Weslaco in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Weslaco
Photographed By James Hulse, January 24, 2021
1. Weslaco Marker
Located on part of a Spanish land grant known as Llano Grande, Weslaco was founded in 1919 by a partnership composed of R.C., Dan, and Ed Couch and Robert L. Reeves. The city's name is take from the initials of the W.E. Stewart Land Co., which held title to the site from 1917 to 1919. Weslaco had a post office by 1920 and was incorporated in 1921. Founded nearly ten years after most other valley cities in the area, Weslaco depends on a wide variety of businesses for its economic base. Descendants of some of the early settlers still live here.
Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5754.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location. 26° 9.416′ N, 97° 59.392′ W. Marker is in Weslaco, Texas, in Hidalgo County. Marker is at the intersection of East 5th Street and South Kansas Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East 5th Street. The marker is located in front of the historic Weslaco City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 East 5th Street, Weslaco TX 78596, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Weslaco City Hall (here, next to this marker); Texsun Corporation (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church of Weslaco
this page online
Also see . . . Weslaco Texas.
Weslaco, about fifteen miles west of Harlingen in south central Hidalgo County, is on U.S. Highway 83 and Farm Road 88. The site was part of the Llano Grande grant to Juan José Ynojosa de Ballí (1790). Upon Ynojosa's death the grant was divided among his children, and Manuela and María received the land on which Weslaco is situated. The Ballí family ranched and maintained ownership until 1852. In 1904 the Hidalgo and San Miguel extension of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway reached the site, promoted by Uriah Lott, Lon C. Hill, Jr. and others interested in developing the area through farming as opposed to traditional Hispanic ranching. Source: The Handbook of Texas(Submitted on January 28, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, January 24, 2021
2. The Weslaco Marker is the first marker of the three markers from the left
Photographed By James Hulse, January 24, 2021
3. The Historic Weslaco City Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
