valley Mid-Winter Fair is officially commenced in Harlingen to celebrate and promote agriculture. In this and the next four years Bob Stuart of Stuart Place works diligently to promote the success of the fair. In a looser manner a fair was conducted in the winter of 1921 and featured a parade which would become an annual attraction. A series of post cards document the parade and its viewers. Assisting Stuart in the 1924 fair are Will G. fields, manager; Sam Botts, treasurer; Dr. J.T. Traylor, veterinarian. On the executive committee this year are John T. Lomax, S. Findlay Ewing, H. H. Burchard, R.T. Stuart, Al Parker, J.R. Roberts and Sam Botts. By 1929 when Sam Botts is Fair president and John Floore its secretary the program lists it as the Ninth Annual Fair. One Harlingen Star item in 1921 notes a C of C meetings concerning the fair. Held annually at the end of November or first two weeks of December, it continues annually through 1950. The week-long fair is a major event for Harlingen and opens with a festive parade. Its location by 1930 is Fair Park Blvd. near the present Municipal Auditorium. The fair then uses Lon C. Hill's spacious barn built at Fair Park for its office and headquarters. Hill constructed the barn of brick from his own brick plant on the arroyo.

In previous times a mid-winter fair had been held in Brownsville over a number of years. Harlingen's first fair was in an empty lot where the Hi-Way Inn on F Street would later stand.

1923 Otha Alton Wyrick, around 18 years old, arrives here. This native of Emerson, AK is to become a citrus grower and cotton farmer. Over the years he is deeply involved in civic endeavors including boy scouting, serving on boards, and with the Church of Christ. When he dies in April 1986 at age 81 he leaves his wife Anna Mote, son Michael of Harlingen, and two daughters. Mrs. Wyrick, 95 years old, is to die after having lived at 822 Taylor for 60 years. Born in the Oklahoma Indian Territory she had moved to Harlingen in 1924. A member of the First Christian Church for over 75 years, she was known for her flower and gardening prowess.

Charles Ladd, Wimberly McLeod, and Lon C. Hill Jr. are representing the Neill T. Masterson Holdings (general offices in Houston) in the RGV. The tract is in the Rangerville area. In the previous September 200 landseekers were at the Rangerville Clubhouse to view the section.

2/14/23  The Harlingen Radio Vol.1 No.32 reports an estimate that the Valley will ship 70 carloads of citrus fruit this season and together with local express shipments the total will run to 100 or more.  Twenty-five straight cars of grapefruit have been moved by the Valley Harlingen Packing plant.

2/14/23  The Harlingen Radio Vol.1 No.32 reports an estimate that the Valley will ship 70 carloads of citrus fruit this season and together with local express shipments the total will run to 100 or more.  Twenty-five straight cars of grapefruit have been moved by the Valley Harlingen Packing plant.

6/9/23  On this date Leonard Pierce Simmons (b. 8/26/96 in Lebonen, TX) marries Dora Mae Van Burkleo (b. 3/6/03 in Greer County, OK) in Brownsville. Leonard came to the Valley after serving in the Balloon Corps of the Army in World War I. His parents had migrated to the Valley because of poor farming conditions in West Texas.  He was a sharecropper for a number of years, worked for the WPA during the Depression in the 1930s, and eventually through government loans, became an independent farmer between Harlingen and Rangerville. Leonard, who was to die of lung cancer at age 56 on 9/25/52 and Dora, who will die at 64 on 10/12/67, had nine children, one of whom died before one year of age. While Cecil Randall Simmons (b.10/10/34) became a physician who practiced in San Benito, Leonard Pierce (L.P.) Simmons, Jr., who was born 7/27/30 in the Valley Baptist Hospital, continued farming and enlarging the complex in which his sons Leonard Simmons III, Sam Edwards Simmons, and son-in-law Thomas McLemore play an important role in this and other farm operations. L. P. was to die at home at age 75 on November 18, 2005. Survivors are his wife Dolores (Dodie) Barnes Simmons, his sons and two married daughters.

As noted it was the previous generation of Simmons who had first come to the Valley in 1919 from Crowell, Texas.  William Edwards Simmons and his wife Sally were said to have purchased a small Rangerville area farm from a disillusioned stranger who wished to return north. The price was six red hens. William and Sally's children were Leonard Pierce, Rose Price, Tennie Dubert, George, Robert, Clark, and Mary Estelle Fletcher.

A G.N. Simmons had come to Harlingen in 1912.  Whether he was a relative is unknown.  This Methodist was to die at age 86 on 4/7/41.

1924 This year Harry and Zenobia Lafitte Hollembeak come to the Harlingen area with 11 year old daughter Mary Gertrude. They farm in the Wilson Road area. Mary will marry Raymond Lee McCarty in 1935. They celebrate their 69 anniversary in 2004. Mary becomes a registered nurse, is involved with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is a member of the N. 7th Street Church of Christ. When she dies at age 91 on 12/27/04 she leaves behind her husband, son John McCarty, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A brother preceded her in death.

1/25 An assessment of the December freeze reveals a 15% loss of the Valley grapefruit crop and 25% for oranges.

2/27/25 Charles Edward Rickard, an Illinois native, locates in Corpus Christi but by this date comes from Cape Girardeau, MO to become a Harlingen resident. Before 1930 he becomes an area citrus grower owning five acres and managing 90 acres more for non-resident owners. His home is Rural Route No. 2 out of Harlingen.

This same year William A. Mitchell, who is to enter farming, comes to Harlingen from Dennison, TX. This First Methodist Church member dies at age 92 on 9/27/59 leaving son Mitchell and daughters Mrs. William Campbell and Mrs. J.C. Baker.

After checking out both California and Florida, Wimberly McLeod comes to Harlingen where he and financial partner, Walton D. Hood, a San Antonio banker, buy in 1928 a large but undeveloped tract of 1,870 acres with the intention of subdividing it into small acreages for citrus production. They create the McLeod-Hood Land Co.  The site is located just south of the Ojo de Agua Tract, bounded on the east by the Arroyo Colorado and the west by the Briggs-Coleman Tract. It even has a 69 acre reservoir. The 165 lots range in size from around 2.8 acres to 20 acres. A large u-shaped two-story residence/clubhouse is erected on the property nest to the arroyo to entertain prospective buyers. Wimberley McLeod is president of McLeod and Hood Co. with Paul H. Brown as vice-president, and Walton D. Hood, secretary-treasurer. The company's office is in the Politis Building at 108 ½ North 1st Street.  McLeod will also sell parcels in the Rice Tract east of San Benito.  This land is then cleared by the Bingley brothers of Los Fresnos.  McLeod is a native of Abbeville, GA, having been born there 11/6/92.  By 1931 he and his wife have a small daughter.

In this same category for 1923 insert: This same year B. F. Morrow, a native of Nola, Arkansas, takes up farming in Rangerville. In time he will be very active in ag-related endeavors.  These include Farm Bureau director 1938-1950, Producers Gin director 1942-46, organizer and president of the Rangervile Co-op Gin 1947-68, on board of directors of Abilene Christian College 1956-66, associate director Production Credit Association in the 1950s, and director of the Cameron County Water Control and Improvement District.  This Rangerville Church of Christ elder is to die at age 76 on 12/23/83.  He left behind his wife Lucille and three sons, one of whom is Bobby Morrow, Olympic Gold Medals recipient in track events.

2/25 L.C. Head, wife and children arrive this month from Bienville, LA to soon erect a farm residence on the WilsonTract.

3/30/25 Plans are to bond the Valley Mid-Winter Fair Association. Its directors propose the building of a large auditorium on the fair grounds. By November a 60' x 230' main exhibition hall is being built to accommodate 92 booths. As a fair attraction, 27 thoroughbred horses will be brought in for racing.

This year the irrigation district encompasses 43,000 acres, 23,000 of which are being cultivated.

6/5/25 Major flooding of the Rio Grande occurs. 400 to 500 men work to close the 35' gap in the river levee ½ mile above the Harlingen Canal intake. While an estimated 300 or so acres are inundated by the break, more extensive damage is not incurred thanks to the hard work of many volunteers. The river level gage reading at the pumping plant is at 62', its highest in history. Resacas running north have water levels making them brim full.

6/12/25 Prof. Arthur T. Potts resigns his Texas A&M position as head of the horticultural division to join Sam Baker in the formation of a nursery company called Baker-

Potts. In addition to an A&M degree Potts possesses one in citrus from the University of California. Potts had help to set up Texas A & M College experiment stations around the state, including the Weslaco one in 1923. It was originally Substation Number 15. In 1951 the Rio Grande Horticultural Society recognized his efforts and ever since the prestigious annual Arthur T. Potts Award is awarded to a deserving individual. Baker came to the Valley to be an ag inspector and in 1916 entered business in Los Fresnos. Baker-Potts Road west of Harlingen is named after the nursery site.

6/24/25. The greatest cotton crop yet in Valley history begins to be ginned. By October untimely rains have dampened the estimated yields. Still by the October completion, Harlingen's three gins handle 11, 569 bales, Rangerville, 2,280, Combes 2,120, and Adams Garden 1,600.

8/7/25 A group of Harlingen principles states plans to form the Valley Vineyard Co. with $60,000 capital. Plans are to plant 60 acres of grapes grafted to Mustang rootstock as recommended by horticulturalist Stillwell.

9/18/25 The 12,500 acres of the H.H. Hardin Tract east of Briggs-Coleman is to be cleared according to Frank Hardin. O.D. Howard will be in charge.

11/25 A new gin is to be constructed at Palmetal by the People's Gin Co. Another is to go up north of Botts Produce on Commerce. Principles for the latter are C.L.Webb of Hugo, OK and T.A. Henderson of Harlingen. Botts Produce is this month to be succeeded by the Fruit Produce Exchange.

6/26 The C.C. Howell Company is dealing in fresh fruit and vegetables.

8/11/26 The city's only cotton compress facility burns down. The three acre building and 4,000 bales burned up were worth $500,000 according to J.K. Cain, president of the Aransas Cotton Compress Co., and its superintendent R.M. Loving. On 1/14/27 plans are told to rebuild the compress for $100,000.

8/17/26 Farmers and water districts plan a meeting to discuss the uncertainties associated with Mexico water withdrawals from the river. At the 8/27 meeting of Valley delegates in McAllen, an endorsement is made for a Rio Grande Reservoir.

9/3/26 J.E. Warner is one of the owners of Harlingen's new grist mill.

10/8/26 To-date Harlingen has ginned 12,780 bales for the season, largest of any Cameron County city. San Benito is next at 11,730 out of a total of 48,700 for the county.

11/2/26 Cameron County voters approve law to establish a closed-range county. Banned from running at-large are cows, mules, jacks, jennets, and horses.

In this year S. R. Jennings owns the land that will become the Valley Groves Subdivision, currently the Russell Lane and Nueces Park area.

It is this year that Walter F. Rees becomes superintendent of the Cameron County Irrigation District No. 1 pumping plant. He will continue in the position for 27 years until expiring in Rangerville at age 52 on 1/16/53. He is survived by his wife Edna and two daughters.

1927 Stanley Crockett begins work in citrus culture. By 1958 he would own 1,200 acres, half of which were in citrus production.

Produce broker John Morris, Jr. erects beautiful home on Taylor Street. His product label will read: Map-o-Tex Brand, Texas Vegetables packed and distributed by John Morris Jr. Co., Inc., Harlingen, Texas.

In this year a complicated law case is initiated involving 50,000 acres in the Ojo de Agua Tract north of Harlingen. It will drag on for over ten years. The number of litigants is 1,200, and testimony taken covers over 20,000 pages.

The annual rainfall for 1927 is 6 ½" below the average. River supplies are also low. As a result cotton production and ginning are less than half that produced in 1926.

7/3/28  After a fire last year the People's Gin with W. L. McElwain as manager was all set to open with new equipment and an extra cleaner at a cost of $35,000.

8/21/28  The five gins operating in Harlingen—Wade-Newton-Elrod, Farmers Co-operative Gin Co., Valley Gin, People's Gin, and Farmers Gin—have processed 8,000 bales to-date and expect to gin 2000 more in an excellent season. Soon to go up here is the Valley Gin Mill with Joe Roberts as president. Rather than compete for labor to pick cotton most growers had agreed in July on a common wage.  It is 75 cents per 100 lbs. for a first picking.

10/4/28  The United Growers Exchange of Harlingen completes a fruit packing shed at Stuart Place.  It will be operated by Wallace, Shannon & Co.

12/14/28  I. B. Corns of Stuart Place is named one of ten master farmers in the state.  A native of Indiana and a Purdue University graduate he came to the Valley nine years ago and cleared his 40 acre parcel then maximized its productivity.

1928 CCWD officers for the year are C.P. Bobo, director, president and manager; J.B. Elmore, vice-president; J.S. Blakney, vice-president; J.R. Grimes, vice-president; Hugh Fitzgerald, vice-president, Frank H. Brown, assessor and collector; and E.B. Worley, engineer. By the end of this year The CCWD No.1 comprises a total 43, 239.39 acres of which 38, 240.62 are irrigated, the balance of which is being used for canals, roads, drainage ditches, and land too high to irrigate. In this year 26,000 acres are under cultivation. These contain cotton, corn, cabbage, beets, carrots, other truck crops, and citrus. There is also dairy and forage. The district has about 160 miles of canals and laterals and a drainage system with 60 miles of ditches. At this time its pumping plant is housed in a substantial iron and concrete structure and consists of four 200hp Fairbanks, Morse and Co. internal combustion engines operating four 36" centrifugal pumps and one 42" one. The total pumping capacity is 132,000 gpm. One of the district's canals runs along what is now 13th Street then turns west north of Jefferson Street with a branch going south to replenish City Lake.

L.E. Snavely is doing so well with his citrus business that he constructs his showplace on Wilson Road.  He was educated in Wellington High School in that city in Kansas and at Kansas Normal School. In 1899 he wed Lenna M. Edmondson of Wellington.  In 1931 this First Presbyterian, Woodman of the World and Kiwanis member and his wife had two children. He is found dead in Haymarket Plaza, San Antonio.  His death at age 68 in 1939 is likely due to a heart attack. Mrs. Snavely is to precede him in death in 1938. One daughter is to become Mrs. Paul Phipps.

11/28 Harper and Fitzgerald, packers and shippers of fruit along the rail line at Stuart Place, advertise gift fruit boxes for $1.50 and up.

4/21/29  20,000 carloads of potatoes are forecast to be shipped from the area this season.

11/29  Texas Citriculture notes that Lon Hill has been experimenting and propagating avocado and papayas for six years.  In the 1/27/31 News-Herald of Franklin, Pennsylvania Jim Borland who visited here reported in his column that Hill had 2,500 avocado trees of about 5' height planted next to the auditorium. Elsewhere, he had another 2,500 trees about 20' in height. The Texas Citriculture Magazine was first offered for sale 7/28/29 at $1 per year subscription.

 

Government/Politics –City County, State, National     Return to top

1920s The U.S. Post Office occupies part of the ground floor of the Lozano Building.

One observer notes that Harlingen "has a spirit of doing things which is sure to accomplish results." Most residents paid for sidewalk paving in front of their houses.

1920 Jim Wells loses control of the politics of Cameron County forever. Oscar C. Dancy is elected to the Cameron County Commissioners Court. He will serve as county judge for 30 years.

When he is about 23 years old L. Mackey Chaudoin comes to Harlingen, where family members already reside, from Gonzales. Later he enters the law enforcement field. On 8/10/35 tragedy is to befall him. After pursuing a stolen vehicle, he is shot by George Dunlap, one of its occupants. While Dunlap is killed in an exchange of gunfire, Mackey is seriously wounded and will die 2/19/36 in Dallas where he has been taken for treatment. The well-liked forty-nine year old Mackey will leave behind a wife, May, and four children.

Indicative of the city's growth and the need for additional revenues is the re-evaluation of property. In a year's time the Methodist Church building went from a valuation of $4,500 to $10,000 and it parsonage from $2,000 to $3,000.

1920-22 The Volunteer fire department strength is increase to 24.

4/21 E.C. Bennett arrives. He will become Manager of the Water and Light District operated by the city. Born in Farmersburg, IN 9/29/90, he attends public schools. Married to Jennie Reed on 5/18/11, this First Methodist member is also a Mason and Shriner.

5/1/21 W.Z. Weems is now a Cameron County Commissioner representing the area around Harlingen. He will serve several terms.

7/19/21 Harlingen "white way' to be completed next week. Electric lights on ornamental poles will line Main (Jackson) Street.

7/26/21 Citizens vote on bond issue of $120,000-- $40,000 for streets, $48,000 for sewers, and $32,000 for electric improvement.

11/2/21 Four additional city blocks are to be paved in order to connect to the newly completed concrete highway (part of F Street) from Harlingen to San Benito. This road goes all the way to Brownsville and is the first hard surface road in the Valley.

4/7/22 Joe Roberts is elected mayor with a record 399 votes being cast.

3/6/22 E.C. Bennett, in charge of all city equipment, unloads first solid wheel fire engine, a 350gpm American-La France Type 40 pumper. Fund raisers have helped to defray its cost. Bennett is city manager of utilities, 1921-1929. He authorizes the street name changes for the south-north cross streets but these are not implemented until 1926. Those east of the intersection of Harrison and Commerce get numbers and those west, letters. The cross streets west are given consecutive alphabet letters starting with A at Commerce and to the east, consecutive numbers. Street names which were lost, starting with Mexico Street becoming F Street, and moving east were: Matamoros, Hidalgo, Winchell, Bell, Hill, Fordyce, Brookings, Van Arsdale, Beggs, Vanderbilt, Bennett, Whitaker (7th Street), Grace (8th), Bryan (9th), and Regan (10th). The south part of part of 9th was also named Harper for a time and south 10th Marie. As the city expanded west, Perry (Eye) and Cook (G) were added. The correct numbering of houses is also accomplished. These changes occur in late 1925 or early 1926.

7/22/22 City officials offer vote of thanks to levee flood fighters with A.Tamm, engineer in charge of the Harlingen water district; H.A. Beckwith, water engineer; and C.P. Bobo, manager of the district. The Rio Grande flood waters peaked on June 25, 1922 as the Mexico side levees broke through.

Alfred Tamm is a civil engineer, who also operates a consulting, drafting and mapping business out of the Irrigation District office at 209 ½ W. Jackson. His later offices are at 107 S. 1st and 216 E. Van Buren. He is by 1930 also the city engineer, a position that he holds until 1948.Over the years Tamm is responsible for laying out numerous subdivisions including that of Adams Gardens in which its eastside boundary is named Tamm Lane for him. For many years Tamm and his wife Daisy together with daughters Alice and Marion Anna live at 205 E. Tyler, a site now the City Hall parking lot.
 

1922-23 The city has 200 telephones, 227 light connections, 4.05 miles of curbs and gutters, 2.61 miles of paved streets, and the post office has $9,600 in receipts.

1923 The city has an assessed valuation of $1,852,000, one mile of water mains, and 7.01 miles of sanitary sewers in its initial year with a system.

This year a mutual aid agreement is signed for adjacent cities to render aid in case of a major fire.

6/3/23 Eighteen or more musicians organize into the Harlingen Municipal Band. They present weekly concerts at a bandstand located at what is now Heritage Manor. H.H. Schanders is band director and A. Goldammer, son of the builder, is a trumpet player.

1924 A nine foot wide concrete road from Harlingen to Combes is completed. This is the New Combes Highway made pretty much obsolete when Business 77 comes through. The cost of this improvement has come from a county bond issue of $350,000 passed in 1922 and to be used to complete the Brownsville to San Benito paving and then west to the Hidalgo County line.

6/30/24  City revenues for the year ending this date are $31,751. This is primarily from taxes, penalties, and interest totaling $29,291. Expenses are $30,733, mostly the $21,437 in borrowing interest costs. The mayor and commissioners receive $5 a month while the city engineer gets $7.50 a day and is required to furnish his own help.  The city secretary receives $30 a month.

7/9/24  By a vote of 110 against and 75 for, voters reject the proposal to sell the city owned electric plant for $106,000.

1924-26 Under Mayor Joe E. Roberts the city allocates funds for parks, establishes a County health unit, builds a dog pound, and installs street signs. In 1925 bonds are voted to build a city hall, a fire station, and a jail. The solid two story jail building with its barred windows still exists on the railroad side of 523 North Commerce between Adams and Washington Streets.

1/8/25 The municipally–owned electric and water plant has made a $20,000 profit in 1924 according to City Treasurer W.F. McLoed. During the year 110 new electric hookups have been made and 91 new water ones. Commissioner Holmes, who is charge of street maintenance, notes later in the month that town drainage will be improved with more ditches to the arroyo. At the same time a bond refinancing issue is revealed.

2/2/25 A special census taken for the purpose shows the city with just under 5,400 people. This indicates a 100% gain in four years. Harlingen therefore becomes eligible for "home rule" and formulates a new city charter. It is adopted 2/24/27, replaced again in 1947, and once more in1956. Harlingen boasts that its tax rate set at $1.50 is lower than most Valley cities set at $2 to 2.50. The school tax is 75 cents.

2/13/25 The contract for $57,435 is awarded to Dodds and Wedegartner of San Benito for a new Arroyo Colorado vehicle bridge. It is to be built to the east of the 1911 one now deemed unsafe. The new structure will have two 150' spans on concrete piers and an overall length of 350'. Judge Dancy is to later explain that 2/3 of the costs will come from the state and the remainder from the county.

2/27/25 Six blocks of North Fordyce Street are paved in concrete running from the South Texas Lumber Co. to the properties of John Myrick and Charles F. Perry.

5/1 Acting Mayor Smith Thompson, upon recommendations made by City Engineer A. Tamm, says the city needs a $100,000 bond issue in order to install five miles more of sewer lines, resurface streets in the business section, put in a modern water filtration plant, and pave 2 more blocks of the city. A month and a half later the requirement will have jumped to $220,000. On 5/19 the bond issue passes 151 to16. $14,000 is earmarked for the new two storied city hall/fire department and $6,000 for parks improvements. In September the city purchases a 50' by 120' lot on Hill and Monroe for $1000. This was to be the site of city hall to be designed by Elwing and Mulhausen but a Van Buren Street site is later selected. In October F.P. McElwaith is awarded the contract to pave 90 city blocks with rock asphalt at $1.30 per square yard.

8/21/25 Cameron County voters, with Harlingen voters leading the way with the highest percentage "yes" votes, approve $1 ½ million flood control bonds.

1925 Dr. J.C. Watkins arrives with his wife Daisy. He is to become Harlingen's first Public Health Officer and retain that position for 20 years. He had been married in 1904 in Huntsville, AL. This First Christian Church member worked in Oklahoma 1918-24 before coming here.

By mid-year the city has tax revenue valuations totaling $2,110,000, an electric/water division worth $125,000, bank deposits of $1 million, and 50 miles of paved roads.

7/4/25 It is announced that free U.S. Postal mail deliver is to commence 10/1 after the city puts up street signs and numbers houses.

1925 Mrs. C.A. Macy becomes the first salaried librarian. The library is in the rear of Robert's Jewelry Store. She is followed by Mrs. Margaret Rork, Mrs. Gerald (Verna) Jackson McKenna, Mrs. William Clark, and Mrs. Lucille Cocke through the year 1946.

1926  R.H. (Bob) Johnson (8/30/80-10/26/46) is appointed Harlingen's first police chief. This former Texas Ranger has served since 1920 as city marshal. He will continue in this position until E.W. Anglin takes the job in 1931. Upon his death in 1946 he is survived by his wife Sarah (Betty) Elizabeth (9/10/81-7/5/61). Both are interred in the Harlingen Cemetery.

Upon his death he is survived by his wife Sarah (Betty) Elizabeth (9/10/81-7/5/61). Both are interred in the Harlingen Cemetery.

This year the Combes community is incorporated.

1926  The Chamber of Commerce building at the intersection of Monroe and Commerce is dismantled. The Valley Evening Globe of 9/2/26 Vol. 1 No. 22 says that the frame shack which also served as city hall is to be taken down and sold by the city street department. The site is soon cleaned, planted, and dedicated as a small park to honor Gordon Hill.  Gordon, who had died of influenza in 1918, was a promoter of the city, served it in several capacities, and pushed for park development.

The city sets up a paid Fire Department and a second pumper is purchased. The new City Hall and Fire Department building is completed at 202-204 E. Van Buren Street. It is on 7/30/26 that the city offices move into the new city hall.

Under Chief Bert Gamble (first tenure 1917 to 12/3/26; second tenure late 1934 until 1/36) fire equipment drivers go on 24 hour shifts and are compensated. The Fire Department plays host to the State Firemen and Fire Marshals' convention. Gamble commenced his Harlingen residency in 1917, reorganized the volunteer fire department, and was elected chief that year. He had served with fire departments in Itasca in 1903, Denton, 1905, Teague 1907 where he was chief 1909 until 1917. He will become seriously ill, relinquish his position, and die at age 52 in the early 1940s. This lumber and hardware man who was a Mason and member of the Baptist Church will leave behind his wife and two sons.

In this year and for the next two the city moves forward with street paving and the installation of sidewalks and curbs. Lot owners are assessed most of the costs for these activities. Major lot owners are Osco Morris, J.M. Green, A.E. and A.L. Benoist, A.L. Brooks and the Harlingen Development Co. The latter had been incorporated for $100,000 and its existence was predicated on expeditiously selling numerous townsite lots that had languished under the control of an absentee entity. Albert Benoist is to commence a subdivision and owns the apartments at 1-2 W. Harrison. By 1930 with his hand in numerous interests Brooks will be listed as a sales counselor for the McLeod-Hood Company.

It is also in this year that a new two-lane but still narrow bridge across the Arroyo Colorado at F Street is completed to replace the outdated one-lane 1911 bridge. The new bridge is constructed by Dodds and Wedegartner, Inc. of San Benito. Its cost is $67,316.09.

5/20/26 S. Finley Ewing, R.B. Hamilton, and E.W. Patterson are appointed as a Board of Equalization until they accomplish the task.

8/6/26 By this date A.D. Holmes, street commissioner, boosts of 21 miles of paved road, 18 miles of sanitary sewer, and six miles of storm drains. Two months later he notes that Bowie Park with a children's playground will have a zoo put in it.

8/23/26 The new $35,000 water filtration plant opens. It can handle up to 500,000 gallons in a 24 hour period.

9/1/26 $49,800 is expended by the city for a 720 hp Fairbanks , Morse and Company generator to double the electric power output by the city's electric plant.

9/3/26 Postmaster J.F. Rodgers requests a new larger post office. Current one has 640 boxes and demand is high for more.

9/8/26 City votes on and approves a $250,000 bond issue.

11/4/26  The city population is given as 7,000 plus 3,000 more within two miles of its boundaries.

12/16/26  The city buys a 60 acre tract from the Valley Fair Association for $80,000.This is used as the site for the annual MidwinterFair.

1/1/27 E.C. Bennett succeeds Bert Gamble as elected fire chief and serves until late 1934. He will serve again from 1/36 until 8/36.William Winters is assistant fire chief and maintains the equipment.

1/21/27 The city draws plans to beautify Diaz Park by installing an ornamental pool surrounded by flowers and crossed by a bridge.

2/23/27 By votes cast of 88 to 3 a new city charter is adopted in an election, for upon reaching a population of 5,000 or more the city qualified for a commission form of city government. Ewing is re-elected under the new system. A.D. Holmes is commissioner for parks and zoo, J.H. Green for police and fire, Sam Potts for streets and alleys, W.M. Hundley for lights and water, and R. B. Hamilton for taxation and finance. The charter is replaced in 1947 and again in1956. The population of the city has grown to 13,000.

1927 The Harlingen Municipal Auditorium, 1114 Fair Park Blvd., is erected at a cost of $125,000. The Hurricane of 1933 causes extensive to the auditorium, so it is extensively renovated. A new cornerstone is placed at it dated 1936. The city government people who approved the expenditures were: Mayor Sam Botts; commissioners J.J.Burk, George Waters, Neil Madeley, Dr. E.A. Davis, and H.C. Ware. The architect was Stanley Bliss with the Ramsey Brothers doing the contracting. It is of art deco design and has a state of the art stage. It seats over 2,200.

In this year a new two lane bridge is erected across the Arroyo Colorado at F Street to replace the old one lane one. It has a central concrete pier in the middle of the arroyo.

3/15/27 A $12,000 high bridge over the Arroyo Colorado to connect to Rio Hondo is being constructed.

3/22/27 A $400,000 bond issue is announced. On 4/27/27 it passes. Funds will be used to enlarge the city hall and jail, pave streets, improve water systems, and pay for the $100,000 municipal auditorium.

8/24/27 The "Harlingen Convention" is held in the Harlingen auditorium. It is a state-wide political meeting called to discuss organizing Hispanics against racial discrimination. Felipe Herrera of Harlingen acts as secretary. M. Flores Villar, a citizen of Mexico, is a writer for "El Comercio", the Harlingen newspaper. Ninety percent of the participants walk out when those of Mexican citizenry were to be excluded from the organization. The convention initiative, however, grows into the League of Latin American Citizens and later, with others in 1929, merges into the newly created League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC.)

11/11/27 With 768 votes cast, the sale of the city's electric plant to CP&L for $1.25 million is rejected by a margin of 180 votes.

12/2/27 The paving of the road between Harlingen and Rio Hondo is completed. The road paving from San Benito to Rio Hondo was also recently completed. This allows for a scenic circle drive on paved roads of about 24 miles.

12/23/27 Postal receipts total $40,000 thereby allowing a 1st Class designation for Harlingen.

1928 There are 21.79 of paved roads in the city. This year a 12" cast iron water main is installed downtown. In February of 1963, 2000" of this main running along 2nd Street from Jefferson to Harrison has to be replaced.

9/25/28 J.B. Chambers, chairman of the Arroyo Navigation District, makes formal application for a cut in South Padre Island to facilitate movement into the Arroyo Colorado waterway to be.

10/30/28  The city holds an election to approve or reject the sale of the electric and water utilities systems to the Central Power and Light Company for $1,580,000. The sale is approved with the highest voter turnout ever at 1,143 giving 683 yes and 460 no votes.

1929 The Harlingen Municipal Golf Course of 168 acres is being built to the design of John Bredemus, famous golf course architect and secretary of the Texas Professional Golfers Association. The idea for the establishment of a course came from an organized group of golfers called the Arroyo Country Club. One of the employed workmen is Henry Partida who will stay on after the course is completed. He and his family will live in a house constructed for them close to the 18th tee. In 1990 this building was removed. Henry will remain a 38 year lifetime employee of the course, always maintaining it in tiptop shape.

A fire fighting sub-station is opened at 210 South F Street. The building at 201 South F Street that will one day house the Family Emergency Center is erected.

 1/1/29 E.W. Anglin is named deputy sheriff by Sheriff W. Frank Brown. Who assumed office today taking the place of Pinkie Vann who was filling the unexpired term of husband W.T. Vann who died after his election in November.
Postal receipts jumped $5,000 to $16,000 for 1928.

This month the City takes over the electric and water utilities and systems.

1/21/29 HWY 96 currently paved for three miles north of Harlingen is to be paved all the way to the Willacy County line.

7/4/29 Dodds and Wedegartner finish paving the Altas Palmas stretch on Stuart Place while McElwrath completes the Palmetal Road one.

11/29 Harlingen boosts that its airport was the first in the Valley to be rated by the Department of Commerce. It begins to draw up plans to enlarge and modernize the facility and equipment.

1929-1941 America's Great Depression descends upon the country and persists as first President Herbert Hoover and then Franklin Roosevelt make serious miscalculations regarding an economic cure.

 

Business/Commercial/Industry    Return to top

1/7/20 V.P DuBose of Devine and T.C. Claypool purchase the Harlingen Star from T.G. Locke, who has been ill for some months.  The former are experienced newsmen.

1/17/20 F.Z. Bishop is publicized by the Brownsville Herald for plans to build a three story $25,000 hotel.

3/3/20 The Harlingen State Bank is sold and does not reopen.

9/10/20 Often noted to be Harlingen's first movie theater, the Rialto, in actuality, was not. Some time between 1910 and 1915 a Mr. Denton operated the Rex Theater. E. O. Austin was its projectionist. Built at the southwest corner of 1st and Jackson Street, the rialto opens in 1921 with W.T. Davis as proprietor. The admission is 10 cents for children and 25 cents for adults. Louvered doors on the1st Street side provide early ventilation and cooling. The circular window in the upper front of the building gives the projectionist some respite from the heat. Besides the films of the day, stage and talent shows are hosted. Non-denominational Sunday School classes for men are also held in the theater in the 20s and 30s. Davis leased the Rialto to Howard Allen early on. In January1925, it is F.F. Vincent who is to sell it to Jack Pickens and W.H. Hall of Dallas. They immediately make plans to renovate it. By mid-May Pickens buys out Hall's share. Pickens is to become vice-president of Valley Theaters, Inc. Born in Waxahachie 9/1/98, he was educated in Gilmer, TX. He served 18 months in the army during WWI. He married Claudia Lewis on 1/3/23. This Methodist was a Mason, Rotarian, Elk, and a Chamber of Commerce member.

In the silent movie days various pianists were hired to provide suitable background music. One such individual was Mrs. Earle Rumbo.

One block west, the Star Theater operated for a short time. Lawson Anglin remembered a film at the Star in 1918 about the 101 Ranch in Oklahoma. For publicity the ranch sent a representative along with a "$100,000 jeweled saddle." Anglin lent him a horse to ride up and down the Harlingen streets "ballyhooing" the film with a megaphone. The PBS program "Antiques Roadshow" of 2/16/04 while visiting Oklahoma City also visited a saddle museum there and showed this very saddle. The theater closed shortly after Lawson's effort.

In August 1925 Chris Damants and Joe Hauft build a new Rex Theater on the southwest corner of W. Monroe and A Streets facing Searle Furniture. Constructed by R.E. Ewing for $40,000, it seats 700. It is leased to Pickens. By 1927 was too small to accommodate the increasing number of movie fans. On 9/24/26 a new theater corporation is announced, Valley Theaters, Inc. L.L. Dent is president, W.E. Paschall, treasurer, and D.B. Pickens, secretary. Jack Pickens, v.p. and manager of the Rialto and Rex is included in the new corporation. Six months later the group announces that it will construct a 1,500 seat theater, the largest south of San Antonio, across from the Rialto. A beautiful sketch of the building to be named The Aztec appears in the paper. Nine months later on 12/27 plan changes are announced. The Rex will be closed in January 1928 so its interior can be rebuilt at a cost of $160,000. It is enlarged by building a new structure right over the old one. A pipe organ is also installed. This was to be the Acadia Theater. It had its grand opening 5/1/28. The Acadia will burn down in1970.

The Strand theater also comes into being. The Valley's first drive-in was, naturally, called the Valley Drive-In. After it closed, its projection booth stood for a long time near the present day Valley Vista Mall.

By 1985 Harlingen had 10 indoor movie screens. Plitt Cinema operated six at Valley Vista and three on Morgan Blvd. United Artist's two screen theater opened 11/77 on Ed Carey Drive near Expressway 77. The Grande Theater opened its doors in the early 40s. In 1985 the Citrus and the Juarez drive-ins were still operating on S. 77 Sunshine Strip.

1920 In this year it is likely that the city saw its first drive-in service station, "Battery and Oil Station" operated by William Witt. He is the son-in-law of G.P. Brandt, who operated a blacksmith shop at the location, 202 N. Commerce, for several years. In 1922 I.W. Spenser bought the property and building behind it. By 1926 A.T. Starnes becomes the manager of the Harlingen Battery and Oil Station. A Sinclair station is constructed at 202 N. Commerce, then HWY 96 which is the main route from Corpus Christi to Brownsville. It ceases operations in the 1970s and has since been restored in appearance by owner Bill DeBrooke.

In this year Fulton Jones comes to town. His first enterprise is ice delivery. Two years later he starts the Fulton Jones Moving and Storage Co. when he purchases a truck with solid rubber wheels. By 1924 he is occupying a warehouse on N. Commerce near J.W. Rhone's seed store (later to be Jackson Feed). By 1930 he is at a larger facility in the 1000 block of West Harrison. His drayage business becomes Valley-wide, and he uses the names Jones Motor Freight lines and Jones Transfer and Storage Co. for his businesses. As the downtown Harlingen area becomes more congested and additional space is required, the now Jones Moving and Storage Co. builds a warehouse facility at 2404 Wilson Road. Living at 320 Pecan, McAllen in his later years, he dies at age 65 on 12/16/62 leaving his wife Ottie and brother George of McAllen. This Church of Christ member left no children.

In 1920 Ramon Castro becomes a resident of the city. This Knights of Columbus member will become proprietor of the Harlingen Furniture Co. He dies at age 72 on 7/4/60.

The Valley Baking Co, predecessor to the Rainbo Bakery, is to open in Harlingen this year. After being at 1025 W. Harrison, by 1937 it will open in a new plant at 1600 W. Harrison.

Coming to the Valley in 1920 was C.A. Macy who would become a hardware agent in Harlingen for the Corpus Christi Hardware Co. Born in Phillipsburg, OH 4/28/72, he claimed Mayflower ancestors and was educated at Southwest Kansas College. He married Harriet Scott of Hutchinson, KS in 11/98. This Presbyterian Church member was also a Mason. Their sons were Ken S. Macy, an architect, and W. Scott Macy who was with the Weslaco C of C. Mrs. Macy will be Harlingen's librarian.

1921 Charles F.C. Ladd comes to the Valley to work for A. J. McColl as general land agent. In the San Antonio area he had been colonization agent for the Winter Garden Farms, Inc. He sells much McAllen and mid-Valley property. In 1931 he is connected with Adams Gardens, Inc., the outfit which is to subdivide the former Turner Tract. His Harlingen firm, of which he is president, is called the Ladd Farm Mortgage Co. For a time Lon C. Hill, Jr. works for Ladd. Ladd also utilizes V. Stambaugh, a Florida horticulturalist, to experiment with semi-tropical trees in order to find something suitable for economic development in the area. Ladd was born 8/28/83 in Miles City, Montana. He was educated at Hutchinson, KS and Kansas City, MO. This Mason married Regna D. Welch of Kansas City on 2/28/18. By 1931 they have a son, Charles, Jr.

1921 E.R. Templeton builds two story cream-colored brick over 5,400 square foot building at Monroe and B Streets. It houses his grocery store and Packer's Furniture Store. The Woodmen of the World fraternal organization and other organizations such as Masons, DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, etc hold their meetings upstairs. In 1985 it retains a shoe repair shop, beer and pool hall, and union meetings are conducted upstairs. The Grimsell Seed Co. will eventually purchase the property and commence its restoration.

1921 A Harlingen Chamber of Commerce brochure boosts of one business college, one weekly newspaper, one wholesale grocer, one soft drink bottler, one wholesale/retail seed store, three wholesale produce buyers, three wholesale oil companies, three hardware stores, eight dry good and clothing stores, nine grocery stores, three meat markets, three wholesale bakeries, three cafes, three hotels, seven garages, two drug stores, two gins, one variety store, one jeweler, one watchmaker, one ice factory, one electric supply store, one machine shop, one plumbing and sheet metal works, one shoe repair, one electric company, one movie house, five real estate brokerages, six building contractors, five lawyers, two civil engineers, one certified architect, five medical doctors, two dentists, five insurance agencies, and one electrical engineer. Bank deposits total nearly one half million dollars.

3/3/21  The Harlingen State Bank closes its doors. Its liabilities were in excess of its assets. Depositors will not suffer as it is a State Guaranty bank.  Word has it that it will be merged into the Planters Bank.

6/8/21  The Texas Press Association has 250 members meeting in town for its 42nd annual convention. Gov, Pat Neff leads parade from the train depot.

7/26/21 City is soon to have an ice cream plant.

7/27/21 DuBose sells Harlingen Star to F.M. Allen of Austin. On 11/2/21 G.K. Shearer is named to be its editor. The paper soon upgrades to a linotype machine that provides fresh type for each issue and a uniform style.

11/26/21 Tyre H. Brown joins the Planters State Bank as cashier. The bank is reorganized as the Valley State Bank on 4/10/24, and Mr. Brown is made active vice-president. By 1929 he is president of the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce. Brown is a native of Luling, TX, having been born there 12/15/79. His community service includes promoting Boy Scouting and the Kiwanis Club. He is a member of the First Christian Church. In 1926 the bank has J. Lomax as its president, B. M. Holland and Tyre Brown as vps, H. M. Barton as cashier E.O. Anglin and Evie Chaudoin as asst. cashiers, T.C. Jeffry and Roe Davenport as bookkeepers, and Miss Louise Naumen as stenographer. The Valley State Bank in 1929 has John T. Lomax as president, Byron M. Holland, active vice-president, E.O. Anglin, cashier and Evie Chaudoin as assistant cashier. Its deposits approach $1 million.

Sometime after the above date, George Stout, a contractor who came with his wife to Harlingen in 1921, is to buy and own the Star until July 1925. Stout, a Presbyterian was to marry Anna M. born in Indianapolis on 4/12/61. They married 9/19/91 and she is to die on 11/20/25. The paper is published every Friday by the Harlingen Star Publishing Company.

1922 The E.O. Matz Electric Company commences business first as the Barth and Matz Electric Co. Lawrence Electric opens this same year. Ernest C. Barth works out of 217 E. Harrison. Other new businesses that first saw the light of day this year in Harlingen include: L.R. Hollingsworth Motor Co., Valley Packing Co., Valley Produce and Cold Storage Co., Aransas Compress with its $75,000 facility under construction, Direct Mattress Co., the Valley Baptist Hospital, Harlingen Creamery Co., Harlingen Radio, W.A. Tippett  Orchardists' Supplies, First National Bank, R. B. Roberts Jeweler, A. S. Wittenbach Groceries, Wes Bailey tire & Rubber Co. (wholesale), and Smith Bros with gentlemen's furnishings.

2/22/22 The Security Bank of Harlingen is chartered, but by 4/17/22 changes its name to the National Bank of Harlingen. It opens March 1, 1922 at 117 West Jackson in the west half 12 ½ foot space of the Neil Madeley Grocery store. In 1923 Madeley will move and the bank purchases the entire space, which will later house the Delta Office Supply. On 7/1/22 it has $44,468 in deposits. Its first president and majority stockholder is farmer turned oilman, A.B. Haufman from Kansas. H.M. Barton, a banker from Oakwood, TX, raised the $25,000 capital and is cashier and vice president. Congressman John Nance Garner is a stockholder. The banks assets grow from $163,157 in 1922 to $4,394,300 two decades later, $26,642,200 by 1962, $176,111,000 by 1982 and $222,984,769 in 1985. In 1937 it has more than $1 million in deposits when it moves to 124 W. Jackson. In 1932 its president, B.F. Johnson dies as the Great Depression hits the Valley full force. W.H. Hall of Oklahoma City acquires control. Listed as investors with him are R.L. Hill, Roy Porter, H.E. Butt, and Dr. E.A. Davis. Hall will serve as president until his death in 1945. He is succeeded by E.Clinton Breedlove, Sr., who had come to serve as vice president in 1937. On 3/26/51 the bank opens at 202 E. Van Buren, a site once having the city hall. Here a two story building was erected. By 1959 its deposits are more than 30 million, and in 1972 on its 50th anniversary its deposits total $60 million. In 4/82 it changes its name to InterFirst Bank Harlingen. With consolidation of nation-wide banks it becomes Nations Bank and then is absorbed by Bank of America which currently occupies the seven story building at 222 E. Van Buren.

