University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ScholarWorks @ UTRGV

John H. Shary Collection Special Collections and Archives

1932

Information about Harlingen and the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Harlingen Chamber of Commerce

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Recommended Citation John H. Shary Collection, UTRGV Digital Library, The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley

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and the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Compliments HARLINGEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Ha-,,lin;gen, Texas back of water needed for CROPS GROWN THE MAGIC VALLEY trees which resulted in their having to be cut Since the average amount the growth for one year. Al­ irrigation per year is about 2 acre feet, it is read­ thereby setting back climate and the What is known as the Lower Rio Grande Val­ most no harm was done to older trees during this ily seen that even if all the suitable land in the The rich soil, the semi-tropical of Texas comprises a strip of country extend­ since that drop in ever put under irrigation and even if there abundance of fine water for irrigation purposes ley extreme bit of weather, and Valley is place ing up the Rio Grande River from its mouth for Valley has gone through two suc­ should be a division of the waters of the river be­ ~ake _the Rio Grande Valley a most excellent temperature the of vegetables in the a distance of approximately 100 miles, and having ceeding winters without scarcely a touch of frost. tween the United States and Mexico, there would m. which to grow all varieties an average width of about 25 miles. still be an abundance of water supplied by the wmter months. The average maximum temperature in the river for all irrigation purposes. Within this little territory is located what we Valley, over a long period of years, is about 82 These conditions also make this one of the are pleased to call "The Magic Valley," the soil degrees. The river is now controlled by entensive "flood best sections in which to grow citrus fruits and of which is, we believe, as rich in fertility as any controls" so that destructive overflows of the river Grapefruit and Oranges of the most excellent other soil on earth. RAINY WEATHER do not occur. quality are grown in the Valley. Since the Rio Grande River is the boundary Grande Water for irrigation is delivered through large of 1931-32 some 8 000 the The total average rainfall in the Rio During the winter season between the United States and Old Mex,co, year. Most of this canals and distributed through smaller "laterals," citrus fruits were produced in the 'Rio border with Valley is about 28 inches per so that car loads of Ma~ic Valley lies along the Mexican two "rainy seasons", one coming most of which are now being cement lined, Grande Valley of Texas, most of the crop consisting it and Old Mexico. occurs during water and no seepage on only the river between about June and the other about October of each there is little waste of of Grapefruit. the land. It is located in the extreme Southern tip of Tex­ year. Miami, Florida. purposes Valley Grapefruit is considered the best quality as and is about the same latitude as are periods when there may be Water is handled for irrigation its containing However, there Districts, owned and that g?E:S on the markets because of 400 little rainfall during- several months, :then through regular Irrigation sugar than grapefruit grown The Rio Grande Valley of Texas is almost very the land owners in each District. A !Ilore Juice and more southern border of again there may occasionally come heavy down­ operated by m any other part of the country. miles farther South than the Manager and Board of Directors, elected by the Califorrua. pours. the affairs land owners in the District, administer 30,000 car loads of winter ve­ a semi-arid terri­ A total of near CLIMATIC CONDITIONS Generally speaking, this is of each District. getables and citrus fruits are produced each season tory, and most all farming is done under irriga­ crops being located so far in dif­ in t_he Rio Grande Valley. The vegetable Because of the Valley tion-the water for which comes from the Rio The cost of irrigation may vary a little Beets, Cauliflower, people have an idea that the summers is about the consist of Cabbage, Carrots, south, many Grande River. ferent Districts, but the following Egg Plant, Green Beans, Head Lettuce al'e unbearably hot. This is not the case. As a usual cost. Tomatoes, that the aver­ Okra, Spinach, Onions, Green Corn, Turnips, Mus~ matter of fact the records will show STORMS Potatoes, Cucum­ in The Rio Grande Valley through acre per year. tard Greens, Peppers, Parsley, age temperature "Flat Rate, $3.00 per Anise, Broccoli, Endive Radishes .summer months is about 8 degrees cooler than occurred in the Watering, $1.25 per acre. bers, Escarole, the Destructive storms have never Each Squash, Dandelion, Cantaloupes and W~termelons'. in cemraJ and northern United States. This is Grande Valley. Although located along the adjacent Rio occasioned by the fact that the Valley is Gulf Coast, this portion of the Texas coast is pro­ What is meant by "Flat Rate" is a mainten­ In addition to Fruit and Winter Vegetable Mexico and that the Trade Winds, Island, which charged against the land wheather to the Guif of tected by the natural barrier, Padre ance rate that is crops, the Valley produces large quantities of Cot­ which brought Columbus across the Atlantic in portion of the Texas Gulf is used or not. This is for the purpose of extends along this water and Feed Crops. 