Weslaco in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Gibson Park
Photographed By James Hulse, April 21, 2023
1. Gibson Park Marker
Inscription.
Gibson Park. . During the Great Depression, displaced midwesterners came to Weslaco and established Hooverville shantytowns. Hoping to improve their poor living conditions, in 1934, the Weslaco Lions Club worked to establish a park. William Henry Hoge and J.J. Gibson, for whom the park would be named, donated acreage. Weslaco's first municipal trailer park opened in 1936 as a tourist destination for campers and for those living in trailers. It closed as a trailer camp in 1946, later developing into a neighborhood park. Weslaco's ecotourism industry also developed as the city opened the Valley Nature Center on the park's eastern portion. Recreationally and commercially, Gibson Park remains a vital landmark in Weslaco.
During the Great Depression, displaced midwesterners came to Weslaco and established Hooverville shantytowns. Hoping to improve their poor living conditions, in 1934, the Weslaco Lions Club worked to establish a park. William Henry Hoge and J.J. Gibson, for whom the park would be named, donated acreage. Weslaco's first municipal trailer park opened in 1936 as a tourist destination for campers and for those living in trailers. It closed as a trailer camp in 1946, later developing into a neighborhood park. Weslaco's ecotourism industry also developed as the city opened the Valley Nature Center on the park's eastern portion. Recreationally and commercially, Gibson Park remains a vital landmark in Weslaco.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16344.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 26° 9.512′ N, 97° 59.905′ W. Marker is in Weslaco, Texas, in Hidalgo County. Marker is at the intersection of West 3rd Street and South Border Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West 3rd Street. The marker is located on the western section of the Gibson Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weslaco TX 78596, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
A "Hooverville" was a shanty town built during the Great Depression by the homeless in the United States. They were named after Herbert Hoover, who was President of the United States during the onset of the Depression and was widely blamed for it. The term was coined by Charles Michelson.[1] There were hundreds of Hoovervilles across the country during the 1930s.
(Submitted on May 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, April 21, 2023
2. The Gibson Park Marker in front of the playground at the part
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