A competitor is the First National Bank with Lloyd H. Thompson as president, J.R. Roberts vice president, L.L. Barnett, cashier and Elmo Gallagher, asst. cashier. By mid-September of 1922 this bank has deposits of $85,688.55. A year later these will have more than doubled to $195,523.39, and by October 1924 it advertises deposits of $483,179.54.

In 1922 B. Frank Hardin, a son of Ben and Sarah Hardin, is a native of Wills Point, Van Zandt County, TX. He comes to town to be manager of the South Texas Lumber Company branch here. He volunteers for the military in World War I and out of a total of 20 months serves 15 ½ months in France as part of the 169th Aero Squadron. On 6/15/20 he marries Sarah Murray of Coleman, TX and has two daughters, Harriet and Mary Frances. This Methodist is also a Mason.

Sam Foster starts the first Chevrolet agency at 516 W. Jackson. In July 1, 1934 he sells his business to the Knapp Chevrolet Co. Shortly thereafter its W. Harrison building burns to the ground. The dealership moves to the Wroten Building where Harlingen Motors later was located. George Wroten, in addition to operating Wroten Motors, together with Phil Edie, operated the Cadillac Grill. In 1944, after he had left the dealership behind, he was employed by Browns Express Co. as a claims adjuster. He left the Valley in the fall of 1955. He died in San Antonio at age 81 on 2/8/61.

As the population grows, so does the number of insurance agents. One of these is Orville R. Eby, agent for the Peoria Life Insurance Co. Born in New Albany, KS 8/27/94, he was educated at the Fedonia Kansas Business School. He is a Methodist and a Lion. His father George lives in McAllen.

6/22 Roy Bertrum (R.B.) Roberts founds Roberts Jewelry in a store located in the Lozano Building. He promotes himself as "Optometrist and Watchmaker" but does have sales brochures from which customers may order jewelry. By 1925 he is active in the Kiwanis Club, the first of its kind in the Valley. After World War II R.B.'s son, Bert Lund Roberts, entered the business performing watch repairs.  The business later became his. He was very active in numerous civic organizations.  On 9/1/61 the business moved to 119 S. 2nd Street and on 4/1/78 to its present location at 216 E. Jackson. On 11/9/07 with 85 years behind it, the firm received the Texas Treasure Business Award issued by the Texas Historical Commission.

9/8/22  The Rio Grande Ice Company has started work on its new 4,000 ton ice storage vault adjoining its present one with 7,000 ton capacity.  The new structure will be of brick and reinforced concrete and cost $25,000. A. F. Engle is plant manager.

1923 H.J. Goetzke arrives this year. He is to become a realtor with C.D. Hanson and Co. Born in Bloomington, IL 10/31/79 to German immigrants who arrived in this country in 1963, he married Julia Dietrich 10/17/01. He serves on the school board at least three years, is a Mason and a Kiwanis member.

This year the Wittenbachs, father, C.H. and son A.J.(the grocer), construct a three story building on A Street south of the Lozano Building. When a hamburger joint on a lot to the south burns down, the following year they construct the large 5 story Wittenbach Building at 119 South A Street. It is Harlingen's first high rise and later will have the city's first elevator. After several years it will take on the name the Embee Building when purchased by R.N. Jones and the Embee Corporation. In 1930 the building would house among others. Key Confectionery its lobby, Lee Printing and Rubber Stamp, Real Silk Hosiery Mills, Inc., the American Legion Office, the office of contractor Andrew Goldammer, the National Collection Agency, Burroughs Adding Machine, American National Insurance Company and the office of Dr. Georgia A. Howell, a chiropractor. In the following years numerous doctors and lawyers would work in the building. The Embee Pharmacy later with its pharmacist, Kenneth MacPherson, was in the building. The Harlingen Business College was occupying the third floor of the addition by 1937 and later this space would be used by the Durham Business College. By 1956 the structure took on the name the Commonwealth Building likely because of the Commonwealth Credit Corp. now in it. This company may have been part of the Bentsen family investments. In the early 60s the condition of the building was such that only a few occupants were in it. One was Storey's Gun and Fishing Tackle Shop. By May 1984 it is scheduled for demolition as termites have devastated much of its wooden interior. [For commercial buildings and business schools, see link titled "Of Buildings and Business Schools."]

Rudolph Guenzel, a native of Germany, arrives in the Valley to take up welding work. This line of work will later grow into a metal fabricating business. By 1963 son L.C. Guenzel has expanded Metal Products Co. into a 24,000 square foot facility on North 77 Sunshine Strip. L.C. after serving 44 months in the US Navy during WWII serves as a city commissioner and a director for the Harlingen National Bank.

Early in this year the two story building at 109 E. Jackson is constructed. It will house the Packard Furniture Company.

1924  The Gulf Coast Line operating into Harlingen is purchased by the Missouri Pacific Railroad.

1924 This year L.R. Daniels comes to the Valley. It is also the year that this native of Transylvania, LA born 4/14/63 marries Clara A. Cazavas of New Orleans on 12/24/24. He served in WWI as first lieutenant with the Victoria Rifles. Before coming to Harlingen to be owner and manager of the Harlingen Steam Laundry he served as president of the McAllen C of C and four years as the LRGV C of C as well as president of the McAllen Auto Club. He is a charter member of the McAllen Rotary Club, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Shriner. At home, 418 E. Tyler, with Mrs. Daniels is daughter Alva.

James Laurese (J.L.) Head arrives in the Valley from Louisiana. His wife, Juanita, was here in 1921. For fifty years he will be the owner-operator of the J.L. Head Insurance Agency, later the Head and Lee Insurance Agency. When he was a City Commissioner he pushed for the military airfield here in 1941. He was active in the formation of the Tip of Texas Girl Scouts and was its finance chairman in 1943. He and the Lions Club helped raise funds to purchase a barracks and move it to Bowie Park for use by the Girl Scouts. He had helped to organize the Lions Club here and was to be honored as a life member. He served on the board of the Valley Baptist Hospital and had a fire station named after him because he had also served as the city's fire commissioner. In addition he helped to organize and was first president of the Harlingen Country Club.

1924 is also the year a building boom allows the establishment of retail and wholesale lumber companies in Harlingen. H.H. Hardin of Fort Worth establishes a wholesale yard and sales office here to be followed by LeRoy Morris of the Frontier Lumber Company of Brownsville. Retail firms by 1925 include the Taylor Lumber Co. managed by J.C. Atchison, the W. S. Liddell Co., the South Texas Lumber Co., and the Spencer-Sauer Lumber Co. with David W. Day, manager.

1924  Elam Clay Breedlove comes from Oklahoma this year. He is first involved in banking in San Benito. He joins the First National Bank in 1937 as vice-president and in 1945 becomes its president. He will serve 20 years on the city's water board.  This member of the First Baptist Church and a Mason is to die in Late March 1969.

7/24 Claude Hayden Hamilton and his wife Aline Arnette, both from Falls County, TX, come to town with their four year old son C.H., Jr. They had been married in Marlin, TX. 9/20/16.He comes to join his brother R.B. Hamilton who is in the insurance business with John B. Challes. In 1935 he is appointed postmaster, a position he will hold until 1961. He is to die in 1968 and she in 1989. Both are active in the First Baptist Church. He is in the Kiwanis Club; she a charter member of the Fine Arts Club. Their son will graduate from Baylor in 1941, serve in the U.S. Navy in WWII, marry Dorothy Lynn Berry from Gilmer, return here in 1945, and, after earning a CPA becomes a partner in a Harlingen accounting firm, retiring 40 years later. Along with parenting four children both C.H. and Lynn, who teaches school, are very active in church, sports, and civic activities.

J.J. Willingham born in Jewett, Leon County, Texas comes to town and enters the realty business. This Baptist is to serve the community as chairman of the Community Chest. He is to die in an automobile accident near Beeville at age 44 on 8/29/41.

1924-25 The Valley Electric and Ice Company approaches the mark of icing 13,000 railroad cars. It handles each one twice, first for a pre-cooling, then a final icing. At the peak of the season 100 men are employed. The manufacturing building exists today though the lengthy docks which stretched between parallel railroad tracks and carried the ice to the refrigerated cars are long gone. Ice Plant No. 39 Harlingen is on the building. It likely indicates that this was one of many plants operated by the American Refrigerator Transit Company to provide ice for its specialized railroad freight cars.

In this year G.D. Guest is licensed by the city to operate a "hamburger and chili" wagon across the street from the Rialto Theater on the NW corner of 1st and Jackson. In this period also Anderson and Wadsworth lease a portion of Bowie Park to house tourists in tents at 50 cents per night.

1925 This is the year that Miller Harwood arrives in Harlingen. He was born in Gonzales TX 12/18/87. He attended the U. of Virginia and UT, marrying Clair Leverton 11/24/09. He served as city treasurer, was Rotary Club president, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Together with L.W. Hoskins he will develop the East Taylor Street area.

L.W. Hoskins born in Terrill, TX 12/30/87 makes his way to Harlingen this year. He will be president of L.W. Hoskins Realty. With only a high school education, he serves inWWI as a first lieutenant in the Air Service. He marries Dorothy K. Kuykendall in June 1921. This Episcopalian is also a Mason, Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, Rotary, and American Legion member.

T.S. Herren, who will also be in real estate, comes this same year. A native of Dadeville, AL born 10/9/65, he attended Howard College in Birmingham. He married Anne Cumbee on 4/5/95. In Dadeville, he was for 20 years in mercantile and the livestock business. This Baptist was also a Knight of Pythias. His Harlingen real estate office will later be in the Baxter Building. Mrs. Herren, the mother of four, was also from Alabama. She was one of the prime promoters for the construction of the Woman's Building.

D.R. McNamara advertises his Sun Valley Warehouse with its railroad siding dock of 1000". By 1930 there is no mention of it.

1/1/25 The Missouri Pacific System acquires the Gulf Coast Lines, including its St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway Company. The latter's name is retained into the 1950s. It also acquires the San Benito and Rio Grande Railway Company. Both are the major servers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

1/25 F.G. Jackson takes up seed and feed business at 119 N. Commerce and later sets up Jackson Wholesale Grocery Co. at 101 E. Polk. He purchases the former from J.W. Rhone who advertised it for sale. Jackson is a native of Delta County, TX, has completed academics at E. Texas Normal School College in Commerce, was a bookkeeper for an oil mill, a cashier at a bank in Enloe, and manager of the Security State Bank of Cooper, TX before coming here.

Sometime in the mid decade the Van Noy Interstate Company, a national firm, builds a restaurant and depot waiting room just north of the Harlingen train depot whose architectural style it follows. This firm specialized in serving railroad passengers and published and sold maps, postcards, scenic books, and the like. Also in this period Seaman O. Eidman is to have his pharmacy in the first floor of the Lon C. Hill Building on Van Buren. The pioneer competitor, Harlingen Pharmacy, is now under the management of Clarence Myers. A.A. Taylor who this year operates a new and beautiful jewelry store of modern brick and tile construction will by 1930 simply be listed as a traveling salesman.

1/8/25 The Valley State Bank organized here in 3/24 now has $544,995 in reserves. Just to its north the G.C. Howell Building is erected.

2/25 A Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for Harlingen shows a large "moving picture" structure on the northwest corner of Matamoros (now E) and W. Harrison Streets just across the street from Porfiro Diaz (now Gutierrez) Park. It is also shown on the July 1929 map.  Immediately adjacent to its west is a drug store and a short way down the block on the same side is a dance hall. This theater obviously catered to Hispanics. In the 1931-32 telephone directory this theater at 602 W. Harrison is named the Park Theatre.  It is owned or managed by M. F. Dobbs.  He and his wife Faye reside on the Combes Highway. By 1935 the theater is no more and has either been subdivided into a residence for four occupants or a new structure has been constructed on the site.

4/24/25 N.S. and Vance Liddell build a two story four-unit apartment house costing $10,000 on North Hill Street.

On this same date the railroad adds two new faster passenger trains to Valley service. It boasts 10 and 12 hour times to San Antonio and Houston respectively.

A subscription to the weekly Harlingen Star costs $2.00 a year.

Chris Daments and Joe Hauft operate the popular City Bakery and Candy Kitchen at 113 North A.

W.L. Parker from Sentinel, OK is to open his Alcove Confectionary this year and operate it for seven years. When this First Baptist Church member dies at age 83 on 3/13/62 he leaves behind his son Eunis Lee Parker of Harlingen.

In this year O.P Searle advertises that his has been Harlingen's first furniture store. In early January 1925 he moves into a new building at the corner of Monroe and Hill. Still going in 1928, the business vanishes by 1930. When he dies in Corpus Christi 8/12/61, it is noted that he had a store there for 28 years.

1/30/25 After an extension is to be made on the current freight depot , a new one is planned for near-term erection.

3/13/25 E.R.Templeton opens a cash and carry grocery store in the building formerly occupied by Neil Madeley.

3/27/25 A.L. Brooks completes the building to the north of the Rhone Store. Part of it is leased to the F.D. Ray Motor Co., a Chevrolet dealership, Household Furniture, and R. Fulton Jones Transfer. At this time more than 50 lots are sold at auction by the Harlingen Development Company. Prices paid range from $271 for a lot to $675. They are located on Mexico Street next to the new hospital.

July 1925 In the third week of this month new owners begin publication of the paper. They are granted a state charter to incorporate. The name of the new firm is the Star Printing Company. The stock is held in the names of R. M. Gillmore, president, W.J. Baldwin, secretary-treasurer, and their wives. They announce that the purchase has been self-financed, that they are experienced in publishing, and that a larger investment is to be made to improve the equipment and increase volume. Working in the printing press room was Blufton Utterback who had been in Harlingen at least since 1921.

7/13/25 Work is to start on the $100,000 hotel of Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Burk, formerly of Decatur, AK. He has had experience operating a tourist hotel in Chattanooga, TN. Two of the three lots upon which it will be sited were donated by the Harlingen Development Co. and the C of C put forth a $5,000 cash bonus. After reviewing bids, Mr. Burk decided to take on the construction himself. The hotel to be built would become the Reese-Wil-Mond. The name is possibly taken from that of three sons, Reese, William and Raymond.

7/24/25 The Valley Baptist Hospital on Mexico Street (F Street) has its formal opening. At this time it has 19 rooms in two wards and costs to-date are $75,000 exclusive of grounds.

7/31/25 C.A. Boren reveals the opening of his hotel in the new Brown Building on E. Jackson.

8/7/25 The Southern Pacific applies to the state for a permit to extend its line from Edinburg to Harlingen.

11/25 A 70 ton icing unit is added to the plant south of Wilson Road. Additional storage and improvement are also made. A smaller Commerce Street plant is also improved.

By this year the upper floor (or part of it) of the S. Lozano building appear to have been put to use as the Gateway Hotel 107 ½ S. A Street.

4/1/26 Glenn C. Farris establishes a lumber company of his own in Harlingen at 221 W. Washington. Glenn had worked with his father James in the same business in Denton, TX and then on his own and with a partner in Amarillo as Farris-Moore. He is a native of Mill Creek OK, having been born there in 1901. He attended the North Texas State Teachers College. He served in the U.S. Navy in WWI. This Methodist married Madge Hackler on 3/1/24. Farris has competition in the older lumber establishment of the Taylor Lumber Company managed by J.C. Atchison.

7/30/26 The Harlingen Star headline reads "Harlingen Will Have 7-Story Office Building". It goes on to say that R.W. Baxter from Dermott, AK has bought the vacant site at the corner of A and Jackson Streets for $17,000 cash. He purchased it from Domingo R. Rotke, Jr. It previously housed a saloon which had burned down a year ago. The work on the $125,000 building was planned to start 11/1/26. Mr. Baxter had also purchased some lots near the Central Ward School and was already here with his family. Later the firm of Elwing and Mulhausen are selected as architects and R.P. Blythe as contractor. On 2/15/27 it is announced that the building will be 9 stories and cost $160,000.

This same month John Myrick tells of his plan to build a "flatiron building" on the 100 block of S. Commerce. At the same time the Madison Apartments (near Bowie Park) are underway. The two story brick structure is being erected by N.S. Liddell.

8/3/26 Clarence Sherman arrives from Leander, TX for an extended stay. He is with the Starnes and Sherman System of stores. Several months earlier the Jackson Street store was already bearing the name Starnes-Sherman Grocers. On this same date J.A. Seagrove and W.E. Johnson announce plans to build a 150 car, $30,000 garage on the 100 block of Jackson. J.R. McLemore is to be the architect and R.E. Ewing the builder. It never gets erected.

8/6/26 Chris Daments' Hotel Daments opened 6/8. The two story building cost $123,000. Its ground floor will house a café, shoe store, electric fixture store, barber shop, and cleaning establishment as well as the lobby. By October a roof garden to cost $45,000 is to be added. It is on A Street across from the Nelson apartments. It does not get a roof garden but eventually gets a third floor and becomes the Plaza Hotel in 1930. In November 1928 it advertises "The most home-like hotel in the Valley", a room for one $5.00 a week without a bath, $8 for two. C.C. Hinds is the hotel manager. By mid November 1928 Mr. & Mrs. William W. Langham will be operating the Close Inn restaurant in the hotel, having taken over the premise opened in July by Mr. & Mrs. H. G. Whisler and known as the Am-Café.

W.J. Baldwin is manager of the Harlingen Star which also takes in commercial printing. Around this same time Cowan and Sons are proprietors of the semi-weekly (Tues. & Fri.) Harlingen Star. George Cowan is the advertising manager and E. O. Arnold is editor. The latter is replaced by Otto A. Vinke in late August 1926. Vinke has had experience as editor of the Fort Worth Record and with the San Antonio Express. His parents live in Rio Hondo. He will die before 1939 leaving his wife Josephine a widow.

8/24/26 According to W.G. Payne, fiscal agent, $100,000 has been subscribed toward a $300,000 Valley cotton mill. It will have 5,000 spindles and manufacture light weight cotton material from the Valley's long staple cotton. The mill employing 150 would open in mid-March 1927 in a plant costing $300,000 next to the Arroyo Colorado.

9/21/26 Southwestern Bell Telephone Company tells of plans to erect a $100,000 telephone exchange on Van Buren and 4th.

10/12/26 Missouri Pacific publicizes that it will locate repair shops, a huge storage yard, engine tracks and other improvements in Harlingen. It will then be able to handle 967 cars versus 534 at present. About two years back the Gulf Coast Line became part of the Missouri Pacific. A month later it tells of plans to build a $66,000 L-shaped freight depot at Commerce and Harrison. The lot is already cleared and a spur track is being laid. By 3/25/27 the $67,000 complex is in place. The two story fireproof building 40 by 60" cost $36,224. In this year L.H. Moore is MoPac's division passenger agent.

11/1/26 is the date Charles Russell Mayfield comes to Harlingen where he will become a partner in the law firm of Hornaday and Mayfield. Their office is in the Valley State Bank Building at 124 W. Jackson. Born in Kosciusko, MI 5/8/96, he was educated at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State Teachers College. He married Annie Ruth Stevens of Big Springs, MI on 4/12/18. This Baptist is a member of the American Legion and Lions Club. Mrs. Mayfield and children Annie Ruth, Ruth Kent, and Charles Russell, Jr. spend the summers in Big Springs. At age 36 Mr. Russell will have a tragic end, dying of acute indigestion.

Ned N. Sondock comes late in the year and resides at the Verser House while waiting for his wife Tillye (later anglicized to Tillie) in Houston to give birth to their son Gerald (b.3/27/27). Ned will later found Delta Office Furniture Co. with Abe I. Axelrod, a cousin working for Edelsteins Furniture. In 1935 the partnership was terminated. It will evolve into Delta Office Supply. The first store is located at 115 North A before the Sondock building is erected around 1940 at 117 W. Jackson. Son Marvin is born at home 9/28/33 at 1021 E. Filmore where the family resides until 1945. They then purchase Marcella Gafney Long's uniquely designed homestead on Palm Blvd. Sondock will die 1/1/60 at age 57 leaving his wife and sons. This Mason was one of the founders of Temple Beth Israel and a scout leader. He was also a strong promoter of Harlingen as the retailing shopping center of the Valley.

It is 1926 that Tate Parker and his family arrive in the Valley from Ennis, TX. After a time in the Lyford-Raymondville area, they move to Harlingen. In WWII he serves on the Selective Service Committee. This Mason taught school in Primera for three years, was a member of the Optimist Club, helped Boy Scouting, and owned the Harris Electric Co. from 1950 to 1980. He then worked for the Lewis Electric Co. until retiring in 1987. Dying in on 10/10/95, he leaves one son and two daughters.

The Miller Bicycle Store opens this year.

Joseph "Joe" K. Junkin is selling furniture at 211-3 W. Monroe. In 1931 he will have moved into the building at 124 North A Street across from the Arcadia Theater. By 1941 he will move into the spacious two-story building that has been vacated by Wroten Motors at 516 W. Jackson. The Olympus Gym moves in when Junkin's Fine Furniture vacates this site in 1990, only to close a few years later in smaller premises at its warehouse at 1402 W. Jackson. The 516 W. Jackson location had actually been sold to Hiron's and Trower of Edinburg in the mid-1980s. A fire in the rear of the premises put it out of business.

 In this year A.L. Brooks is car lot distributor for Texas Fruits and Vegetables as well as the president of A.L. Brooks Co. He is also a fertilizer distributor. Born in Tyler,TX, he attended the Sunmer Select School in Omen, TX. He married Anne L. Hubbard on 8/16/99. Past president of Kiwanis, this Baptist is also a Mason.

The Trammels are new to Harlingen in 1926. William L. Trammel is the president and general manager for the Valley Baking Company. He is originally from Altmore, AL having been born there 12/17/95.He was educated at Altmore High School and in Long Beach, CA. He was 16 months in the army in WWI before marrying Claribel Dorringer of Illinois 5/17/2. They reside at 101 W. Buchanan with daughter Billie Faye before moving on to E. Taylor.

There are 128 business establishments at this time.

Pushing sales this year were the La Turno Printing Company, Ben Epstein's Broadway Men's Shop with "Distinctive apparel for men and boys", J.W. Gardner with photographic studios both in Harlingen and Pharr, Abner L. Lewis and Co. specializing in municipal securities, and the Electric Service Station managed by S.S. Bobo.

In Combes this year there are three general merchandise outfits: J.D. Templeton, Madeley Mercantile Company, and E.W. Shaw. L. E. Hargrave is running a service station and John Milan is a real estate agent.

1926-27  The Southern Pacific Railroad through its subsidiary Texas and New Orleans Railroad with its San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway, completes its 135 mile line from Falfurrias to Edinburg.  On 2/15/27 the tracks reach Harlingen and on 3/10/27 the line is operational to Harlingen.  In June work begins to extend the line to Brownsville and on 10/21/27 the work train reaches there with a freight one to follow the next day. On 11/10/27 Brownsville passenger service commences. W.L. Hollingsworth, who was a conductor for the SP on its first trip to Brownsville, is also on the last trip of the SP connection of daily passenger service from Brownsville to McAllen in the 1950s.

1927 Fount Ray and Tom Nolan launch Rio Grande Building and Loan Association. They soon sell it to insurance and loan man Gerald McKenna, who in turn sells it to Fred Flynn, its associate manager, in 1928 when it has but $400 in deposits and only two residential loans. Clyde Fincher takes over in the 1970s. Its bankruptcy in the late1980s when it is the Rio Grande Savings and Loan Association leaves its depositors, uninsured by FDIC but attracted by slightly higher interest rates, with large losses.

1927  Robert W. Baxter begins constructing the Valley's tallest building at nine stories on the southwest corner of A and Jackson Streets. By late September some tenants have moved in. Initially called the Baxter Building, it is renamed the Rio Grande Valley Life Insurance Building in 1928 after he forms this company. He is a principle of the $100,000 stock company together with Drs. James R. Doss and J. W. Davis of McAllen. The Rio Grande Pharmacy occupies part of the ground floor.  The building was home to the offices of numerous professionals including Dr. George Gallaher.  Several decades later entrepreneur John McKelvey will purchase the property and it will be called the McKelvey building.

Baxter was born 6/22/85 in Montecello, AR and attended public schools. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan and became a lawyer. In 1917 he served in the Arkansas legislature and was for six years county attorney for Warren, Arkansas. He was also an alderman in Dermott, AK. He married Sallie Murphey of Warren 7/21/18.  Residing with them at 610 E. Van Buren are children Robert, Tommy, Murphey, and Brian. This Rotarian's bid to be elected city commissioner in 1928 falls short.

1927 The Southern Pacific System railroad line reaches Harlingen from San Antonio. In February freight service begins, and on 3/20, on a Sunday night, the first passenger service begins. A beautiful passenger station (illustrated in the 4/1/27 newspaper) in southwestern style is built on Jefferson Street alongside the tracks which will be extended southeast via Los Fresnos and then south on the west side of Las Paredes Road (FM1847) into Brownsville by 10/22/27. Years after passenger service ceases, the building is offered for sale to the city for a nominal sum but is turned down. The impressive structure is then demolished in 1975.

1927 Hygeia Milk Products Company is organized by Dr. James Traylor, whose wife is principal of the Alamo School. Dr. Traylor's partners are Tyre H. Brown, B.M. Hollon, and Link B. Martin. The original plant at 215 North A is managed by Harvey L. Richards, Sr., a June graduate of Texas A&M College. Richards, who will serve as a major in the Army Air Force in WWII, will continue his aviation interest as Chairman of the Airport Board. The first significant municipal airport facility will be named in his honor. In July 1927 bottling and distribution, by a one horse drawn wagon, begins from the plant with a capacity of 60 gallons per day. In 1964 the company acquired a dairy farm with 1,300 acres 2,000 cows, and 1,700 calves and heifers near Bayview; this was sold in the early 1990s. Hygeia to have an operation on the King Ranch, six convenience stores (later to be named Maverick), the computer center, Tabulating Systems and Services, and acquire in 1972 Knolle Milk and Ice Cream in Corpus Christi.  On November 30, 1999 Hygeia was sold to Oaks Farms Dairy Company.

This same year the RGV Telephone exchange building at a cost of $150,000 is constructed on the northwest corner of 4th and Van Buren. It will expand four times in the next 33 years.

1/25/27 R.M. Schumaker, the largest wholesale grocer in the south, announces plans to erect a warehouse on Taylor where it meets the railroad track.

2/11/27 The Mercedes Creamery tells of plans to build a branch plant on two lots west (219 W. Madison) of the Daments Hotel. Business is so good for Searle Furniture that it adds a third floor to its store at W. 2nd and Monroe.

3/11/27 Grand Opening of F.W. Woolworth at 113 Jackson. It advertises "Nothing sold in this store for more than 15 cents." The competition apparently brings the demise of Watters Variety Store. It closes 12/7/27. J.C. Penny, another competitor, will have opened by November.

3/27 The three story Boren Hotel is in business at the corner of Jackson and 3rd.

In this year M.D. Dugger, Jr. comes to the Valley. The next year he will become general agent in Harlingen for Franklin Life Insurance. He was born 11/28/97 in Waco, TX and educated at Meridian College and UT. He served in WWI in the Aviation Corps, marrying Edna Ann Worthen 4/15/21. This Methodist Church member is also a Lion and American Legion member.

Also arriving is Claude Oliver Ward from Rosebud, TX. This WWI veteran will become a roofing contractor and be associated with the Frontier Lumber Co. at 314 North 8th. At age 72 he passes on 8/19/61.

It is 1927 that Van Snell's father, who is in real estate in Hammond, LA, is attracted by Valley opportunities, buys land near Donna, and then moves there where he takes up citrus culture. Van will go on to Edinburg Junior College where he meets his future wife Kitty. He then works at the USDA Laboratory in Weslaco before entering a lengthy eventful career as cannery manager with H.E.B. He was one of those instrumental in the development of the Port of Harlingen, served the Chamber of Commerce, helped to found Tropical Savings and Loan Co., was a Rotary and First Methodist Church member, and was president of the Harlingen Housing Authority Board as well as one which disposed of the former Harvey Richards Field area. Preceded by his wife of 60 years, Kathryn Vaughn Snell, Van Snell is to die in Harlingen at age 94 on July 16, 2005. He leaves a daughter, Ada Kay St. John of Mercedes, and a son Kenneth of Austin along with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

9/11/27 An aerial photograph of the city shows that the new Missouri Pacific building on Commerce at Harrison is nearly completed. This two story building will serve as a freight office. Later its second story will will house business offices of the Harlingen Cannery and still later a company selling golf carts will occupy this building at the southwest corner of Commerce and Harrison Streets.

11/18/27 The first unit of 84 rooms of the to be 150 room Moore (later Madison)Hotel opens. The Reese-Wil-Mond also opens its first unit of 65 rooms, an additional wing of 65 to open later.

12/20/27 The three story Palmer Apartment Building at Tyler and 6th is completed. Built by Dr. A.J. Palmer at the cost of $60,000 it is one of the most modern in the Valley.

Also seeing its start as a popular gathering place is Roy Porter's Hi-Way Inn located at 312 South F Street between Harrison and Tyler. Later to be open 24 hours a day, it proclaims "4 Corners-Harlingen" and "We never close." The four corners moniker comes from the fact that this heavily-trafficked area has a service station on each corner. The café has a long existence but is closed after 1983. For many years prior to its closing it is the gathering place for Latino teenagers. It is replaced by the Mexican food restaurant Las Cazuelas owned by the Medrano family.

1/1/28 R.E. (Bob) Johnson arrives in town to take the position as Southern Pacific district freight manager and passenger agent. In January 1963 after nearly 36 years in the RGV with SP Bob will retire and be honored at a party where 60 attend.

9/28 Harlingen is added to the Rio Grande Valley Gas Company system when a residence is metered on North 12th Street. The system was commenced in 1927 with outlets at McAllen, Mercedes, La Feria, San Benito, and Brownsville. The company was incorporated in Delaware by a group of investors headed by Judge John W. Gaines of San Antonio. Initially the source of gas was Jim Hogg County from which a twelve inch pipeline transported the gas to San Benito and an eight inch one from there to Brownsville. By 1936 gas sources within the lower valley had been discovered in Mercedes, La Blanca, and elsewhere, and these became the source of local gas.

1928 Sears, Roebuck, and Company opens a large, two story store on the 900 block of W. Harrison. The architect-builder of the large building is W.I. McLemore, who is also responsible for building numerous residences in the city. He will later return to Louisiana. The store's owner-manager and major promoter is the robust-sized Albert L. Benoist, who will also get involved in real estate, be president of the C of C, and be a member of Rotary. When Sears moves to the newly developed Valley Vista Mall the premise is occupied by Johnny's True Value Hardware store. In the 1960s A.L. Benoist and Company office will be at 306 South Eye Street. It will deal primarily with rental properties including apartments. Albert and Hattie's daughter Valerie will marry Wesley Adams.

The five story fireproof Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel is erected by hotel operator and owner, J.J. Burk. It also has a roof garden and a finished floor for dancing along with a moveable stage for vaudeville presentations. It is on First Street corner of Van Buren and will one day be transformed into low income adult housing as the Heritage Manor. In 1928 it bills itself as the "Traveling Man's and Convention Headquarters of the Valley." It features large sample rooms for salesmen to show off their wares. Its room rates are $2.50/day down. Mr. Burk will serve as a City Commissioner 12/33-1/36.

At a cost of $28,000 Roque Herrera, who had been involved in construction here since early 1916, builds a hotel and restaurant at 308 S. C Street but loses possession due to cost overruns. He pays $150 a month to a San Antonio loan company but loses the 4,750 square foot building the first year. While on the C Street side the upper floors will serve as the Valley Hotel, the ground floor along Harrison will hold the City Pharmacy. Romulo (Romeo) Castillo purchases it in 1940 or 42 from the previous owner for $18,000 and operates Romeo's Cafe here, prior to its occupancy by his Ro-Ca Loans in 1974 and his 1975 bail bond business, Ro-Ca Bail Bonds. He operated the latter at the 401 W. Harrison side until his retirement at age 93 in 2005. Romeo was born 2/28/1912 in Zaragosa, N. L., Mexico and came to Harlingen at age 8. He was to die at the end of January 2006. He was past president of the Pan American Golf Assoc., a charter member of Life Begins at Forty, on the Board of Directors of the Harlingen Housing Authority, and still a rancher and landowner in Zaragosa. His Harlingen survivors include his wife of 53 years, Maria Idolina, daughter Juana C. Cortez and son Romulo, Jr. of Harlingen, and a daughter Luz Martinez in Laredo.

Also in 1928 a Mexican army officer in exile designs and builds an elaborately styled two story brick building for his mother-in-law, Tomasa Villareal Garza, at 323 W. Harrison. With a grocery store in the front and Cortez Cleaners in the rear, there was also a rooming house upstairs. Mrs. Garza loses the building in the 1930s depression. Later it houses an auto parts store and becomes Flores Cleaners in the 1990s.

H. (Howard) E. (Edward) Butt borrows $38,000 and moves to the Rio Grande Valley acquiring three small stores thereby beginning the major expansion of the grocery retailing company which will become the giant H-E-B dominating South Texas grocery sales. One of the stores is the Piggly Wiggly at 123 E. Jackson. Howard E. Butt moves the headquarters of his developing grocery business to Harlingen. In the 1930s Howard's business will grow to more than 28 stores in the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas.

Mr. Butt was born 4/9/95 in Memphis, TN and died 3/12/91 in Corpus Christi, TX. It was his mother Florence who took on the grocery business after the family moved to Kerrville in 1905. After serving in the navy in WWI, he reentered the grocery business, later failing at four expansions in other towns. He married Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth of Kerrville on 12/5/24. In 1935 he began calling his stores the H. E. Butt Grocery Company and in 1946 changed the name to H.E.B., still later modernized to H-E-B. He was to be involved in numerous community endeavors as was his wife. Mary was born in Loma Vista, TX 2/4/03 and was to die in Corpus Christi 10/6/93 survived by three children. Her interests focused on child health care, the aged, YWCA, libraries, education, and other philanthropic services.

The three story Moore Hotel (later renamed the Madison in late 1930) is erected at 121 Van Buren alongside the old Mooreland Hotel soon scheduled for demolition. In 1950 the Madison itself will be torn down to make way for construction of an office building whose primary occupant is Tropical Savings and Loan. Its manager is J.V. Murphy. It proclaims "Where traveling men covering Southwest Texas stay because of the hospitality shown them and the service rendered." Each of its 150 rooms has a bath; rates range from $1.50 to $3.00.

8/21/28  Tri-weekly Harlingen Star becomes a five day a week plus Sunday newspaper under new ownership. The Star Publishing Company is purchased by Howard Barrett of Abilene. (In 1930 its offices will be at 118 North A Street.) Home delivery by newspaper boys goes into effect 8/24. Its new Duplex Press capable of printing and folding 6,000 copies an hour goes into operation about the end of September. With AP newswire reports the nature of the paper changes from a local to a national and international emphasis when it goes daily on 12/1/28.

7/3/28  Delta Planing Mill Inc. of Harlingen is incorporated with $30,000 stock.  J.H. and D.C. Raybourn and Alfred Freburg are principles.

Ben Epstein's Broadway Men's Store which suffered a fire several weeks ago is set to reopen while its proprietor is on his honeymoon.

7/13/28  The Fisk Tire Co. opens its new store with $50,000 of inventory at 701 W. Harrison.  The manager is Max Bobo. At the same time G. E. McLelland opens his Industrial Service Station on N. Commerce at Adams.

7/17/28  Sandlin Furniture owned by W. J. Sandlin opens in the Nelson Building at Monroe and A streets.  This building also houses the Hicks Rubber Co.

1928  On November 3 Sears, Roebuck, and Company opens a large, two story store on the 900 block of W. Harrison. The architect-builder of the large building is W.I. McLemore, who is also responsible for building numerous residences in the city. He will later return to Louisiana. The building has 100' frontage and 140' depth. The store's owner-manager and major promoter is the robust-sized Albert L. Benoist, who will also get involved in real estate, be president of the C of C, a member of the Harlingen Planning and Zoning Board, and be a member of Rotary. In 1925 Albert had come to Harlingen with his father as a winter visitor.  They then purchased 12.5 acres between W. Harrison and Tyler. It was on this parcel that Sears was developed after Benoist went to Dallas and convinced the company to build a store in Harlingen. In August 1928 Sears invited him to San Antonio and offered him the position of manager of the new Harlingen store, a position he held for 18 years until his retirement in 1947. When Sears moves to the newly developed Valley Vista Mall the premise is occupied by Johnny's True Value Hardware store. In the 1960s A.L. Benoist and Company office will be at 306 South Eye Street.  It will deal primarily with rental properties including apartments. Albert and Hattie's daughter Valerie will marry Wesley Adams.

8/28/28  G. C. Howell and Dr. J. N. Green to lease to Montgomery Ward the two story, 140' x 50", $35,000 building they will erect at Monroe and First Streets.

11/11/28  The new Baker Building at Commerce, Van Buren and A Streets is sold for over $100,000 to realtor D.B. Meadows, his son B.E. Meadows, both of Harlingen, and M.E. Mitchell of La Feria. It is a two story fireproof structure with eight stores on its ground floor and 45 office spaces on the second floor. It has gas heating and Frigidaire air cooling. Its original building permit was for $80,000.  B. E. is to manage it.

11/16/28  By this date Edelsteins has moved from its Commerce Street location to 221 W. Jackson.

By November 1928 the Lower Rio Grande Valley Magazine, a monthly, is up to Vol. 5 No.5.  Selling for 10 cents a copy or $1 a year, its editor is Kenneth W. Calvin, and it is published by E. C. Watson with offices in the Baxter building. Watson will later become business manager for Texas Citriculture Magazine.

This year E.G. Atlee starts a printing business in the Embee Building, formerly the Wittenbach Building, at 119 South A. In 1941 the business is sold to the Quincy A. Main Printing Co. and moved to 527 N. Commerce where in 1960 it was the oldest plant of its type under continuous ownership.

Some other major projects not noted earlier for 1928 are the $20,000 Lockhart Building on N. F Street, the $30,000 Chrysler dealership at Van Buren and F of A.C. Baker of Edinburg, and the East Van Buren $25,000 storage garage of R. E. Hubbard.

The year also sees the commencement (7/29/28) of 24 hour service at the newly opened Gulf filling station at Harrison and 1st Streets. It is the city's first such of that kind.

1/4/29 G.H. Winsor, who at one time ran the San Benito Railway, is named district manager by Missouri Pacific. Two weeks later MP is given approval to take over the seven bus lines in the LRGV including Black Diamond and Blue Border.

1/11/29 KRGV builds a three-room frame studio atop the Baxter Building. When it starts broadcasting from it on 2/22 it has five times (500 watts) the power it had when it commenced at 100 watts on 10/14/27. M.S. (Dick) Niles is president/manager while Judge H.L. Chapman is vp of the “Valley Voice”, 1260 kilocycles.

1929 Harlingen has ten manufacturing establishments.

1929  This year A.A. Kimmell joined with Aldridge Hielscher Hardware Store of Brownsville to form the renamed Aldridge-Kimmell Co. It later was to open additional stores in San Benito and Los Fresnos. The latter was to close in the business downturn of the 1930s. Charles A. "Cut" Washmon was lured away from International Harvester in 1935 to help the business.  By 1937 the name of the stores was changed to Aldridge–Washmon, and this name continued at least through 1985. It was to handle International Harvester equipment from the 1930s.

Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Shaw arrive in Harlingen, where he becomes a realtor. They were married 9/15/10 in South Dakota where they lived for 10 years then nine years elsewhere. They celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at a get-together on 9/25/60. They live here 32 years before he dies in 1961. One of Mr. Shaw's competitors is Penry and Powers Real Estate also opening in 1929.

This year Oscar Newton Guilliland arrives from Sweetwater, OK. He owns a well-drilling business. This Calvary Baptist member dies at age 64 on 1/23/60 leaving his wife Ruth, two sons, Odie of Harlingen and Eddie of Albuquerque, and a daughter in Corpus Christi.

Sam and Clara Feldman are on their way from Victoria to settle in Brownsville when their car breaks down in Harlingen. The fates have them settle here. Both Feldmans are immigrants from Pinsk, Poland. By 1930 Mr. Feldman has established the Harlingen Iron and Metal Company near their home at 313 North 7th Street. It deals primarily with scrap metal. With the end of prohibition in 1933, he and a partner begin wholesale liquor distribution but the partner has to sell out due to contracting tuberculosis. In an effort to dispose of excess inventory Feldman begins retailing some and then goes into it full scale. The oldest son, Harry (b. 1925), starts college only to join the army in WWII during which he is wounded in Europe following the second wave of the Normandy invasion. Upon his return he is graduated from UT. His sibling, Charles (b.1932), is graduated from UT after attending other schools. He too will see service in the military in Europe but in the cold war period. Sam dies of a heart attack in 1953 thereby leaving his business in the hands of his sons. By 1960 Feldman's Valley Wide liquor stores will have nine stores in outlets here, Brownsville, San Benito, McAllen and Donna. Harry in 1965 will be killed in an automobile accident leaving the business for Charles to manage. In September 2001 the chain of stores is sold to Dennis Bowman, a Harlingen contractor, and semi-retired Ken Hayden, who has been involved with computers.

Some time in the 1920s, the two story brick building at 306 W. Jackson, just west of Harlingen Hardware, is built. It will house the Pepsi Cola plant and its manager will live upstairs. In 1945 an army surplus store comes to occupy it.

Mr. and Mrs. H.S. McBride Arrive here in 1928. They will later own McBride's Coffee Shop. Mrs. McBride who was born in Butler, PA will pass away at age 66 on 6/1/48 leaving behind three sons and a daughter. She resided at 1113. E. Harrison.

1/1/29 A $32,000 storage garage on E. Van Buren is being built by the Valley Development Co. for R. E. Hubbard. The contractor is Bythe and Duerson.

