The Hurricane and the Channel
Prior to 1933, the Rio Grande was flowing right where you're standing, and the Pumphouse behind you was peacefully pulling thousands of the gallons of irrigation water from the river every minute. Then came the . . . — — Map (db m223869) HM
Born in New York City in 1806, Elder Barton was a formative figure in Hidalgo County history. Barton joined the Republic of Texas Army on March 13, 1836, and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto under Capt. Robert J. Calder. He married Santitos Balli . . . — — Map (db m223837) HM
This historic graveyard dates from 1884, with its oldest grave marker being that of Elder B. Barton (1815-1884). The cemetery was included in the 46.4 acre Pate's addition to the town of Hidalgo, developed in 1926 by Joe Pate. His wife, Kate, . . . — — Map (db m223838) HM
The City of Hidalgo is located on lands settled by Spanish colonizer Jose de Escandon in 1749. In 1848, Scottish-born merchant John Young founded a town site straddling Spanish land grants 63 and 64 as a trading post and ferry landing opposite . . . — — Map (db m223852) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m223863) HM
The City of Hidalgo is located on lands settled by Spanish colonizer José de Escondon in 1749. In 1848, Scottish-born merchant John Young founded a town site on Spanish land grants as a trading post and ferry landing opposite Reynosa, Mexico. . . . — — Map (db m180737) HM
This building served as the Hidalgo County Courthouse from its construction in 1886 until the County Seat was moved to Chapin (later name Edinburg) in 1908. Made of brick from nearby Reynosa, Mexico, it originally was a two-story structure. Its . . . — — Map (db m195639) HM
Built in 1886 by S. W. Brooks, who also constructed the nearby courthouse, this jail served Hidalgo County during a turbulent period in its history, when outlaw raids were still occurring. The city's first newspaper, "The Hidalgo Advance," was . . . — — Map (db m195647) HM
Thought to have been built about 1898, this two-story brick structure has served as an educational facility for generations. The first recorded graduation took place in 1922, with a class of three. The school housed students in elementary grades . . . — — Map (db m195659) HM
County seat of Hidalgo County 1852 - 1908 • Known as Edinburgh in 1852 • • Name changed in 1861 to Hidalgo in honor of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, 1753 - 1811, Parish Priest who led the movement in 1810 for Mexican Independence • • Almost completely . . . — — Map (db m223843) HM
In 1904 Crisoforo Vela and his wife, Florinda (de la Vega Balli), moved to Hidalgo from Santo Domingo Ranch in Starr County. Six years later Vela acquired the ferry and rowboat service that connected Hidalgo with Reynosa, Mexico. This was an . . . — — Map (db m195650) HM
Imagine standing here in the early 1900's. You would hear the sounds of the engines in the Pumphouse and watch as water spilled through the gates in the discharge channel at your feet.
Today the Pumphouse no longer siphons water from the Rio . . . — — Map (db m223851) HM
