Pharr in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Louisiana-Rio Grande Canal Company
In 1909 H.N. Pharr, J.C. Kelly, John C. Conway, and A.W. Roth formed the Louisiana-Rio Grande (LRG) Canal Company to transform about 40,000 acres of arid land in Hidalgo County into productive farmland. To do this the company built two pumping stations to divert water from the Rio Grande through an elaborate irrigation system to a planned community of small farmsteads.
The agricultural success of the LRG Canal Company, its successor the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District #2, and other similar operations in the region resulted in an influx of Anglo farmers and settlers from the midwestern U.S. into this mainly Hispanic region of Texas. The bountiful harvests propelled the Rio Grande Valley to the forefront of Texas agriculture by the mid-20th century and earned the region a reputation as the "Winter Garden" of Texas.
Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3140.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 26° 5.455′ N, 98° 12.105′ W. Marker is in Pharr, Texas, in Hidalgo County. Marker is on South Cage Boulevard, 0.2 miles south of Military Highway (U.S. 281), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located right before US Port of Entry in the truck lane in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9901 South Cage Blvd, Pharr TX 78577, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jackson Ranch Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Eli Jackson Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Historic Hidalgo (approx. 3.6 miles away); Old Hidalgo School (approx. 3.6 miles away); Elder B. Barton (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hidalgo City Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away); Water Under the Bridge / Agua Bajo el Puente (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hidalgo in 1927 (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pharr.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 19, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.