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1920 C.P. Bobo got here this year. Of French descent, he was born 7/20/57 in Smithville, AR. He married Ellen Harlow of Smithville on 1/12/88. Their children are Scott and Jesse. This Methodist and Mason became the president of the board of directors and manager of the Cameron County Water Improvement District No.1, having been elected to the board in1922. He will later serve as a City Commissioner 12/31-12/33. He is to purchase the home at 521 E. Harrison formerly owned by Mayor Ross. A Bobo descendent will put it to use in the 1970s as a child care facility.

In this year Louis Gilbert will arrive.  Before dying at age 66 in 1940, he will have a 29-year career including chief mail clerk with the post office service.  This Mason leaves behind his wife Ida, sons R.E. Mike Gilbert who will be manager of the Acadia Theater and later postmaster, and Arthur G. Gilbert plus two daughters, Mrs. Tommy Dunn of Weslaco and Mrs. Dorothy Glick of Harlingen.

Around 1920 R.E. Utley, a physician also arrived in the Valley. He was born in Neevah, Wisconsin 7/29/74 and had been graduated from Loyola University. After serving in the medical corps in WWI he married Bernice Smith of Topeka, KS on 6/13/19. In Harlingen he has a general practice, and also conducts surgery, x-ray diagnoses, and therapy. He is a Mason, Elk, and a Baptist Church member. He served as City Commissioner 12/37-12/39. Their home is 401 E. Harrison.

1920 It was this year that V. H. Tumlinson, a native of Verdi TX, and his wife Ora Lee Jackson of Pleasanton whom he married 7/12/15, moved to Stuart Place. There he served as superintendent of schools before moving on to San Perlita. He later moved to Cameron, TX where he ranched. The Tumlison's son Pat died at Pearl Harbor and the Raymondville VFW Post was named in his honor. When V.H. dies at age 70 in 1960 he leaves behind Dr. William Tumlinson of Harlingen.

Another new family to Harlingen this year is that of Harry D. and Louise Hays Yates with children C. David, Mary Maxine, and Thomas Leon Yates. Likely they came from Indian Creek near Monroe, where son Tom was born. Missouri Mr. Yates will become a long-time employee of the post office retiring in the mid-1950s. Son Thomas is to attend grade school at Immaculate Heart then be graduated from Harlingen High School. At age 18 he joins the WWII war effort and serves in Europe with the 766th Bomb Squadron. Upon his return he receives a double degree in math and science from Southwest Texas Teachers College in San Marcos. He is to marry Gene Cutshall in the church the Yates family helped to found, St. Anthony's Church, 3/24/51.  He was employed as general manager for Easterling Motors both in Brownsville and Harlingen before assuming the position of algebra teacher at HHS.  He served as a teacher for 23 years, retiring in 1989. An avid golfer, he also coached the high school team for several years. Dying at age 81 on 4/10/06, he leaves behind his wife, four daughters and three sons.

Leorah Rapp and her husband arrive here in January of this year. Their Model T soon becomes mired in the deep mud of Main Street in front of Mr. Halliburton's store named "Saw Dust Trail." Her husband will go on to operate several service stations around town.

10/30/20  Albert R.(Tito) Leston is born this date to Albert A. and Luisa R. Leston. He will become a lifelong resident of Harlingen. In WWII he serves as a Marine and sees action on Guadalcanal. Once home he becomes a firefighter and rises to the position of Assistant Fire Chief while serving devotedly for 33 years in the Harlingen Fire Department. He is to die 1/20/08 at age 87 being survived by his wife of 58 years, Aida Galvan Leston, three daughters, and others.

1921 Guy Melvin Snavely, Sr. a businessman here since that date dies at age 78 on 8/5/60. He was a partner with L.E. Snavely in the Snavely Packing Company. He is survived by his wife Charlotte and daughter Mrs. Charlotte Griffen.

It is this year that James Francis Rodger commences his long tenure as Harlingen postmaster. He serves from 1921 to 1934. This St. Anthony's Catholic Church member is one time president of the Chamber of Commerce, helps to organize the Valley Farm Bureau and participates in the development of the Intercoastal Canal. He dies 1/1/61 at age 90. Here he leaves his wife Mary, and sons Raymond J. and James N. Rodgers.

1921 Frank C. Brunneman arrives here this year. He becomes manager of the Corner Feed Store and member of the Board of Education. His father settled in Texas in 1883, and he was born in Flatonia ,TX 1/31/93, educated thru high school and at Texas A&M College. He serves 16 months with the U.S. Army in France during WWI. In 1920-23 he teaches at Harlingen High School. He then becomes Cameron County agricultural agent, a job he fulfills for 23 years. This Methodist Church member married Verda Nelson born in Synder, TX on 11/25/22. By 1929 they have children Robert, Nelson, and Cadwell.

Brunneman's in-laws are early workers in the First Christian Church. R.W. Nelson will join John Myrick and C.E. Bowen in securing a note to pay off a $6,000 debt.

In 1921 also Owen N. Echols came here to farm. On 2/9/61 age 67 he dies leaving his wife Ida and sons Lowell and Clovis.

It is this year that Horace Starnes sells his interest in a cotton gin and moves to Harlingen. Born in 1878 in Bechart, TN he is brought to Texas when age nine by parents who die six months later. Relatives then bring him to Leander in 1891. He quits school and later serves in the army in the Spanish American War. Returning to Leander in 1902 he marries Ella Rachel Bryson. They have a daughter Viola Starnes, who will one day attend UT. In Harlingen he buys 50 acres of farm land on Wilson Road (the current site of Gutierrez Middle School.) He is also to own the grocery store at 112 E .Jackson. In 1929 he becomes manager of the CCWD No.1 and remains so until 1949. He is one of the founders of the Harlingen Country Club, Industrial Bank on A Street, and the Production Credit Union in 1934. After inviting his sister-in-law here she opens the first millenary shop on Jackson Street and is to marry Dan Botts, Sam's twin brother. Horace is to die in 1951 at age 73; Ella in 1982 at age 105; and their daughter Viola in 1983 at age 81. Jay Russell is his grandson.

James Effin Thomason comes here this year and for 40 years is a member of the First Baptist Church. He is to operate a men's furnishing store. When he dies at age 62 on 10/23/61, this resident of 1405 E. Tyler will leave only a sister Margaret Thomason.

It is also 1921 when Alice Covert Jennings arrives here from Shreveport, LA. For many years she is to provide music for St. Anthony Catholic Church. When she dies at age 70 on 8/4/51 she leaves behind sons Ralph and Stuart of Harlingen and five daughters.

A.D. Holmes who has visited the area regularly since 1910 decides to move to Harlingen and sells his Gonzales County farm in 1921. At 514 E. Jackson he erects a house across from the Central Ward School.  It is so admired that he becomes a house contractor for others. He is later to build Harlingen's first apartment complex at 601 E. Jackson. In 1924 he runs for the city commission and receives the highest vote total—34. Holmes is responsible for the beautification of Fair Park by planting a garden and numerous native trees.  He starts the zoo, primarily with area animals, at the park.

1922 Thomas Herkimer arrives. He is one of the first paid Harlingen firemen and then a city employee. He dies 8/5/60 at age 74and is survived by his wife Ruby and son Thomas Jr.

Coming this same year from Louise, TX is Mrs. Nellie Ward of Primera. She teaches music at the Christ Church. Dying at age 77 on 8/17/60, she leaves her husband Delward and two local sons, James Sterling and David L. When the town of Primera is incorporated in April 1955, Delward is elected its first mayor by gleaning 26 of the 32 votes cast. His son D.L. received the other six votes as a write-in candidate. Ward is re-elected without opposition in 1956, 1958, and 1960. He is to die in office on 10/1/60 at age 85.

12/4/22 Born to Charles and Grace Polhemus this date in Holdrege, Nebraska is LaDonna Grace. As a young child she will come to Harlingen where her family will have been said to have established the first ice cream factory in the RGV. Her father Charles S. is president and manager of the Valley Ice Cream Co. which in the 1930s is located at 620-22 E. Polk. She is to marry Billie Joe Livingston. When she dies in Ft. Worth at age 82 on 4/9/05 she leaves her only daughter, Dede Durham, and six descendants.

Mrs. Nora Claudene Young from Paris,TX also arrived this year. Upon her death at age 69 on 6/6/61 this First Methodist member leaves behind her husband W.Y., daughter Norine Loomis, and sons R.O. and E.O.

Charles Matthew Dunkin, born in Kentucky in 1879, moves to Stuart Place from Cushing, KY. He is to be the father of Dial Dunkin, prominent banker, and the husband of Minnie. This First Methodist Church member is dies at 81 on 3/19/60. Dial B. "Bus" Dunkin will become president of the Harlingen National Bank, promote the Texas State Technical Institute, and be president of both the C of C and the Rotary Club. In 1971 he will be one of 20 inducted into the Harlingen Historical Hall of Fame.

Dr. Noah Albert Davidson and his wife Dorris Drury Davidson establish themselves in the community this year. Tragedy is to strike them when their five year old son N.A. (Sonny) born here 4/7/31 is to die after being scalded. They had daughters Barbara Davidson (Boyett) and Lella Joyce "Joy" Davidson (Judin). The latter born 11/24/29 will go on to be Harlingen High School valedictorian and be graduated from Baylor University, later to volunteer in many community activities in the Valley. She is to die 2/5/06 at age 76 leaving five children and her sister. Dr. Davidson is a Rotarian and served on the school board. He is to die in 1947.

12/28/22 Georgiana Dishman, Valley pioneer, dies in Harlingen.

1922 This is the year C.H. Wittenbach arrives with his family in Harlingen. In the early 1900s he had been a grocer in Chamois, MO, but in 1908 had moved his family to Electra, TX near Wichita Falls. He builds a family home at 622 W. Van Buren and then a 20-room apartment house (still standing in 2004) beside it. When his married daughter dies here in 1922, C.H. and his wife take up the care of her five boys. C.H.'s wife Eva (b. 10/12/62) will die on 4/26/40 and be buried in the Harlingen Cemetery. C.H. after remarrying and moving to California had his second wife die there. Sons A.J. and Hugo then brought him back to Harlingen, but he returned to California where he died the mid 1950s.

This same year F.D. Nance moves here from San Benito. Born 11/1/70 in Leon County, he had come to San Benito years before to become a merchant. In Harlingen he became a shoe salesman, but a dry goods store with which he was connected folded in the early 30s. Nance was appointed a justice of the peace on 1/1/33 and remained as such until his death at age 78 on 10/28/58. This Mason and member of the First Methodist Church had married Maude Grayhill in 1907. He left his sons, F.D. Jr. of Beeville and William M. of Taft.

1923 Hill Cocke comes to the Valley. He begins his Valley career first in citrus in the Mission area then he finds employment as a brick salesman for Guenter Weiske's Mission Brick Company in Madero. In 1941 he is to found the Valley Ready Mix Company which is to have the first concrete factory in the Valley. It will grow into Varmicon.

The year also sees Frederick Rietschle from Okemah, OK coming here. He becomes a real estate man. He dies 9/16/61 at age 85.

This year is when Dr. A.C. McLamore, a physician and surgeon, comes to town where he becomes a partner in McLamore and Utley. Born in Montgomery AL on 7/27/77, he was educated in Natchitoches with an MD degree. He married Alice Worsham of Atlanta, LA on 4/16/03. This Baptist is also a Mason. At their 420 E. Harrison home is daughter Mary Lou.

Coming this same year was J.V. Murphy who would first manage the Moorland Hotel, then the new Moore Hotel, later to be renamed the Madison, and also, jointly, the Plaza Hotel when it opened in 1930. He was born in Killeen, TX 9/5/82 and educated at Cumberland University. He had married Lora Landford of Holland, TX on 5/25/16. This gentleman of Irish descent was a Mason, Odd Fellow, Elk, and C of C member. In 1929 they have one son, Joseph.

1923 This is the year Mrs. Iola Passmore arrived here from Center, TX. A member of the Combes Church of Christ, she lives to 80 before dying on 5/30/61.

Jose Anacleto Rodriguez comes to Harlingen this year and takes up the trade of shoemaker. This Immaculate Heart of Mary member retires and lives at 429 Polk before his death at age 63 on 2/5/61.

Another arrival this year is Jesse Hutchinson from Dallas. This longtime VMS employee will die 5/30/60 at age 70, leaving no direct descendents.

P.G. Greenwood, a native of Mineral Bluff, GA b. 7/30/96, arrives to take up the practice of law. He is a graduate of John Tarleton Agricultural College and UT. On 8/28/24 he marries Marion Greenleaf Paul. This Baptist serves as Rotary president and is a member of the International Order of Foresters and the Elks.

John H. Jordan comes to Harlingen in 1923. He is employed for 21 years in the city with Federal Petroleum. He then spends 15 years at the Combes waterworks system before retiring 4/28/87. This First Baptist Church, Combes member dies 4/6/91 leaving his wife, two sons and a daughter.

J.M. and Sarah Ann Longfellow come to the city this year. He becomes involved in investments. A resident of 218 E. Polk, she is to die at age 78 on 4/29/52.

John Patrick Goike comes to town in 1923 from Gainsville,TX. He will be head engineer for the Corpus Christi-based Aransas Compress Co. at its N. Commerce and Fair Park Blvd. facility. His wife Ellen Nora Matilda Henrietta Block Goike with their five children arrives in April 1923. At first they live in a company house near the compress then move to a large pink house on Harrison.

1924 Ella Arthur Purdy comes to Harlingen. Her children Arthur and Mrs. Florence Young grow up here. On 11/2/59 she dies at age 75. She was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and was a graduate of the Chicago School of Music.

Coming this year was Jesus Castro. He was to be a carpenter living here for the next 38 years until his death at age 74. This resident of 221 E. Pierce and member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church left his wife Felicitas V. and daughter Consuelo C. Perez.

Arriving from Oklahoma was Dr. John Cory Watkins, a graduate of the St. Louis Medical School. He is to die at age 85 on 4/30/62 leaving his widow Daisy, sons George L. of Harlingen and E.K. Watkins of Edinburg.

Mrs. Minnie Lee McCreight of Rangerville Road also came this year from Arkansas and practiced her faith at the Rangerville Baptist Church before dying at age 83, 3/3/61.

Thomas Read Williams was farming in the Valley this year then in 1929 began to operate the Rio Grande Pharmacy to use his University of North Carolina pharmacy degree. He was born 10/19/02 in Morristown, TN as is his wife, Jimmie Davis. This first Methodist Church member dies 9/16/60 at age 57. Their son was well-known children's dentist, Dr. Thomas Williams of Harlingen. Their daughter Patricia Williams Speer, born in Harlingen in 1929, followed her father's footsteps as a Harlingen pharmacist for many years. She married John M. Speer, Sr.

In 1924 William Henry Burk, born 2/26/89 in Burnside, KY, arrived to become a pioneer contractor. This First Baptist member is to die 4/22/60. His wife, at age 55, preceded him on 1/15/46 leaving him, a son Cecil and three daughters.

This year also Lillian A. Cole arrives with her husband the Rev. Charles L. Cole, who will soon leave her a widow. This First Methodist Church member will die at age 70 on 2/18/63 leaving three sons including Wayne Cole of Harlingen.

Archibald Frederick Hasselmier arrives in Harlingen in October 1924 from Paris TX. His wife, Alta Lee Walker Stowe Hasselmier, will come the following May with three children from her previous marriage and four from her current one. They build a house at Madison and 13th Streets, later buying two city lots for $50 each and then building a brick house on each. He then rents a 15 acre ranch, raises dairy cattle, and sells the milk to Hygeia. He starts a plumbing business with his son Eddie and stepson, Carl Stowe. He does well and buys more land on West Wilson Road. He is said by descendents to have installed the first indoor plumbing in Harlingen. His shop was on Madison Street. He died in 1954 and his wife in 1974.

12/24 is the month that Charles and Jennie Chilton come from the Missouri Ozarks upon an invitation from the Stuart Land Co. They purchase land and return in 12/24. He raises citrus and vegetables, but they go back to Missouri in 1927. Their grown children remain however. Carl and Mildred teach school in Harlingen in 1927 and daughter Pauline in Mission. Mildred will marry George Potts. Carl, whose first wife dies, will marry McAllen school teacher Eula Kell in 1929. Pauline marries Herbert Chiswell. It is Carl Jr. who will in 1951 associate with Bill Long to form the Harlingen accounting firm of Long, Chilton, Payne and Hardin.

It is the year 1924 that Carlos Z. Gracia, Sr. is born in Brownsville, TX to Ezequiel and Victoria (Veronica?) Zamora Gracia, but his family soon moves to Harlingen. In WWII Carlos is to serve with the 44th Coast Artillery Battalion. He will see action in the Pacific Theater including Iwo Jima. For his service accomplishments he is awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Medal. Returning to civilian life he becomes a member of the Harlingen Police Force and over a 33 year period rises in rank from Patrolman to Sergeant, and retiring as Detective. He then joins the Cameron County Sheriff Dept as a Lt. and later replaces I.J. Galvan upon the latter's death. He then is elected to the Pct. 7 position. A lifelong member of American Legion Post #205 and VFW Post # 2410, he is also the co-founder of Harlingen Crimestoppers. This Queen of Peace Catholic Church member is to die 1/11/05 leaving behind is wife of 37 years, Antioneta Astorino Gracia, four sons and two daughters as well as his former wife Ninfa Cano Salinas.

In 1925 Emery Polk Hornaday II comes to Harlingen. This Valley native was born near Clarksville, TX 12/9/88. He attended UT, North Texas Normal College, and the University of Montpellier France. In the years 1906-1911 he was a school teacher and principal. His WWI service was two years, four months in the army. He married Lucille Caswell 9/1/23. A partner of Hornaday and Mayfield in 1928, he is Cameron County representative in the state legislature as well as president of the Lions Club, American Legion member, and in the Optimist Club. In 1933 he is city attorney. He maintains a law practice until January 1981.  This First Christian Church member is to die 7/12/81 at age 92 leaving his second wife, Eustolia.

Mac Upton Caul, born in Austin 5/27/00, moves his cotton brokerage business from San Benito to Harlingen. He had operated there after moving to the Valley in 1925. He continues this operation until 1935 when he purchases the Finwood Heights Subdivision off 1st street, an area southwest of the present Coakley Junior High School, and develops it along with his brother. After building houses there they sell out to Bob Baker. Mac marries Eustacia (Sunshine) Hill, the youngest child of Lon C. Hill. In the 1960s she is a Harlingen school teacher. She is very active with YWCA matters and the board of the RGV Museum as well as preservation concerns. In 1941 Mr. Caul becomes an oil and gasoline distributor and continues this occupation until his death (3/16/61) by a stroke at age 60. This 32nd Degree Mason is also a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was born in Austin on 5/27/00. They have one daughter Eustacia (Stacie), who in 1961 was a Harlingen school teacher.

7/4/25 Mrs. Ethel Downing, who is named Valley Baptist Hospital superintendent, arrives. Five years ago she was graduated from the Christian Church Hospital in Kansas City.

9/25 Max and Clara Van Hoy come to Harlingen. He will be the brick foreman during the erection of the Baxter Building and also work on the erection of the First Baptist Church in 1927.

1926 Frank E. Davis arrives from Kansas City, MO. He becomes a pioneer in the gift fruit business and is president of Pittman and Davis Shippers. He serves as president of the school board 1929-42, is Rotary president for a spell, and on the Ration Board in WWII. This First Presbyterian member dies 10/14/62 leaving his widow, Katherine, and two sons, Edward (Ned) C. and Richard D. of Harlingen and others elsewhere.

This same year Tom C. Johnson, a barber, arrives from Eldorado, AR. This Louisiana native born 10/17/86 and Calvary Baptist member dies 10/17/62 leaving son Thomas Baker.

Also coming this year is Ira Robertson, who is to die 10/22/62 in a boating accident in Port Mansfield. He had been a building contractor and a member of the Baptist Church and Elks. Outside of his wife Ruby he leaves no relatives here.

Having lived in the Valley from this year Jesse Jerome Lily is to become engineer for the Harlingen water plant. This Church of Christ member dies 12/22/62 at age 57 leaving his widow Anna Mae, and children elsewhere.

Dr. George Whitney Diehl arrives this year to practice medicine and does so until 1958.

From Eldora, Iowa he attended Grinnell College, the U. of Wyoming, and the U. of Iowa.

He was a WWI veteran. Upon his death at age 64 on 1/9/62 this Arroyo Drive resident left his wife Blanch F. and son Dr. George Diehl, a dentist. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a Shriner and an Elk.

1926 Originally from Smithton, MO, it is the railroad which brings Ernest Holbert Haire to Harlingen. Retired at 803 1st Street, he is to die at age 78 on 2/13/61.

DuVal West, Jr. is the son of the distinguished Texas and judge, who has so much history attached to him, and Isabelle C. West. Junior was born in San Antonio 11/12/93. He has a UT degree. He married Ruth Bramlette in 11/19/17. In WWI he rose to the rank of captain in the field artillery, serving 26 months all told, 17 of which were overseas. In Harlingen he is an attorney.

Arriving from Fort Worth via Lubbock is W. Edison Bush, who is to establish the Bush Wholesale Supply Plumbing Co. His family will follow in 1927. His warehouse built about this year on North C Street will be destroyed by the 1933 hurricane. Another one will be built in 1939 at Jackson and J streets. Daughter Mary Annice will enjoy their new 1927 house on the 1200 block of Van Buren.

Pomp Eddie Jones is to come this year. He will enter the laboratory business. When he dies at 82 on 9/21/62 he leaves behind his widow Clara, daughters Mabel Jones and Mrs. Helen Cooper, sons Horace and Maxwell.

Abraham John is here this year. Born 10/4/1880 in Furzal, Lebanon, he came at age 16 to Nebraska. He was involved in real estate and the land business as well as being associated with J.C. Penney and Co. This St. Anthony's Church member was also a Knight of Columbus and an Elk. Dying 2/26/63 at age 82 he leaves two daughters and four sons.

Another Valley arrival this year is Harley W. Swanson born 3/21/23 in Clara City, MN. Swanson will attend HHS then Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos before serving in the Army Air Corps. Returning here this St. John Lutheran (San Benito) member will work many years for the postal service. Dying at age 77 he will leave behind his wife of 49 years Yvonne Thompson Swanson, two daughters and one son.

Having come to San Benito in 1917, William A. and Elizabeth Hoelscher Burger come to Harlingen in 1926. They were married in Westfalia and will celebrate their 50th anniversary 10/18/53. He is a retired barber and their children are F.E. Burger of San Benito, Mrs. A.H. Pulliam, Mrs. L.M. Smith and James Burger, all of Harlingen and a son and daughter elsewhere.

This year also Lawrence J. and Marie Powers come to Harlingen where he will work as a salesman for Bruington and Wilcox, realtors located in the Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel.  Their children are to be Charles R. "Charlie " Powers, Mary Margaret, Pat L., and James Michael "Mike" Powers, the latter who will distinguish himself.  He was born on 6/12/25 in Jerseyville, IL.  Graduating from HHS in 1942 he commenced attending Texas A&M College before serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII.  He then attended UT, Austin before returning to Harlingen to work with his father and brother in Powers Insurance and Real Estate until1957 when he joined the Harlingen State Bank, later to become the Harlingen National Bank. He served with this bank for 43 years, 17 as president. He served the community on the Harlingen Airport Board, Economic Development Commission, Civil Service Commission, C of C, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Rotary Club (for 52 years), and as a life-long member of St. Anthony's Church on its Financial Committee. Dying on 9/6/06 at age 81 he had survived his first wife, Olive "Leigh" and left behind his second wife, Charlotte Prenzier Guild Powers, son Greg M. Powers, his wife and grandchildren together with his brother Pat.

1927 Gerald W. and Verna McKenna arrive this year. He will be involved with insurance and loans at the Valley State Bank and later with the LRGV Historical Society.

Verna Jackson McKenna becomes a library board member in 1928, then is librarian from 1939 until 1971 but is on leave of absence from 1943 to 2/46 while she is librarian at the Harlingen Army Air Field. Born 8/11/90 in Bastrop County, she was graduated from the College of Industrial Arts in Denton in 1911. Early she taught school, had two daughters, and was deeply involved in civil affairs. As a preservationist, historian, writer, and leader she amassed numerous honors for her many achievements and services to the community. She died in Gadsden, AL on 5/24/76.

Also arriving this year is John Edward Boyd. He was born in Dallas on 10/31/84. This St Anthony's Church member was a long time employee of the William Cameron Co., contractors, and retired in 1950. When he dies at age 77 on 1/1/62, he leaves behind one son, Andy Boyd.

Here this year also is John C. Rodgers born in Ringgold, La on 8/31/79. He came here from Gibson, LA and worked at Rollins Service and Machine Shop. This First Methodist and resident of 409 E. Washington is to die at age 83 on 3/6/62. He left behind his wife Georgia, son Harold in Mercedes and son J.C. Rodgers, Jr. in Harlingen and two daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Miley of Harlingen, Billie Bullard of San Benito and others elsewhere.

Charles Howard Lang, who is to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, arrives this year. He is to die here at age 66 on 7/7/59.

1927 Gerhard Henry Raymond comes to Harlingen after being a funeral director in Pearl, TX. He operates a hardware store here from 1927 to 1936, then works for San Antonio Machine and Supply, retiring in 1954. He is a member of Grace Lutheran English Church. At age 77 he dies on 7/29/60 leaving his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Sam Walters and Mrs. James Mayer.

Barney W. Meredith, born 5/12/94 in La Grange, KY, comes here from Louisville in 1927. He had served in the Great War and here became a representative for the Belnap Hardware Co. He passes 5/24/61 at age 67.

Ben T. Ezzell was born 11/12/87 in Fannin County, TX and came here in 1927. Upon his death on 6/18/61 at age 83 this First Christian Church parishioner leaves a daughter, Mrs James (Frances) L. McMilland who is a prominent dance instructor in the community, and a son Ben Q. Ezzell.

In 1927 after coming this year from Flagstaff, AZ, Herbert R. Scurlock, Sr. starts a grocery store in the front room of his Gumwood Street, McAllen home and in 1933 moves the business to the 500 block of N. Main. He will eventually have stores across the Valley including the Coronado Shopping Village in Harlingen. His is one of the first in Texas to originate cash and carry operations for retail food. He passes away at age 69 on 11/15/62.

Mrs. Susie B. Lackland comes in 1927 to live in Harlingen . She leaves her mark on the community as a member of the Harlingen Garden Club, Women's Club, and founder of the Bougainvillea Trail in the Valley. When she dies 2/4/ 61 she leaves no local survivors.

Here since this year is Alberto R. Rodriguez, who will become a plumber by trade, and die at age 61, 9/6/60.

Walter Leonard Lancaster came this year from Osage, Iowa and later worked at the CPL Service Center. This 61 year old First Methodist member dies 7/3/61.

It is in1927 that thirty year old John A. Crockett, his wife Pat, daughter Eleanor, and his son Richard move to Harlingen from Bryan, TX.  This UT and Tulane Medical School graduate becomes the first eye, ear, nose, and throat specialist in the city. He had served in the Great War where he was seriously wounded in the Battle of the Argonne Forest. In Harlingen he studied the effects of sunlight on the body and published papers on this and other subjects. An active Rotarian he was its secretary in 1929, its president in 1930, and District 47 governor in 1931. He also served on the school board for a number of years. Due to his wife's allergies they moved to Austin in 1940.

It is this same year that Bonnye Ruth Whitworth , born 11/17/14,comes to Harlingen with her sisters Dorothy and Betty Jean and her parents Lee and Ruby Whitworth. The latter will work as attendants at the Davis Tourist Camp and reside at 103 E. Tyler. Bonnye is graduated from HHS in 1932 and Mary Hardin Baylor University in 1937. She then embarks on a 40 year career as an American History teacher in the Harlingen Schools and Southmost University in Brownsville. This First Baptist Church member, who is to die on 11/10/05 at age 90, is survived by her sister Betty Jean Thompson and family.

It was in 1928 after her husband's death, that long-lived Mrs. Emily Jordan came to be with her daughter Mrs. Carl Walker. On 11/4/60 she would celebrate her 100th birthday.

Sid Murray is here and is both band director and dealer at Sid's Harmony Shop. He was born in Galveston on12/23/87 and educated in Victoria. He married Lottie Bermack on 2/6/07. Sid is a member of the Elks and Kiwanis and is a volunteer fireman.

It is 1928 when Arthur Purdy comes to Harlingen as a sophomore in high school. He goes on to attend UT and do graduate work at SMU. Entering the postal service in the 1930s, he was appointed assistant Harlingen postmaster in 1945 and was later promoted to post master. He organized the Valley Postal Credit Union and the Harlingen Area Teachers Credit Union. He was president of the Rio Grande Valley Civic Music Association which evolved into the Harlingen Community Concert Association. He was instrumental in the formation of Harlingen Little Theater group and in 1975 the Country Playhouse. He served as president of the Girl Scout Council and the Community Chest (predecessor to United Way), was a Lions and First Presbyterian Church member, and was in the HOSTS program for 17 years. He died at age 86 on 6/12/95 leaving behind a tremendous legacy of community service.

1928 Van B. Alexander arrives here and becomes the owner of the Rio Grande Tile Co., 1928-1957. Born 8/16/82 in Waco, this 70 year old Mason dies 12/29/62 leaving his wife Lila and no offspring.

Coming around 1928, Lloyd H. Thompson is president of the First National Bank by 1929. He was born in Jacksonville, IL on 2/25/80 and educated at Winfield High School. He married Orpha M. Tucker of Lamont, OK on 6/6/06. He is the former president of the C of C and a Methodist Church member as well as a Mason, Shriner, Rotararian, and Elk. Their summer home is Boulder, CO. Residing with them at 201E. Taylor are their children Carrol Lee, Lois Eileen, Phillip A., and Laile H. Mrs.Thompson is active in the Red Cross and Harlingen Study Club.

This year Floyd Smith is managing the Smith Tailor Shop. He is a native of Manny, LA having been born there 12/5/96. Educated in public schools, he married Elaine Hall of St. Augustine County, TX on 4/8/18 after serving in the Motor Transport Corps in WWI. In the Valley now for eight years, he was fire chief in Harlingen for five years. At home are Mr. Smith's mother, Mrs. H.B. Smith, and daughter Margaret Ann. Elaine Smith is active in the Red Cross, Study Club, and the Harlingen Music Club.

New to the city this year is Frank Stacey. Born in Austin on 7/24/97, he is a UT graduate who serves eight months as a second lieutenant in France in WWI. Here this Methodist Church member and Rotarian manages the City Storage Garage, Inc.

It is 1928 that Mrs Helen Porter Pile comes to the city. She is a longtime teacher at Sam Houston. This First Presbyterian who lived at 302 E. Polk is to die 5/14/50.

This same year Lorimer Brown, an attorney, and his wife Beatrice H. Brown come to Harlingen.  She is a Pittsburg, PA native. She is to die 7/10/73 at age 68.  This First Baptist Church member was in the Cameron County Bar Auxiliary, worked with the Red Cross during WWII and was head of the VBH nurses aids in this same period. She left behind her husband and two sons.

J.T. Floore arrives to take up the position of permanent secretary of the Valley Mid-Winter Fair Association.

1929 Tell Brown comes to town where he will reside until his death on 5/12/60. He is a long time employee of the Harlingen Compress Co. He leaves no descendents.

Nola Weaver Morris came this year with her husband Dr. Franklin Morris, who was to die in 1958. She lived to age 73, dying on 1/20/62. Left behind were two children, Rachael Pletcher and Louis G. Morris, both of Harlingen.Of their seven children, left behind here were, Rachel Pletcher, the wife of George Pletcher Jr. and Louie G. Morris.  Louie, married to Gladys L. in about 1935, began his work career with Star Tire Service but soon began with Hygeia Milk Products Co. and rose to saleman. In the mid 40s he was with sales at Boggus Motors then spent most of his work career as a food and produce salesman and distributor. Finally just before retirement in 1968 he became a route supervisor for San Benito's Magee Dairy.

Coming that same year was Harvey E. (Pop) Jones. He owns a café. At age 67 he passes on 10/2/60 leaving a son Dwight here.

The Gallahers, George and Blanch Tudor, also move here this year. He had been graduated from the U. of Iowa in 1925, then went on to medical school in Arkansas while his wife supported them as a dietician in a veteran's hospital. Once here he became a partner with Dr. Noah Davison.  Their offices were on the 10th floor of the Baxter Building. A year later he opened his own practice with an office on the 7th floor, staying there until his death in 1971.  He became a silent partner with Dan Palmer in the Harlingen Motors Dodge and Plymouth Agency at 424 W. Harrison until 1958. This was the old Wroten Motors. He also owned farmland and a drive-in movie complex on South 77 Sunshine Strip.  Their daughter is Julie Gallaher Uhlhorn, wife of Tock Uhlhorn, a Tennesseean and farmer who is to die here 11/20/1980. Julie, born in Harlingen in 1930, will be graduated from HHS at age 16 in 1947 and go on to Northwestern University, graduating in 1951. After her marriage in 12/52 she became very active in community activities. These included being on the board of the Texas State Bank, Girl Scout Council Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, Gladys Porter Zoo, Algodon, Chapter CW of P.E.O., and being a founder of the Harlingen Historical Preservation Society. As a St. Alban's Episcopal Church member from 1960 she served as a Sunday schoolteacher and on many committees. She was to die 10/25/08 at age 78, leaving behind a son, two daughters, and five grandchildren.

Earle Freeman Rumbo comes to the Valley in 1929 to join his brother-in-law Clyde Boothe in selling Reliable Business Safes. He had grown up and gone to school in Ennis, marrying Edna Boothe in 1921. Their son Robert was born in 1924. In 1932 Earle is to start a 45 year career with the Etna Life Insurance Co. A First Methodist Church member he is also a Mason, Shriner, and Rotarian. In 1940 the Rumbos will complete their house at 621 E. Filmore. He is to die 11/28/77 and she at age 84 in 1985.

Cecil Carruth arrives this year. His older brother Paul will follow about four years later. Carruth in 1930 was the bookkeeper for the Grant Lumber Co. in Harlingen and a year later had worked up to manager. By 1937 Carruth's business was general insurance and loans. By 1939 he was into the partnership of Carruth and Johnson Insurance, then with his brother Paul, and still later with Grant Klopenstein as Carruth-Klopenstein, real estate and insurance. Cecil, called Happy by his friends, is somewhat of a genius or, at minimum, his mile-a-minute mind is open to new ideas. He conceives the idea of commencing a frozen juice concentrate plant in Harlingen. This will be in the cold storage plant which he purchased from CPL in 1946 and renamed Harlingen Cold Storage. He went to Florida and learned what would be required, including over $1 million of stainless steel piping. He and partners, including Paul, then convert the large plant at 804 North Commerce in the late 1940s. Misfortune befell them when a severe freeze decimated the Valley's 1949 citrus crop. His Texas Frozen Food Corp., for which he was president and J.E. Barr executive vice president, then sought alternatives in watermelon and pineapple concentrates and even looked into freeze-dried foods. When Paul went on with others to found Tropical Savings and Loan, Cecil sought to utilize the plant by leasing it to shrimp and other packers. Squirt brand soda pop with its grapefruit-citrus flavor was even bottled there for a time. When he died at age 82 10/4/85 the property was willed to the Rio Grande Children's Home in Mission.

1929-38 Arthur Bundy will operate a Harlingen photo studio. He will document graduates, social events, and business portraits among other things. Upon retirement he moved to Indiana but returns in 1945. At his death 1/7/62 he leaves behind his wife Gertrude and daughter Mrs. Charles Holbrook of Harlingen.

In 1926 coming from Clanton, Alabama to Harlingen with his parents was ten or eleven year old Finis E. Easterling. He was born 10/16/15. He later was to own the Buick-Pontiac dealership in Harlingen and numerous other agencies in South Texas.  On the City Commission he served two terms and acted as mayor pro tem.  He dies prematurely of cancer at age 45 on 12/31/60. 

Education    Return to top

1920 The school enrollment at the Central Ward School and the West Ward School (formerly Alamo) is 284 pupils as the school year starts. The children of new arrivals will soon push it to 410. In the 1920s Harlingen segregates its Mexican surnamed school children through the 4-5th grades.

Superintendent of Schools at this time is J. T. Foster.

1921 Luz Ramirez, later to be Mrs. Bennie Leal of San Benito, is the first student of Mexican origin to be graduated from Harlingen High School. In 1922 Alfred Lozano, later to be Doctor Lozano, is the first Hispanic boy to be graduated.

In this year also a business survey indicates that there was already a business school operating here.

1921-22 In this school year 534 students are enrolled. The system has 21 teachers.

6/19/21  A $50,000 bond issue is voted by Stuart Place residents to construct a schoolhouse. Bob and O.E. Stuart donate 10 acres of land for its site.  It is scheduled to be completed by January 1, 1922. Mrs. Hugh Fitzgerald is president of the board and Mrs. R. D. Corn secretary.  The former is one of the few women in the state to hold such a position. B.A. Elwing and Roy Mulhausen, architects of San Benito and Harlingen, have submitted plans for a modern building to serve the 185 scholars presently enrolled in the district. The same architects have designed the $50,000 new Harlingen High School.  The 216' x 145' structure will have two wings each holding eight classrooms and be constructed by W.T.Liston and Son.

12/12/21 The School Board of Trustees appropriates $60,000 for construction of a new senior high school. Its ornate twin-towered building is erected on the west side of the double block extending from 6th to 8th Street and between Polk and Tyler. It costs $45,452.50. Construction begins in the spring of 1922. Four years later on the east side of the two block strip the main building is constructed for use as a junior high school. In the Hurricane of 1933 the first building sustains such serious structural damage that it has to be torn down. A gymnasium-auditorium is then built in the middle of the block. By 1937, the surviving structure called the Travis Junior High School or simply the Travis School operates at this place until 1949 when a new junior high school is constructed on 13th and Madison on land donated by the Minnie Gay family. The former junior high school, now turned into the Travis Elementary School, will be demolished along with the gymnasium when a new Travis Elementary School is build on the site but nearer 6th Street in the late 1970s.

June 1923 Seven boys and 13 girls are the first to be graduated from the Central Ward School after 11 years of instruction. Teacher Frank Brunneman has taught Richard Stout, Kenneth Macy, Raymond Rodgers, Frank Houghton, Margaret Thomason, Lucille Bobo, Roe Davenport, Velda Goldammer, Essie McLeod, Vera Letzerich, Maureen Elmore, Velma Baize, Mayme Anglin, Mary Jennings, and Gladys Word among others.

1923 The Stuart Place School is dedicated. On the stone monument commemorating it are inscribed the names of the school board. They are: O.E. Stuart, president, J.J. Garrett, vice-president, Mrs. Hugh Fitzgerald, Secretary, W.H. Maupin, I.B. Corns, and H.C. West. The school building will become the gathering place for the rural residents of the area and even be used for church activities. A year later with the first graduated class comes the school's first "Hoja de Palma." By 1928 the school will be fully accredited.

3/5/25 On this date it is announced that a bond issue for $100,000 for new school construction will be voted on 4/4. At month end, Supt. Phipps, who has been here four years, is retained. The bond issue passes. Plans are to add an auditorium to the high school (blk. 45), additions to the Mexican School (blk.109), and repair the grade school (blk.50). Total expenditures will range from $60,000 to $65,000. By July a $43,000 contract was let to H. J. Hanson and Son, Brownsville for new junior high school building to be erected next to the senior high school on 6th. The cost of a 900 seat high school auditorium is put at $21,000 with R. E. Ewing its contractor. W.T. Liston received the $10,000 contract to add four classrooms, two on each side of the front of the Mexican School i.e. West Ward School on E Street. This would double its student capacity to accommodate its wholly Hispanic student body. By 1937 a larger facility is built at adjacent 501-2 S. F Street and named the Alamo School. In 1970 or 1971 the school is closed but not demolished until 1975. In the 1987-88 school year Alamo Junior High School is to open at the present site of the Harlingen High School-South campus.

In 1925, newly elected to the school board of trustees are John Sanders and A.E. McLendon taking the places of John James and C.A. Bobo who do not choose to run again. Holdovers are president, B.H. Brindley, A.A. Kimmel, Paul Hill, L.M. Chaudoin, R. B. Nunally, with R. B. Hamilton, secretary. Residing in a large bungalow at 313 E. Monroe, John F. Sander's family includes John Jr., Joe G., and Bennie Ray. Joe G., a band member in 1931-32 along with brother Bennie, will distinguish himself at H.H.S. by being named All-District guard in 1935 and being elected president of the "Hy-Y" Club (1936).

5/10/25 The largest graduating high school class ever consists of 34 students.

9/25 G.W. Moothart, president, of Harlingen Business College, opens the school after obtaining a three year lease for space in the A.J. Wittenbach Building. He has operated a similar school in Brownsville.

1926  This is the year Lucy A. Phillips Gough started teaching in the Harlingen School District and which she would continue to do so for 26 years. Her specialty was 7th and 8th grade language arts. A native of Sealy, Texas from which school she was graduated in 1903, she then attended the Texas Normal School in the first year it was open. She taught eight years elsewhere before coming to Harlingen. This First Baptist Church member was an originator of the Fine Arts Club in Harlingen where she continued to live for 31 years after retirement. She was also a supporter of the Valley Baptist Academy and the library. In the 1980s she moved to Sealy where on 9/6/92 she celebrated her 107th birthday.

9/10/26 With a projected increase of 204 students five new teachers are hired. The new junior high school at Polk and 7th is set to open. It will be used as such until 1949.

10/8/26 At a PTA meeting Supt. Butler of the Stuart Place School notes that the addition of four more credits this school year will bring the total to 17 ½ or 18.

This same year construction begins on two wings and an auditorium for the Wilson School, Primera.

10/26  E.H. and Mabel Briggs and A.W. and M.B. Coleman donate land for the construction of a public school to be known as Briggs-Coleman School for the Dishman School District No. 15 of Cameron County. In the late 1940s it would fall under the Rio Hondo School District.  It operates until 1967 and is abandoned.  The Country Playhouse commences using its auditorium in 1979. In this year Bob Briggs, a descendent of one of the land donors seeks to reclaim the land under its original grant stipulations.

1/11/27 School student enrollment is 1,475 or 325 greater than the previous school year. An aerial photograph of Harlingen taken 9/11/27 show the two wings have been added to the Mexican School.

9/23/27 The Briggs-Coleman School , on what is later to be north FM 507, opens its school year in a new building. Prof. C.O. Slaughter is principal, Miss Jewel Hudson teacher of the elementary grades and Miss Mildred Hudson, the primary grades. In the 1970s after the school has closed the Country Playhouse will use the building to host amateur theatrical productions.

8/24/27 The Valley Business College (School) is in business at 1st and Jackson across from the Rialto. By December the Draughns Practical Business College is operating in the 9th floor of the new Baxter Building.

