San Benito was a "paper" town with no Anglo-American residents when Albanus Clemens Purvis (1850-1919) came here from Ohio to seek health. He became first Justice of the Peace, sold real estate, and farmed. His daughter Kate (later Mrs. J. Scott . . . — — Map (db m295408) HM
Early area Episcopalians worshiped at Brownsville beginning in 1851. The first services in San Benito were organized by citizens such as Nettie G. King and Will Hinkly whenever a minister and space could be found. The retired Rev. William Henry . . . — — Map (db m221095) HM
Known as Freddy Fender or El Bebop Kid (the Mexican Elvis Presley), Baldemar Garza Huerta achieved great success as a Tejano, rock and country singer for over fifty years. Born on this site in San Benito on June 4, 1937, he first performed in a . . . — — Map (db m269560) HM
Born in nearby Rangerville to Bob Floyd (1907-1983) and Mattie Lucille (1908-1996) Morrow, Bobby Joe Morrow (1935-2020) grew up in a simple clapboard house on a 600-acre cotton farm. Morrow began running by chasing jackrabbits. He attended San . . . — — Map (db m295411) HM
Founded by an engineer, Col. Sam Robertson, on Gulf Coast Railroad that in 1904 reached this area colonized by Mexico about 1770. First called "Bessie", for child of railroad official B.F. Yoakum, then "Diaz", to honor Mexican president; the present . . . — — Map (db m221055) HM
On January 22, 1908, less than one year after the platting of San Benito, the Rev. C.E.W. Smith, a pastor in Brownsville, organized the First Methodist Church. The Rev. Smith preached to the congregation once a month at a local one-room . . . — — Map (db m119522) HM
This church was organized in 1910, three years after the founding of San Benito. The first building, a frame structure completed in 1911, served the congregation until a hurricane destroyed it in 1933. The following year, this building was . . . — — Map (db m221097) HM
In the first decade of the 20th century, Hispanics from central Texas, Mexico and nearby ranches settled in the newly founded town of San Benito. Among these immigrants were individuals who followed the principles of the Presbyterian Church of . . . — — Map (db m166267) HM
Restored 2005-2006
as a Historic Municipal Building
Mayor – Cesar Gonzalez
Mayor Pro-tem – Joe. H. Hernandez
Commissioner – Mark Moody
Commissioner – Arnoldo Padilla
Commissioner – Valente . . . — — Map (db m119524) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m221099) HM
In 1909, the San Benito Independent School District formed and, in 1921, established the San Benito Colored School at Commerce and Doherty streets by the railroad tracks. The school opened with African American students taught by certified African . . . — — Map (db m295412) HM
In the late 19th and early 20th century, racial tensions near the United States - Mexico border and the lower Rio Grande Valley erupted into violence. The change from ranching to commercial agriculture and a shift in racial hierarchies led to . . . — — Map (db m167028) HM
The original St. Benedict's Church was erected in 1910, two years before the congregation became parish, and was destroyed by fire in 1923. This brick structure was built to replace it in 1925, under the leadership of Father Yvo Tymen, O.M.I. . . . — — Map (db m166265) HM
Chartered in 1908, one year after the founding of San Benito, this institution was started by two brothers, W. Scott Heywood and Alba Heywood. The bank moved here in 1911 when work was completed on this Spanish Colonial Revival structure. The second . . . — — Map (db m221091) HM
At the time the local community was granted its first post office in April 1907 it was known as Diaz. Because another town in Texas had previously been awarded the name Diaz by postal officials, the name of this post office was changed to San . . . — — Map (db m119537) HM
Col. Sam A. Robertson, who founded the town of San Benito in 1907, promoted and built the San Benito & Rio Grande Valley Railway. It was designed to provide a more accessible and efficient transportation system for the shipping of area farm . . . — — Map (db m221101) HM
The spot where "American blood was shed on American soil" April 25, 1846 Here Captain Philip Thornton and 62 dragoons were attacked by Mexican troops. — — Map (db m164598) HM
Designed by Austin architects Endress and Walsh and built by contractor L. Fleming, the San Benito Land and Water Company building was completed in 1910 at a cost of $14,386. Thirty-foot pine beams and locally made brick were used to construct . . . — — Map (db m119523) HM
