San Benito in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Home of Col. Sam Robertson

Photographed by James Hulse, April 18, 2023

1. Home of Col. Sam Robertson Marker

Inscription. San Benito was begun in 1904 by Sam A. Robertson (1867-1938). A wealthy civil engineer and builder, he saw farming potential in the valley. He became sheriff and first postmaster. He built irrigation canals and a railroad network that connected farms with produce markets. He started a Padre Island development and Del Mar, a recreational area at Boca Chica. In 1911 Robertson and his wife Adele built this house. With thick walls and high windows, it served as a fortress against marauding bandits from across the border. In 1945 the house was sold to John T. Lomax.

Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2533.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 26° 8.109′ N, 97° 37.742′ W. Marker is in San Benito, Texas, in Cameron County. It is at the intersection of North Sam Houston Boulevard and West Adele Street, on the left when traveling north on North Sam Houston Boulevard. The marker is located in the front yard of the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 509 North Sam Houston Boulevard, San Benito TX 78586, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: San Benito Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic U.S. Post Office (about 400 feet away); First Methodist Church of San Benito (about 400 feet away); All Saints' Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away); The A.C. Purvis House (about 500 feet away); First Presbyterian Church of San Benito (about 500 feet away); Spiderweb Railroad (approx. 0.3 miles away); City of San Benito (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Benito.

Also see . . .
1. San Benito, TX. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Robertson, Samuel Arthur (1867–1938). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Samuel Arthur Robertson, railroad developer, engineer, and army officer, the son of Frank Selden and Catherine (Lewis) Robertson, was born at DeWitt, Missouri, on July 10, 1867. He left home at fifteen and went to work on railroad-construction crews. His construction-engineering career began with the Santa Fe Railroad in 1887. He traveled to the Rio Grande valley in 1903 under contract to lay rails for the Gulf Coast lines from Corpus Christi to Brownsville, where he purchased 10,000 acres along the Los Fresnos resaca and organized the San Benito Townsite Company, the San Benito
Photographed by James Hulse, April 18, 2023

2. Home of Col. Sam Robertson Marker
Land and Irrigation Company, and other companies to direct the development of San Benito and the surrounding area.

(Submitted on April 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Home of Col. Sam Robertson and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 18, 2023

3. The view of the Home of Col. Sam Robertson and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 827 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.