1928 The Lozano Building's upper floor is remodeled by Dr. Alfredo Lozano to convert it into a Harlingen business college, but this apparently did not occur until 1941.

The city brags that six schools have been completed with a $500,000 investment, and $400,000 of bonds voted for a new high school and two others. School attendance is 2,564.

This same year the South Ward School at 306 W. Lincoln is erected. It is later renamed the James Bowie Elementary School. Its unique colorful cast-concrete frieze by Luiz Lopez Sanchez provides it the nickname, La Escuela de la Vibores (the school of snakes.) The façade blends Mexican and native-American motifs. At this time at 700 E. Austin the North Ward School, later to be called Austin Elementary, is built with designs by the Meriwether and Sauers Company. The combined cost for both is $93, 258.50. Also started this year are portions of the Dishman School. In 1951 a south section will be added to Austin and in 1963 its cafeteria.

After working in numerous areas in Texas, Lillian Weems Baldridge returns to Harlingen and resumes a teaching career here spanning the years1928 through 1953. She will contribute articles to the Brownsville News, Brownsville Herald, and Valley Morning Star, primarily on history subjects.

It is in 1928 that the students and faculty of HHS begin publication of the Cardinal Clarion. It retains this name from 1928 through 1931. On the staff Miss Roma Clift is the sponsor. Bob Tait is editor-in-chief; Sue Vaugn Aycock, assistant editor; Ralph Kell, business manager; Irene Goike, ad manager; Orville Jarrett and Corbet Waters, sports, and Emogene Oler, society.

7/24/28  For the  token amount  of $1 James Henry Dishman sells five acres of land to the HISD trustees in order for a school to be built in Combes. The trustees are O. N. Joyner, Miller Harwood, J. R. Grimes, H. J. Gostzke, A. E. McClendon, William Watterman and Frank Brunneman.  Several weeks earlier the school district boundaries were extended 900 acres to include Combes and a few other areas. R. B. Hamilton, board secretary, indicates the new Combes School will cost $20,000 to construct.

9/11/28  Schools are to open this date with an enrollment of 2,200 expected and this to rise to 2,600 later. Teachers in the system number 70. [This averages to 31.4 students per teacher.]

12/4/28  The Harlingen High School football team wins the Valley Championship with nine victories and no defeats. It didn't allow a single touchdown by a pass or running play all season.

1929 This year Dr. L.L. Wheeler is here along with his wife Verda. He will become principal at Stuart Place where his wife will teach Spanish for 12 years. For a time he is principal at the Sam Houston School. They depart Harlingen in 1941. She passes away in New York in January 1963.

1/2/29 2,100 children are in school as of this mid-school year date. From 1920-21 when the school population was 816, the system gained only 305 to 1924-25 then 238 were added in 1925-26 bringing the 1926-27 start total to 1,475. This grew to 1,697 by January and 1,983 by April. The escalating growth indicates the dynamic development of the city in this period.

1/8/29 Dewitt and Washburn, Dallas are to be the architects for the new $270,000 high school expected to be completed by January 1930.

2/14/29 W.L. Lehman, proprietor of the Valley Business College, dies at age 41. He leaves his wife and three small children.

4/29  Carl S. Chilton is the principal of the Central Ward Grammar School.  Among the teachers are Miss Mattie Pace who teaches first grade and her sister Mrs.Ginney who teaches an elementary grade.

6/17/29  Large ads are carried urging residents to approve a supplemental bond issue of $100,000 in order to finance the $52,000 shortfall for the construction of the new high school but also $20,000 for additions to the West Ward School, the same amount to pay off Comb School notes, and retire other indebtedness. The issue is to carry 278 to 217.

12/30 Bids are advertised for 1/20/28 for two grade schools at approximately $50,000 each. They will feature eight classrooms, a cafeteria, and be fireproof. 2,100 students are expected the next school year.

Religious    Return to top

11/20 Troy E. Wallace, Sr. of San Benito organizes a three-week tent campaign for the Church of Christ. The site is at the corner of 2nd and Jackson where Day's Rexall Drug Store will one day be located. By 2/21 Wallace comes once a month to preach in Harlingen. Later the members will meet in the Christian Church building at 4th and Jackson and then in the Central Ward School. The first elders are J.P. Beck, R.E. Ewing, Jr., J.R. Grimes, and Claud Haugh, and R.E. Ewing. Deacons are W.D. Davis and D.C. Beck. Other families and individuals are: Sparman, Ira T. Baize, Murphy, D.C. Moore, Lee Moore, Holland (?), Bradford (?), Rapp, Bill Bihner, Pillman, Creed, and Steve Williams. Its 8th and Harrison sanctuary will be completed in 1949.

2/21 An official Episcopal Mission is established here. Ten people are its organizers. They are Mr. Thompson, the undertaker, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Tamm, Mrs. Burke, Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson, Mrs. R.R. Ambert, Mrs. Pendleton, Mrs. Winter, and Mrs. Irving Webb. They will meet in various locations including the home of Wimberly McLeod, the Rialto Theater, John T. Thompson's Mortuary, the Presbyterian Church, and the Central Ward School. On 6/17/24 the St. Alban's Episcopal Church is organized. Its first building is constructed at 317 S. 6th at the corner of 6th and Tyler on a lot purchased for $250. L.H. Moore heads the building committee which is to erect, at a cost of $1,500, the wooden sanctuary capable of seating 50 people. It is only in October 1938 that the mission becomes a parish.

1922 The Rev. H. Lueker, who had arrived the year before, of San Benito continues to serve Harlingen Lutherans after Pastor Meyer's departure. It is decided to make both Harlingen and Brownsville a field separate from San Benito. At this time Harlingen's Lutheran group has 48 souls, 31 communicants, and 11 voters. At the end of this year H. Atrops arrives to take charge of the field. He remains until the end of 1924.

1/28/23 The Lutherans, at the home of Ed Miller, take the first step toward an organization. On 4/29/23 the Constitution is signed by H. Engelbrecht, Otto Ingendorf, A.W. Laabs, F. Schmoker, E.W. Hoffman, Henry Hoeldtke, Jake Schmoker, Ed C. Miller, John Post, John Mahres, and Henry C. Meyer.

8/22/24 The First Baptist Combes is organized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Reeves, Sr. under the direction of Brother M.F. Dursy, Associational Missionary. It is to be called Combes Missionary Baptist Church. It has 19 charter members. Its first sanctuary has shutter windows and a dirt floor. In 1929 a more substantial building is erected. On 9/21/51 a new building comes up. Later two wings for education are added. In 1961 the congregation has grown to 450 with John H. Cole, Jr. as pastor.

Original members still attending are Mrs. J.J. Wiles, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Hornsby and Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Woods.

1925 Early in the year a doctrinal disagreement arises among the Lutherans here. Some charter member then left to form another congregation, namely that which would evolve into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

3/25 Traveling missionary, the Rev. Dr. H.W. Emil Listman is ministering to a group of Lutherans here. On 8/23/25 fourteen Lutheran families organize to establish a Lutheran Church of America mission. In the initial group are members of the Hoffman, Matz, W.W. and Clara Altus, Miller, Schmoker, Borchardt, and Laabs families and individuals Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Elizabeth Bothwell and Ernest C. Barth. The property at 318-322 E. Jackson is purchased then later sold to E.O. Matz. In 1926 its mission is in the small, white, wood frame building on the northeast corner of 4th and Jackson. This

is the building which has seen numerous previous uses by the community and various religious denominations. Pastor Nathaniel Sheffer is the congregation's first permanent minister, serving from 1/26 until the summer of 1931. On 6/15/33 a two story parsonage has been built and dedicated to the rear of the sanctuary. Shortly after the church's formation the women of the congregation form a group named the "Evangelical Lutheran Ladies Aid." Mrs. Ed Miller is elected its president; Mrs. John Kretchmer, vp; Mrs Elizabeth Bothwell, secretary; and Mrs. A.W. Labb, treasurer. Other members are Mrs. Clara Altus, Mrs. Ida Voges, Mrs. Anna Matz, Mrs. E. Listman, Mrs. L. Hector, and Mrs. E. Hibbe.

4/25 St. Paul Evangelistic Church (Lutheran Missouri Synod) is organized. The Rev. A.W. Arndt will become its first resident pastor. First services are held in the Central Ward School. After a $4,000 loan from the District Church Extension fund is secured, four 25 foot lots on the corner of Third and Tyler are purchased and a parsonage is soon constructed largely with volunteer labor. Several months later an additional loan of $2,000 is obtained and in September the congregation votes to build a church. It is quickly erected and dedicated 12/6/25. The wooden structure was to be enlarged in the fall of 1931.

4/6/25 Church of Christ members purchase a lot at 3rd and Harrison Streets at a cost of $200 down and payments of $100 a year for three years. They build a stucco structure for $3,000. By 1931 membership has grown to 165. A remodeling takes place in 1938.

11/15/26 The First Christian Church occupies its new and impressive sanctuary at the corner of 3rd and Van Buren. The $135,000 structure was dedicated 9/3 by the Rev. D. Grant Wagner, pastor.

4/26 The Christian Science Church is organized and, in the same year, the Rangerville Church of Christ.

1926 In this year the Jackson Street lots of the First Baptist Church are sold and lots purchased at the northeast corner of Van Buren and 5th Streets. The following year a large brick sanctuary at 501 E. Van Buren is erected by S.G. Stringer and Associates at a cost of $100,000. (An aerial photograph of Harlingen shows the church with its roof still under construction on 9/11/27.) The building is said to have cost $100,000. This comes about under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. W.W. Lee. In this period the congregation numbers around 394. The debts for this building are paid by 1943. It is in 1937 that this edifice is to receive a pipe organ given as a memorial by Dr. and Mrs. N.A. Davidson. The gift is ably used for the next 28 years by the talented and inspirational musician, Foster Tebee.

1926 Mrs. J. M. Mothershead and her attorney husband take up residence in Harlingen. She will organize the Dorcas Friendship class at the First Baptist Church and teach Sunday School there for 23 years before departing for Brownwood in October 1950. Mr Mothershead, who was born 10/21/89 in Mississippi but lived in Texas 66 years, was to die at age 70.

1/27 The Combes Methodist Church gets started.

1927  J. B. Haas, OMI, becomes pastor and first resident priest after Sacred Heart of Mary Mission is granted status as a parish. The church adopts the name Immaculate Heart of Mary.

1928 The Salvation Army Corps opens in Harlingen with a business office in the First National Bank. Cadet Captain L. Monk, who lives at 208 Polk, is its first officer.

1929 mid-year Jose Vallejo, his sons, and brother-in-law, Augustin Martinez, help to rebuild the white frame structure for the parish of the Sacred Heart of Mary Church which changes its name in 1955 to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

 7/7/29  The Rev. Z.E. King appeals to whites to donate towards a $300 goal to pay the note on St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church (colored).

Organizations –Social, Civic, Service    Return to top

4/15/20  American Legion Post 205, Harlingen receives its charter after organizing in 12/19.  Its charter members are J.R. Roberts, Morris Chaudoin, Sam H. Chester, S. Finley Ewing, D. F. Jackson, W.H. Johnson, Otis O. Lasiter, H. L. Oler, L.L. Patee, W.O. Liston, R. E. Rader, Paul Rader, John Shipp, Emmett O. Anglin, and H. B White. This year and the next H.L. Oler was elected Commander and M. Chaudoin, Adjutant. In 1922 S. Finley Ewing was Commander and Barney Chaudoin Adjutant. Under his administration the body of Buddy Olivares was returned from France and given a military funeral here. In 1923 Dr. G. A. McBryde was elected Commander and L.H. Moore Adjutant.  In 1924 Neil S. Madeley, Sr. was elected post Commander.In 1985 it will have 640 members

A Boy Scout troop is organized this year. When it celebrates its fifth anniversary in May 1925, 35 scouts are present. Some will soon attend a ten day camp located 7 miles east of Harlingen on the Arroyo Colorado. Scoutmaster Lynn Kellogg is commended for his work with the boys.

This year Harlingen Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. 1132 receives its charter.

5/1920  The Better Harlingen Club hosts the Valley Federation of Women's Clubs. This latter organization was started by an idea conceived by Alba Heywood of San Benito.  In January 1914 he called a meeting of women's civic groups and others at his home to discuss civic beautification programs.  Inclement weather restricted attendance, but the following month a group met in the Harlingen High School and organized the Rio Grande Valley Federation of Civic Clubs whose object was "Beautification of the Valley." Harlingen had no members in this initial group.  In 1915 the name was changed to the Valley Federation of Women's Clubs.  In 1922 this organization's emphasis was on better roads with the effort led by Mrs. J.C. Myrick.

10/13/20 The Order of Eastern Star Chapter 641 is organized in Harlingen with 20 members. Mrs. Lizzie Lee Sanders is Worthy Matron and J. M. Payne is Worthy Patron.

1/13/21 The Harlingen Study Club, a literary organization is established. Mrs. J.C. Myrick is president. Other officers are Madams H.E. Sumners and S.P. Nicholson, vice-presidents; Mrs. I.C. Webb, recording secretary; Mrs. Morris Chaudoin, corresponding secretary; Mrs. H.D. Seago, treasurer; and Mrs. A.L. Brooks, parliamentarian. At a meeting at the First Baptist Church the club commences a library project upon the suggestion of Mrs. F.L. (Ina) Crown. Initially this is a single bookcase, containing eleven donated books, in the American Legion quarters. Later this is moved to the Commerce Street office of Fulton Jones, then the offerings are expanded in a downtown space rented for $6/month. Over time the library moves from Loeb's Feed Store to the small City Hall on Commerce to the newer combined City Hall and fire station at 2nd and Van Buren Streets. The Club continues to operate the library until 1925 when it presents the library to the city. In 1927 the library is in one room in the Woman's Building in Bowie Park on Monroe. In 1941 an east wing room is added to triple the space. The club's 1922-24 president is Mrs. H. E. Sumners and for 1924-25 Mrs. A. Goldammer.On 5/25/78 after 57 years of existence the Study Club of Harlingen disbands. In addition to volunteering help to the library it commenced a student loan fund in 1932 and supported the Well Baby Clinic. In the early 30s the Club sponsored a literature contest for aspiring writers. In 1926 Mrs. J.C. Myrick and Mrs. A. Goldammer wrote what the Club meant to the community: "The unique contribution of the Club to the city of Harlingen has been the generation of ideas, and the nurture of those ideas until enterprises were accomplished. It is impossible to consider any community project without thinking immediately of some member of the Club connected with it."

5/25/21 The Chamber of Commerce is chartered.  Its officers are A.L. Brooks, president, Charles P. Perry, 1st vice-president, Charles S. Wood, 2nd vice-president, and J.B. Challes, secretary-treasurer. It will publish an attractive 28-page booklet titled "Harlingen the Gateway to the Magic Valley of the Lower Rio Grande."  In it are numerous photographs taken by Harlingen photographer Pelkey.

1922 The Volunteer Fire Department reorganizes with 16 members. Bert Gamble becomes its first fire chief and O.N. Joyner is assistant fire chief and fire marshal.

Harlingen's first service club for men, the Rotary Club, is organized. Ironically in 1925, while on vacation, Chief Gamble's house will turn down due to a fire of unknown origin.

2/23/23 The Harlingen Rotary Club is chartered. By 1985 it has 178 members and the North Harlingen Rotary Club has 100.

1923 The Rio Grande Valley Shrine Club of 32nd degree Masons is organized. This same year the Valley's first Kiwanis club organizes in Harlingen and in1985 it will have 44 members.

4/1/25 The Music Lovers Club is organized and federated as part of the Texas Federation of Music Clubs. In 1960 it will still have 37 members and 25 associate members. Honorary life members are its first president, Mrs. S.R. Jennings, Mrs. B.f. Johnson, Mrs. F.L. Crown, and Miss F. Flora Todd. Two other charter members are Mrs. J. B. Challes nd Mrs. Carl Wood.

Tyre Brown is elected to head the Kiwanis Club for 1925. He succeeds H.W. Patterson, president the last two years. Ray Murray is secretary. It meets weekly in the Presbyterian Church annex.

After a contest the Chamber of Commerce selects "Harlingen Wants You!" as city's new slogan.

In this first year after Miriam "Ma" Ferguson is elected governor and it loses political clout, the KKK regularly advertises in the Harlingen paper. The small classified ads read: Ku Klux Klan: Regular meetings of Kameron Kounty Klan every Friday night at 8 o'clock on Klan's grounds at A.P.A sign near arroyo bridge between Harlingen and San Benito. Visiting Klansmen cordially invited. SECRETARY, Box 749, San Benito.

3/27/25 A Boy Scout Clubhouse of 20' x 26' is built after volunteer contributions of $400 are made. Carpenter Union No. 3190, under M.R. Hayes, donates the work to erect it.

5/1/25 An extensive Music Week program organized by Mrs. Solon R. Jennings for the State Federation of Music Clubs is offered.

6/5/25 State historian and president of the History and Landmark Association, Miss Adiria de Zavala of San Antonio, is here at the invitation of Mrs. John Myrick and Mrs. T. C. Webb to help to form a county historical society.

8/24/26 H.L. Starnes becomes president of the Retail Merchants Association after A.J. Rabel resigns. The association has had its office in the Seale Sanitary Grocery Store at 122 W. Jackson.

On 9/14 this group, with Mrs. Mary Moses as secretary, opens its office in the new Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel as does George Toolan, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce.

Volunteer Fire Department sponsors this year are: Mrs. Floyd Smith, Mrs. B.P. Gamble, the Misses Brindley, Dorothy Burchard, and Mamie Anglin. John B. Challes is secretary.

2/11/27 The Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America is organized. Dr. R.E. Utley is chairman of the local Boy Scout District committee.

3/18/27 Solicitations are being made to obtain 100 members at $300 each to form the nucleus for a new country club.

8/15/27 The Lions Club of Harlingen organizes with a charter from the Mission Lions Club. This service organization was founded nationally in 1917. Its motto is "We Save." In 1985 it has 70 members. By its 75th anniversary in 2002 the Harlingen club will have 45 men and women members including Mayor Connie de la Garza and life members Ed Marcum and R.W. Liston.

In the Briggs-Coleman area Kate Adele Hill is holding demonstration meeting in various homes. Ms. Hill of San Angelo took the job of county agent in June 1925, succeeding Mrs. Jewel Smith. Some residents of the area are Mrs. H.G. Blunk, Mrs. A.W. Dixon, Frank Smith, Otto Ingendorff, and Albert Hattie.

It is 1927 that the Boy Scout camp to be named Camp Perry becomes a reality. Land is obtained along the west bank of the Arroyo Colorado west of Rio Hondo. Harlingen realtor Charles Perry donates some land for the camp, which will eventually encompass 260 acres. He takes an active role in building the stone chimney adjacent to the main hall. Perry is married to Velma Simmons and their daughter is to be Vonnie Mae Perry Westbrook of 802 N. 1st Street. In 2002 the camp will celebrate its diamond jubilee anniversary. It continues to serve scouts from across the Valley.

9/27 The Palmetal Home Demonstration Club is organized with Mrs. C.O. Moore as president and Mrs. O.C. Vinson as secretary.

1928 The attractive $10,000 Woman's Building, erected in the southwest corner of Bowie Park, is occupied. The first movement in this direction had been made on 4/23/26 when Madams J.T. Foster, C.A. Macy, and N.H. Liddell appeared before the city council to request the removal of the present city hall to Bowie Park for use of ladies clubs.

7/14/28  For ten days 300 scouts from across the Valley enjoy the 2nd Annual Encampment held at Camp Perry. On 8/26 Camp Perry is officially dedicated in an elaborate ceremony.

 

Miscellaneous    Return to top

1/16/20 In competition with Brownsville for the site for the erection of a Baptist hospital, Harlingen pledges $75,000 according to a Brownsville Herald article on this date. This would allow the building of a $150,000 facility or twice the cost of the originally planned one.

Robert Hamilton, Sr., who had lived in Little Deer Creek in Falls County, TX before moving to Harlingen in 1917, and Jack Earnest Stack were among leaders who saw a need for a hospital here. Hamilton worked as a bookkeeper in the Texas State Bank of Harlingen 1917-20 before opening an insurance office selling Home Insurance. He and others approached Lon C. Hill and the Harlingen Townsite and Improvement Company, and Hill pledged $15,000 toward the building. Short of cash, the company conveyed four lots just south of where the hospital would eventually be built. Two stipulations were that: the hospital would cost more than $50,000 and be built in three years (3/2/23). Incorporators were Dr. N.A. Davidson, G.S. Stringer, and Judge Fred Bennett of Mercedes. When the Baptist Sanitarium of Harlingen was not built within this time frame, the lots were reconveyed on 9/27/24 to the Cameron County Realty Co. based in Dallas. In return the hospital pursuers received lots on F Street without conditions.

The white stucco building is built in the 600 block of F Street by W.T. Liston and Sons to designs by local architects Elwing and Mulhausen. Birger A. Elwing was born in Linkojsing, Sweden on 6/13/67 and educated at Chalmera University in Gothenburg. He married Sigus Hedstrom on 12/16/89 and settled in the Valley in 1919. The 35 bed facility opens 1/22/25 and fully in May 1925. Its charter members are S.C. Tucker, Brownsville; Frank Robertson and Dr. Clarence M. Cash, San Benito; J.T. Foster, S.G. Stringer, C.S. Wroten, and Dr. N.A. Davidson of Harlingen; Dr. R.E. Utley and Fred E. Bennett of Mercedes; E.C. Couch of Weslaco; Dr. L.M. Davis of Donna; and G.T. Balch of McAllen. The capacity of the steel-framed structure is increased in 1943, and again in 1946, so that by 1956 it is equipped to care for 135 people. The facility closed in 1957 with the erection of a new hospital complex near S. Ed Carey Drive. Dr. David Nickell, who came to work in the F Street hospital in 1947, is the last of the F Street doctors to retire when he does so at age 73 on 10/29/84.

1920-26 Chaperoned dances take place in Lozano Hall to the music of a record player.

Not only is prohibition enforced but so are the "blue laws" wherein retail firms are suppose to be closed on Sundays.

9/13/20 The Harlingen to San Benito road is badly flooded. This necessitates a 15 mile detour via Rio Hondo and the ferry across the Arroyo Colorado.

8/27/21 Ku Klux Klansman, 104 strong, march down Main Street after citizens celebrate electric street lighting inauguration with a block party. Masked and in full regalia they carry sign warning bootleggers to go and promoting "White Supremacy." On 8/31 John Myrick, J.F. Seago, and T. Kingston lead an ad hoc meeting of 150 individuals in Lozano Hall. In two resolutions the body condemns the KKK as well as vice, and, importantly, supports the constituted form of government in enforcing the laws.

June 1922 (late) Excessive flows in the Rio Grande and overflows into the Arroyo Colorado and along the line endanger train service. It is only on 7/2 after 11 days that the first train arrives in Brownsville.

1923 The first locally owned plane is brought to town. Leman Nelson and Clay Rader have purchased a WWI bi-plane, still in its crate, for $600. Later Leman Nelson and Bill Williams open a flying school. Two students plan to hi-jack the plane to Central America. With Nelson in the front cockpit, the student shots him while airborne, intending to dump the body in the Gulf, land, and pick up his accomplice. Instead the novice crashes between Harlingen and San Benito. As rescuers move to the plane he commits suicide.

6/3/23 The Harlingen Municipal Band is organized. Seventeen members in sharp white uniforms and caps are under the direction of H.H. Schanders. They give weekly concerts at what will be the site of the Reese-Wil-Mond hotel. As early as 1919 black-uniformed bandsmen from somewhere are summoned to greet the trainload of home seekers disembarking in Harlingen.

12/23  By the time of this year's fair its organizers are offering a Tourist Park site with free water and lights.

1923-26 A small ten room, u-shaped hospital painted white is the first to serve the community. It is situated on the east side of F Street between Harrison and Jackson and faces west. Owned by Mrs. Ida Gilbert, it is staffed by two nurses from Chicago. The first is Miss Mary (Maria)Yeager. She had arrived here to look at property she had purchased. She found it undeveloped and, while staying at Mrs. Gilbert's rooming house on E. Van Buren, suggested to Mrs. Gilbert that she invest in a hospital to serve the community. Mrs. Gilbert and her husband Louis bought the lot on F Street on 3/26/23 from W.W. and Rose Alaniz. She then purchased two identical army barracks located south of the Arroyo near Rangerville and joined the two with another building. Miss Julia Bassart, a dietician, joined her friend and was responsible for hospital housekeeping while Mary handled the floor duties. The seven patient rooms charge $5 a day. The hospital is staffed by doctors, N.A. Davidson, Casper and Alfred M. Letzerich. One incident involving the hospital is when law officer Johnson and Atiliano Sanchez shot one another in a confrontation. After being brought to the hospital and placed in opposite wings, Johnson survives his wounds, but Sanchez is to die 6/2/23. The women's hospital is made obsolete once the new Valley Baptist Hospital up the street comes into full use in 1925. In 1973 land owner Louis Levine donates the "little hospital" structure and, through the efforts of Betty Murray, the RGV Museum board agrees to accept it at the museum site. Mrs. Gilbert is well known in the community for she operates the popular Gilbert House on E. Van Buren.  In addition to providing rooms it will become famous as an eatery when it commences serving the city during the Hurricane of 1933. The Gilberts first came to McAllen from Missouri due to her asthma then built the stucco hotel in 1920.  The hotel was sold to Mrs. Bell Thaye in 1943, and she in turn sold it to the city in the 1950s to become a parking lot for city hall. The building itself was moved to Airbase Road.

1925 Stuart Place is being promoted by the Stuart Place Demonstration Club. It is joined the next year by the Clio Demonstration Club and in 1928 by the South O' Harlingen Demonstration Club.

Valley-wide individuals organize to build the Arroyo Country Club on 222 acres which is to be ¼ mile south of the city limits and adjacent to the arroyo. The planned picturesque clubhouse and course is never built by this particular group.

The weekly Harlingen newspaper frequently advertises visiting entertainment. In January the Grandi Bros. Stock company offers a play "Just Plain Folks" with vaudeville performances between the acts. One of these is the Calkins sisters. The show takes place in a big tent near the corner of Hill and Monroe just west of the Verser House.

In the classified ad section of the paper, a weekly-run ad

3/30/25 Now in the era of Prohibition, Cameron County Sheriff Sam Robertson runs a "Note to Parent" in the paper. It reads: I respectfully suggest that you check up on the movements of your young sons and daughters at night.

There is quite a group of young folks who are from good families, who have been in the habit of holding wild "Parrandas" or (Tequila Parties) in the brush not far from Harlingen My deputies have orders to bring these young people to JAIL if these parties are repeated after this notice is published.

9/30/25 The School of Nursing is established this year at the Valley Baptist Hospital. For its first full year of operation ending this date the hospital and S.G. Strugh , president of VBH (trustees) reports that 564 patients were treated. The breakdown has 285 surgical patients, 165 medical, 35 obstetrics, 35 infants, and 70 accidents.

6/8-11/26 Harlingen hosts the 50th Convention of the State Firemen and Fire Marshals' Association. Firemen and their family members number 4,000. Meetings are conducted in the High School auditorium.

1/4/27 The Rio Grande Valley Historical and Landmark Society, Miss Paul Hill, secretary, holds its quarterly meeting at the Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel.

8/16/27 In a letter, later to be oft quoted, Lon C. Hill relates to Harlingen postmaster J.F. Rodgers how he named Harlingen. It is contains inaccuracies and is misleading. [For clarification of this subject see "From Where the Name of Harlingen, Texas Likely Derives" link on the Harlingen History page.]

12/6/27 The Rio Grande Valley Civic Grand Opera Association gives several performances in Harlingen of Verdi's Aida.

12/23/27 Babe White, a professional daredevil who has climbed the 63 story Woolworth building in New York City, scales the nine story Baxter Building and performs other stunts.

7/3/28  Three postal worker associations hold a three-day convention in Harlingen. The workers number 800, but with wives and others totals are expected to be 1,600-2,000.

7/13/28  Myron F. Wood , secretary-manager of the Chamber of Commerce, announces a beautification plan to make the city more visually attractive.

7/27/28  The Harlingen Firemen's Band continues giving its summer weekly concerts. Joe Lyday is its director.

8/10/28  Jack Pickens, manager of the Arcadia and Rialto movies theaters, announces that Harlingen will have the first "talking picture" operation in the Valley when Vitaphone-Movietone and Baby Vitaphone make the installation. On 12/15 the first talkie "The Singing Fool" with Al Jolson is shown at the Arcadia and this is followed by "The Terror".

10/9/28  A wild lynx is captured alive in the Rangerville area and put on display at the Harlingen Zoo. This compensates somewhat for the loss of the zoo's lioness Queenie who died 7/30 despite the efforts of veterinarian Dr. Traylor.

10/23/28  On his 50th anniversary year as a conductor, Lt. Commander John Phillip Souza, the famous composer and band director, comes to the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium with his 80 musician band to play a matinee and an evening concert. The School district awards 1000 tickets to deserving students. Souza evaluates a student band performance and individual solos.

11/15/28  The Watter's one-story frame house burns down. The family had pioneered a variety store in the city.  D.W. Watters had built a two-story residence in the adjacent lot.

11/16/28  Victor Herbert's Naughty Marietta is performed at the Municipal Auditorium which seats 3,200. 

12/17/28  The hit musical Broadway "Rio Rita" is performed with a cast of 96 including a beauty chorus of 50.  The NY Times labeled it "The Queen of All Musical Comedies."  A performance of the Freiburg-im-Breslau Passion Play takes place in it in 1929. Other prominent attractions utilizing the theater in its early years are the production of George White's Scandals, singers Lily Pons and Madame Schuman-Heink, and lectures by Eleanor Roosevelt and arctic explorer Richard Byrd. Soon the Little Theater of the Last Frontier of the Magic Valley is organized by Harlingen members.

12/15/28  The Hill homestead at Fair Park is to be torn down to make room for new fair structures. After consideration it is later moved across the road.

1929 (spring) An aerial photo of the city shows Bowie Park having but two buildings—the Womens Club and a small frame building in the northwest corner. The Central Ward School also occupies the whole city block with its playing fields to the north.

1929 Early in this year two magazines are published in Harlingen. They are the Valley Baptist Messenger and Texas Citiculture. E.C. Watson is associated with the latter.

1/1/29 As a guide to aviators the name Harlingen is painted in 8 foot letters atop the roof of Ice Plant No. 1. A sign on the west side of town is to be erected to welcome visitors. The 75' by 140' structure opens 4/20 at 110 E. Van Buren under the name Hubbard Storage and Service Station.

1/29/29 Flag pole sitting is all the rage across the country. One exhibitionist sits for four days atop a pole on the roof of the Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel.

1/29/29  In a celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the coming of the railroad and, in what is possibly the first Valley-wide Bathing Beauty Contest, Harlingen has a winner, Miss Lila Selina Baker, who will later be Mrs. Alva McCoy Jones.  She was sponsored by the Rotary Club. On July 4, 1925 Lila had a first place silver cup in a Bathing Beauty Review in San Benito. This beauty had also been the queen of the first Valley Mid-Winter Fair.
    Mr. Jones was to become president of the Rainbo Baking Co. and the father of musically-talented Lila Lynn Jones Murphy.

1920s (late) A polo ground will exist in the area now bordered by F, D, and Cleveland Streets.

4/11/29  Southwestern Bell transfers the remaining six ownerships, including the Harlingen exchange, there being 15 in all across the Valley to the Rio Grande Valley Telephone Company.

4/15/29 Famed opera singer Madame Ernestine Schuman-Heink is here to perform on her farewell tour.

5/10-13/29  The Passion Play with a cast of 400, including a massed choir of 100,  is presented here.

5/21 29  W. C. Brumley, Edinburg department store owner, commences remodeling W. E. Johnson's  City Storage Garage between 1st and 2nd Street, E. Jackson, in order to open his new store by July.

6/6/29 The Rialto Theater reopens after extensive remodeling, inside and out.  It now seats 800 and has new carpeting and drapes plus a new organ to be played by Majorie Short.

6/28/29  C. E. Stone, a Dallas based chain clothing/dry goods store with 50 units in Texas, opens in the updated former S. Lozano location. The latter has moved his store to Raymondville.

6/29  The Harlingen Star on its editorial page daily promotes the following for the city and area:

    A Modern, Fully Equipped Airport
    A Deep Water Port for Harlingen
    A Paved Road from Harlingen North to Corpus Christi and San Antonio
    Beautification of "Main Street" Throughout the Valley
    Completion of the Rangerville Pumping Plant Road.  

7/4/29  G.E. McLelland and L.E. Davanay open a new flour and feed service at 504 N. Commerce.

7/21/29  S.A. Clevenger of Sebastian conceives the idea to erect a Hall of Fame Building, with all states represented, across from the Municipal Auditorium at Fair Park.  Harlingen architect Stanley W. Bliss illustrates it with several beautiful drawings. It never comes to pass.

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Decade 1930 to 1939

Developments    Return to top

1930 The U.S. Census has Harlingen population at 12,124. At this point Harlingen begins to surpass its San Benito neighbor in population and economic indicators. Whereas San Benito had a 1920 population of 5,070 in 1910, it has only doubled to 10, 753 by 1930. Harlingen meanwhile has leaped almost seven times from its 1920 total of 1,784.

Adams Garden tract of 12,124 acres to the west of Stuart Place commences development with brush clearing. Its initial citrus plantings and land sales are by Charles F.

C. Ladd and are subsequently taken over by Sid Berly.

6/30 Key statistics put telephone connections at 1,550, light connections at 2,330, water connections at 1,615. Postal receipts total $51,410. Assessed valuation is $9,436,051.

1931  In this year the Harlingen Ladds debut minor league play in Harlingen as part of the Rio Grande Valley League.  Charles F. C. Ladd was then publicizing his development of the Adams Gardens area. By 1938 it was the Harlingen Hubs who were playing in the Texas Valley League.

1932  This is a difficult time economically for the city as well as the country. To promote growth here the Harlingen Community League is formed "For the Advancement and Continued Progress of Harlingen and the Valley." The list of individuals on its letterhead speak for their prominence. W.L. Trammel is president; Charles F.C. Ladd, vp; Joe Penry, treasurer; John T. Floore, secretary-manager; Ray V. Gillispie, traffic manager; Bishop Clements, publicity director; and on the directorate are O.P. Storm, capitalist; J.J. Burk, Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel; J.V. Pernoud, Gulf Refinery Co.; Claude Fullick, Great National Life Insurance Co.; Ned Sondock, Delta Office Supply; D.B. Traxler, real estate; W.P. Briscoe, Straus-Frank Co.; Clayton Pritchard, real estate; Henry Converse, Crane & Co.; and P.W. Baker, South Texas Lumber.

9/20/33 The Texas State Senate approves funding for the coastal route highway (HWY 96) to come south through Kenedy County.

1936 The city with 1,560 telephone connections has largest percent per capita of phones in the Valley. It also leads with greatest percent of electric light users at 1,795 meters.

2/15/37 Now (put into modern terms) the telephone directory proclaims Harlingen's population to be 10,714 with the adjacent outlying area having 5,500 more. The breakdown is 6,705 Anglos, 3,775 Latins (of whom 75% are said to speak English) and 234 Blacks.

1938 Utility connections are as follows:

electric 2,760 gas 1,696 telephone 1,921 water 1,938.

As early as this year, air-minded city officials launch a program designed to stimulate interest in making Harlingen a commercial airport center. The European events of 9/40 awaken popular enthusiasm for defense of the U.S. Mayor Hugh Ramsey makes a definitive proposal to the War Department. City officials, along with Senators Tom Connally and Morris Sheppard, point to a number of factors which make Harlingen attractive for military training. This sets the stage for the start of a military air field here in late 1941.

1/29/38 The Harlingen Addition Company is incorporated.

3/6/38 A dredge in the Arroyo Colorado is progressing toward what will be the Port of Harlingen.

1/12/39 The telephone directory advertises Harlingen's population at 12,302. It breaks it down ethnically in the terms of the time as 7,359 Americans, 4,683 Latin-American (75% who speak English), and 260 Negroes. The greater Harlingen area population is said to be 18,300.

Agricultural/Ranching    Return to top

1930s (early)  In this period Scott V. Stambaugh operates a papaya orchard in the Adams Gardens area. Although it survives three mild freezes in one stretch it doesn't succeed in the long run.

12/30 There is a record attendance at Harlingen's Valley Mid-Winter Fair. Part of the attraction is a presentation by a professional rodeo outfit.

In 1930 David W. Day, whose wife Lillian is a school teacher, is manager of Farm and Orchard Equipment, Inc. He is also treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce this year. By 1937 they have left the Harlingen scene.

1931 Jack Funk's father had come here in 1923 and bought 40 acres of at Stuart Place on

Palm Drive. It required clearing and was then used to raise vegetables. Three years after his 1931 arrival Jack graduated Stuart Place High School along with his future wife Loyce. He worked for the Producers Gin Co. on Commerce Street in 1937, enlisted in the navy, and after the war commenced farming east of Lyford before investing in the Sebastian Cotton Gin Co. His two sons Jerry and Tommy became successful cotton and sugarcane farmers and ginners. Tommy was recognized across the country as president for some years of the National Cotton Council.

5/31 A.D. McMinn advertises himself as a Pioneer Buyer and Shipper. While he is headquartered in Harlingen he has loading facilities at Stuart Place, Rio Hondo, Santa Rosa, La Feria, Edcouch, and Donna. His specialty is Green Wrap Tomatoes.

1933-40 The Primera area suffers from the Great Depression and low farm prices. Businesses are reduced to one and the population drops to an estimated ten. With greater food demand upon the commencement of WWII, the population recovers to 100 in the early 1940s and in 1947 is seventy-five. Three packing sheds operate, sometimes using school children for help in the labor-short war period.

9/2/33  Sixty citrus shippers agree not to sell culls, namely fruit not meeting U.S. No. 2 inspection requirements.

9/5/33  Hurricane No. 11, 1933 comes ashore north of Brownsville.  It subsequently drops or damages 90% of the citrus crop in the Valley. Little is salvageable. A less severe hurricane here a month earlier had negatively impacted the cotton crop which was enjoying a 9 cent a pound return versus 5 cents for last season. While 55,000 bales were eventually harvested, growers estimated that they had lost 20,000 bales due to rainy weather late in the growing season.

1934  This year the Snider Packing Co. is established.  By 1936 it is handling 3,000 acres of peas, beans, broccoli, spinach, beets, carrots, and grapefruit.

8/31 Marion T. Gregory, his wife Ophelia and family arrive in Edcouch but found work as a welder in Harlingen to where they would move in 1934. He was eight years older than his wife who was born 10/14/1904 in Amity, AK.  In a few years he would buy out the owners and form M.T. Gregory and Company, a firm that manufactured trailers and farm equipment. He would die in 1972 and she at age 102 on 12/7/06.  Her identical twin sister Ouida Mitcham also lived to be over 100.

1935 The Stuart Place Citrus Association shed burns down with a loss of $22,330 for the property and $23,134 for its contents.

This year  J.R. Fitzgerald, who has been in the produce business in the area since at least 1930, establishes Tri-Pak Machinery Service on N. Commerce Street.  It manufactures equipment for agricultural product packing, lidding, and waxing among other things.

5/36  The CCWID No.1 has as its directors F. H. Green, president; J.S. Blackney vice president; H.L. Starnes secretary and manager; with J.W. Wade and W.P. Bush directors.

9/6/36 Sam Robertson appears before the Cameron Country commissioners to appeal for the lowering of farm land valuations in an effort to alleviate financial difficulties for depressed farmers.

The Aransas Compress Company in town has processed 42,000 bales to-date and has 2,600 more to go. The Valley total of 69,000 bales is the highest in some years.

9/10/36 A tropical storm forms in the Bay of Campeche, makes landfall at Brownsville on 9/13, then moves up the Valley all the way to Del Rio. Coupled with an exceptionally wet August, the cotton harvest is negatively impacted.

11/37 When the 16th Valley Mid-Winter Fair is held in Harlingen late in the month, Fair officials are Stanley B. Crockett, president, Bob Adams, Jack King, A.L. Benoist, and D.E. Ewing, vice presidents, Hugh Ramsey, W.P. Briscoe, H.A. Swafford, S.D. Grant, R.L. Hill, directors and Sidney Kring, secretary-treasurer. Prize money totals $3,500 while admissions remain 25 and 15 cents.

By this year the city is down to four cotton gins with two more at Rangerville and one in Combes, however two major cotton oil mills are established.

This year's citrus census shows that the Harlingen area has 331,680 grapefruit trees, 119,554 orange, 1,680 tangerine, 1,723 lemon, 510 lime, and 6,031 other citrus for a total of 461, 178. Pink grapefruit resulting from "sports" of Marsh Seedless and Duncan trees are coming to the forefront. The Harlingen growers have 23,497 trees of this type.

12/37 In a Monty's advertisement Adams Gardens announces that it has just put 7,000 acres on the market.

1939 Parke T. Moore, a native of Cherokee, OK, comes to the area. He will become involved in governmental agencies such as the Agricultural Adjustment Administration, and Federal Land Bank. In 1946 he will be a founder of the Valley Co-op Oil Mill in Harlingen just prior to its construction and in 1948 become its president and general manager until his retirement in 1978. This Rotarian and First Presbyterian member will die 9/28/86 leaving his wife Mabel and two sons, Parke T. Moore, Jr. and Richard, both of San Benito.

This year the Harlingen Canal's old wooden flume across the Arroyo Colorado is replaced by a giant, buried inverted siphon.

 

Government/Politics –City, County, State, National    Return to top

1/30 The assessed value in the city is $8,456,000. The tax rate is $1.50/$100 valuation. The bonded indebtedness is $500,000.

2/27/30 Harlingen newspaper man and election clerk, Edwin B. Williams, is indicted with other politicos "for conspiracy to injure persons in their exercise of civil rights in violation of the U.S. Civil Code." All were found not guilty.

The Harlingen Municipal Golf Course with its 18 holes costing $127, 000 for land and $120,000 for construction is opened for play in February 1930. Its formal opening is in September when the $10,000 Caddy House is completed. It is located off M Street, south of Expressway 77/83. It is a par 71 course of 6,360 yards having 120 sand traps and bunkers. A city owned gravel-dirt airstrip is south of the course in a 72 acre area later designated to become Sam Botts Park but which never comes to fruition. When Expressway 83 is constructed, the course loses some land but expands to the south into a 27 hole course.

