Hidalgo in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant

Photographed by James Hulse, April 21, 2023

1. Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant Marker

Inscription. The semi-arid Lower Rio Grande Valley was productive only for cattle grazing until several steam-powered irrigation systems were established in the early 20th century. In 1909 a steam pump was built here to channel Rio Grande water to about 40,000 acres of land. The Louisiana-Rio Grande Canal Company installed additional equipment in 1911-12 to increase production to the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo area. Sold to the Hidalgo County water improvement district in 1920. The pump plant continued in operation until 1983, when an all-electric plant opened downstream.

2nd Plaque
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2471.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 26° 5.804′ N, 98° 15.703′ W. Marker is in Hidalgo, Texas, in Hidalgo County. It can be reached from South Second Street 0.1 miles south of Gardenia Avenue. The marker is located on the south side of Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 902 South Second Street, Hidalgo TX 78557, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Channel and Hurricane & Intake Pipes (within shouting distance of this marker); Hidalgo in 1927 (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Under the Bridge / Agua Bajo el Puente (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Hidalgo School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Hidalgo County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Hidalgo County Jail (approx. ¼ mile away); Vela Building (approx. half a mile away); Approximate Site of Mission San Joaquin del Monte a Visita (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hidalgo.

The Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant Marker next to the entrance to the Pumphouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 21, 2023

2. The Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant Marker next to the entrance to the Pumphouse

Inside view the Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 21, 2023

3. Inside view the Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant

The view of the Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 21, 2023

4. The view of the Hidalgo Irrigation Pump Plant

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 20, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.