1/1/31  E.W. Anglin returns to the position of Chief of Police, a name changed in 1926 from City Marshal.  Serving in the department at the time are W.H. McMinn (Uncle Mack), Wes Fonville, L.M. "Mackie" Chaudoin, Cage Johnson, and Julian Villareal. All would be deceased by April 1960. Later Anglin will be replaced by a succession of men who will each serve two terms.  They are Virge Lockhart, Osco Morris, and Bob Johnson. When Anglin took on the job again in 1931 the department commenced the thorough keeping of statistics and records. Anglin will again return to the position until he resigns on 3/1/46 and Captain Harold Crossett is elevated to the chief's job. Among other things Crossett had served in the department as "burglar specialist." At his point the department has a force of 14 men and five patrol cars. Crossett will serve until 1948 at which time he reigns to take a position with the FBI office in McAllen.

The city health officer this year is Dr. Frank D. Walsworth. He has a private practice as a physician and surgeon with an office at 106 S. A Street. He and his wife, Thelma I. reside at 213 E. Madison. By 1938 he will be owner of the Harlingen Optical Company and have moved on to 1422 E. Tyler. A year later he will advertise his specialty as ear,eye, and nose operating at his office at 107 N. A Street. He dies at age 90 on 7/244/69.

1932 The neo-classical design U.S. Post Office is built on northwest corner of Van Buren and 2nd Streets. It is remodeled in 1964. It serves Harlingen for 67 years until a new facility is erected.

10/4/32 The library is officially close by the Library Board due to the withdrawal of city funds. A membership drive is started, small city funding offered, and with volunteer help the library is opened one day a week. After the September hurricane of 1933 it is closed until 11/4.

3/4/33 Milton Horace West (1888-1948) begins his first term as Congressional Representative from the 15th District to take the place of resigning John Nance Garner elected as Vice President under Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He will die in office in 1948.

8/23/33  City meets interest debts but will sell $87,000 in bank assets to avoid future defaults; also tax delinquents are being taken to court  to collect past city tax debts.

1934 Bert Gamble is fire chief from 1934 until 1/36 when E. C. Bennett resumes the job.

1935 In this year it is State HWY 96 which comes from Corpus Christi via Riviera and Sarita to the Valley. HWY 16 joins it from Robstown through Kingsville and then goes west to Falfurrias. State HWY 4 and US 83 parallel the river from west of Zapata all the way to Brownsville.

8/11/35 Police officer Mackey Chaudoin is wounded by George Dunlap before the latter is killed. Chaudoin will later die of his injuries.

10/1/35 C.H. Hamilton, Sr. is appointed U.S. Postmaster for Harlingen. He will retire in November 1961 after 39 years with the service. In 1935 when 20 were employed the postal receipts are $50,000. At his retirement 80 are employed and postal receipts are $.5 million. Employees who worked there in 1935 and who are still with the service in 1961 are Arthur. D. Purdy, assistant postmaster; A.E. Heinz, superintendent of mails; Walter Hentz, foreman; Clyde Crittenden and Herbert Hertz, clerks.

1/5/36 Fire chief Gamble releases the 1935 fire report. The department answered 101 fire calls, but only 27 developed into fires within the city limits. Most were grass fires. Total property value involved was $419,750 and content value $512, 020. The Miller Corn Elevator sustained a $30,000 loss and the old cotton mill $25,000.

1936 The city has 22 miles of paved street, 47 miles of storm drains, 51 miles of water mains, and 365 acres in eight city parks. Assessed valuations stand at $7,568,290 with a tax rate of $1.80/$100 valuation.

Congress allocates $4,800,000 for flood control to be spent $1.6 million per year over a three year period. The projects fall into the immediate Harlingen trade zone.

Having moved here in 1925, Hugh Ramsey is elected Mayor this year, then re-elected for four consecutive terms, and again to serve 1948 to 1946. This native of Milford, TX was born in 1894. He joined the army in 1913 and was stationed in the Valley in 1916. He served overseas with the 36th before being discharged in 1919. He is a member of the First Baptist Church and the Rotary Club for over 24 years. In the late 30s he is owner of a furniture store bearing his name and is also a general contractor.

The municipally owned golf course is valued at $73,000 and the rebuilt Municipal Auditorium at $102,000.

3/9/36 The Harlingen Fire Department commences its Alarm Report record.

8/36 This month E. C. Bennett completes the reorganization of the fire department and recommends fireman Jake Childress for the position. Childress commences his tenure as fire chief and will continue until April 1943 when he resigns to become deputy sheriff in Harlingen under Sheriff Tom Morrison.

1/1937 The city commissioners reappoints E. C. Bennett as a fire chief in order to tie up some loose ends in the department reorganization. A. Goldammer is reappointed as building inspector and also fire marshal to replace Ralph Bledsoe. Dr. J.T. Trailer is appointed city veterinarian and Cage L. Johnson to replace E.W. Anglin as head of the city's law enforcement body, this to occur at a later date; Arthur Klein corporate judge. Claude Liston is reappointed as manager of the Harlingen Municipal Golf Course. B.S. Mothershead, the accountant, is certified to check the city's financial records. Dr. V.M. Bass, city health officer, was not replaced yet.

1937 Building permits issued total $390,998. In working to alleviate the Great Depression the Federal Public Works Administration allots $87,000 for improvements to the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium.

1938 Built as a cotton gin scale house this year, the small building at 822 Fair Park Blvd. will one day serve as the city's Public Service Office.

1/38 V.J. Eckelkamp is appointed as the first ever city manager. It is not until 1/47 when W.P. Briscoe is appointed that the position is again filled.

4/11/38  In what may have been one of the last serious attempts to divide the state as allowed when it joined the Union,, a proposal to make South Texas the 49th State was aired in Harlingen and a pamphlet to that effect was issued. A brief noted the isolation of the area, and the proposal encompassed Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo and Starr Counties.

1939 With Jake Childress as fire chief, the city plays host to the State Firemen and Fire Marshals' convention. Ladies' Fire Department Auxiliary first set up in 1930 is reorganized this year and again in 1948.

Some of the men who have and will work for the Harlingen Police Department from 1936 until the mid-1940s include Lawson Anglin, Andrew Goldammer, Jr., C. E. "Happy" Henderson, Lynn SoRell, Dan Botts, Ben Thomas, John Hollyfield, Preston Wilson, Don Abbott, and Tom L. Hutchinson.

Business/Commercial/Industry    Return to top

1930 The Harlingen Canning Company, which is owned by Howard E. Butt, commences its operations to produce "Texas-grown, Texas-packed" goods at its Harlingen plant. R. L. Hill, the ice-making entrepreneur, goes into partnership with H.E. Butt, to operate the cannery. Hill may have commenced building the two-story canning plant at F Street between Jackson and Monroe on site of a junk yard in 1928 the year he moved here. He would have ice plants not only in Harlingen but also McAllen, Raymondville, and Brownsville. Here he was president of both C of C and the Kiwanis Club, as well as being first v-p of the First National Bank. With several hundred thousand square feet of floor space, the cannery operates until July 1968. It processes 55 items as varied as tomatoes, green beans, three types of greens, grapefruit and orange juices, potato and corn chips, pineapples, preserves, bottles soda water, and salad dressing among others. 150 are employed year-round and up to 1,500 at peak periods. Hill is president, Butt vice-president, Milton Capp, secretary, and M.M. Clark manager of the cannery for the first two years until relieved by Van C. Snell, who stayed on for 33 years. Butt opened his first Valley retail store in Brownsville in 1928.  He then expanded to San Benito, and opened his third store on Jackson in Harlingen.  In the early 1950s he constructed a new store on East Harrison.  Harold Miller came here in 1957 to manage it then two years later becomes HEB's Valley district manager. Sam Lockwood became Valley market supervisor. In 1958 Butt opens the Commerce Street store giving it a $1.3 million expansion in August 1984. By 1960 the company operates 84 stores in 35 cities. HEB's fourth Harlingen store is built in the late 1970s at the corner of Morgan and Austin. Its 5th store, constructed near Valle Vista Mall in 1986, has 60,000 sq. ft.

Chamber of Commerce wheels include J.F. Rodgers (the postmaster), president; L.E. Steinberg, 1st vice-president; and John T. Floore, secretary and manager.

By this year two more "five and dime" stores will have opened on Jackson. They are the McClelland Stores Co. at 113-115 W. Jackson and J.G. McCrory Co. at 104 W. Jackson.

The city has two banks with total deposits of $2,013,178 and resources of $2,241,685.

Before this year commences widow Rose Adolph is operating the The New York Store selling dry goods. It will continue at various Jackson Street locations for 29 years.

6/27/30 CPL conducts an industrial survey and finds the following industries in the city:

one wholesale bakery, 5 retail bakeries, 2 bottling works, 5 cotton gins, 1 cotton compress, 1 creamery, 1 concrete pipe manufacturer, 2 candy makers, 1 casket fabricator, 1 electric light company, 1 hat manufacturer, 1 iron and machine works, 2 ice plants, 1 irrigation plant, 1 laundry, 1 mattress company, 1 milk plant, 3 printing firms, 1 potato chip company, 1 planing mill, 1 awning shop, and 1 railroad shop. The largest employers of the foregoing are Valley Baking Co. with 60 people; CCWD No.1, 51 people, Harlingen Star, 48 (likely including delivery people); and the shops of the Missouri Pacific, 43.

The survey also notes 11 packers of fruits and vegetables, two chemical companies, and the Valley Ice Cream Co. From January 1930, 19 new businesses in addition to the foregoing are noted. These include the Plaza Hotel which opened on A Street on March 3 and the Federal Petroleum Co. on May 1.

Labor availability is put at 1,255 males and 825 females. Of these 60% are denoted to be of American nationality and 40% Mexican. (This type of breakdown is erroneous as it is more an attempt to portray ethnicity rather than nationality.) No blacks are noted. Among these, 400 are said to be skilled labor and 1,620 common labor. When approximate wages are listed there is no difference for skilled and common labor but must have been adjusted within the wage scale ranges. Wages were as follows:

American male (175) $125.00 to 150.00 per month

American female ( 75) 80.00 to 120.00

Mexican male (100) 100.00 to 115.00

Mexican female ( 50) 60.00 to 100.00

Labor unions existed for carpenters, electricians, painters, and plumbers, but membership in each was small.

A Chamber of Commerce brochure notes that the city has 400 businesses and 2,074 are employed exclusive of the school staffing.

1930 The Hollingsworth Motor Company, a Ford dealer and service agent, is operating at 220-22 West Harrison. By 1931 it has constructed the handsome art deco style building across the street at 221-225 and moved in. The it exits the business and by 1937 Knapp Chevrolet is in the premise until 1941 after which it is vacant .In later transition is used by the Holsum Bakery (1944), is vacant again, then used by Ideal Cleaners (1952), by Bebrick Auto Paint Store (1960), and was purchased by its current owners, Allie and Lois White of White Cleaners. By 1948 Holsum has moved into its new factory at 1502 W. Harrison. In 1978, the brand name of the bread becomes Buttercrust. In 1996 the factory ceases operation.

The Union Bus Lines serve Harlingen and the Valley. In 1957 it is bought out by Trailways.

F.W. Woolworth with A.E. Peoples as its manager has become established at 111 W. Jackson.

This is the year Harlingen gets its first edition of an Interstate City Directory (telephone).

Montgomery, Ward is located at 121-123 North 1st Street, later moving to 115 North A as a catalogue order office, and by 1941 has closed shop entirely in Harlingen.

The Valley Baking Company Inc., which will later market bread under the Rainbo label, is in a two story building at 1025 W. Harrison. On December 8, 30 it will have moved into a new and larger plant at 1600 W. Harrison. The new factory of 30,000 square feet cost $300,000. It features a gas-fired 75' conveying oven, a 60' smokestack, and employs 60. W.L. Trammel, its 34 year old president and general manger, began his work career in California before coming to Texas where he struggled to succeed. In 1926 he came from Freeport to San Benito where he purchased the 25' frontage Anderson's Bakery. In July 1927 he organized the Valley Baking Company with $20,000 capitalization. This rose to $100,000 in 1928 and $300,000 by 1930. The brand name for the bread is Butter-Nut. Trammel will move into the same positions with the Holsum Baking Company by 1944. A.M. Jones will then become Rainbo's v-p and general manager.

At 1st and Van Buren J.E. Tope is running the Hotel Van Buren.

Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Garcia will have been operating the first drugstore west of the railroad tracks. This is the Garcia Drug Store at 604 W. Harrison. Also involved in this enterprise are Joe Garza and Ninfa Gomez.

John W. Gardner has Gardner's Studio at 1005 W. Harrison. This photographer will do considerable publicity photographing for real estate firms in the area.

3/3/30 The Plaza Hotel with 84 rooms opens its doors for business. Its rooms went from $1.50 to 3.00, and it noted a connecting coffee shop.

5/1/30 The Federal Petroleum Co. commences operations here.

9/17/30 On a three acre site Central Power and Light Company (CPL) puts into operation its cold storage plant capable of handing 100 freight cars of products such as eggs, meats, fruits, dairy, and vegetables. J.W. Sweeney will be its manager. Previously he was superintendent of car icing and the ice department for CPL in the Valley according to F.C. Ludden, Valley District Manager for CPL. In 1930 the building is just outside the city limit on the Combes Highway. That puts it now on North Commerce just north of the Fair Park Blvd. intersection. Cecil Carruth will purchase the structure by 1946 and the name is changed to Harlingen Cold Storage.

1931 Day's Drug at 123 E. Jackson comes under the proprietorship of Louise and Harry E. Day. It was formerly Sims Drug. This very popular enterprise with its luncheonette and magazine sales closes in the mid-80s and is now an antique store. Harry Day will one day be in the Historical Hall of Fame because of his civic endeavors, including leading the drive for off-street parking, being president of the C of C, RGV Pharmaceutical Assoc., United Fund, and Kiwanis. In the 30s thru 50s the Palm Hotel,119 E. Jackson, occupied the building's second and third floors with a total of 69 rooms. Current owners are Tony Ramirez and his wife who utilize it as an antique emporium.

This year Howard E. Butt purchases many of the Piggly Wiggly chain of grocery stores in the Valley.

Here also this year is John Hoskins Junkin, who works with his father Joseph in establishing a furniture business that will endure in the city for 60 years. Born in Colorado, he is to die at age 74 in the VBH on 4/7/91 leaving his wife Cornelia and three sons. This First Baptist Church member was also a Lion, Rotarian and 33rd degree Mason.  

Robert W. Baxter is president of the Rio Grande National Life Insurance Co. organized in 1928 and has renamed his 9-story Baxter building to that company's name. The radio station KRGV, "the Valley Voice", is located in the top floor of the building, with its roof top garden, and has two antennae to transmit signals from its spacious studio. M.S. "Dick" Niles is president and general manager of the station. C.J. Niemann is secretary-treasurer, George Parker vice-president in charge of mechanical operations, Warren Reitz is musical director, and Mrs. Ernest Wright is staff pianist. Jack Negley, an ex-vaudevillian, is studio director and announcer. A KRGV survey of 108 Harlingen homes visited reveals 57 radios owned or 52% of those surveyed.

It is this year that the Harlingen Star becomes the Valley Morning Star. The Valley Morning Star's plant and office is located at 118 North A Street, a site later occupied by Luby's New England Cafeteria. A small photographer's studio stands between the VMS and Junkin's Furniture to the north. The VMS is owned by the March-Fentress Group but in 1933 is sold to McHenry Tichenor, who came to the Valley from Oklahoma. Tichenor, who came to the Valley in 1930, served as an administrator for the VBH and was a member of the Elks and Rotary. It was his purchase of a radio station here from Judge Hofheinz of Houston that sent him on the road to becoming a multi-millionaire. Several years later Hubert Hudson, father of the 1930s state senator from the area, purchases the VMS along with the Brownsville Herald and McAllen Monitor. Tichenor is said to have paid $50,000 for the VMS and sold it five years later for $125,000. Soon after Hudson builds a new newspaper plant at 213 South 2nd Street and installs an efficient rotary press to supercede the flatbed one.

Red Arrow Freight Lines begins servicing a Harlingen to Houston route then adds a Harlingen to Dallas one.

Between this year and last, the Moore Hotel changes its name to the Madison.

Mrs. Lydia L. Brady returns to the area after having first been in the Valley in 1916. Born in Hopkins County in 1879 in Harlingen she opens Pauline's Hat Shop. Later the business is enlarged and renamed "Brady's Smart Shop." She retires from the mercantile business in 1943 but continues her activities in real estate, building a store on Jackson Street and owning and managing several apartment houses in the city. She is to die in Dallas after a nine month illness but only a short time in that city. This First Baptist Church member leaves behind seven children both within the Valley and in Texas. Her pallbearers are prominent Harlingen business men.

5/31 The Valley State Bank has as its officers John T. Lomax, president, B.M. Holland and Tyre H. Brown, vice presidents, D.L. Page cashier, T.C. Jeffrey and Ray Stephenson assistant cashiers, G.G. Hensen and G.W. Ralston, directors. Financial figures for it and its rival show: Resources Deposits

Valley State Bank $980,692 $854,765

First National Bank of Harlingen 674,215 597,524

Thompson's Mortuary has by now opened satellite facilities in San Benito, La Feria, and Raymondville.

1931 Edward (Bert) Alcott, Jr., born 10/14/30 in Dallas, TX comes to Harlingen with his parents Edward (Ed) Elbert Alcott II and Mary Serena Lemon Alcott. His father teams with Bob Knight to purchase the Royal Crown Bottling Co. in the mid-30s. Later they, along with their sons, Bert Alcott and Bob Knight, Jr., purchase F.J. Garrett's Nehi and 7UP bottling plant at 1201 South F Street and move into a new facility at 601 77 Sunshine Strip. Bert will team with Bob Knight, Jr. to establish Redelco Inc. in 1970. It is a major real estate developer in Harlingen in the 1970s-1990s. The real estate development corporation's first building is Luby's Cafeteria, the anchor of Village South Shopping Center. The bottling company plant on 77 Sunshine is in the 1980s transformed into the Citadel Office Building. Later they bought the Village North Shopping Center, developed the Redelco Office Center on Morgan Blvd., and built the Redelco Business Park on Loop 499. Bert was graduated by Baylor University in 1953. At age 72 on 11/30/02 he will pass away, having lived 70 years in the city. He leaves his wife of 37 years, Lori, mother Mary Alcott, son Mark Alcott and daughter Mary Ann Martin. He participated in Rotary and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Rio Hondo.

The senior Alcotts will have been married 56 years when he dies in the 1980s. Mary, born 8/8/09 in Dallas TX, will pass on 9/6/04 at age 95. She and Normah Knight in 1947 developed the first art gallery in the RGV and operated it for 20 years. She was a member of the RGV Art League for 50 years and served as its president for several terms. She taught Sunday school at the First Methodist Church. Louis Martin and Gary Knight are third generation members who continue to manage Redelco.

Bert's wife Dolores (Lori) Ann Cox Alcott is to die 2/6/05 at age 72. Born in Buffalo, NY 8/7/32, she had come to Harlingen in 1950. While employed at the Harlingen National Bank she earned a BA degree from Pan American University. She owned the BaskinRobbins Ice Cream franchise store in the Village South Shopping Center and also with her husband managed their LoriMar Properties. For 30 years she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Rio Hondo. She leaves behind daughter Mary Ann Alcott Martin, son Mark Alcott, and grandchildren.

12/13/31 F.L. Flynn, chairman of the reorganization committee of the depositors of the old Valley State Bank notes that 600 of 2,800 have pledged $40,000 of the $70,000 needed to form a new bank.

Niagara Spraying and Chemical Company opens a branch at 418 N. Commerce.

8/32  The Harlingen Tribune newspaper is being published.  It reports on Lon C. Hill's 70th birthday celebration. Considerable community outpourings occur at this organized event and again the following year for the Second Annual Lon C. Hill Birthday Celebration.

1933 Boggus Motors Co. is established in Harlingen. J. Louis Boggus' family had come to the Valley in 1917. He started as a bookkeeper at the Ford Automobile Company dealership in McAllen in 1918. This was Daniel Ford. Because of his outstanding abilities as a car salesman, he became a Mission Ford dealer in 1919, and part owner of Brownsville Patteson Motors in 1923. He moved to Harlingen in 1933 and acquired the Ford Agency from H.R. Hollingsworth completing the deal hours before the hurricane struck. After the storm the new Ford V-8 was offered. Lincoln Zephyr models came to the agency in 1935 and Mercury in 1939, the same year Boggus acquired this franchise in Harlingen. It was in 1939 also that he started a tractor company in both Harlingen and McAllen. In 1946 Boggus separated the Valley Motor Co. selling Lincolns and Mercurys and the Boggus Motor Co. selling Fords at its new Harrison Street location. Frank Rocha was one of Valley Motors Co. original founders in 1946. In 1964 its location was 902 W. Harrison. Louis' son Frank was born in Brownsville and graduated from Texas A&M before seeing military duty in the Air Force as a 2nd Lt. Frank. He went on to become a major stockholder and chairman of the Texas State Bank. In addition to being chairman of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, he won the Mister Republican award in 2004 for his work for this political party in Cameron County. The Boggus organization by the 21st Century is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participates in raising money for the Ronald McDonald House and the Salvation Army.

In this year Harlingen has eleven manufacturing establishments employing 117 people, excluding salaried. Their wages total $121,962. Costs of materials are $257,524 and the value of the products produced $725,389.

When prohibition ends Forrest W. Runnels founds Valley Beverage to distribute consumable alcoholic products. On 12/14/03 Gordon Hill, who has general managed 21 years for the firm, announces its sale by co-owners Neal Runnels of McAllen and Jane Clark of Harlingen. Its assets were purchased by Glazer's Wholesale Drug Co., Inc. of Dallas. Glazer is Texas' largest distributor of malts, spirits, and wines. It operates in six states and in 2002 had revenues of $1.75 million.

It is in 1933 that Day's Drug comes to occupy the first floor of 123 E. Jackson. The popular store with its luncheonette will become a gathering place for business men and others to exchange news.

Sometime in the years 1933 through 1936 the Rio Grande Valley Telephone Co. becomes Southwestern Bell.

8/1/33  Some Harlingen merchants in compliance with President Roosevelt's National Recovery Act reduce the weekly work hours to 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 9 pm on Saturdays.  They also raise the minimum wage to 35 cents per hour as set for cities of 2,500-250,000 size. By 9/2 300 businesses have signed onto the program.

8/27/33  Crown Williamette Paper Co. of Texas, a subsidiary of Crown Zellerbach opens a plant in the former Valley Fruit Exchange Building.  It has a large three color press for creating tissue wrappers.

 9/33  After the 1933 Hurricane destroys the rooftop Baxter Building studios of KRGV, "Kum to the Rio Grande Valley", the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce entices the radio station to move to that city where it did so in 1934 and  upped its power to 1000 watts.

1934  A Maternity Hospital is established at 705 N. 1st Street.  Dr. Paul R. Maxwell, who has an office on the third floor of the Rio Grande National Life Insurance Building and is listed as a physician, surgeon, and bone specialist delivers some babies at this hospital.  He and his wife Leah M. had come to Harlingen in 1930. He will later move up another floor in the building and by 1950 start an office in the McClendon Building. His practicing will end around 1953.  The Maternity Hospital will move to 1117 W. Harrison by 1937 and be run by Dr. Martin Bernfield, who may also work in the adjacent Valley Clinic at 1115 W. Harrison. By 1939 both facilities, where Boggus Motors will later arise, are gone.

In the same year Harvey L. Richards, Sr. and his brother, John W. Richards, purchase the controlling interest in Hygeia Milk Products Co. They commence the manufacture of butter. In 1936 the company purchases a small building on South F Street and starts operations there. The expansion to a complete machine operation continues through 1940.

Harvey Richards, Sr. was born 1/06 in Calvert, TX. This Texas A&M graduate serves as a major in the Army Air Force in WWI. This St. Alban's Episcopal Church member will also serve his community as a life member of Kiwanis, charter member of the Elks, and City Commissioner 1940-41. The municipal airport west of the Wilson Tract will be named in his honor. When he dies 6/14/60 he leaves behind his wife Kathryn, daughter Mary Kay Richards, and son Harvey Lee Richards, Jr.

John Wallace Richards was to die in 1991. His widow Sue Wiley Richards was to die 11/26/08 at age 98. The daughter of Susie Lottspeed Thomas Wiley and Mansel Thomas Wiley she came, in 1910, to the Valley and Mission in a covered wagon as an infant with three older siblings. Her father taught school there before the family moved to La Feria. In 1949 Sue, her husband and George Beck built Sandy Retreat, the first vacation home on South Padre Island. It was later expanded into the Sandy Retreat Hotel, the first modern hotel on the island since the 1933 hurricane. They ran the hotel until 1964.

In the midst of the Great Depression, Harlingen bank deposits are at $1,147,323. Its assessed real estate is $7,568,290 with a tax rate of $1.80/$100 valuation.

The Julian Villareals , descendents of a land grant family, tear down the frame store built in the city's early days and replace it with a Spanish colonial style building at 343 W. Van Buren. Julian's widow, Emma, runs a grocery store/meat market here for many years.

Parker Knapp, one of five brothers - Everett, John, Gilson, Fred, and Parker - opens Knapp Chevrolet dealership in downtown Harlingen at West Jackson. When it burns down in 1935 he moves to West Harrison and in 1941 to 1st Street between Harrison and Tyler. The employees number about 25. By 1939 the bothers are operating dealerships in Weslaco, Mercedes, Brownsville, and Houston. In 2000 the local Knapp facility moves to new quarters south of Expressway 83 at Stuart Place Road. Here the sons of Gretchen Knapp, daughter of Parker, and her husband Butch Cooley run the dealership. By 2004 seventy employees sell 16 different models. The old location is occupied by Frank Matz's Central Air and Heat. Some of the structures on the lot are demolished.

It is 1934 that Volkie L. Adair opens his Midway Service Station on South F Street. This farmer also, is to die at age 48 on 1/11/61.

The Levine family opens its retail outlet, The Man's Shop. Ben Levine was born in Poland-Russia in December 1904, but the following year his family immigrated to the US and soon Texas. He came to the Valley in 1926 to take employment in a music store operated by his sister and brother-in-law who were later to set him up in the Harlingen men's store and other relatives in Weslaco and McAllen. Marrying Fannie Gensberg of Seguin in 1928, they were to produce sons Leonard and Lewis who attended Harlingen schools. A star football player at UT Lewis was to return to Harlingen and join his father and brother Leonard in business in 1951. Ben was to die at age 88 in 1993. He was one of the founders of the Jewish temple in Mercedes and later in Harlingen.  His wife who outfitted boy scouts in the store died in 1987 at age 79.After 56 years the store closed in Harlingen in 1990, but the store opened in Brownsville in 1984 continued.

The Harlingen-based radio station KRGV moves to a more central Valley location in Weslaco.

1935 Harlingen car sales at 439 for January-October 1935 period are the highest in Cameron County.

The Yellow Freight System starts as does Sechrist-Hall, the roofers.

Jim Ferguson, after working as auto parts manager for another Harlingen agency, acquires a Chrysler one. He then receives the Chrysler franchise in 1938. Don Bodenhammer, Sr. joins the firm as partner in 1941. In 1958 Ferguson purchases Harlingen Motors, a Dodge-Plymouth agency and added the Chrysler line. The Harlingen Dodge agency was originally organized by George Wroten. In 1936 it is located at 516 W. Jackson but a year later is at 424 W. Harrison. By 1942 it had dropped the name Wroten and was the Harlingen Motors Dodge and Plymouth. Wroten later sold it to Dr. George Gallaher. Ferguson bought the agency from Gallaher. Ferguson fell seriously ill in 1962 and sold out his stock before dying in 1978. In 1939 the firm built its first 13,000 square foot structure and added a similar size one in 1946 at 602 W. Jackson. It is Noser Construction which erects the patented high ceiling, supposedly hurricane-proof structure. It features red cedar beams and reinforced thick concrete walls. During the war years when autos were not available the firm sold refrigerators, stoves, and washers. In 1972 the agency obtained the Winnebago Recreational Vehicle franchise. In 1993-94 this old agency is bought out by the aggressive and well-advertised Bert Ogden Co.

Don Bodenhammer will go on to greatly help the community progress, largely in part as VP of the Chamber of Commerce when the Harlingen Air Force Base closes in 1962. He will serve 24 years on the Airport Board; stimulate the move from Harvey Richards Municipal Airport to the larger abandoned Harlingen Air Force Base field; help to bring in the Marine Military Academy, Lockheed Martin, Murray Air, TSTI, Levi Strauss, American and Southwest Airlines. In 1996 at age 78 he continues as owner of Ferguson Motors.

It is in this year that the San Antonio Machine and Supply Company (SAMSCO) opens a warehouse at 1201 W. Jackson, but back in 1915 it had sold equipment here for the first refrigeration plant. In 1955 it is to open a new $200,000 facility at 114 North L Street. Dewitt Neal will be its manager here for 30 years or more.

In 1935 Mr. and Mrs. MacPherson move to town from Nebraska as does their son Kenneth at the same time. In 1940 son Kenneth MacPherson begins working for the Embee Pharmacy. Five years later in 1945 he will open the pharmacy bearing his name and maintain it for nearly 50 years before selling it. He was both a druggist and a manufacturing chemist. Born in 1906 in Burke County, Nebraska, his family moved to Saskatchewan, Canada when he was six only to return to Nebraska six years later. Others in his family were pharmacists so he followed, earning his degree from Creighton University in Omaha. He would marry Hazel Haire who would later bear him three daughters. One, now Gerry Fleuriet, would in later years become deeply involved in community and civic affairs. Her son Ken would become a one-term state representative from this area. After Hazel died Kenneth married Juanita Stowe, a longtime friend from church. In late November 2004 when Kenneth celebrated his 98th birthday, he had been married to his second wife for 24 years.

1935-36 In the throes of the Great Depression, Harlingen building permits total only $54,907 for 1935 and $51,542 for 1936. Bank deposits total $1,147,323. There are 12 hotels having 565 rooms.

3/1/36 The Valley Morning Star's circulation is touted at 3,677 home deliveries, 1,274 motor routes, 1,370 via Valley mail (142 out of the area), and 190 hotel sales for a total 6,653 paid circulation.

1936 The Valley Baking Co. plant is the largest bakery south of San Antonio and Houston. With a fleet of trucks it delivers 20,000 loaves daily.

Hygeia starts building at its South F Street site and completes the $50,000 plant this year.

A survey reveals that there are 288 stores in the city.

Seven motorbus lines serve the city as do five trucking companies. At this time Harlingen is traversed by U.S. Highways 96 and 83 and State Highways 4, 66, 96, and 100.

Same decade under Miscellaneous add: 11/1/36  Construction begins on a horse-racing track at Fair Park to allow for a ten-day December meet.

The Acetylene Oxygen Company establishes a branch in Harlingen.

11/5/36 The Plaza Hotel at this time is owned by the Royal Hotel Corp. of San Antonio. It is valued at $65,000 with a content value of $50,000.

1936/37  The Harlingen Canning Company, which is owned by Howard E. Butt, commences its operations to produce "Texas-grown, Texas-packed" goods at its Harlingen plant. HEB became vertically integrated by purchasing the plant and also a bakery. R. L. Hill, the ice-making entrepreneur, goes into partnership with H.E. Butt, to operate the cannery.  Hill may have commenced the building of a canning plant at F Street between Jackson and Monroe on site of a junkyard.  Initially it was a 50' x 100' metal building, and its manger until 1940 was Merle Clark. It would later expand into a giant two-story factory of 84,540 sq. ft. Hill, who came to the Valley in 1928, would have ice plants not only in Harlingen but also McAllen, Raymondville, and Brownsville.  Here he was president of both the C of C and the Kiwanis Club, as well as being first v-p of the First National Bank. With a buyout in 1965 by the Stumberg Brothers of San Antonio, the cannery operates until July 1968. It processes 55 items as varied as tomatoes, green beans, three types of greens, grapefruit and orange juices, potato and corn chips, pineapples, preserves, bottles soda water, and salad dressing among others.  150 are employed year-round and up to 1,500 at peak periods. Hill is president, Butt vice-president, Milton Capp, secretary, and Merle M. Clark manager of the cannery for the first three years until relieved by Van C. Snell, who stayed on for 33 years. Snell started as a foreman in 1937, then became plant superintendent and finally general manager.

1937 The First National Bank of Harlingen moves into the 1920s building at 124 W. Jackson. It mid-year it has deposits of $1,747,176 and resources of $1,863,037. Surviving the depression it remains there until 1951.

 On 12/3/37, Montgomery Ward will open its new Valley store at 115-123 N 1st.

The 150 room Madison Hotel has room rates ranging from $1.50 to $4.00, the 150 room Reese-Wil-Mond the same, and the 80 room Plaza charges $1.00 to $2.00.

1937-38-39 Economic upswing sees building permits rise to $390,998 in 1937, only to slip badly to $252,844 and $242,135 respectively for 1938 and 1939.

1938 Bank deposits for city banks total $1,915,805 while postal receipts are $69,843.

3/17/38 A sulfur explosion at the Coastal Chemical Co., 421 N. C Street, creates a $14,061 loss.

6/38 From the period July 1937 through June 1938 inclusive, Harlingen ice facilities produce more ice for fruit and vegetable shipments than do any other city in the state. The Harlingen Yards have 83 initial and 23 re-icers totaling 466.25 tons in the period while the Harlingen Dock (located just east of Fair Park) has 773 initials and 89 re-icers totaling 4,684.65 tons. These are almost wholly for railroad freight cars owned by the American Refrigerator Transit Co. (A.R.T.). Ice Plant No. 39 Harlingen, accessed via Memphis Street, is still in operation as part of the Southwestern Ice Company, Inc. At one point the plant was operated by Southern Texas Ice and Service, Inc. The plant had a cooling tower, concrete pond, and reservoir. It was in constant operation and generated electric power.

 7/18/38  Carlos Flavio Vela is born in Harlingen to Roberto and Maria Luisa Vela. He was the last of nine children that included six boys and three girls. His brothers included Roberto, Jr., Filemon, Patricio, Moises, and Antonio. The family had its origins in the pioneering Vela family of northeast Hidalgo County. Roberto came to Harlingen in the 1920s and was the city's first Hispanic notary public.  He also ran an interpreting business and prepared income tax forms. Three sons went into law, two were educators, and one had a career in the Marines. Carlos was graduated from HHS in 1956, received his law degree from UT in 1962, and worked as assistant attorney general for the state from 1964 to 1966. He then became a federal general attorney for the Equal Opportunity Commission and USDA. In 1968 he became Texas State Coordinator for the Dept. of Health Education and Welfare Office of Civil Rights. Returning to Harlingen in 1970 he practiced law here until two months before his death.  He never married.

1939 H.E.B takes over the Piggly Wiggly store at 123 E. Jackson. It was 8/27/39 when Stacey-Mitchell Cleaners becomes part of the Harlingen scene.

This year, after their father dies, Jesus J. Rodriguez and his brother Tony leave the San Raphael Ranch west of Santa Rosa and come to Harlingen. Their family has been leasing 2,000 acres in the Adams Garden Tract for the depression era price of $200 per year. The two open a grocery store at 410 E. Harrison. On 11/4/41 J.J. enlists in the U.S. Army selling his share of the store to his brother for $1,000 but with the stipulation he can repurchase it upon his return. His is discharged with the rank of sergeant on 11/24/45. In 1946 following his discharge he borrows $4,000 from the First National Bank as a GI loan and repurchases the store now located at 403 E. Harrison. It is in 1948 that Jesus J. "Chuey" Rodriguez opens his Chuey's Red and White Grocery and Market at 222 W. Harrison in the building that once housed Harlingen's first Ford dealership. This was the Hollingsworth Motor Company which was to build the handsome art deco building across the street in 1930. No. 222 had been vacant for numerous years until the Valley Motor Mart occupied it in the years 1944-46 and then Adolfo Escobedo commenced his Adolfo's Grocery and Market. Chuey was to take over the site in 1948 when Escobedo moved his store one block west and anglicized its name to "Adolf's." The Red and White refers to the large San Antonio wholesale supplier which furnishes merchandise to small grocers around the state. Chuey will occupy this site until 1963 when the business opens as Chuey's Supermarket at 607 W. Harrison. He has purchased this building from Attorney Lloyd Stiernberg. Rodriguez renames his business Chuey's Discount Center in 1968. After the store experiences a fire in 1972 Chuey's family, with knowledge of the competition from the national chain Kroeger and the increasingly aggressive H. E. Butt stores, urges him not to reopen. He then begins a long career (still continuing at age 87 in March 2005) as a real estate saleman associated with Tom Mason. In 1958 J.J. becomes the second Hispanic elected to the City Commission. When, on 12/14/60, Fred Paschall, owner of a retail store, is elected mayor, Rodriguez is reelected a commissioner as is R.W. Liston. J.J. is a member and strong supporter of the Chamber of Commerce.

In this year the Strand Theater has opened at 111W. Jackson in a building previously occupied by Woolworth. J. C. King is its manager. When it closes its doors in 1955 Lew Bray is its owner.

By this year the city has ten tourist cottage camps.

8/39  Married in 1932, Joe Kirsh and his wife Ruth Chernicoff Kirsh come to Harlingen from St. Louis. Both are early 1920s immigrants from Poland-Russia. He starts a business buying scrap iron and metals and selling new and used pipe and steel. Located on North Commerce, it is called the Valley Junk Yard. After 34 years in business and having raised two daughters in Harlingen, Joe sells his business in 1973 and with his wife moves to Florida where in 1995 they will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Charles J. Davis commences The Diana Shop with its ready-to-wear women's clothing. It will operate for 42 years, all but one at 115 E. Jackson Avenue.

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1/25/30  This date Maria Aurora is born in Harlingen to Edelmiro and Maria Gonzales. She will marry Gilberto Rodriguez.  In 1960 they will take over the ownership and operation of La Reynera Bakery at 506 W. Van Buren and continue for 35 years.  It was established in 1937 by Gilberto's parents Filiberto and Margarita Rodriguez.  Dying on 9/10/06 at age 76 Aurora will leave behind her partner of 55 years, Gilberto, and a large family.

2/19/30 R.W. Liston is born in Harlingen to early Harlingenites William Osie Liston and Lily Chaudoin Liston (later Cleary). He will be graduated from Harlingen High School and attend the University of Texas. In 1950 he joins the family business and over time moves up to president, CEO, and chairman of the W.T. Liston Co., concrete fabricators. He dies 12/18/02. His civic dedication centered on his Boy Scout support but also involved Girl Scouting, the City Commission on which he served, the Valley Chamber of Commerce and much more. He is survived by his wife Jo, children Jolie Liston, Pat William Liston, and Felice Liston Rogala.

It is in 1930 that the family of Jesse Clair Hay comes to Harlingen. He later founds Jesse Hay, Contractor, but this First Baptist Church member dies young at age 41 on 8/30/60. He leaves behind his wife Pauline and sons Jesse, Jr. and Jimmy as well as his brother Tim Hay.

This is the year that Troy R. McDaniel arrives in Harlingen. He becomes, over time, general manager for KGBT TV and Radio. He serves as president of the library board and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church .He dies relatively early at age 57 on 4/3/61.

Arriving in the Valley this year is Joe O. Reger from Alta, OK. He would come to own the Reger Neon Sign Co. on Baker-Potts Road. He will die of a .22 caliber gun wound at age 51 on 3/6/62 and leave his widow Pansy here, and children elsewhere.

In Harlingen this year is J.B. Hicks from Robstown. On 3/1 he will commence the Hicks Rubber Co. and later he will come to own the Hicks Oil and Butane Co. This Church of Christ member also was a Mason and a Lion. Dying of a heart attack at age 60 on 3/5/62, he leaves his wife Marie and son J.B. Hicks, Jr.

Dolphus M. Groulx of 409 E. Taylor is already established here. This longtime Harlingen resident is to die here at age 93 on 3/18/62. By then he was a retired music/art dealer and also a prominent citrus producer. He leaves behind his widow Alma and son Robert.

Jacob Schmoker was already retired at 322 E. Madison in 1930. He had been involved in a ten acre citrus grove north of City Lake. He was a charter member of Grace English Lutheran Church. His son of the same name was to be briefly owner in a 1939 partnership with B.C. Price of a Buick dealership. Schmoker-Price Motors was at the intersection of F and Van Buren Streets. A second son Fred R. Schmoker born in Harlingen 3/30/14 will serve in the U.S. Navy in WWII and go on to a career as a banker in Raymondville. When Fred dies 1/18/04 he leaves his wife of 64 years Donnie Self Schmoker but no children.

11/16/30  Dora I. Salazar is born this date to Mary & Jesus Salazar.  He is a farm crew leader, and the family also owns a 20-acre tract near Harrison and 23rd Streets. She will be graduated from the Providence School of Nursing, Waco in 1956. Here she would meet her future husband Julian Castillo.  They would be married for 39 years until his death in 1992. They would both work at the Breckenridge Hospital, Austin then in Armarillo.  In 1972 Julian came to Pan Am University as a consultant and from 1973 to 1992 was director of health-related professions at the university. Dora in 1975 rose to be in charge of Student Health Services at Pan Am and remained in this capacity until retiring in 1992. In 1973 after their daughter Lorena became a resident of the Rio Grande State Center in Harlingen Dora became intimately involved there as a volunteer. In 1979 she was named Outstanding Texas State Volunteer and was the recipient of the Menton Murray Sr. Award for having put in 10,000 volunteer hours. By the time of her death on 12/06/06 she had amassed 22,000 volunteer hours at the center. On December 4, 2007 a pavilion, for which Dora helped to raise funds, was dedicated and named in her honor at the RG State Center.

1930 Moises V. (Moe)Vela is born in Harlingen. He will later attend Austin Elementary, be graduated form Harlingen High School, receive his Associate of Arts degree from Texas Southmost College in Brownsville in 1949 and his law degree at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He is to work at the Cameron County Courthouse from 1956-58 as assistant district attorney, a corporation court judge in Harlingen at various times 1971-95, and serve as a county judge 1983-86. Married in 1955, he is to father five children who will have ten grandchildren by 2004. On 12/15/04, the school board votes to name a new middle school in Vela's honor.

1931 Normah Alcott Knight, born in Dallas 7/25/10, comes to Harlingen with her husband Bob along with her parents and brother Ed Alcott and his wife Mary. In 1947, in an old surplus army barracks moved next to her home on E. Buchanan Avenue, she opens the Valley's first art gallery/school. It remains open for twenty years. Mrs. Knight creates murals for the 1948 Holsum Bakery Co. plant on W. Harrison, 1950-51 First National Bank (later moved to the old post office building taken over by Coastal Banc), and in 1955 Royal Crown Cola, a facility owned by her husband and Bert Alcott.

Ernest Quentin Clover comes this year also. He becomes a contractor. In death at age 77, 8/30/60, he leaves his wife Sallie, son J.J. of Harlingen, and one elsewhere.

John Elliff is here this year. This First Methodist Church member was born 12/3/74 in Anderson, MO. He will come to own the Elliff Apartments at 421 E. Monroe. When he dies at age 87 on 9/6/72 he will leave his widow Rose and son L. Luther Elliff.

Fred L. Lopez opens Valley Barber Supply, soon renamed to Valley Barber & Beauty Supply, at 413 W. Harrison. On April 23, 1939 he is to marry Connie G. Garza.  She was born in San Manuel, Hidalgo County.  It was her grandfather, Felix Chapa who owned the ranch there in the 1800s, and it was named San Manuel Ranch after his father's saint name. It was later traded for gold. Mrs. Lopez assisted her husband in the business which is still operating (2006) at the same location. Ninety-three years old on 9/17/06, Mrs. Lopez was one of the founders of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and served on the board of the Harlingen Museum.

2/11/31 William Zachary (W.Z.) Weems dies this date at age 71. He was born 10/3/59 in Chenango, TX. In his forties he had been active in clearing much Harlingen area land and in growing sugarcane and starting a sugar syrup mill. He is buried in a family plot in the Harlingen Cemetery, where his teenage son was the first to be interred.

This year Genaro Cano, Sr. and his wife come to Harlingen.  They will later open a grocery store on Polk Street. Married 10/13/03 in Burgos, Nuevo Leon they will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary in 1978 with five of their surviving six children.

3/15/31  Ruben Rodriguez is born to Gabriel and Maria Palacios Rodriguez.  They operate a grocery store on W. Harrison in the La Placita area. Ruben would go on to have an illustrious career and life. At age 11 he took up magic and by 16 took on the name the "Great Rubenzini". During WWII he played taps at military funerals. Upon completion of Harlingen High School in 1949 he went on to Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos then transferred to North Texas State University in Denton. He entertained as a magician for several years then enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Upon his 1955 discharge he returned to college and received his degree in Spanish. He married Dolores who was to be his wife for 47 years. She was a teacher and both returned to North Texas to earn masters degrees. Ruben was a pioneer bilingual educator in the Valley and one of the first Hispanic school superintendents in the country. He occupied this position in Donna for six years before moving on to San Benito in the same capacity until 1987. Ruben was to die 5/20/08, leaving behind his wife Dolores, daughter Deanna Rodriguez Gutierrez, an Austin lobbyist, sons Ronnie, principal of Port Isabel High School, and Rico, assistant principal at San Benito High School.

5/31/32 On his 76th birthday Lon C. Hill is given a testimonial and honored as founder of the city.

Jack Jones begins working with the First National Bank of Harlingen and will do so for 30 years. He will be a charter member of the BPOE and a director of the Life Begins at 40 golf tournament. When this First Methodist member dies 1/8/62 at age 49 of cancer he leaves his widow, Beauma.

George Le Clare Simmons will come to the area. He will become nationally known as a breeder and exhibitor of Tennessee walking horses. He will own Simmons Bootery between 1932 and 1958. When this First Presbyterian member dies on 11/11/61 he will leave his wife Grace and a brother in Lubbock.

Coming from Oklahoma this year is Jake Wheatley. He takes up farming. Dying at age 82, 5/30/60, he leaves behind sons Floyd of Santa Rosa and Charles of Harlingen.

10/9/32 James Daniel Altus is born in Harlingen to Walter and Clara Altus. A Harlingen High School graduate he will go on to Texas A&M University. In 1954 he is commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air force. He will go on to rise to the rank of lt.-colonel during which time he will have received numerous awards and citations. Upon retirement he became a USDA inspector in the Valley. He is to die at age 66 on 8/19/99 to be survived by son James W. (Kelly) Altus and daughter Jeanette Altus Porter.

10/23/32 Joan Chaudoin is born in Harlingen to Joseph Clinton and Dallas Hardin Davenport Chaudoin. On 11/27/54 she is to marry William Hill Cocke, Jr. in Harlingen where they will live and raise four children. In 1954 she was the first Algodon Club queen while attending UT at the time. For 17 years she was an active member of the Junior Service League serving as its president 1967-68, volunteer for the Family Crisis Center, United Way, and other civic endeavors. Dying at age 61 on 5/10/94 she is to leave her mother, husband, three daughters and a son behind.

1933 Mary Freese Wroten was here this year to be near her son George. This Episcopalian born 8/26/1850 lived to age 100. She had married Dr. George Wroten and lived in South Dakota where he had been superintendent of Indian schools as well as surgeon for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Later they moved to Louisiana where the doctor died in 1917.

Tony Butler first comes to Harlingen as a 25 year old in 1933. Born in Ganado, Texas 4/19/08, he grows up to be a slight to average-build young man. A protege of the famed Austin golfer Harvey Penick, Butler is to turn professional in 1928 shortly after entering the University of Texas. He is to move to Port Arthur as a pro then return to UT as student/coach, the first golf coach at the school. In 1931 he wins the Texas PGA and a chance to play in the PGA Championship in Providence. This year he is in the money six times. In 1932 he places second in the Texas PGA Championship played in Harlingen.

Butler would leave Harlingen for a position in Beeville but was soon to return and become a fixture as golf pro here for many years. He is good and plays the 18 hole course in a record 62 strokes as verified by his August 6, 1936 score card now in the library archive. The course par at the time is 71.When he does leave for greener pastures his devotees petition him to return. On June 20, 1973 the course is renamed the Tony Butler Municipal Golf Course in recognition of his 40 years of service. He retires in 1975 and becomes Professional Emeritus. Butler is to die in December 1979 at age 71. In 1998 he is inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame

1934 S.M. Harvey came to Harlingen and was to live here 28 years. He became supervisor of Valley H.E.B. stores before retiring in 1958. This Methodist was to die 1/1/62.

E.P. McCall, who will become an insurance agent, arrives here from San Augustine, TX. He will be a deacon of the First Presbyterian Church, a Mason and Shriner, and in 1952, a city commissioner. Dying 7/10/73 he leaves his wife Margaret and son Porter of Corpus Christi.

This is the year Morrison Holmes Connelly comes to Harlingen.  Born January 6, 1909 in Trenton Texas, he grew up on the family ranch and worked in the family pharmacy. In 1930 he received his Bachelor in Education from Southwest State Teacher's College then much later in 1945 his master's degree in the same subject from UT. Once in Harlingen he accepted a teaching position at the Stuart Place School. He married Mildred Oline in 1938, and they had one daughter Morline Connelly Haley. The next 13 years he then served as principal at Sam Houston, Bowie, and Travis Elementary Schools and Harlingen High School before becoming Harlingen Superintendent of Schools for three years. Following his 17-year school tenure he became vp of the insurance division of Flynn Investments for 10 years. In 1970 he started the Connelly-Cocozza Insurance Agency before returning to Flynn in 1975. In April 1988 he was to commence the Connelly and Bartnesky Insurance Agency.  This man was active in Rotary, the United Fund, the public library, parks and recreation, the First Methodist Church, a student aid loan service, and obtaining medical funding for needy children. He was to die January 27, 2007 at age 98, leaving a grandson and his children.

5/1/35  Filemon Bartolome Vela is born in Harlingen.  In later life he shall become a federal judge. He dies of cancer on 4/13/04.  (see Valley History link this site for a full biography on this individual, or just click.)

5/5/35 Lon C. Hill, Harlingen founder, dies at age 73. He is buried beside his wife and sons in the Buena Vista Cemetery, Brownsville. In comments he is characterized as having "rare sense of humor and remarkable ability at telling a story", "individuality to a degree most uncommon in this day and age; the indomitable will power, the results of his efforts found him almost a man alone."

1935 Born in Newlin, TX 3/12/21, John Wesley (Bill) Loven comes this year to Harlingen with his parents A. O. and Mary Lou Loven.  He is 14 and in 1941 will graduate from HHS, soon after joining the Army Air Corps. He will then serve in the European Theater with the 551 Parachute Infantry Battalion and the 508 of the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division. In September 1946 he will marry Bettie Jane and during a 59 year marriage span have daughters Janie, Judith Anne, and Jeanne Marie, who survive him and Joanna Sue Loven who precedes him in his death at age 84, November 10, 2005. This member of the First Baptist Church will have a 33 year career with the U.S. Postal Service.

Early this year Arthur Franklin Dabney and his wife Marguerite Smith arrive from Ft. Worth where he has been a bookkeeper for an oil company. Born in central Texas they bring with them daughters Charlotte (1920) and Carolyn (1926). He has been hired by Allie White and Mr. Blocker to start a small business of car loans. He serves as City Commissioner 12/38-12/46. They purchase a house at 510 W. Buchanan in 1940. This same year he is to close the loan business and purchase the insurance one from White and Blocker. It would evolve into the Dabney Hall Agency at 410 E Harrison.

1938 This year William J. "Bill" Allen comes by bicycle from Grand Rapids, Michigan. This Spanish–American War veteran will from 1942 to 1946 work as a messenger for the post engineer at the Harlingen Army Air Field.  He then goes to work for the WaterWorks until his retirement at age 71 in 1951.

1938 Mary Caroline Schleifer leaves her position as a nurse at the Buffalo City Hospital to accompany her ailing parents to the Valley. She then begins her long modern nursing career in the area. She fought polio, TB, and Hurricane Buelah's emergencies among other challenges. A plaque at the old hospital in the museum complex honors her as one of three "Pioneer Valley Nurses, 1939". In 1977 she was selected as "Nurse of the Year" for Cameron and Willacy Counties while the 1984 issue of Notable Women of Texas honored her for her work in the RGV. Mary retired in 1987 after devoting a lifetime to her chosen profession. Born 9/1/1914 in Kerrville, TX, Mary was to die at age 94 on 12/7/08.

10/13/39 At a Pioneer Reunion at the home of Harvey Richards the following individuals and many of their wives are present: Tom Yates, MO (1911), E.W. Anglin, TX (1907), J.F.Rodgers, MO (1909 or 1910), John Newman, IN (1924), T.L. Sidener, IN (1914), L.G. Nichols, OK (1909), George Pletcher, OH (1909), T.L. Phillips, KY (1909), J.F. Hathaway, CA (1904), Grant Rader, MO(1916), and M.M. Brown, NC (1913).

Education     Return to top

6/30 Student enrollment is put at 2,383.

9/4/30 Called "the showplace of the Valley", the new $350,000 senior high school at 125 S. 13th Street at Harrison is dedicated. It is designed by architects Dewitt and Washburn of Dallas. The former designed the east wing of the White House. At this time the superintendent of schools is Paul E. Phipps. On the board of Trustees are Mrs. J.I. Coursey, O.N. Joyner, Ira E. Eells, S.D. Grant, A.E. McClendon, and Dr. John Crockett. The Harlingen Senior High School principle is D.M. Denton. The last senior class to use the facility is that of 1959 which started there but finished in the new high school on Marshall Street. The Spanish Revival style facility in 1958 becomes Vernon Junior High School named in honor of Julia Vernon, a popular English teacher and librarian for years at the high school. Additional classrooms are constructed on the northeast side in 1961.

The West Ward School is at 415 South F Street. Its principal is Mrs. Bertha J. Traylor. The South Ward School is at 309 W. Lincoln and Mrs. Lucy A. Gough is its principal. It will later be re-named the James Bowie Elementary School. At the Dishman School in Combes Mrs. Lillian Baldridge is principal and at the North Ward School Mrs. Kathleen Robertson fills that position. With the opening of the new high school for seniors, the former senior high school was put to use by junior high school students who were already in the adjacent facility. Carl S. Chilton is its principal. The elementary school students at Central Ward are under the leadership of B. E. Bailey.

After the high school students move into their new facilities on 13th Street, the Travis Junior High School campus grows to include the former high school on 6th Street.

In 1930 the Harlingen Valley Business College was located at 215 ½ W. Monroe. By 1937 the college was operating on the third floor of the Embee Building addition at 119 S. Street. B.A. Griswald and his wife Lelia Jane owned and taught at the school. After being here five to six years, Mrs. Griswald was to die at age 60 on 5/6/35. When between 1938 and 1941 the Durham Business Institute took over the site, Mrs. Harman Straub, by then the owner, moved her school to the Commerce Building at 121 W. Van Buren. She would close altogether by 1944. By 1942 the Embee school location had become the Durham Business College and was under the management of Carl A. Scott. It stayed in this location until 1958 then, after a year at 106 ½ N 1st, moved to 5621 S. F Street. In the 70s it changed its name to Durham College of the Valley. Durham was to go out of business after 1973, possibly when it experienced difficulties with defaulted government student loans.

10/1930 The first of numerous "Battle of the Arroyo" football contests occurs between Harlingen High School and San Benito High School. Harlingen wins this first game 19 to 0. Over a 74 year period the record would be in Harlingen's favor at 53 victories, 16 losses and 5 ties.

30-31  A listing encompassing eleven years indicates the growth of the city and its student school population:
school year  1920-21  816
                         21-22  853
                         22-23  1052
                         23-24  1099
                         24-25  1121
                         25-26  1359
                         26-27  1686
                         27-28  2152
                         28-29  2450
                         29-30  2735
                         30-31  2897

10/21/31 The Harlingen school office is robbed. This year the high school football team wins the Class A Valley Championship.

1933 The eighth grade class is moved to the high school building on 13th Street. School Superintendent J.P. Buck expresses concern over the projected drop in state monetary support. In 1931 it was $17.50 per student but in 1932 had dropped to $16. It was forecast to drop to $8.50 for 1933-34 unless the state legislature adopted corrective measures. Even a state income tax was being considered as an option. The district was educating 3,600 students. If the support dropped to $8.50 there was even talk of shortening the school year from nine months to six. Buck and Ira Ells were later to attend a conference of school heads to discuss the situation.

9/5/33  The Labor Day Hurricane of 1933 delays the start of school initially 9/18 to 9/25 and then to 10/2. The high school on 6th Street is damaged beyond repair as is the school for Negroes in the West side of town.  The North and South Ward Schools suffer only minor damage. The number of students is put at 3,430, down 147 from the previous year.

1934 The Booker T. Washington School to serve Harlingen's Negro children is erected in the 800 block of W. Filmore at H Street. As the number of blacks diminishes over the years it will be integrated. Although an addition to it will later be made, it is to be superceded. It ceases to be used as a school in 1959. It currently is being used by the school district as a Parental Involvement Center.

In the Fall of this year the Cardinal Football Field is constructed at the cost of $4,500. It is adjacent to the high school.

5/35  The School Board with Frank E. Davis as president, Dr. John Crockett vp, Ira E. Eells, secretary, and Mrs. H. C. Rader assistant secretary vote to rename the schools for the Texas Centennial to be held in 1936. The intermediate school is named for William B. Travis, Central Ward for Sam Houston, North Ward for Stephen F. Austin, South Ward for James Bowie, and the West Ward for the Alamo.

1936 In this year in recognition of the Centennial of Texas Independence all Harlingen schools are renamed to reflect Texas patriots and events. The school system has 80 teachers. The West Ward School for Hispanic students becomes the Alamo Junior High School.

1937 The new Alamo Elementary School is operating at 501-21 South F Street. By 1970 it ceases to function.

In this period E.C. Deering is superintendent of schools. He holds a BA from Baylor University and an MA from the University of Texas. D.M. Denton, who is the high school principal, holds an AB degree from Baylor University. William C. Black is principal at the Travis School while Lula B. Ellis fills that job at the Booker T. Washington all-black school. M.H. Connelly who will go to bigger jobs in the system is principal at Bowie in this period.

5/25/38 Harlingen High School graduates 103. Frank E. Davis is school board president.

Religious    Return to top

1930 G.W. and Isola Hay come to the city He is minister of the Christian Church, 1934-48. He dies in 1949 and she 7/1/60.

Proselytizing is evident from the telephone listing this year of the Mexican Baptist Church, 501 South C; Mexican Presbyterian Church, 424 W. Tyler; and the Mexican Christian Church, 916 W. Filmore.

The First Church of Christ Science has also been established by this year.

1/4/31  In memory of Elizabeth Stuart, members of the family who founded the Stuart Place development dedicate a pipe organ to the First Methodist Church South.

1932 Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church sanctuary doubles its physical capacity with the addition of a transept.

Calvary Baptist Church comes into being.

1933 The Assembly of God Church is the first of that denomination in the Valley. The Rev. L.B. Lane is founder and first pastor. When it moved from Homeland between Harlingen and San Benito to 11th and E. Madison the hurricane destroyed the framework being erected.

11/11/36  The First Church of Nazarene  is organized at the home of L.P. Leweling. D.A. Minton leads the group in prayer after which R. G. Cummings is selected as chairman. The congregation comes into formal being on 11/23/36 with 20 members. They worship at a tent at the corner of 5th and Madison.  Lots for a building are purchased in 1938.

1937 The Knights of Columbus are chartered. In 1985 the Catholic fraternal group has 205 members.

1939 St. Alban's parish builds a more sizeable sanctuary at the corner of 11th and Van Buren. Contractor Hugh Ramsey builds the brick edifice for $8,500 and at no profit to himself. It will be enlarged and remodeled in 1946. The old church, now to be used as a parish hall, will be move behind the new one. The church's first rectory, at 718 E. Van Buren, will be purchased in 5/42.

Organizations—Social, Civil, Service    Return to top

1930  The Fine Arts Club of Harlingen is organized and federated.  Its motto is "Progress is the law of life" and its purpose is to stimulate minds of members to mature thinking. It fosters the advancement and appreciation of fine arts in the community. It commences with 13 charter members and adds 24 more in its first year.

C.E. Van Berg is president of the Boy Scouts of America, Rio Grande Council with its office in Harlingen at 320 N. 2nd Street.

11/30 The Harlingen Women's Chamber of Commerce is putting out an intensive drive for beautification of yards in the city.

4/31 When the Lower Rio Grande Valley Engineers' Club meets here they are shown the Liston plant's experiments with re-inforced concrete pipe making.

1932 The Afflatus Club, a women's group dedicated to study and learning, is organized. After 65 years of existence the group is down to six members, Carolyn J. McCarley being one of them, and disbands in May 1997. It is also in 1932 that the Study Club sponsors a Jr. Study Club that by 1963 is known as the Contemporary Study Club.

1933  The Harlingen Garden Club is organized with Mrs. E. W. Anglin as its first president. Its motto is "Today's vision is tomorrow's foundation." In 1934 it will affiliate with the RGV Federation of Women's Clubs. In actuality the garden group led for ten years by Mrs. A. J. Potter has been beautifying the city by planting palm, shade trees and shrubs. Working with Mrs. Potter have been Mrs. O. P. Storm, Mrs. E. W. Anglin, Mrs. Pearl Buck, Mrs. O. E. Stuart, Mrs. Charles Simmons and others. Over the years the garden group will have such projects as the Missouri Pacific grounds, Fair Park, Municipal Park (Bowie), HAAF Rose Garden, Golf Course Rose Garden, library grounds, USO patio and area trees. In 1936 it will join in the Valley-wide Bougainvillea Trail project conceived by Mrs. N. B. Lackland.

Mid 30s About this time an unusual two story structure is erected on the vacant lots of 318-320 W. Jackson. The latter address becomes that of the American Legion Sports Arena. The second floor has a large open area and enclosed rooms on the north side. The open area is used as a roller skating rink. The neighbor downstairs at 318 is the Arena Market operated by R.P. Smith, who is also a trucker. He and his wife Odessa reside at 310 S. 9th Street.

1936 This year the Junior Music Lovers Club is organized. Its charter members are: Dorothy Carlisle (her mother Mrs. Henry Carlisle was a leader in the Valley Civic Music Association), La Donna Polhemus, Barbara Ruth Green, Peggy Bush, Mary Jo Phipps, Jean Rozanne Pile, Jeanne Shirley Wood, Bessie Ferrine Willingham, Bettie Jeanne Burdette, Bettylou Williams, Kathleen Carter, Isla Lew Carey, Billie Faye Trammel, Eleanor Reeves Crockett, and Bernice McCune.

This same year the Better Harlingen Club, which had grown with Mrs. John Myrick as president and evolved into the Harlingen City Federation of Women's Clubs then the Women's Chamber of Commerce, was reorganized as the City Federation of Women's Clubs.  Represented in it were Afflatus, the Business and Professional Women's Club, Fine Arts, Jr. Study Club, Music Lovers, Palmetal Home Demonstration, Primera Home Demonstration, Rio Grande Valley Art League, Study Club, and the Women's Chamber of Commerce.  Later to join were the Altrusa Club, Child Guidance Club, Past Presidents' Club, Harlingen Garden Club, the Inspirational Study Group, and the Zonta Club.

4/16/37  District Scouter Myrlin Johnson announces that Harlingen is but $100 short of its quota of $1,250 set as part of the $11,000 fund raising campaign to continue scouting in the Valley. Paul G. Greenwood, local attorney, is finance chairman of the drive.

1938 Mrs. G.M. Lozano and 13 other Hispanic women organize the Bougainvillea (garden) Club.

7/19/38 The Harlingen Day Nursery chartered in 1937 and sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Club, Mrs. J. M. Mothershead, chairman, opens its new building in Bowie Park. It can accommodate 30 children. Mrs. Julia Knowles is in charge of the nursery which has moved from its Harrison Street location. In the 1950s it will operate in the Old Casa Building in Diaz Park

1939 This year was when Winter Texans first banded together, this being at the patio of the Madison Hotel. From this gathering would evolve the Harlingen Tourist Club..

1939-40  The Harlingen Fine Arts Club sponsors four plays each year for the children of the Valley. The Clare Tree Major Little Theater Plays presented at the municipal auditorium include Robin Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Alice in Wonderland, and Hans Brinker.

 

Miscellaneous    Return to top

1930  The Interstate Directory Company of Springfield, MO publishes one of the first, if not the first, comprehensive telephone directories of Harlingen. By 1935 the Wilmot Publishing Company of Mission will take up the reins and continue thru at least 1971. It also handles other Valley cities. In 1966 however it is becomes a division of Johnson Publishing Co., Odessa. By 1938 the publisher, Benjamin A. Wilmot and his wife Nannie Belle are residing at 909 E. Tyler. Around 1936 the Rio Grande Telephone Co. compiled its own directory, but it wasn't as inclusive with information.

1930-34 A Valley resident since 1930, C.W. Blackwell has a flying school in the area. Mr. and Mrs. O.N. Joyner's daughter Evelyn is one of his students and is considered to be the youngest woman pilot in the country. After she earns a flying license, her father purchases a plane. Blackwell makes most of his living with his pioneer agricultural dusting service and will manager the old Harlingen Airport for a number of years. At age 67 on 5/15/59 Blackwell passes.

11/23/30 25,000 people throng Harlingen streets for the opening of the Winter Mid-Valley Fair.

11/31 Following the Mid-Winter Fair a concessionaire remarks that the John Francis Show provides " one of the biggest dates that the firm ever played and not only outgrossed its previous engagement but broke all records there."

1931-32 In large measure due to the athletic prowess of Jimmy Lawrence, Harlingen wins the district football title two years running. This 1931 graduate goes on to Texas Christian University where in 1935 the 180 lb. top rusher and co-captain leads the school to #1 rank in the nation and culminates with a 3 to 2 victory over LSU in the Sugar Bowl. The All-Southwest Conference player then goes on to play professional football with the Chicago Cardinals, 1936-39, and Green Bay Packers, 1939. On 8/21/85, the 72 year old is inducted into TCU's Letterman's Hall of Fame.

1932 The first Lower Rio Grande Valley Men's Amateur (golf) tournament is held and won by Hill Cocke. Three years later the first Lower Rio Grande Valley Lady's Tournament will be held and won by Mrs. A.E. McClendon.

7/32  Florence Bell, who came to the Harlingen area in 1903 with her father Dr. Bell, affirms that Harlingen was named for the grandmother of Col. Uriah Lott, the individual who helped bring the railroad to the Valley.

9/4-5/33 A powerful hurricane moves inland past Brownsville. Wind velocities are measured at 106 mph before an anemometer is blown away; gusts are estimated to have reached 125 mph. On the Sunday evening after 7 pm some winds may even have reached 135mph. Forty people are killed and 500 injured across the region. Eighteen die in Cameron County including seven in Rio Hondo. Most of the citrus crop in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is ruined. The damage everywhere is devastating. There is considerable structural damage throughout the city. The rear half of the Municipal Auditorium is nearly torn off.  In the same area the Administration Building of the Valley Mid-Winter Fair is destroyed as is its Exhibition Hall, and the nearby grandstand. (Click to go to Valley History, this site, and open "The Labor Day Hurricane of 1933.)

7/33 The American Legion Hall at 300 W. Jackson is the venue for numerous boxing and wrestling events.

7/4/33  A major Independence Day parade and celebration is conducted, the first in 10 years.

8/19/33  Harlingen hosts Founders's Day with mile long parade, rodeo, a banquet for 500 at the Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel, a dance, and prizes. 20,000 are said to attend the events. Father Noonan leads the parade as dressed as Padre Olmos.  Lon C. Hill is singled out for honors. Brownsville attorney and historian Harbert Davenport is principal speaker.

11/36  Stunt pilot "Reckless" Rex Murphy is in town to stage a crash of his plane for Mid-Winter Fair attendees. While here he borrows a plane to search the El Suaz Division of the King Ranch for missing San Perlita poachers, John and Luther Blanton. Neither the men nor their bodies were ever recovered.

11/1/36  Construction begins on a horse-racing track at Fair Park to allow for a ten-day December meet.

1938  The Harlingen Cubs, a semi-pro team in the Texas Valley League, is originated.  Other cities in the six team league are Corpus Christi, Refugio, Taft, Brownsville, and McAllen.  In a championship play-off with Corpus which came in first in the 155 games standings, Harlingen captures the pennant.

1938  This year the professional Texas Valley League was inaugurated with six teams  They were the Harlingen Hubs, McAllen Palms, Corpus Christi Spudders, Taft Cardinals, Refugio Oilers, and Brownsville Charros. The league's 140 game daylight schedule commenced on April 14, 1938. When it concluded there was to be no second year for the league, for attendance at some of the parks, especially in Brownsville, had been sparse and when this team folded so did the league.

4/11/38 This is the date scheduled for an 8 P.M. Public Mass Meeting at the Fair Ground Auditorium, Harlingen. Hon. Gordon Griffin of McAllen is one of the organizers pushing for South Texas as the 49th State as described in the publicity brochure.

7/19/38  The Harlingen Day Nursery Building, a frame and stucco structure, is completed in Bowie Park. The building will care for 30 children.

3/16/39  Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt is in Harlingen to deliver two lectures sponsored by the American Legion.

1939-42 In this period photographers for the Farm Security Administration were working in the Valley to document what conditions were and what the federal government was doing to alleviate poverty. All three FSA photographers who worked here were to gain fame in later years. They were Arthur Rothstein, Russell Lee, and John Vachon. [For additional information see "Before Fame Came, They Worked in the Valley" link.] To view 141 Harlingen area photographs on the internet go to www.loc.gov Search Farm Security Administration- Office of War Information Photograph Collection. Click on using the collection, and 20. Farm Security Administration-Office of War Information, information black and white negatives then Harlingen search.

Return to top        Return to CCHC Home Page

 

Decade 1940 to 1949

Development    Return to top

1940 U.S. Census puts Harlingen's population at 13,306. It is characterized as 62% American, 36% Latin-American and 2% Negro.

9/40 Mayor Hugh Ramsey makes a definitive proposal to the War Department to establish an Army Air Field at Harlingen. [For additional information see "The History of the Harlingen Army Airfield and Harlingen Air Force Base" link.] On 6/17/40 he had reported to the C of C that land suitable for a base had been pinpointed and that the city was attempting to acquire it.

Hugh Ramsey moved to Harlingen in 1925. This native of Milford, TX was born there in 1894. He joined the army in 1913 and was stationed in the Valley in 1916, then overseas with the 36th. He was discharged in 1919 and entered the contracting business. First elected mayor in 1936 he serves 10 consecutive years and is elected again in 1948. He is a First Baptist Church member and by 1951 has been a Rotary Club member for 25 years.

1941 Mayor Ramsey and Harlingen City Commissioners J.L. Head, Guy Leggett, B.C. Mothershead, W.E. Gaines, W.C. Anderson, and Arthur Dabney together with U.S. Senators Tom Connally and Morris Shepherd go to Washington to present the city's plans to the War Department.

3/41 Army Air Corps officials in Washington announce approval of Harlingen Air Training Base and in May this is confirmed. Later authority to proceed comes with the approval of a $3.8 million appropriation.

7/41 Harlingen Army Airfield is established for the training of gunnery students. By 1945 more than 48,000 gunners have utilized the facility, now the Valley International Airport. With its palm-lined streets and flowering shrubs it was known as the "showplace of the air force."

11/28/41 Col. John R. Morgan, who will become the airfield commander, lands first base aircraft, a BT-13, on new southeast runway. At this time only a one-chair contractor's shack exists.

1942 Harlingen building permits slump to $102,160. Only 36 homes and one apartment complex are constructed. The bonded indebtedness of the city is $1,031,800. Its assessed valuation is $9,142,360. The city tax rate is $1.80 per $100 assessed value, the school tax rate $1.00/$100, the state $.50, county $1.63, and the Arroyo Navigation District $.45. The CCWD charge is $2 per acre per year plus 50 cents per acre per irrigation.

Some key statistic for this and the previous year are:

12/31/41 12/31/42

postal receipts $76,545 $118,304

bank deposits $ 2,487,094 $4,173,568

telephones 2,568 3,135

electric connections 3,468 3,376

gas connections 2,293 2,493

water meters 2,246 2,538

 

1/43 Harlingen citizens purchase $652,690.50 of war bonds and stamps in 1942. The now four square mile city has an estimated population of 16,000.

1944-45 Building permits rise to pre-war levels with $422,510 and $606,764. Whether from the military or other, Harlingen sees a considerable jump in key financial indicators between 1944 and the end of 1945.Bank deposits rise from $9,580,159 to $14,500,000; postal receipts from $181,148 to $194,080; electric meters 3882 to 4412; gas meters from 2779 to 2902; water meters from 2729 to 3094; and telephones from 3535 to 3643.

2/46 Harlingen Army Airfield is deactivated and formally taken over by the city on March 21. On 3/21/46 the field is taken over by the city.

9/7/46 Harlingen Field dedicated as a municipal airport by Rear Admiral C.A.F. Sprague, commander of the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. From this field is flown the first air cargo ever from the Valley. It is a planeload of strawberries for Canada.

12/46 Water System assets are put at $897,842.

1946-49 City sees post-war surge in building permits. The four year period averages $2,037,886 per year, a 334% increase over the year 1945.

1947 This year is a bad one for fires. With a population of 22,922, $229,060 are paid as fire insurance premiums, yet insured losses for the year total $493,457 or $21.53 per capita. This is way above any previous years or those to follow.

At $2,004,046 Harlingen building permits set a new record, only to be overtaken by 1947's $68,000 more.

4/22/47 Nationwide Air Transport flies into the All-Valley Airport, Harlingen with the its first international air cargo ever. The DC 3 carries 7,000 lbs. of shrimp from Carmen, Mexico.

1948 The population of the city is said to be 25,348.

1949 After April the CCWD canal between Pierce Street and the Southern Pacific tracks is buried. This allows the creation of 13th Street.

Agriculture/Ranching    Return to top

8/42 With many Valley citizens off to war, the Mexican Farm Labor Supply Program ("Bracero") was put into effect. It allowed for a maximum at any one time of 50,000 Mexican workers in agriculture and 75,000 for railroad maintenance. The latter ended in 1945, but the former continued into 1964.

9/27-29/43 The Texas Citrus and Vegetable Growers and Shippers Association holds its first annual meeting. Harlingen member are Adams Gardens Nurseries, Collier-Mitchell Produce Company, Cullen and Thompson, and John Morris, Jr. Company. Associate members from Harlingen are Crown-Williamette Paper Co., Food Machinery Co., and Tri-Pak Machinery Service.

1944  This is the year Douglas Steve Cantwell and his son Billy Neel Cantwell Sr. bought, for $75 an acre, dryland farmland east of Rio Hondo and were eventually to cultivate between 3-4,000 acres of cotton and grain sorghum. Douglas, a native of Ingram, TX born there 3/1/1902, came to Harlingen in 1930 to join his brother Earl in owning and operating the Cantwell Mattress and Awning Co. It was located on F Street next to the City Cemetery. Brother Earl in 1920 had quit his job in a mattress factory in Sugar Land and soon opened his own in Brady, TX then expanded his operation to Harlingen in 1930. At that time new mattresses cost $6 and rebuilt ones $3. The company's slogan was "You can't sleep well without a Cantwell Mattress" .Doug had married Mackalee Neel of Brady in 1927 and son Billy was born in 1929. In 1936 Earl moved to Corpus Christi and opened another factory which still operates. In the 1950s Doug closed the factory and commenced farming full time with his son Billy. This they continued until Doug was 100 in 2002 and Billy 73.  They then retired. Along the way Doug received an award from the U.S. Agricultural Commissioners for his dedicated service and for being the oldest U.S. farmer still actively practicing. He was to die August 2, 2006 at age 104. His son Billy and descendents survived him.

1945 At the invitation of Kumazo Tanamachi, Izamu Taniguchi comes to the Valley after his release from internment in the camp at Crystal City, Texas. He will take up vegetable and cotton farming near Los Indios. This native of Japan had come to Stockton, CA in 1915 and commenced farming in the Brentwood area. In 1967 he and his wife will retire to Austin where architect son, Alan, teaches and operates an architecture firm.

8/2/45 The Producers Gin Co. experiences a fire in which 63 cotton bales are lost. This and other damage is valued at $15,211. Fire and losses are a regular feature at the gins, hull facilities, cotton seed plants, and cotton rail loading facilities.

1/1/46  After only a short reprieve Office of Price Administration (OPA)administrator Chester Bowles announces that price controls on fresh citrus will be restored on January 4 after mid-Western congressmen complained over a 50-100% increase in prices. A bumper crop is expected this season. Farmers will be pleased however that tire rationing is to end today.

1/3/46  Fire destroys the garage and shed behind 1772 E. Harrison.  W. C. Magee losses, including a car and truck, are moderate because he had moved most of his dairy equipment to his Magee Dairy in San Benito.

Pryor Dillard is regularly advertising his land leveling services with modern equipment.

1/11/46  James T. Marshall, a farmer of the Briggs-Coleman area, dies at age 61. Coming here from Clinton, Indiana in 1926, he had recently been elected a water district director. He also served as the president of the Brigg-Coleman School Board. He leaves behind sons Harry B. and Paul H.

6/24/47 Forrest Garling of Harlingen delivers the country's first bale of the season to the Houston Cotton Exchange. He is paid the record price of $1,825 or 3.565 cents per lb.

This year the annual farm income in the Harlingen area is valued at $132 million or 10% of the total for Texas.

The Food Machinery Corp., Texas Division, is on South Commerce and advertises being the originator of the famous "Flavorseal Protective" treatment for fruits and vegetables.

1/49 Sam Gerard commences publication of The Border Scope, an agricultural magazine first issued in Harlingen but whose offices later move to La Feria.

As the decade drew to a close the cotton industry in Harlingen was likely peaking. Cotton gins within the city and nearby were the:

Briggs-Coleman Cooperative Gin, Hardin Ranch

Clark Cotton Company, 409 Commerce

Elrod Gin Company, 321 W. Jefferson

Farmer's Gin Company, 307 N. Commerce

Hargrove Gin, 1 ½ Mile Combes Highway

Harlingen Gin Company, 1 Mile Grimes Road, Airbase Road/corner Grimes

Hub Gin Company, 1 mile North Combes Highway

Producers Gin Association, 516 W. Washington

Rangerville Coop Gin, 5 ¾ Rangerville Road

Sandlin Cotton Gin Company, 1121 N. Commerce.

Cotton oil mills were:

South Texas Cotton Oil Company, Fair Park Blvd.

Southwest Cotton Oil Mill, S. Commerce

Swift and Company, Wilson Road

Valley Co-op Oil Mill, Wilson Road.

Compresses were:

Harlingen Compress Company, Combes Highway

Valley Compress and Warehouse Company, 721 N. Commerce.

1949 There is an unprecedented freeze which injures primarily citrus, but other crops too.

 

Government/Politics-Local, County, State, National    Return to top

1940 Fair Park is improved and beautified. [For additional information on this and other parks see "The City Parks of Harlingen" link.]

12/17/40 The Hug-the Coast Highway from the Louisiana-Texas state line at Orange, TX to Brownsville is officially opened.

12/7/41 The U.S. is attacked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by Japanese military forces. War is declared against Japan and then Germany and its allies.

1942 The City council passes an ordnance prohibiting the sale of liquor on Jackson Street between Commerce and 4th.

In the war years the Cameron County Ration board was located in Harlingen. It has 25 employees and 50 volunteers. It is ranked one of the three highest in the nation for efficiency.

1/43 A city tax levy supports the 300 member Harlingen Chamber of Commerce with its budget.

The Fire Department has 36 members but only four paid firemen.

The only public swimming pool is the 50'x150' one at Fair Park. It is administered by the American Legion Post.

The 72 acre municipal air field west of the city in the Stuart Place Tract is leased to an individual concern.

4/43 This month J.J. Dawson begins his four year stint as fire chief.

July 1943 Jay McCoy, Harlingen city jailor, is stabbed to death in an affray.. This First Baptist member leaves behind a widow, four sons and two daughters.

7/30/44 By this date 44 Valley women are serving the war effort in the WAVES. The Harlingen women are Frances Aileen Adams, Ada R. Allerdice, Florence M. Bouldin, May Alice Coleman, Kathleen Johnston, Gertrude R. Lozano, Dathern C. Saulsberry, Eva Mary Sigler, and Alice H. Pettis.

1945 The City purchases the Municipal Water Plant and System from the Central Power and Light Company for $545,000. To finance this purchase the City voted and issued $875,00 in revenue bonds and to secure the bonds, a trust indenture or mortgage was given on the entire water system. The City Commission then created a Board of Trustees to take charge of the properties and management of the entire operations. The first board included J. Lewis Boggus, Hill Cocke, Sr., Earl Breedlove, and Mayor Hugh Ramsey. Gene McCullough was named recorder and attorney for the board.

1/5/46  The first hint of the closure of the Harlingen Army Air Field comes in an AP story noting it will be declared surplus, the last of four such bases in this area to be deactivated. Others have been Moore Field, the Brownsville Army Air Base, and the Laguna Madre Sub-Base of the HAAF. Col. Louis R. Hughes is commanding officer of the 5,000 men, both trainees and permanent personnel, now here.  By 1/29 negotiations start on the use of HAAF. On 2/1 the base is placed into inactive status and four days later declared surplus property. He had been here since 1941. HAAF base commanding officer Col. Roy T. Wright had received orders on 9/17 to go overseas.  Col. Lewis R. Hughes, deputy CO as of 4/13, then took command of the base. On 10/5/45 Col. John R. Morgan, commanding officer of the 79th Flying Training Wing with headquarters at HAAF, had been ordered to assume command at Keesler Field, Mississippi.

1/12/46  City passes curfew ordinance requiring unaccompanied minors to be off the streets between 10 pm and 6 am.

1/19/46 Marvin F. Runnion is employed as general manager of the Water System. (Delete the existing one sentence entry on Runnion a little back in this 1946 subject). Here 3 ½ years, he was a lt. col. serving as post engineer at the HAAF. He will start 2/10.

2/7/46  Parking meters for downtown streets will go into operation on 2/11.  They were purchased and installed by Park-O-Meter Mfg. of Oklahoma City.

2/8/46  The U.S. House of Representatives approves funding for Inter-Coastal Waterway construction work. This is after Rep. Milton H. West of Brownsville on 1/11 assures all that the extension of the coastal canal to Harlingen is in the bag, that work on two storage dams is to start, and that a drainage system for the Valley will be built.

1946   R.J. (Duck) Kroeger is mayor. Kroeger has had an interesting career. In the years 1926-35 he is a publisher's representative. In Harlingen in 1938 he starts up C & H News Co., now at 402 North T Street. The initials stand for Cameron and Hidalgo. The company distributes newspapers, magazines and post cards to stores across the area. In time it will grow into a considerable enterprise with 25 outlets in the U.S. and Canada. When Kroeger dies his wife Zola Mae(Peggy) runs the company, which now also distributes pocket books. Having no children, the company eventually goes into the hands of a Corpus Christi nephew. The Kroegers make their home for many years in the Madison Hotel and move into the Reese-Wil-Mond when the Madison burns down.

The first city manger of the modern era is Bill Briscoe. A paid fire chief, Harold Crossett, is hired by the city. Late in the year Fire Station No.3 is set up at the airport.

Marvin F. Runnion is employed as general manager of the Water System.

3/46 The Police Department gets its first two-way radios. These are installed in three patrol cars.

46-47  The city adopts a budget of $252,000.  It is $100,000 over that of the previous year.

1/1/47 W.P. Briscoe commences work in the long unfilled position of city manger.  He receives $6,600 a year. He lasts only two years on the job.

1/7/47 Elected in the 1946 general election, Arthur A. Klein begins his term on the 107th District court (formerly the Criminal District Court.) He will serve until 4/30/54.

3/47 L.E. Reeves becomes the new city jailer and also has the duty of rounding up stray animals. He came to Harlingen in 1942 and worked for CP&L and the Morton Ice Company. The apprehended animals may then be handled by city veterinarian Dr. W.J. Tumlinson.

4/47 Henry D. Smith commences in the position of fire chief. He remains in this job until 12/31/49 after which W.W. Garrett becomes acting chief for a two month period.

5/9/47 The trustees of the Harlingen Cemetery Association convey to the city the deed for the 7.6 acre Harlingen Cemetery.

7-8/47 The state constructs the Business 77 bypass bridge over the Arroyo Colorado. This alternate road to San Benito is widened in 1965 and again in 1989. When it opens in 10/47 it is termed the "Parallel Highway."

A.B. Chapa becomes the first Hispanic elected to the City Commission.  This World War II navy veteran serves 1947-1959, 1970-1974, and 1986-91. He also was on the city's Civil Service Commission and the Utility Board of Trustees.  On 5/15/91 he was to be honored with A. B. Chapa Appreciation Day. He is to die 7/1/95 at age 79. He owned several businesses and real estate holdings.

The Water Board authorizes contract for construction of a 400,000 gallon clear well at the Jefferson Street plant and engineering study to enlarge the plant and distribution system. The Air Base Filter Plant is acquired by the city to maintain service to the airport and Le Moyne Gardens.

1948 After Harold Crossett resigned as police chief, W.A. Hensley, who was juvenile officer and sergeant of detectives in the Harlingen Police Department, succeeded him.  He was to resign in 1952. Hensley hired the department's first female employee, Mrs. Pearl Henderson, as a three month temporary. She became permanent and by 1960 was superintendent of records. When Hensley became chief the department had 18 men and upon his resignation in 1952 it had 23 including the jailer.

12/4/48 Upon the death of Milton West, Lloyd Millard Bentsen, Jr. is elected in a special election as Congressional Representative for the area including Harlingen. He will continue to serve until 1/3/55 when he chooses not to run again. He will serve as U.S. Senator from Texas 1/1971 to 1/93 when he resigns to run for the vice-presidency on the Democratic ticket.

1949 Merle Huston is manager of the Harlingen All-Valley Airport.

 2/1/49  R.J. Brule, former city manager/engineer for 18 years in Navasota, TX, starts work in Harlingen as the city's first city manager and also city engineer, a position just relinquished by Alfred Tamm. His salary is $6,000 a year plus $900 for automobile expenses. He resigns 10/20/50 and the position is filled on an acting basis by city secretary F. R. Lucas until January 1951 when L.M. Crow, Jr. is permanently appointed.

4/22/49 The city accepts an offer of the First National Bank, E.C. Breedlove, Sr. president, to purchase the Van Buren Street city hall site for $75,000.

4/22/49  Hill Cocke is appointed chairman of a seven-person steering committee for the proposed $80,000 project to eliminate the 13th Steet Canal.

W. A. Hensley becomes Police Chief and serves until 1952.

6/7/49  The city awards a $65,611 contract to Lehman, Hoge and Scott of Harlingen to bury the 13th Street Canal, converting it to a 5 foot square aquaduct. It will run 3,825 feet from Pierce to the Southern Pacific railroad tracks. Work will commence within the month.

11/8/49 Fair Park is renamed Lon C. Hill Park and dedicated as such 11/19/50 during the 23rd Annual Valley Mid-Winter Fair. Four Hill daughters are honored in the Pioneer Parade. They are Miss Paul Hill, Miss Annie Rooney Hill and Mrs. M.V. Caul, all of Harlingen, and Mrs. Izaac Hill Morrow of Brownsville,

12/10/49 The Harlingen Housing Authority is created with its purpose to provide apartments and homes to people of low income. Rent charged to each family will be based upon the total family income. In1952 Le Moyne Gardens with 200 units is built. In 1972 the old Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel is renovated into the Heritage Manor having 104 senior citizen apartments. In 1992 Sunset Terrace with 120 units is established.

 

Business/Commercial/Industry    Return to top

1940 The Howard E. Butt Company moves its corporate offices from Harlingen to Corpus Christi. Some of its offices had been in the Missouri Pacific freight office building.

Bank deposits stand at $2,098,378.

In this era E.J. Waitman, general contractor, is a prominent builder of important structures. He builds the Minnie Gay Junior High School, Temple Beth Israel, The First National Bank, Holsum Bakery, the new Nehi Bottling Co.on Business 77, and Luby's Cafeteria in Coronado Village buildings among others.

8/27/40  Junkin's "Distinctive" Furniture moves from its 201-203 W. Monroe location to its new 19,000 sq. ft. store at 516 W. Jackson. Tom Vines Furniture will come to occupy the old location.

1941 Hygeia Dairy's production has risen to 1,000 gallons of milk and 1,000 lbs. of butter daily. The city is also the site of two cotton oil mills one owned by the South Texas Cotton Oil Mill and the other Swift and Company. The cotton compress is part of the Aransas Compress Co. The sole meat-packing plant, Southwestern Packing Co., handles up to 200 hogs and 40 cattle daily. The large canning plant, Harlingen Canning Co., remains a subsidiary of the Howard E. Butt Company.

9/1/41 On this date the Harlingen Airfield Bus Co. receives a state permit to operate.It has been organized by State Senator Rogers Kelley, atty. J. Cullen Looney, both of Edinburg, and Vance D. Raimond of La Feria to transport military personnel and workers the four miles to and from the city to the new army airfield. Its first bus is a 1941 Ford milk delivery truck purchased from Hygeia Dairy for $350 and outfitted to seat passengers. Three months later one Ford school bus having a capacity of 28 is purchased for $2,100. On 2/24/42 the company grew when it received a permit to commence service from Moore field northwest of Edinburg to Mission, McAllen, Pharr, and Edinburg. Its name then changed to the Valley Airfield Bus Co. Fourteen years later, having changed its name in 5/48 to the Valley Transit Co. (VTC), it operates across the Valley with more than fifty coaches with 37 passenger capacity.

KGBS (later KGBT) radio owned by the Harbenito Broadcasting Co. opens with a 250 watt signal and a staff of eleven. Popular belief is that McHenry Tichenor gives its call sign the initials of his wife, Geneviere Beryl Smith. GBS however is George B. Storer, founder of Storer Communications which got its start when this chain service station owner purchased his first station in Toledo, Ohio. After selling the local station he wanted to retain the call sign, so KGBS was changed. In January 1944 it will become an affiliate of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS.)

7/41 Hill Cocke supplies the new Army airfield with Ready Mix Concrete from two small mixer trucks with a total capacity of less than 100 cubic yards per day. His enterprise becomes Valley Ready-Mix Concrete Co. By 1960 the company has five permanent and two portable plants, 36 mobile trucks, and a capacity of over 2,000 cubic yards per day.

Encouraged by Cocke, and even guaranteed the cost of a dragline, Jim Frizzell commences Frizzell's Dragline Service. It will play a major role in providing ditch drainage for the coming army airfield and surroundings as well as clearing the area of native brush.

1942/43 The Grande Theater, 507 W. Harrison opens to show Spanish language films. It is managed by Thomas Cantu and owned by Interstate Theaters, which also operates the Rialto, the Strand both on Jackson and the Acadia on North A Street. These are managed by Thomas A. Howell. The Grande closes in 1989.

In addition to the Valley Morning Star with its 10,000 circulation, Harlingen is the publishing site of Texas Farming and Citriculture Magazine. This 10,000 circulation publication is devoted to the development of agriculture in South Texas and was established in 1924.

The city has 72 wholesale companies and ranks number one in the Valley with wholesale volume of $6,236,000.

1943  This year Sofia Mata becomes, what is believed to be, Harlingen's first Hispanic businesswomen. She opens Sofie's Beauty shop at 116 ½ S. First Street. By 1948 she will have married Samuel Solis, an employee of Lehmann Implement. For over 50 years she will operate her cosmetology/beauty salon moving to four other locations. Born 3/28/1919 she will die at age 89 on 11/22/08. She was preceded in death by her husband and a son. She leaves behind three sons and family.

1943  This year Sofia Mata becomes, what is believed to be, Harlingen's first Hispanic businesswomen. She opens Sofie's Beauty shop at 116 ½ S. First Street. By 1948 she will have married Samuel Solis, an employee of Lehmann Implement. For over 50 years she will operate her cosmetology/beauty salon moving to four other locations. Born 3/28/1919 she will die at age 89 on 11/22/08. She was preceded in death by her husband a son. She leaves behind three sons and family.

1/43 The city has 301 retail stores, 62 wholesale outlets, 26 manufacturing plants, 192 professional groups, and 48 service groups. It is the Valley's retail center with sales of $7,350,000, surpassing both McAllen and Brownsville. Wholesale volume amounts to $6,236,000. Annual payrolls are: retail $727,000, wholesale $850,000, manufacturing $525,000, professional $45,000, and service group $1,155,000 for a total of $3,302,000.

District railroad offices in the city, in addition to the Missouri Pacific and Southern Pacific, are Nickel Plate, Cotton Belt, Illinois Central, B&O, and Wabash. Eight passenger trains daily come in and go out.

The six trucking lines serving the city are: Alamo Freight Lines, Brown Express Inc., Jones Motor Freight Lines, J.H. Robinson Truck lines, Red Arrow Freight Lines and the Missouri Pacific Freight Line.

9/21/43  Finis Easterling and Gayle Van Tyne operate a filling station at Four Corners (F and Harrison streets).  They acquire the Harlingen Pontiac agency in 1944 with the former assuming ownership in 1959.  Easterling had begun his career in 1934 as low man on the totem pole for the Boggus agency. He will later own agencies in Brownsville, Alice, Kingsville and Corpus Christi. He will serve on the City Commission 12/56 until his untimely death from cancer at age 45 on 12/31/60.

It is in 1943 that the Burk Hotel Co. sells the Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel to Lucille Wolf of Chicago. Later it is partly owned by B.F. and Katherine Weinberg of Jackson County, MO. When they sell a half interest to Howard Hurwith for about $88,700, Jules Bisno associated with Weinberg and Mrs. Wolf retains the other half.

5/18/44 Alamo Express starts business here. By 1985 it is handling over19,000 shipments/year. In 1984 it handles 14 million lbs., much of it in containers.

1944(summer) The Le Noir Oldsmobile Co. is founded by J.P. Le Noir, who was selling GMC trucks during World War II. By 1985 Erlene Folsum owns Le Noir-Folsum Olds-Cadillac dealership on W. Harrison. Her husband had joined Le Noir as a partner in 1947 and purchased the company in 1967. The Cadillac franchise was obtained in 1948.

7/30/44 The B-1 Bottling Company on W. Washington is growing in sales under the management of Don E. Martin. He is an associate of E.L. Martin, B-1 bottler in San Antonio.

Tom Vines is to liquidate his furniture store at 202 W. Monroe. In 1938 he started his business at the corner of Jackson and Commerce having bought the store owned by Mayor Ramsey.

1944-45 The combined deposits in the two Harlingen banks total $16 million.

The Valley Morning Star circulation is 10,000. It is published by the Valley Publishing Company, 213 South 2nd Street. Leo E. Owens is its president and publisher; Robert L. Owens vice president and general manager; Harry W. Foehner, executive editor; and W. H. Mayes, news editor.

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Favre open the first of several restaurants to occupy the Stuart Place Clubhouse. Favre's Dining Room advertises "The Best Cuisine in the Valley", delightful food served by candlelight, accompanied by recorded music. In January 1961 it will be the Green Acres Restaurant.

1945 Fred Paschall buys Downs Style shop on Jackson and changes its name to Paschall's. A native of Terrill, TX he came to San Benito in 1930 and worked for the Downs Department Store. On 10/12/60 he will announce his candidacy for Mayor. He has a history of community service by then including Rotary Club president 1954-5, past vice president of the C of C, president of the Harlingen Navy League, and member of the Parks Board. He and his wife Irene live at 2018 Parkwood. Their children are Dr. Charles Paschall and Jeanette Paschall, who at the time works for McGraw-Hill Publishing.

Bank deposits stand at $14,785,612.

The Ramirez Tortilla Factory at 426 South F may be one of the first large-scale producers of its type. It also markets tostados, tacos shells and chalupas Valley-wide.

The telephone directory for 1945 has the first listing for the Valley Drive In Theatre at 1 M. W. St. Highway. The 1959-60 one has its last listing.  Forrest D. Martin its resident partner is noted to be retired in 1961.

6/15/45 The Harlingen State Bank, later the Harlingen National Bank, opens for business in a $125,000 building. Its officers are Elmer G. Johnson, president; Joe L. Penry, vice-president; D.B. Dunkin, vice-president and cashier; and Richard W. Thomason, assistant cashier.

Hygeia Dairy starts branch plants and warehouses in Brownsville and Weslaco. In 1946 it commences the manufacture of ice cream. In 1947 on F Street it completes its new and modern building with a milk-processing plant, executive offices, milk bar, and warehouse facilities.

12/27/45 Central Power and Light Company completes the sale of its Harlingen cold storage plant to Cecil Carruth. W.E. Smith is to be the plant manager of the five story  building, the largest of its type in South Texas.  It has the capacity to store 80 carloads.  Nearly 1/3 of all the United States shrimp is frozen in this plant. Some is trucked from as far as Port Lavaca. At present spinach is being processed.

1946  As the year begins the Valley Morning Star has as its president and publisher Leo E. Owens.  Robert L. Owens is assistant publisher and general manager, Harry W. Foehna, executive editor, W. H. Mayes, news editor, and Jack Cronenwett, national advertising manager. E. O. Miley is the oldest VMS employee in terms of service, having been on board since 1929. Issues sell for 25 cents per week or $10 per year for local mail.

Harlingen leads the whole Valley bank deposits ($107364.600) as of 1/31/45. At nearly $15 million is ahead of both Brownsville and McAllen which have about $14 million each.

It is this year that the F Street Dairy Bar adjacent to the Hygeia plant opens as the plant commences ice cream and butter production. Fifty-one years later Lee Richards, descendent of a Hygeia founder, still operates the bar that added a deli in the early 1990s.

1/14/46  Judge Lee O. Cox, 71, a Harlingen attorney for 20 years dies of a heart attack.  Born in Texas on 9/10/74 he married Susie Cherry, a teacher, in Weathersford, TX on 8/26/97. Survived by four sons, he was in his career city attorney for Stephenville and later counselor to the Southern Pacific at Washington, D. C. and Houston.

Yarborough's is issued a permit to build a concrete/brick structure 50' x 120' at an estimated $14,000 cost on E. Monroe.

2/25/46  At 317 N. 7th, the building and contents of the Harlingen Iron and Metal Co. valued at $9,000 are a total loss to a fire according to owner J. Levin.

1946 William Eugene Ayres founds Bill Ayres-Nash. In 1985the business is known as Ayers AMC-Jeep-Renault. The Nash line, forerunner of Jeep Rambler, was discontinued in 1954 and the company changed its name accordingly. Bill Ayers, Sr. takes over his father's business in 1954 and builds a new shop in 1969 at 1101 S. Commerce. His son serves as general manager in 1985.

In 1946 also E.O. Young establishes the Young Flying service. It is purchased by Wayne French in 1979. By 1985 it is a full, fixed base operation handling fueling, and on-call maintenance of smaller aircraft, air charters, sale of new Piper and Cessna airplanes, and rentals. Its 43 employees have a payroll of $437,000 by 1984.

The Harlingen Ice Company at 417-423 W. Jackson adds a fire proof vault to its structure.

H.H. Hahn commences his plumbing business in the city.

At 306 W. Jackson the Leonard family commences its Army Surplus Supply store in the former Pepsi Cola bottling plant. In 2004 with Paul Goodrow as manager the store's interior is belatedly updated and considerably more lighting added. Still in its employ is Ellie Villarreal who has been with the store for 51 years.

It is the year 1946 also that Boggus Ford occupies a city block with its new facility at Eye and W. Harrison Streets. In 2001 Boggus will vacate this location for one on the southeast side of the Arroyo Colorado Exp.77/83 Bridge. In February 2005 the Harrison site is cleared of all buildings in order to make it more attractive to potential buyers.

12/26/46 The Southwest Packing Co. has a major fire causing $62,000 to its buildings and $61,000 to their contents.

3/31/47 Antoinette Moss (Mrs. Moss) Harkrider, in her 30s, opens the second privately run day nursery-school in the city. The Tiny Tot School for children of working mothers only is at her McKinley Street home. Six children are enrolled initially, and this grows to 38 in seven months. Later a new house at 514 Parkwood Drive is designed to accommodate her family in addition to the school. Her teaching career will end in 1973.

In 1947 the Little Creek Motel Courts at 77 Sunshine Strip and Little Creek Street are among the Valley's newest. In the 70s, as the units are abandoned, the front building houses the popular Roundup Restaurant.

KGBS 1240 is the Columbia Broadcasting System affiliate for Harlingen, the Hub of the Magic Lower Rio Grande Valley. Meanwhile the Valley Morning Star has a circulation of 10,000 while the beautiful Valley Drive-In Theater at the very west end of Harrison boasts of having cost $80,000.

1947-48 Trans Texas Airways, with its 21 passenger DC 3s, offers twice daily flights.

The city is advertised as the "Valley's Commercial, Industrial and Transportation Center."

1948 Richard's Downtown Place at 103 E. Van Buren opens its restaurant with its" fine foods." It is owned and operated by Richard Bron, a Chicago chef. It had its own bakery and in back was a butcher shop where it made its own corn beef and pastrami from scratch. In 1956 he sells it to his son-in-law, Jim Wheeler. Taking over again Bron will later operate it and open another one called Richard's Sun Valley Restaurant at a location adjacent to the Sun Valley Motel on 77 Sunshine Strip. For many years it will remain one of Harlingen's finest eating establishments. Its Gold Room is popular in which to hold special functions. Son-in-law, Tom Kane, Sr. will help operate it for 40 years before selling it in the mid-1990s. It will close in 1999.

Lehman Buick opens at 906 W. Harrison.

In 1948 Harlingen leads the Valley in retail sales at $32, 864,000. It also has the Valley's largest payroll. 1,877 employees receive $3,650,000 in wages. The city has 370 stores.

E.O. Matz purchases the old Sam Houston School on Jackson but doesn't take possession of it until 6/5/50. He transforms it into a business office complex.

In this year the Azteca Theater owned by Santos G. Garcia and with Mrs. Frances Canas as co-owner-manager opens at 424-26 South F Street to show Spanish language movies. Mr.Garcia had built the building in 1941 and had used part of it as a cafe. In 1966 after sale to Ruben Benevides it is renamed Olmo's Theater. It is gone after 1971.

3/2/48 Trans Texas Airways has its first flight between Harlingen and San Antonio.

3/25/48 The Lyon Poultry Co. at 1201 S. F Street has a fire causing $8,000 damage.

6/48 MoPac files to sell its Missouri Pacific Transportation Co., its bus line subsidiary that also serves Harlingen. Continental Bus Lines buys it that year, and itself would ultimately be bought by Greyhound.

It is 1948 that Jack R. McArver and James W. Kirksey, Jr. become co-owners of the Double Cola Bottling Co., South Commerce Extension, later 11495 Commerce. Jack's sister Kathryn (Katie) will marry his partner James. She, a St. Alban's Episcopal Church member who served on the Altar Guild, will die 12/25/04 having outlived her husband, two brothers and a sister.

8/2/48 The Swift and Co. oil seed factory on Wilson Road outside the city limits sustains a loss of $50,000 in a fire.

1949 Val Air lines headquartered in the Madison building operates two flights daily to San Antonio and return to Harlingen.

The C of C budget this year is $18,000.

Holsum Bakery commences operations in its strikingly modern looking plant at 1500 W. Harrison. Its manager, Bill Trammel, has served on the City Commission 12/45-12/47.

9/16/49 A 3-alarm fire at the Cold Storage Plant on N. Commerce generates a $16,000 loss.

People     Return to top

1941  Orazio “Ray” Cocozza comes to the Valley this year as a 21 year-old enlisted man in the army cavalry at Ft. Brown. Born 5/16/20 in Chicago, IL, he married Billie Jean Brewster after his service discharge, returned to Chicago for a brief period then settled in Harlingen where he worked for the Food Machinery Corp. (FMC). When this firm left for McAllen, Ray opened a dry cleaning establishment here. M.H. Connelly encouraged him to join him in a new insurance venture.  After Connelly’s departure Ray headed the firm and took in Bob Shepard and then Bob Walton, both just out of college. Upon Ray’s retirement they bought the firm, now Shepard, Walton, and King.

The Cocozzas had four children, two of whom preceded him in death. After 56 years of marriage Billie was to die in 1999. Ray would marry Joan Stanley in 2000.

Ray became known as “Mr.Terrific” due to the use of the phrase and his everlasting optimism. He was a civic leader for many years being active in Rotary for which he was district governor, the Literary Center, and St. Anthony’s Church. This man “unselfish of his time and talent” was to die 11/16/06 at age 86 due to complications of leukemia.

12/7/41 Harlingen native and Navy man Johnny Spaeth dies aboard the destroyer USS Shaw while it is in dry dock at Pearl Harbor and is attacked by Japanese military forces. He thus becomes the first Harlingen individual to die in WWII in the service of his country.

1944  About this year Arthur Kenneth and Marjorie Stone came to Harlingen from Webster Groves, Mo with their ninth grade son Douglas. He would be graduated from HHS where he would meet his future wife Ann and go on to Hardins Simmons College in Abilene though he was awarded a scholarship to the Julliard School of Music in NYC. As a sophomore he accepted a scholarship to North Texas State University, going on to receive a masters degree in music. With an infant son they returned to Harlingen in 1954. He became a band director in Brownsville then Harlingen. Later he was to be principal at James Bowie Elementary and then Coakley Jr. High School before becoming Superintendent of Federal Aid for the HICSD. He was tympanist for the Valley Symphony Orchestra for 30 years, served on the school board one term, was a CAP and CAF pilot, an all-around sportsman, and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church. Born 1/11/30 he was to die at age 78 on 8/22/08. He left behind his wife, a noted piano teacher, son Boyd and grandchildren.

1945  Michael and Ruth Steib come to Harlingen with their three young children. In 1957 they come to own Durham's Business College in Harlingen and will do so until 1981. After retiring Ruth would go on to be a volunteer for the Harlingen Literacy Center and the HOSTS Program in the public schools.  She was recognized by the Texas House of Representatives for her work. Preceded by her husband Ruth, who was born 2/15/21 and later was graduated from the University of Illinois, was to die at age 86 on 2/3/07.

1949  This year Darrell Hester is graduated from the UT Law School.  He is then to come to Harlingen where he practices law with Abel Toscano, Jr. until 1971. He had been born in Frost near Corsicana, TX on 2/9/25. Graduating from that high school in 1942 he then served in the U.S. Navy as a communications officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters of war. He married Nell Sanders in 1948 and their marriage was to last 57 years until his death on 12/18/05. He made name for himself as judge of the 197th District court from 1971 to 1999 then presiding judge of the 5th Judicial Region. One of his most famous efforts was to clean up political corruption in Duval County in the 1970s. Because of his strict adherence to the law he obtained the nickname "Hang 'em high Hester." This member of the First Methodist Church served on numerous boards and was honored by having a juvenile correction facility named after him.

Education    Return to top

1940 Durham Business College opens to train people in stenographic, secretarial, and office skills.

1941 The Bryne Select School of Business is at 117 ½ W. Jackson. It exists only this one year. Mrs. Harry (Ethel) Eggleston is superintendent. Her husband is the owner of the Merchants Credit Bureau.

An annex is constructed at the Alamo School on F Street.

The end of the 1941-42 school year sees the conclusion of 11 years of matriculation for grade school students to receive their high school diploma. Across Texas the school years offered are now extended through grade twelve. Some transitional scheduling for 11-12 graders is offered the next two years.

12/31/42 The school enrollment is 3,125 with a faculty of 97. As 1943 commences the public schools are: Harlingen Senior High School (13th St.), Travis Junior High (Polk), Sam Houston, James C. Bowie, Stephen F. Austin, Alamo, Booker T. Washington, and James F. Dishman. The total investment in the physical plants was $800,000. The 75 member uniformed high school band was a proud achievement.

1943 The superintendent of schools is Ernest H. Poteet. In this year an annex is added to the Sam Houston and to the Travis School.

4/3/44 One of the buildings in the Hardin Ranch School complex east of Briggs-Coleman burns and is a total loss.

7/25/46 A school to be associated with St. Anthony's Catholic Church, about to be dedicated, is itself dedicated. Its first classes are held 9/1/46 in the structure built next to the church on Harrison in late 1945 and early 1946.

9/47 The Valley Baptist Academy gets its start in Harlingen under the sponsorship of the Rio Grande Baptist Association. Its mission is to teach grade school children primarily from Latin America areas. Its first home is an old store building on E. Madison. Here 28 are enrolled. In its second year it moves to Brownsville and remains there until 1956 when the old Valley Baptist Hospital, 613 South F Street in Harlingen becomes available. By 1962 it has 107 students, 88 of whom live in its dormitories. This same year it becomes an institution of the Valley Baptist Convention of Texas and by 1972 is a primary project of Texas Baptist Men. In 1964, 44 acres of land for a new campus, 5700 E. Harrison, are donated. When the 1972 school season starts and the Academy celebrates its 25th Anniversary it has 165 students, grades 8 to 12, from the U.S. and 11 other countries, mostly Mexico and Central America. The campus has five dormitories, classroom and administrative buildings, the president's house and four faculty houses. There is a staff of 20 teachers, administrative and maintenance personnel. At this time Dr. H.E. Gray has served as the Academy's president since 1952.

Some years after the F Street Valley Baptist structure is demolished, the multi-unit, two-story Robin Hood Apartments are constructed on the site.

It is 1947 that the school district establishes the Colonial Acres School for "exceptional children". It is at 500 Elm Street near the airfield. Mrs. Polk (Lucille) Hornaday is principal, and she also teaches the third grade in this seven classroom school with grades 1-6. In 1937 she began teaching at the Alamo School, having a science degree from UT and a MS from Texas A&I. The school begins its classes in September 1948. Within three years the school will grow from five teachers and 127 pupils to 14 teachers and 400 pupils, 90 of whom who were second graders transferring from Bowie Elementary. This school will in November 1953 move its location and be renamed Bonham Elementary School.

An auditorium and two classrooms are added to the Dishman School and a vocational shop to the high school. The Jefferson School is constructed. By 1951 it already needs the addition of six more classrooms.

1947 The Cardinal footballs teams of the 1940s and especially 1945, 46, and 47 enjoy great success under coach Weldon "Stoney" Phillips. Future businessman Lewis Levine, who will go on to the University of Texas, stars at fullback. The teams and fans are able to view the success in a stadium constructed in 1947.

1948 St. Alban's Episcopal Day School is established. Its first year sees 28 three to five year olds for the half day sessions. By 2003 this accredited school serves pre-school (age 2 through 6th grade.) The intervening years had seen numerous transitions, especially after the air base closed. By 1956-57 there were 85 students through the newly added third grade. A fourth grade was added the following school year only to see a retrenchment of both grades in 1958-59.

In this year the West Ward Elementary School is in the 600 block of South J. By 1950 it has been renamed the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. The growing school population necessitates the addition of four rooms to the Austin School and the same to Bowie which will also add four more in 1951. Travis gets a new cafeteria.

The Harlingen school system begins to integrate the Wilson and Stuart Place school systems to become the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD).

The St. Paul Lutheran School is established at Third and Tyler. Its goal is to educate elementary students together with Christian overtones. The school will later expand to handle kindergarten through 8th grade. The school at Tyler and Third is sited on four lots east of the church. These were purchased in 1943 for $1,975 and even included a small 3 room house. In the summer of 1947 the church purchased a large two story officers' barracks and moved it to the lots in March 1948. This was converted into the school and a parish hall. In 9/48 the school opened with 28 pupils, the principal and one teacher.

7/48 Zora Belle Moore Cope began teaching bilingual education to 9 to 13 year olds at the Stuart Place School. She did this for seven years then taught fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in English. She had been graduated from San Marcos State Teacher's College with a degree in education and also a Master's Degree. She had come to Harlingen as a ten year old in 1925 with her parents Levy and Pearl Moore. Born in Floresville 4/28/15, she was to die 11/29/04 at age 89. Preceding her in death were her parents, her brothers William Presley Moore, Elvin Moore, Benjamin Yancy Moore, and Earl Moore; sisters Lillie McCarty, Jesse Stokes, and Nancy Riley. She worked as and elementary supervisor in the San Benito district and was then principal of the Fred Booth School before retiring in 1986 at age 70. In retirement she continued to teach, this time Adult Education for Spanish-speakers trying to learn English. Two children survived her. They are Jane Evelyn Dunn of Simonton and Richard Moore Cope of Victoria.

12/21/48 A site is given by R.E. Smith of Houston in memory of his mother Minnie B. Gay of Brownsville. Smith is an oil operator in Conroe. The deed is given to J. Lewis Boggus, president of the school board. Smith is cited as trustee for his daughter, Bobbie Sue Smith, 1 year old, for whom the tract had been given. Mrs. Gay came to Brownsville from Jefferson, TX in 1908. Her husband, Portes Gay, was chief of the Border Patrol at Brownsville. The 40 acre tract was acquired by Mrs. Gay in 1918 and remained in tact until the railroad cut through leaving 37 acres. Of this, 6.8 acres has been given for the school site next to Cardinal Field. Brownsville attorney Robin Pate, a family friend, is credited with generating the gift. On hand are board members Arthur Purdy, F. Earl Davis, T.D. King, J.R. Fitzgerald, Guy Leggett, and W.W. Ballard business manager.

1948-49 A survey by the Mexican Chamber of Commerce shows that 1,492 children of school age failed to attend in this school year. The present enrollment is 4,700. School superintendent M.H. Connelly points out that children of migratory laborers need to attend. The system loses state funds if they do not.

1949 The Minnie B. Gay Memorial Middle School comes into existence on 13th at Madison. In the 1990s its name is changed to Memorial Middle School as a bone to "political correctness" since the word "gay" has become synonymous with homosexual. During this year the open canal paralleling 13th Street is put underground. The second story of the Alamo School is removed.

 

Religious    Return to top

6/16/40 The new First Presbyterian Church sanctuary, 401 E. Jackson, is dedicated.

11/11/40  St. Anthony Church is formerly established as a parish.  St. Anthony Catholic Church sanctuary is constructed on 1000 Harrison due to the untiring efforts of its first pastor Father Albert Antoine who had come to Harlingen in 1934.

10/43 El Buen Samaritano Methodist Church is organizing under the direction of the Rev. Baltazar Garcia Vera. It will dedicate its first sanctuary on Filmore Street on 12/17/50. In 1957 it moves to a new location into a building donated by Wesley Methodist. Its present Grant and H Streets sanctuary (July 1957) is supplemented by a parsonage donated by the First Methodist Church. On 3/12/61 its congregation under the pastorage of the Rev. Harold Griffith numbers 94.

2/20/44  The new First Baptist Church building on Van Buren is dedicated.

10/45 St. Alban's Church exchanges the lot it owns at 6th and Tyler with one owned by J. Gordon Nix across the street from its church. It then constructs a $14,500 new parish hall on it. The $6,000 debt incurred is paid off in 1949. In September 1948 the church starts a kindergarten class. It has also purchased from Hugh Ramsey in 11/48 his 1517 E. Taylor Street home for use as a rectory.

4/6/46 The Church of Christ sells its 3rd and Harrison building to Ed Hays for $10,000. It is later used for plumbing storage. The lot and building are purchased by Interfirst Bank and demolished in 2/63 to make room for a parking lot.

5/17/46 After purchasing the property in late 1945, a Lutheran Service Center is established at 405 E. Jackson for armed service personnel here. With the war ending and the Army Airfield closed the center is discontinued 2/1/46 but used as a parish hall. In January it had bought the property at 318-22 E. Jackson but then is to sell it to E.O. Matz.

9/46 The Second Baptist Church, Harlingen, and of the Southern Baptist Convention, is organized. It later builds a sanctuary on the southeast corner of 1st and Austin Streets.

9/3/46 New St. Anthony's Catholic Church sanctuary is dedicated.

12/46 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) conducts its first service in Spanish with the Rev. Roland H.A. Seboldt. It is to dedicate its new sanctuary at 1210 W. Grant Street on 3/21/54.

1948 Temple Beth Israel is opened at 1702 E. Jackson. E.J. Waitman was its general contractor. The architects are Cocke-Bowman and York. The organizers are primarily the first generation of Jews to reside in the city. They include the Feldmans, Levines, Koppels, Sondocks, and others. Sam Feldman is its first president.

Two surplus Army Airfield barracks are purchased by Grace Lutheran Church parishioners and moved to the 1000 block of E. Jackson to serve as a chapel and as a parish hall. The one-half block property has cost $15,000. The 4th and Jackson property and the former Lutheran Service Center are sold. On 8/22/50 the transformed barracks is dedicated as a sanctuary and will serve as such for 19 years.

Early in the year the Church of Christ erects its 8th and Harrison building for $90,000. Bartlett Cocke and Walter C. Bowman are its architects while E.E. Lairabee constructs it. Sam and Seanne Sparks are the first to be married in the new structure on 5/9/48. An education/office complex is added in 1958 and a chapel/multi purpose building in 1975. Fire in late February 1993 necessitates the complete refurbishing of the 1948 building.

5/11/48 New $92,000 brick sanctuary of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is dedicated at the southwest corner of Tyler and C Streets. The old sanctuary, a 1927 wooden church, had been moved to Lincoln Street to serve the Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Father Severino Varona (1901-1982) oversaw the construction of the new church from its groundbreaking 7/13/47 to its dedication. Julian and White of San Antonio were architects of the semi-gothic building erected by contractor Reginald E. Smith with Seth Pace, construction foreman.

1949 By 1948 Sunday School enrollment had grown to 705, therefore the First Baptist Church erects, at a cost of $118,000, an Educational Building to the immediate east of the sanctuary. Immediately thereafter a program is set up to renovate and air-condition the sanctuary. A member then donates the costs of air conditioning, but the additional expenses are well over $50,000. Additional property with a house is obtained across 6th Street to the east for a primary department for the Sunday School. In this period the church also secured two large lots at Filmore and L Streets to establish a mission for Latins under its supervision. It will have an auditorium and a large dwelling.

Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church begins in a framed building downtown then moves in 1949. Part of the church was the original chapel built as the Sacred Heart of Mary Immaculate mission. The parish is established in 1958, and a new larger sanctuary built and dedicated 5/28/67. A major fire destroys it in 1989 and a new one is constructed at 1313 West Buchanan.   

9/25/49 The new Education Building of the First Methodist Church is dedicated. A.F. Dabney is chairman of the board of stewards while J.B. Cocke is chairman of the building committee.

 

Organizations--Social, Civic, Service    Return to top

1940 The Civic Music Association is organized.

1942 In this year the service clubs in the city are Rotary, Kiwanis, 20-30, Optimists, American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Women's clubs are Afflatus, American Legion Auxiliary, Business and Professional Beta Sigma Phi, Child Study, Fine Arts, Parents and Teachers, City Federated, Garden, Senior Study, Junior Fine Arts, Junior Study, Music Lovers, RGV Art League, Composers and Authors.

10/18/42 The Sea Scouts have their meeting facility at 218 N. 2nd Street.

1944 The Harlingen Kiwanis Club has 144 members.

2/23/45  VBH is to establish a nurse training school.  A new building to be completed by September will house 60 nursing students.

2/26/46  With the closure of the HAAF several weeks ago the USO canteen in downtown Harlingen now closes.  Lt. Col. W.J. Seldon of the HAAF was a speaker as well as Rev. Fred B. Croft, council chairman. Certificates and pins were awarded individual volunteers and participating service clubs.  The high school octet sang.  From July 15, 1942 through 2/15/46, more than 850,000 servicemen were entertained at the Harlingen facility.

1945 The Mexican Chamber of Commerce improves Diaz Park, now Gutierrez Park, by installing benches and planting shrubbery along with hiring a caretaker.

The Valley Children's Service is established as the Valley Boys Ranch on 49 acres between Harlingen and San Benito west of Highway 83. It is a foster home for troubled boys. In 1954 it will see its first caseworker, and in 1957 a Girl's Residence is established.

As the Valley Baptist Hospital celebrated its 25th anniversary this year it had passed through some tough times. During the depression years it had averaged $6,000 annually in charitable work. In 1943 it saw the addition of a new unit increasing the bed capacity from 36 to 82 and from 10 bassinets to 29 for the infant section. In 1944 its parent, the Rio Grande Valley Association, voted that the institution be given to the Texas Baptist General Convention, and this was accepted by the Convention in 1945. In this year the hospital had 23 doctors on its staff. Dr. Charles Amidon was chief of staff and Dr. N.A. Davidson was chief of surgery. Margret Ethel Lofton was director of nurses. These included 18 registered nurses assisted by 19 other nurses, seven operating room nurses, and four maternity nurses assisted by seven other nurses. The maid and orderly staff of ten appeared to be composed of eight blacks and two Hispanics. While the corporate name of the institution was the Valley Baptist Hospital, its professional name was the Medical Center of South Texas.

1946  The Afflatus Club comes into  existence.  It will sponsor county and city TB clinics and support the annual Christmas TB Seals Drive.

2/46  The Lion's Club sponsors its 4th Annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament.  The event is conducted in the Harlingen High School gymnasium.

1947 The Junior Service League comes into being, with its first president Mrs. Herbert L.(Mary Lou) Wade. Fifty-nine charter members dedicate themselves to aid local welfare organizations and the Cameron County TB Hospital. During the first year the group gave $1,000 in aid. In 1948 it held its first amateur production, a Gay Nineties Cabaret. A year later on 5/6/49, the volunteer service group will put on an ambitious theater production as a fund raiser. It is titled of "Follies of 1949." This year clothing and canned goods are collected for welfare and the Thrift Shop is opened. In 1951 the League furnished the children's wing of the library, and in October 1952 the group donated $1,500 to furnish a room in the maternity ward of the hospital. By the year 1955 the League had raised $10,000 for the Boy's Ranch and Girl's Residence, given $500 to the United Fund, and was donating $1,000 yearly to the March of Dimes. In 1959 the organization took charge of the operations and maintenance of the Cameron County Crippled Children's Center at 9th and Grimes. On its 27th anniversary in 3/74, now under the presidency of Lynn Murphy, the group will put on several performances of "Those Were the Days" Follies of 1974.

1947 This year the city moves an old army barracks to Second and Jefferson Streets at Bowie Park for use of the Winter Tourists. Under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce they will officially organize into the Harlingen Tourist Club in 1950. Shuffleboard tournaments with competition from San Benito and Weslaco will become a major activity. As many as eight tournaments a season with up to 148 entries will occur. The Tourista Fiesta will also be initiated. Club membership will rise to 353. In 1961 after the Casa del Sol became available with its indoor shuffle courts membership would escalate to 1,200. Outdoors there were 26 shuffleboard courts. As many as 145 tables of card players would often be set up on Saturday nights. When in 1969 membership had grown to 1,516 plans for a new building were drawn up. With a $500,000 grant in 1970 the Harlingen Community Center building was erected where the Women's Club once stood at 201 E. Madison. Membership would peak around 1,600 and then slowly drop over the years as individual parks began to offer more to their residents. The club always served the community in many activities. It dissolved on March 26, 2008 after 68 years of service.

7/47 Mrs. E.C. Bennett past president of the American Legion Auxiliary turns over the gavel to Mrs. R.Q. Brackott. The immediate past president has been Mrs. Walter Lancaster.

1948 The Knights of Columbus have a new hall at 1701 E. Harrison.

11/9-11/48 The RGV Shrine Clubs sponsor the first annual Shrine Circus in Harlingen. It features the Polack Bros. Circus.

11/30/48  The first preliminary meeting of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Historical Society is held at the Travis Elementary School auditorium.

12/48 The Lower Rio Grande Valley Historical Society is organized at Harlingen and chartered 5/49. Its permanent address is the Lon C. Hill Memorial Library. By November 1962 it will have 200 members. One of its 1966-67 projects was the restoration and opening of the Paso Real Way Station when Gerald McKenna was president.

2/16/49 The Stuart Place Garden Club is formed.

9/49 The Masons dedicate their new lodge at 702 E. Harrison. The cornerstone was laid in March 1949 by Dr. Clarence M. Cash, "the man who first set the lodge to work." E.C. Bennett is general chairman of the dedication ceremony.

10/49 125 members of six area garden clubs plant a botanical garden on a three acre site in McKelvey Park. Over time lack of city maintenance leads to its demise and disappearance.

 

Miscellaneous    Return to top

10/40 It is this month that Dr. Cornelius Olcott, Jr. comes to work at the VBH on F Street. Born in Fort Worth on 4/25/11 he will be graduated from Princeton University in 1931 and Harvard Medical School in 1935. He leaves Harlingen in 1941 to see military service as a doctor on a hospital ship. Later he will rise to the rank of Lt-Col. and Chief of Surgery in hospitals in England and France. He returns here in 1947 and practices until 1977. This St. Alban's Episcopal Church member is to die 11/15/84 at age 73.

12/3/40 The 1st Annual All-Valley Pigskin Music Jubilee is held in Cardinal Stadium. It is viewed by 5,000 who have come to watch the 16 participating Valley bands. The Cardinal Marching Band has 64 members. Its director is Phil Murray, drum major Clar Lie Allison, and three twirlers. This year the Harlingen Cardinal Football Team has won the District 16A.A. Lower Brackett championship. Its coach is Dutch Flory assisted by Charles D. "Chili" Stone.

1943 A then unknown actor, Robert Mitchum, appeared in the movie, "Aerial Gunner" filmed at the Harlingen Army Air Field. He would go on to become a major Hollywood star.

5/8/45 Just as V-E Day (Victory in Europe) is to be announced word arrives here that Sgt. Luis M. Rendon has been killed in action in Germany on April 13. He is buried in a military cemetery in Belgium. Luis had enlisted 6/22/40 at Ft. Brown and been stationed in Europe for one year. His brother Nicolas had been discharged from the army. Left to mourn were Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas Rendon, Sr, three brothers, and seven sisters.

1/4/46  A Victory Clothing Collection sets the Harlingen goal at 40,000 lbs. of clothing and bedding for war-torn Europe lands. George Wroten will furnish the shipping out of the Valley, and Joe Mock will handle the publicity.

The postwar housing problem in Harlingen is major. One example of the drive to find housing is that given by Mrs. Beatrice Drake Frase, manager of the Plaza Hotel. In one recent evening during a 4 ½ hour period she received 62 phone calls from those seeking a roof over their heads.

1947  Baldemar Huerta, later to become famous as performer Freddie Fender, of San Benito wins a bag of groceries for his guitar playing at Harlingen’s Grande Theater talent show. In 1959 while at the city’s Starlite Club Lounge bar owned by Dwayne Duncan and located at 111 W. Van Buren, Huerta will write the song “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights”.  Neglected at first, it will in later years become a monster hit recording.

1948 The Municipal Golf Course holds the inaugural "Valley Open" with a $10,000 purse. The tournament lasts only four years after losing money. The noted professional golfers who were champions (in order) were Lloyd Mangrum, Cary Middlecoff, Jackie Burke, Jr., and Chuck Klein. Top notch golfer Craig Wood was also a participant. Other name golfers who will play the Harlingen course are: Walter Hagen, Joe Kirkwood, Patty Berg, Henry Picard, Larry McCool, Ben Hogan, Harvey Penick, Byron Nelson, Dutch Harrison, Jimmy Demaret, Dick Metz, Ralph Guldahl, Barney Clark, Paul Runyan, Sam Snead, Jack Grout, Julius Boros, Harry Ransome, Bobby Lock, Jim Turnesa, Doug Ford, Lawson Little, and Porky Oliver.

4/22/49  The new Harlingen Negro Day Nursery drew 150 people to an open house.  It opened this week with four toddlers and two more added soon according to Mrs. L.M. Davis of the Harlingen Day Nursery Board. It is around this time that 40 to 50 families of Negroes serving at the Harlingen Air Force Base are having difficulty finding housing in the community and a committee is formed to look into the problem.

8/15/49 The Harlingen Country Club is incorporated and chartered with total assets of $450.00. The incorporating directors are; J.L. Head, A.M. Jones, R. Kroeger, L.R. Baker, Dr. Phil A. Bleakney, E.G. Pink, J.D. Chambers, Jr., H.H. Young, and Karl Gibbon, Sr. Initially there are 150 members.

Return to top        Return to CCHC Home Page

 

Decade 1950 to 1959

Developments    Return to top

1950 The population is set at 23,202 in its 8.44 square miles. The metropolitan population is at least 30,000.

In attempts to publicize itself over the years and emphasize its central location, Harlingen has used the following monikers: Hub City, The Pivot City of Paradise Valley, The Capital City (also later Capital City), Junction City, Hub of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and The Key City. In 1950, 19 subdivisions with 535 lots are being developed.

5/19/50 The concept for an international bridge in the vicinity of Los Indios is laid out by its "founding fathers" who want to set up the San Benito Bridge Co. On 5/28/59 about 30 men and women meet in San Benito to form a corporation to build a bridge under the name San Benito International Bridge Co. Harlingen subscribers to the $250,000 enterprise are O.F. Bakhaus, R.O. Bork, E.C. Breedlove., W.F. Devine, George W. Duncan, James F. Hefner, Ben Levine, and Mrs. Tillie Sondock.

This year two and three bedroom frame houses are being erected on W. McKinley, W. Cleveland, and in Finwood Heights. Similar Taylor-Bilt homes are going up in the Woodlawn Addition while Jack Choate is erecting small frame houses in Harrison Manor No. 2 on E. Monroe.

4/18/50 A temporary pontoon bridge is stretched across the arroyo to service Rio Hondo for the next few years until the new lift bridge is built. On 4/29 the old one lane steel bridge is demolished to allow passage of the canal dredge.

10/26/50 The new dredge, C.S.E. Holland, under contract to Bauer-Smith Construction Company of Port Lavaca arrives at Rio Hondo. It will complete the last 6 ½ miles of canal from Rio Hondo to Harlingen.

6/15/51 The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway from Corpus Christi to Brownsville is completed and the opening to Port Harlingen is effected. The E. and M. Bohuskey Construction Company of Harlingen is awarded a $102,000 contract to erect a 650' dry wharf, a 100' bulk wharf, storage facilities, and internal roads for the port. These will near completion seven months later.

6/21/51 The Defense Department seeks $15,462,000 to construct Harlingen facilities at the All-Valley Airport. It is to be transformed into a school for Air Force navigators.

10/22/51 Frank J. Carden, who came to the Valley in 1929 and purchased pre-Port Harlingen area land on 12/20/30, donates 30 acres for a right-of-way to the port. When he came to this non-descript site with his wife and six children their belongings sent by train were unceremoniously deposited in the scrub plain.

12/11/51 The Southern Pacific Railroad makes its last Brownsville to McAllen passenger run.

2/27/52 Port Harlingen facilities are completed and dedicated, and its first cargo shipment arrives at one of seven docks. It has a 500 by 400 foot turning basin dredged to a depth of 12 feet and tied to a 125' wide channel down the Arroyo Colorado for 26 miles to the Intercoastal Waterway.

4/1/52 The abandoned military air field is reactivated as the Harlingen Air Force Base. While the original Harlingen Army Airfield cost just over $20 million, the reactivation this year will cost $15 million. Its mission is to train navigators, an urgency brought on by the initiation of the Korean War in June 1950. At its peak there are 3,500 military personnel and 600 civilians. The annual payroll comprises $15 million.

1952 The only named streets as yet in the developing Laurel Park area are Parkwood Drive (now South Parkwood), 16th Street, and Elmwood Drive. John McKelvey is the developer.

In this year construction permits valued at $4,540,859 are issued.

1953 Authorized this year and opened in September 1955 is the Harlingen State Tuberculosis Hospital on Rangerville Road. It serves 20 south-most Texas counties and costs $2.368-2.5 million to construct. The facility has 600 beds. Its first patients are received 1/9/56, but it does not reach its full occupancy of 550 until 6/57. Dr. Ellison F. White is its superintendent from its start, and at least through 1960. When it celebrates its 7th anniversary with an open house on 1/11/63 Dr. White notes that 3,738 patients have been treated including 40 children under 12 and that the current in-patient number is 402.

7/54 The $2 million Valley Baptist Hospital and Sams Memorial Children Center combination is under construction. The goal is a completion date by late 1956.

1954 The Valley Diagnostic Clinic in Harlingen commences service to South Texas. It covers a wide range of medical specialties including rheumatology, internal medicine, nephrology, cardiology, radiology, gastroenterology, dermatology, endocrinology, occupational medicine, and family practice. Still going strong in 2004 it celebrates its 50th anniversary. At that time 21 doctors are practicing at the clinic.

1/21/55 The city is still in negotiations with Missouri Pacific in an effort to remove the old passenger depot in order to extend Van Buren Street and allow its traffic to cross the tracks.

1/56 The new Valley Baptist Hospital on Ed Carey Drive is completed and occupied at a cost of $2.25 to 2.5 million. It occupies an 18.5 acre site. In 1959 the Reber Memorial Radiation Clinic is added through the gift of John O. and Louranne Reber in memory of their sister Winnie Reber. On 5/16/59 the hospital opens a heliport facility.

By this year the number of telephones in the city and Valley has risen greatly. Harlingen is assigned the dialing prefix GA-3. By 1969 this is simply 423 and 425 has been added. By 1976, 428 has to be added and, as growth continues, 421 in 84-85, 412 in 91-92, 440 97-98, and 430 by 00-01.

The city presently encompasses 31 square miles.

To the east and southeast of the Austin School the Lake Mansions Addition comes into being.  It contains modest homes aimed at the servicemen’s market.

1957 Construction permits for a value of $6,329,072 are issued..

1/29/59 Mayor C. Worth Wood announces a 25 year lease for city-owned land of 1,489 aces for the Harlingen Air Force Base.

$600,000 construction funds are set for the planned Harvey Richards Municipal Airport six miles west of the city. One half of this amount will come from the FAA and one half from the Harlingen Airport Board, whose chairman is C. Grant Kloperstein. Others on the board are J.R. Fitzgerald, Harvey L. Richards, A.J. Wittenbach, E.D. McDonald, H.W. Bahnman, and D.B. Blankin. No local tax monies will be involved.

7/3/59 City's annexation of 1,900 acres is contested by 44 farmers who pursue the case to the State Supreme Court.

9/17/59 Approval is given for three subdivisions: Tanglewood, Unit 1, 7 lots between Bowie and 7th on the south and Grimes on the north; Whitehouse Circle No.2--site between 21st and 25th Streets, north of Washington; Bonneville Terrace, 80 acres north and west of New Combes Road and Montezuma Ave. For the period 1947 through 1959 inclusive, Harlingen has had 71 subdivisions platted, approved and recorded.

 

Agriculture/Ranching    Return to top

8/1/50 The cottonseed house and adjacent conveyors are destroyed in a fire at the Rangerville Coop Gin.

1951 Year of the Big Freeze hurts the agricultural economy of the area, especially citrus. By July 1952 following three bad freezes in two seasons the citrus tree population in the Valley is reduced from 14 million to 3.6 million. By 1960 it will rise to 5.75 million on 70,000 acres.

6/51 The $1 million cotton oil mill on Wilson Road is nearly complete according to manager Luthur Wyrick. It is owned by 13 cooperative cotton gin organizations which operate 32 gins. It will have the capacity to process 130 tons each 24 hours and store 20-25,000 tons of cotton seed.

11/23/51 The Valley Mid-Winter Fair opens in Harlingen.

1953 (spring) Harlingen receives permission from the Houston Cotton Exchange to purchase the country's first bale of cotton of the year. At a meeting at the Little Creek Motel the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce agrees to take over the first bale contest. The Special Cotton Committee of the C of C guarantees the grower of the first bale $2,500. It has done so from this year and then auctioned it. The cash prize rises to $3,000 by the 1990s and then to $5,000 by 2003.

It is this year that the Atchison Citrus Center opens for business.  In November 1967, owners Mr. & Mrs. John Atchison Jr. will open a new facility on Business 83 near FM 800. It will be the exclusive supplier of gift fruit for Sakowitz of Houston.  He manages 500 acres in citrus and sells under the Key Brand label. Mr. Atchison will die at age 92 on July 25, 2008 in League City. A graduate of Harlingen High School in the early 1930s he attended San Marcos Baptist Academy and Texas A& M University. He returned to the Valley in 1946 with his wife Lorene after serving in WWII.  He was a Rotary Club member, past president of the Lions Club of Harlingen, and a deacon of the First Baptist Church. He was survived by a son, daughter, and grandchildren.

In 1953 the Algodon Club is also organized to publicize and promote the cotton industry through social activities. The Maid of Cotton was chosen each year for many years then this ended in the 1970s.

6/25/54 Hurricane Alice makes landfall 20 miles south of Brownsville then sweeps northwest following the river. Falcon Dam, completed in 10/53, is filled with this major rainfall event. Normally projected to take 3 to 4 years to fill to capacity, the water level rises from 252' to 292' with this one storm. Drought-stressed farmers now have sufficient water for irrigating their crops.

1956  Texas Courts this year took over all RG River water rights and commenced a 15 year period to adjudicate 3,500 claims.  After the final judgment 1,400 landowners were parceled water rights, cities guaranteed at least a minimum amount, and a watermaster appointed to run the system.

1957  Although most cotton gins have closed in Harlingen it remains the Valley center for cotton seed processing with the South Texas Cotton Oil Company, Southwestern Cotton Oil Mill, and the Valley Co-op Oil Mill.

1958  Texas Citrus Mutual is organized with J. L. Boggus elected its first president. Crop insurance is instituted and just in time for the 1/30/59 freeze that decimates three million of the 12,000 million Valley citrus trees.

 

Government/Politics—City, County, State, National    Return to top

1950 Gene McCullough is Mayor, 1950-52.

4/50 The City Hall at 202 E. Van Buren is being demolished. While the new one is being built the city temporarily places its offices in the Plaza Hotel. On 3/16 the Fire Department moved into temporary quarters in the old CP&L building at Commerce and Monroe. By this date it has 22 fulltime paid firefighters and 40 volunteers. In its equipment list are a 750 gallon pumper, a 125 gallon booster and a 75' aerial ladder truck.

The City contracts with the Harlingen Public Housing Authority authorizing it to borrow from the Federal Government.

10/50 Warren A. Taleaferro is named chief air raid warden for the Harlingen district.

1950 The new City Hall designed by C. Lyman Ellis and constructed by J.B. Hughes of Brownsville opens at 118 E. Tyler with the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce by 1951-52 to use its annex at 411 S. Commerce. The building of 15,678 square feet and furnishings cost $235,380. In this year there is a $90,000 bond issue to build a baseball stadium seating 3,500 and field.

Fire Station No. 1, 121 W. Jefferson, built as a $90,000 central facility and by 2002 valued at $910,720, opens this same year and is named the E.C. Bennett Station in honor of the early chief. R.C. Berna serves as fire chief for the period 3/15/50 until 3/15/51 when W. T. Hamilton takes over.

The same amount is expended to construct Harlingen Stadium (also at times called Cardinal Stadium) at the old Fair Park. Its builders encounter the foundations of the long-gone sugar mill. The removal delays the construction timetable. In February 1950, 200 citizens contribute a total of $25,000 to establish a Class A professional baseball team for the city. The team in the Big State League is called the Harlingen Capitols. There are 90,000 paid admissions on the 1950 season. In 1955 it still has a home-owned professional baseball team playing in its 3,500 seat facility, the largest in the Valley. The team folds after this year.

This year the Harlingen Water Board votes to spend $60,000 to improve seven system facilities. The daily capacity of the city's two water plants will be brought up to seven million gallons. The two reservoirs are the 36 acre one in the city and a 120 acre one located on the Harlingen All Valley Airport. A 16" main from the airport water plant is built to connect to the city one, and the airport one has its filtration capacity increased to 700,000 gallons per day. The 13th Street canal is put underground and a box flume 5' x 5' is constructed from North Piece Street to Jefferson to feed Lake Harlingen with its 10 million gallons per day capacity. There are 4,188 metered customers on the system.

10/50 At a Pioneers Day celebration on 11/18/50, Fair Park is re-named Lon C. Hill Park, in honor of the city founder. Senator Tom Connally gives the dedicatory address. The Burgomaster of Harlingen, Holland, Anthoney E. Henema, is an honored guest along with Harlingen's first mayor, Ike B. McFarland of Houston, and James L. Allhands of Dallas, who was a railroad engineer and historian of the 1900-20 era. The associated Valley Mid-Winter Fair opens with a record first day attendance of12,000.

Local housing in Harlingen for 40 to 50 families of Negro servicemen at the HAFB presents a problem. A committee is formed to look into the matter.

1950-51 Building permits peak at $3,723,445 in 1950 and slip badly to $1,477,705 in 1951. In 1950 the true value of real property and personal is $68,178,261; by 1959 this has risen to $128,509,000. The city has a 2% gross receipt tax on gas, electric, and telephone utilities. Receipts of this tax in 1950 are $22,650 and $69,605 by 1959. Expenditure for city operations including debt servicing, increased from $482,922 in 1950 to $1,251,318 in 1959.

12/23/50  The contract is let for the new memorial library.  Its cost is $65,231 plus air conditioning expenses. The building fund sits at $75,000, $30,000 of which is from the City.

1951: This year Roberto Campos Sr. becomes the first Hispanic to join the Harlingen Fire Department. He had served in the Navy in the South Pacific in WWII. He would retire as assistant chief in 1987.  In 1989 his son, Roberto Campos Jr., would also become a firefighter with the department.

3/9/51 500 attend the dedication of the Soldiers' Memorial Plaque at the L.C. Hill Memorial Library

6/1/51 The city moves into new offices on Polk between 1st and 2nd Streets. This is a relief from the two room facilities it has occupied in the Plaza Hotel for 2 ½ years.

8/51 This year the city welcomes a new facility. The Lon C. Hill Memorial Library (now city administrative offices) opens at 502. E. Tyler. The air-conditioned facility with its 51,000 square feet is built incrementally at a total cost of $107,052. The building fund was first started as a project of the Rotary Club as a war memorial and was later enhanced by the city's $35,000 contribution. These were supplemented by individual donations of $5,000 each by H.E. Butt, Hill Cocke, and J. Louis Boggus, and $20,000 by Lon C. Hill, Jr. and family. Individuals who greatly assisted the project were R.C. Prior, Dr. Ernest H. Poteet, M.H. Connelly and W.B. Briscoe. For the children's room the Harlingen Junior Service League purchased the shelving and furniture. The stacks contain 11,336 volumes; in 1921 the library had 11 books. The collection will rise to 14,000 by1952, 25,000 by 1956 and more than 37,000 by 1960. On 9/29/51 the city will establish the Harlingen Public Library Board and provide for a librarian for the system. The official dedication is 12/9/51 with M.H. Connelly presiding, Gene McCullough mayor attending, and Hill Cocke, Rotary president participating. An Alice C. Jennings Music Memorial is set up at the library. Gifts are made by the Rotary Club and the Music Lovers Club. The first architects are Cocke, Bowman and York for the $69,545 structure. In 7/60 a screened porch costing $5,575 is added. Additional changes designed by Bowman, Swanson, and Hester are made at a cost of $31,932. By 1966 the library's operating budget is $19,380.

1952  Charles A. (Cut) Washmon is Mayor (1952-56), when the Harvey Richards Field, Harlingen's municipal airport is opened on August 3, 1954 (but dedicated in November) in what is now the Harlingen Country Club in Palm Valley (26.2 N/97.76 W). A 1963 directory shows that it had to paved runways with the primary one (19/35) being 4,900' asphalt, a third runway, taxiways, an apron, several hangars, and a terminal building. Operators listed were the Elliott dusting Service, Elliott Aviation Co., Valley Flying Service, and Young Flying Service. It is updated in 1959.  Air travel times from Harlingen to major Texas cities are:  Houston 3 hrs 22 min., San Antonio 2 hrs 32 min., and Dallas-Ft.Worth 4 hrs 50 min.  In addition the city is being served by four bus lines: Greyhound, Missouri Pacific, Union, and the Valley Transit Co

This year also John L. Guseman is appointed police chief and will serve until 1958. Guseman's background included being sergeant in the San Antonio Police Department and previous to that a guard in the federal Leavenworth Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas.

In this year and again in 1956 the city makes major annexations that bring it to its 1960 size of roughly 31 square miles.

8.44 square miles lie within the city limits. This year 4,754 Harlingen homes are classified as standard while 2,746 are substandard. In 1942 there were 3,734 homes of which 1,800 were classified as substandard.

2/27/52 The very first commercial barge arrives at Port Harlingen. A $150,000 project of the Harlingen Municipal Water Board is underway to install a 12 inch water main to Port Harlingen. It is also in 1952 that a city election authorizes the issuance of revenue bonds to fund the expansion of the water system. The original bond issue of 1945 was refunded ($811,000) in order that an additional $575,000 of bonds be issued. With the reactivation of the air base the City supplies it with 1 ½ million gallons of water per day.

3/52  Low Rent Housing Project is initiated at a cost of $883,000.

8/1/52 The Le Moyne Gardens Housing Project is purchased by the City Housing Authority and $100,000 will be spent to rehabilitate its 63 buildings and 200 medium-priced units.

1953 (summer) The $500,000 lift bridge over the Arroyo Colorado opens. It connects the west side of FM 106 to Rio Hondo and allows for tall waterway traffic to reach Port Harlingen. It is the only such engineered bridge of its type in Texas.

This year the city has only four improved parks—Lon C. Hill, Diaz Plaza, Bowie and Travis. The city creates a Parks and Recreation Board for the purpose of acting as advisors in order that a concerted effort be given to the beautification and development of the parks and a complete recreation program be offered by the fast-growing city.

2/4/53 Robert Lewis is managing the Madison Hotel when a kitchen fires occurs in it.

10/18/53 Falcon Dam is completed. President Dwight Eisenhower flies into the HAFB on the presidential plane Columbine. He is greeted there by many dignitaries led by Gov. Alan Shivers before motoring to Mission to spend the night at the Shary mansion. His motorcade through Harlingen is viewed by 70,000. The next day the President meets with Mexico President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines to dedicate the five mile wide dam.

11/1/53 The Harlingen Air Force Base graduates its first Basic Observer Navigator Class, 53-AN. The class of 23 is under the command of Col. James F. Oliver, Jr.

The years 1951 through 1953 were drought ones for the Valley. The Water System was under duress. It purchases a 25 acre site near Rangerville and in 1951 constructed a 170' 16" diameter well close to the canal. In 1953 two additional wells are dug on the site and three more on an adjacent tract leased from H.D. Seago. The total from the wells creates a supplement of nine million gallons per day, but their use ceases after Falcon Dam fills. By 1953 the Water Plant's expansion plans are completed adding 2 million gallons per day to its capacity.

7/54 The low, wooden two lane $2,750,000 Queen Isabella Causeway to South Padre Island from Port Isabel is completed and will be dedicated on 7/3/55. This opens the door for accelerated island development and for Harlingen to benefit from tourists in transit to the island.

1954 The Water Board purchases 52 acres of land in the Rangerville area in order to obtain more water rights. Lake Harlingen's 30 million gallon capacity, a three day supply, was considered inadequate, so engineers were hired to make recommendations.

1955 Real estate taxes have remained fairly constant over the last seven years. Property is assessed at 70% of real value. Rates per $100 have run:

1948 1949 1950 1951 1955

City 1.90 1.80 1.80 2.00 1.60

H.I.S.D. 1.35 1.35 1.35 1.35 1.35

Cameron County 1.68 1.68 1.68 1.68 1.68

Navigation District .60 .60 .60 .50 .40

State .42 .42 .42 .42 .42

1955 The estimated population is 31,000, up from 23,000 in 1950. The number of city employees has grown only slightly, from 187 to 208 for this same period. Larry M. Crow, Jr., city manager, notes a 6.48 employee to 1000 people ratio now compared to a 6.48 one in 1950.

1/1955 Joe Madison Kilgore (1918-1999) commences his 84th Congress term as U.S. Representative from the 15th Congressional District of Texas. This encompasses Harlingen. He will serve until 1965.

1956 Frank Parker is Mayor (1956-58). J.L. Head Fire Station No.4, 1656 Sam Houston is erected. On 3/56 the W.C. Anderson Fire Station opens at 2112 North Commerce Street. It is named after William C. (Andy) Anderson who first owned Andy's Confectionary Store at 123 W. Jackson then went on to Andy's Drive Inn and Wings Grill at 220-22 E. Jackson. He served as a City Commissioner 1939-53. This station will be closed in 1993 when the Grimes station is erected and the Anderson personnel are shifted to that station. It is currently Aguilar's Salvage Store. Seven months later the A.B. Chapa Fire Station at 1202 W. Van Buren opens. This small building will be outmoded by new sizeable equipment and closed in the late 1980s. A.B. Chapa also served on the City Commission.

121 barges with 159,299 long tons of freight utilize Port Harlingen.

In this year there is a Cameron County bond issue to purchase right of ways for construction of expressways. HWY 77 is started in 1959 and completed in 1961 while HWY 83 is started in 1963 and completed in 1971 at a cost of $9,735,000.

1/9/56 The TB Hospital on Rangerville Road is dedicated. Built at the cost of $2,368,000 it initially serves only tuberculosis patients, but in 1971other respiratory diseases individuals are served. By January 1, 1975 it will have had 9,225 admissions.

3/56 The area of city parks rises to 28 acres.

12/31/56 Building valuations have fluctuated somewhat over the last three years. In 1954 they were $4,044,818, 1955 $3,558,708, and 1956 $3,979,657.

Once again the city citizens approve funds for water system improvements, this time for $750,000. This will increase the downtown plant's capacity by 3 million gallons per day bringing it to 8.7 million. The Board adopted a new policy for developers to pay the cost for main extensions to new subdivisions.

1955 The Water Board purchases 94.34 acres on South Dixieland Road from Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Prichard at $500 to 550 an acre. In 1964 it will purchase an adjacent five acres from A. D. Ross for $1000 an acre. These parcels will serve as a city water reservoir.

1957 As Expressway 83 is widened in West Harlingen this necessitates the rearrangement of part of the municipal golf course. The south side airstrip is removed at what is now between the 7th and 13th fairways. Plans for what was to be Sam Botts Park on the very south end are discarded.

Port Harlingen revenues are $16,784 and its expenses $14,000.

Building permits of $6,329,072 set an all-time record. 300 homes are built in the city. The previous high was in 1952 at $4,540,859. In 1956 permits totaled $3,979,657.

The old jail on Commerce Street is still in use. Gavino Aguilar acts both as jailor and dog catcher for the city. He and his family live on the first floor while prisoners, primarily drunks sleeping it off, are on the second floor. The Aguilars prepare food for the prisoners, who are served twice daily. When Mr. Aguilar dies in July 1957, his son Robert takes over for a short duration. The building is then used for a dog pound.

1/6/57  Construction has begun on the new $298,000 bridge to cross the Arroyo Colorado at F Street. It will take about a year to complete. The same contractor, Dodds and Wedegartner, Inc. of San Benito who built the 1926 bridge it will replace, are building this one.  It will have two one-way concrete sections, each 300 feet long, with 28' roadways and four-foot sidewalks. The old bridge will be dismantled and re-erected across the arroyo at Rio Hondo.  [It was utilized for 20 years until a new bridge was built.] Well ahead of schedule the bridge opens for traffic on 7/11/57.

1958 Clifford H. Purdy is chairman of the board of the Arroyo Colorado Navigation District created in 1927 when a $500,000 bond issue was approved. A second bond issue in 1946 was for $625,000 making an indebtedness of $1,125,000, now reduced to $404,000. The original tax assessment of 60 cents per $100 valuation has dropped to 35 cents and will be 30 cents in 1959. Located at the port are the Magnolia Petroleum Co., Gulf Refining, Mid-South Chemical Co., and the Valley Grain and Elevator Co.

J.J. Rodriguez, the grocery store owner, becomes the second Hispanic elected to the City Commission.

The City Water Plant addition is constructed and put into service. Indications are that a pumping station will be needed at the Dixieland Road site.

C. Worth Wood is Mayor, 1958-60. His wife, the former Bobba Weaver is a Harlingen native, a charter member of the Cameron County Bar Auxiliary and member of the First Baptist Church.

Marshall F. Rousseau is appointed chief of police and serves until 1070. Rousseau had worked under Chief Anglin working his way up to captain over time before resigning to become deputy sheriff in Port Isabel and then taking on the job as chief in Harlingen.

6/58  Five of six issues are approved by voters in a $1,861,000 bond election. Funds will go for branch fire stations, park improvements, and a new sewer plant among others things.

1/12/59 $600,000 is planned for construction for Harvey Richards Field. One half will come from the Federal Aeronautical Administration and one half locally according to C. Grant Klopenstein, chairman of the Harlingen Airport Board.

5/13/59 Budgeting and work underway to obtain 80' right-of-way to widen Rangerville Road, FM 1479.

6/11/59 The low water wooden bridge across the Arroyo Colorado at Port Harlingen is completed. It replaces the wooden one destroyed last fall in a flood.

6/21/59 The city announces a budget of $1,531,166 with $1.95/$100 tax valuation to stay the same as 1958.

7/27/59 The Charles M. McKelvey Army Reserve Center building at 1920 E. Washington is dedicated. It is named after the Harlingen native who died, 3/3/45, in combat in World War II near Florence, Italy. His son, John Walker McKelvey was 6 months old at the time. The lieutenant's mother, Mrs. John W. McKelvey, Sr. along with her sister, Mrs. Jack Busa, attend the ceremony headed by the Secretary of the Army.

7/8/59 Fred Flynn urges the Capital Improvement Board to re-submit $30,000 bond issue for municipal golf course improvements to the electorate who defeated it in 1955 while passing six other proposals.

10/10/59 The Harlingen Public Library re-registers 17,700 cardholders in order to automate its system.

11/1/59 Marshall Bingham from Altom City takes over as city manager.

12/21/59 Over the last three years the value of city issued building permits have remained fairly constant. In 1957 they were $6,329,072 of which $ 2million were for the high school and public housing. In 1958 the figure was $4,142,649 and for 1959 $4,531,438. This latter included permits for 252 houses valued at $2,514,720 or an average of $9,979 per unit.

 

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1950 The. Matzs, owners of the old Sam Houston School building, undertake a two-year renovation of the building in order to convert it to a modern office building. It then becomes the Matz building with 32,000 square feet on its 42,000 square foot lot. In 2002 it is owned by Harco Properties, Inc., Jerry Harbin, president.

Luby's opens downtown. Nine years later it will move to the Coronado Village Shopping Center.

This year the city is being served by four bus lines—Greyhound, MoPac, Union Bus Lines, and Valley Transit. There are six trucking outfits—Alamo Express, Brown Express, Jones Motor Freight, MoPac Freight lines, Red Arrow, and Robinson Truck Lines.

An indication of how the city has progressed is the passenger changes over the years for Valley Transit. In 1942, its first full year, it served 634,433. In 1943 this figure rose to 1,701,463; 1944, 2,292,317; 1945, 2,467,382; 1946, 2,320,517; 1947, 2,951,236; 1948, 3,710,141; and 1949, 3,543,885.

5/11/50 The Texas Railroad Commission grants the Southern Pacific Railroad permission to stop running Valley to San Antonio passenger service. It did cease in the following year.

7/50 By this date Barney Goodman of Kansas City, Missouri either owns or operates the Madison Hotel. Also under his wing are eleven other hotels nationwide including the Cortez and Donna Hotels in the Valley.

1950-74 The Alberti Seafoods Processing Co. selling "King-O-Shrimp" and "Sea Breeze" Brands will pack products in Harlingen. Its owner Lawrence Alberti of Chicago is to die at age 67 on 10/16/60. When, in 1974, Alberti shutters its doors and a year later Western Shellfish at 708 N. Commerce does also, Cecil Carruth is left with his largely useless Harlingen Cold Storage Building at 804 North Commerce. For a time his Texas Frozen Foods Corp. processed frozen shrimp and citrus juice. The large building contained cold storage vaults, a shrimp processing plant, a citrus juice extraction plant, and a citrus peel dehydration plant along with Rio Freezer, Inc., cold storage.

1951 (fall) Raymond Cyrus Hoiles and his Freedom Newspapers, Inc. purchase the Valley Morning Star, the Brownsville Herald, and the McAllen Monitor for $2 million. The VMS has 70 employees, $270,000 payroll, 140 carriers, and 18,000 square feet in its new plant. It was this year that Hoiles founded Freedom Communications long after his 1935 purchase of the Santa Ana Register in Orange County, CA. In 1999 the newspaper group was to acquire the Mid-Valley Town Crier (Weslaco). By 2003 the Freedom group was the country's 11th largest newspaper company. It owned 28 dailies, 37 weeklies, and 8 television stations, all having an estimated value of $1.3 to 2 billion. This is when Freedom Communications, Inc. solicited bids for the sale or merger of the family-owned company. CEO Alan Bell noted that the board of directors authorized investment banker Morgan Stanley to seek offers. This would establish a market value for the company. This was done and allowed some family members to be bought out without sacrificing the company.

This year The Sportsman dealing primarily in small boat sales commences operating. It will eventually have outlets not only in Harlingen but also San Benito and McAllen.

3/26/51 The First National Bank of Harlingen moves to a new attractive six story building at 202 E. Van Buren. By 1959 its deposits reach over $30 million. Its officers at that time are: E.C. Breedlove., Chairman; Evan Hurst (37 years a banker), vice-chairman; E. Clinton Breedlove Jr., president; J.B. Brady, executive vice-president; Jack B. Jones, vice-president; and C. Neal DuBois, cashier. Chairman Hurst and his wife will go on to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in June of 1979. They first met at Classen High School in OK and married while attending Oklahoma City University. Coming to Harlingen in 1938 Hurst started with the First National Bank in January 1939. This First Methodist member will eventually retire in 1973 but remain as vice president of the board.

Bahnman Realty Inc. starts in business. From 1972, Connie De La Garza, later Harlingen mayor, becomes its owner.

11/23/51 B.D. Dunkin succeeds Elmer Johnson as president of the Harlingen State Bank. The latter came to the Valley in 1911.

This same date sees the first issue of the Harlingen Press It features only local news and is published by Sam W. Burns, owner of the Quality Press, 114 N 4th Street.

1951 (end) U.S. Census of Business retail trade figures indicate Harlingen retail sales from 1939 through 1951 each year exceed those of the Valley's two other major cities—Brownsville and McAllen. For the 12 year period Harlingen average sales exceed Brownsville average by 22% and McAllen's by 55%. Harlingen sales rise from $7.353 million in 1939 to $41.174 million in 1951. The biggest leap comes between 1947 when sales tally $19,482,000 to $32,864,000 in 1948.

1951-52 The Valley Drug Corp. is to build the handsome art deco style warehouse at 421 North 1st Street.

1952  KGBS becomes KGBT.  It becomes a 50,000 watt radio station and the first with full time Spanish language programming after a series of transactions. In 1953 it expands with the acquisition of radio station KSOX in Harlingen. On 1530 kHz, this first 50,000 watt station in the Valley was originally constructed by former Harris County Judge and Houston Mayor, Roy Hofheinz.  McHenry Tichenor, whose original radio station KGBS, then KGBT, was on 1240 kHz purchased KSOX from Hofheinz and moved into the studios and offices at 1519 West Harrison and used the frequency 1530 kHz. A different KSOX was later to start up in Raymondville.  In 1957 a new TV studio was added to the radio building by chief engineer Alfred R. Beck of the station. He was succeeded by Jim R. Mattison who was then chief engineer from 1964 until March 1979.

Texas International Airline operates from Harlingen. In 12/55 it is given permission by the CAB to provide four a day plane service from Harlingen to Dallas with stops in San Antonio and Austin. It pulls out 12/74 and returns in 4/75. In May 1979 it leaves again. Later it is merged into Continental Airlines, which commences flights into Harlingen in the 1990s.

This year Andy's Model Market begins its operation.

The circulation of the Valley Morning Star is 12, 850, the Harlingen Press 1,100, and there is a weekly Spanish language newspaper, El Tiempo.

5/7/52 The Valley Transit Co. opens its remodeled terminal on Monroe Street. It is also utilized by the Union Trailways Bus Co.

1953 Mrs. Geneviere Robinson is managing the Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel and Bob Lewis, the Madison Hotel featuring its Cabana Room.

3/16/53 A $250,000 fire around the 103 address of W. Jackson destroys or damages seven businesses. The A. H. Weller Estate had leased space to Rogers Studio, Wilson Sporting Goods Store, Valley Sewing Machine Service, Anderson's Jewelry Store, Palace Barber, Pate Bros. Men's Furnishings, and Max's Shoe Repair Store.

6/53  James R. "Jimmy" Cocke commences working for his father, Hill Cocke's firm, Valley Ready Mix Concrete Company.  In March 1967 at age 36 Jimmy will become president of the company.

10/53 KGBT sends out its first television signals. Its studios are on West Harrison before it builds in the 1990s a new enlarged facility on Expressway 83 just east of Bass Blvd. By this time it has been sold to the Liberty Corp., a company headquartered in Greenville, SC and which, by 2004, owns 15 television stations. KGBT will service the Harlingen-Brownsville-McAllen area utilizing 88 employees by 2004.

12/1/54 Hygeia starts operation in Corpus Christi and in 1955 builds offices and warehouses there on a seven acre tract.

Retail sales total $50,256,000. 8,400 families have a disposable income of $37,558,000 or $4,471 per family.

1954 For the year, total retail sales tallied $50,256,000. This is a 185% increase over those registered for 1945.

Over a 15 year period the city's bank deposits have grown considerably: 1940 $2,048,378 1945 $14,785,612 1950 21,980,571 1955 26,118,494

E.E. Alcott and partner Bob M. Knight Sr. open their new Nehi Bottling plant on 77 Sunshine.  The name over the door reads “Royal Crown Cola” for their leading product.  In 1950 they had purchased the cotton field and adjacent land upon which the plant was sited. Two years later they sold a portion of the area to Frank Dickerson who then developed the modest-priced housing on Cardinal and Chapparal Drives.

1955 Bank deposits total $25,790,363. Postal receipts are $323,314. The utility connections are: electric 10,335, gas 6,280, telephone 10,558, and water 6,192.

The modernistic Nehi Bottling Company plant is erected on 77 at E. Washington.

3/18/55 The Tropical Savings and Loan Association receives its charter and opens in July in the Madison Building which it will later buy and demolish in order to erect a new facility to open by 1960. In the late 1970s it will have two branches, one on Morgan (5/75) and the other Laurel Park (10/77).

1/21/55 The re-done Carter building at 310 E. Van Buren now houses Carter, Stiernberg, and Skaggs along with Stewart Title.

4/20/55 The property at 222 E. Van Buren owned by Mrs. A. Goldammer, who resides at 822 E. Polk, and used until this year by her and her son as a grocery store has been given a major renovation. The lot was purchased in 1915 for $500. It is now called the Harlingen Insurance Building.

9/55 The restaurant business is picking up. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Frey are the owner-managers of the popular Green Gables on N. 77. Mrs. D.A. Sadler is managing the Little Creek Coffee Shop with its Pagoda Room for special events. J.W. Cunningham and K.I. Weaver are owners of Luby's New England Cafeteria at 114 N. A. Richard Bron with Jim Wheeler as manager is operating Richard's at 103 E. Van Buren. Sammy Reeder has Sammy's Downtowner at 201 E. Van Buren. Years later he will build Sammy's Red Barn on Commerce near Taft. The Sorrento at the Hacienda Motel at 1 ¾ mi W. Hwy 83 is offering Italian treats by owners Frank Pecora and Peter Gounod. This is likely the city's first authentic Italian fare. Sometime in 1956 the restaurant will relocate further west to 2 mi W. Hwy 83. By 1961 the partners are Pete Gounod, Tina Florio, and Virginia Pecora. In 1965 only the former two are listed as owners. The restaurant closes in 1979 only to reopen as Sorrento's Vineyard Restaurant in 1981, however by 1982 it is again closed. 1980 is also the year Pete's wife Rose L. Gounod closes her Gounod's Apparel and Bridal Salon at 312 E. Jackson.  She had operated it since 1952.

1956 After the city condemns the railroad station building at the corner of Van Buren and Commerce, the Missouri Pacific then moves to 518 S. Commerce where it has a combined terminal and bus station. This later becomes the Continental Trailways bus terminal and is now occupied by the Acetylene Oxygen Co. (AOC). The removal of the depot and warehouses along the tracks south of Harrison Street allow through street crossing to come into being at Van Buren and Tyler Streets in 1957 or 1958.

George Cunningham Company, Inc., an air conditioning and heating firm, is established.

Ron A. Lairsen establishes Lairsen's Style Shop on Jackson Street. It remains there until 1968 when it is relocated to the Sun Valley Mall. In 1977 it was sold to long-time employee, Martha Zamora.

By this year the spacious Valley Drive-In Theater is in business at a site in west Harlingen which will later house the Valley Vista Mall

4/16/56 The Harlingen State Bank is converted from a state to a national bank and on 5/28/59 is granted full trust powers. The following year its capital structure is in excess of $900,000 and its deposits $10.5 million. Its 1960 officers are: D.B. Dunkin, president; Paul M. Johnson, vice-president; J.M. Powers and Dial M. Dunkin, assistant vice-presidents; James L. Mayer, cashier; R.C. Blaylock, J.E. Tarr, and Thomas S. Young-blood, assistant cashiers. In 1967 it moves from 219 E. Jackson to a modern building on E. Van Buren. On 9/7/82 it opens a branch on 77 Sunshine Strip and on 12/4/84 at the Valley Vista Mall.

The Sun Valley Motel located at 1900 South 77 Sunshine Strip opens for business. It has the appeal of a tropical resort and its 1950s era office is state of the art. It opens with 77 units plus 17 apartment suites. In 1962 George Young, Harlingen Mayor 1966-70, who dies 1990, acquires the business built on part of a 7.3 acre block. Upon his death his wife Mira Young (later Mrs J. Neil Murphy) inherits it. On 11/21/03 it is announced by her that the business will close due to the intense competition of chain hotels that have moved into Harlingen in recent years. Some units have 1 to 8 bedrooms and efficiency apartments. All will be torn down "to make the property more attractive to potential buyers." On 7/20/04 around 5 pm, a fire, caused by an overheated computer that ignited nearby paper, burns out the main office and lobby. Businesses affected were theVamonos Travel Agency, Baloo's (a bar), and Rack Daddy's billiard emporium.

The adjacent HWY 77 by-pass road soon attracts additional motels. At the southwest corner of Ed Carey Drive and 77 is the 34 unit Judy-Lin Motel in the Frank Smith Subdivision. Just north of the Sun Valley and between Oklahoma and Nevada Streets is the 30 unit Capri Motel. Where Morgan Blvd. meets 77 is a service station on a site where McDonalds now stands. Behind it, where the El Mercado Shopping complex now sits, is the 40 unit Flamingo Motel.

1957 A building is erected at 900 E. Harrison to house the Rio Grande Building and Loan Association, Flynn Investment Co., and the Flynn Insurance Co. Clyde Fincher, head of Fincher Investment Co., is an investor in these.

Scurlock's Super Market opens in the Coronado Village Shopping Center. About twenty years later it will move to 901 North 13 Street now the home of the Lopez Supermarket. Between the two at the same site was Andy's Model Supermarket.

11/27/57 Maytag Coin Operated Laundry is the first of its type in the city. At its 809 S. Commerce address it is open 24 hours a day every day.

1958 The city's major taxpayers, based on their 1957 assessed values, are CPL, $622,900; St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway, $587,670; Valley Coop Oil Mill, $463,520; H. E. Butt Grocery Co., $348.350; First National Bank, $343,360; Swift and Company Oil Mill, $292,450; Holsum Bakery, $292,050; A.L. Benoist and Company, $284,380; and the South Texas Cotton Oil Mill, $279,490.

Texas Frozen Foods, with Cecil Carruth as president, shares his Harlingen Cold Storage freezing and cold storage plant with processors and packers the Western Shell Fish Co. and Alberti Seafoods Processing Corp.

Harlingen construction permits total $4,142,649.

Valley Ready Mix now employs 60 people, has a $300,000 annual payroll, and $3 million in sales.

Jeff Bell, manager of the Chamber of Commerce, notes that 2,000 to 2,500 visitors to Harlingen spend a minimum of $1.5 million. The Tourist Club membership has grown to 500 this year. It was 250 in 1955.

Harlingen has 90 manufacturing concerns with an annual payroll of $6.5 million. Retail sales in the city are roughly $56 million per year, yet Harlingen family spending income is only $40 million. The difference comes from outside buyers. The Harlingen Air Force Base is a strong economic force. It spends $23,337,000 annually or $1,945,000/month. The breakdown: military payroll $15,498,000; civilian payroll $3,017,000; housekeeping, supplies, etc. $4,822,000. The number of personnel at the base is 4,470, 3,700 of whom are military and 770 civilian.

Vernon Murphy is one of many Harlingen cotton merchants, since the city is the hub of Valley cotton movement. E.D. Griffin is co-owner of Frank Grimsell Seed Co., a supplier to cotton and other growers.

The Coronado Village Shopping Center opens.

3/16/58 E.C. Breedlove, president of the First National Bank, reports its bank deposits to be $20,551,636, up more than $3 million since a year ago. Harlingen National Bank deposits are $7,987,644.

4/12/59 T.N. Gaines succeeds Frank Ragsdale as editor of the Valley Morning Star.

5/10/59 General manager Ralph Julliard starts new plant and presses of the Valley Morning Star on South 77 Sunshine Strip near the bridge. The plant features a high capacity 9-unit Unitubular Press.

5/59 The Crown Heights Shopping Center opens.

6/12/59 An old 8-room house at the southeast corner of 2nd and Tyler is moved to the E. Harrison sewerage plant for occupancy of its manager. This leaves room for Knapp Chevrolet parking. On this date also, 70 businessmen tour a potential international bridge site one mile east of Los Indios.

1959 Over a 19 year period from 1940 Harlingen bank deposits grow 16.7 times compared to 10.9 times for the Valley as a whole. Comparative figures for the last two years are: 1958 1959

First National Bank $22,450,976 $23,583,976

Harlingen National 10,223,277 10,855,959

In a 9-month period bank deposits at the First National will leap to $30 million. Its capital stands at $2.01 million by 9/15/59.

10/8/59  South Texas Lumber Co. becomes South Texas Lumber and Supply Co. under its new owners Herbert Hudson (state senator) from Brownsville, W.A. McBryde and Warren Jackson of Harlingen, , Sam F. Magee of La Feria, and Larry Crockett of Donna. It operates four yards across