1492, are stul b.owing, and these constant and con­ Coast for some 130 miles. maintaining the canals, the pumping plants etc. ton, Hay extreme tempera­ indebted­ tinuous oce .. n breezes prevent Most Irrigation Districts have a bonded and the summer months. Heat prostra­ Earthquakes, hurricanes and tropical storms the irrigation system is put in, Trunk lines of both the Missouri Pacific tures through ness incurred when run into Harlingen tions are unknown m the Rio Grande Valley because are not experienced in the Valley. and there is, therefore, an annual tax usually of the Southern Pacific railroads devoid of humidity and on the property in the and extend on to Brownsville. Both these roads the atmosphere 1s almost $1.00 per $100.00 valuation the iValley p1oduce the oppressive, devestating re­ UTILITIES tax is for paying interest and re­ have extensive feeder lines covering does not District, which farm located mor~ than sults that are felt in the summer heat of the north­ tiring the bonds of the District. so that there is scarcely a country. During mid-summer the The entire Valley territory is served with four or five miles from a railroad shipp'ng station ern cities of our proximity. weather does get hot in the middle of the after­ Electricity by Central Power and Light Company, A citrus grove may need irrigating from two and most of them within closer are out in the sun, but even then there their High Power Lines extending throughout the y;ear, depending on how the rains noons, if you to six times each railroad faci:ities, the is that everlasting sea-breeze that keeps one from Valley. come. In addition to excellent Our highest summer tem­ Valley is served by an extensive paved road system, feeling uncomfortable. by the Rio Grande 1000 usually range around 94 to 98 degrees, Natural Gas is supplied therefore, for irrigation on a citrus there being at present (1932) approximately pe1atures Company. The cost, the Valley. Paved high­ t>ut tn..s m,ua1ly appLes to about two or three hours Valley Gas grove will be from about $5.50 per acre per year miles of paved roads in August and Septem­ acre per year, according ways extend from Valley points to San Antonio in mid-afternoon during July, Manufactured Ice is supplied by two large ice up to as much as $10.00 per may drive by it is quite hot out in the sun, if times it is necessary to irrigate. Houston and all points north. One ber. Even when manufacturing concerns. to how many Valley to California or to one steps into the shade he finds it pleasantly cool. automobile from the SOIL Chicago or New York City on paved highways most Naturally, one would expect the winters to be IRRIGATION of the way. mild in the Rio Grande Valley, and this is true. and Hidalgo Counties, almost all The soil of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas is, touch In Cameron within the borders LIVING CONDITIONS However there is usually just enough the farming is done under irrigation. In Willacy perhaps, the most fertile of any to g;ve zest and energy and not enough the United States. It is said to be even more of winter County a larger portion of it is "dry land" farm­ of are 24 towns in the Rio Grande Valley heat to be enervating-all of which makes an id3al the largest irriga­ fertile than that of the famous Nile Valley of There ing at present, although one of ranging in popu1ation from a few hundred to about climatic condition in which to live. the entire Valley is now under Egypt. The land is generally level and is made tion projects in not a pebble twenty five thousand. Harlingen, located near the a touch constructinon in that County. up of a fine silt formation. There is in the On very rare occasions we will have this rich silt has a depth center of the Valley, is the largest town Valley, the temperature of stone in the soil and Harlingen has a popu­ of freezing weather in the for irrigation is supplied from the Rio four feet to over a thousand feet. Valley, except Brownsville. to about 30 degrees for an hour or two. Water of from 1932) of approximately 15,000. In all dropping Grande River, which river has an average flow of lation (in This may occur twice or three times during the per practically in­ the towns there are splendid church buildings of was a most approximately seven million acre feet of water The fertility of the soil is up-to-date entire winter. In January 1930, there the reason that it is constantly en­ the various denominations; high class, most of the United States year. exhaustible for most modern equipmzn ~; g Jod severe blizzard over riched every time water is applied for irrigation. school buildings with and the Rio Grande Val ey experienced the lowest land of the Valley (if it is ever is approximately business houses dealing in all lines of merchandise, that h:id The irrigable In each acre foot of water there Tourist temeprature, for a few hours one day, will amount sediment, which sediment is and in the larger towns there are fine since settlement be­ all put under cultivation and irrigation) a ton of fertil;zing Apartment Hourns. been known in this territory added to the soil when water is applied. Hoteh and excellent gan. Some harm was done to very young fruit to about one million acres. Rates and Rents are reasonable at1d all modern LABOR City of conveniences may be had. Bricklayers, HARLINGEN, TEXAS Info-,,mation about Two Junior Colleges are located in the Valley, Skilled labor, such as Carpenters, one at Brownsville and the other at Edinburg, Plumbers, and such, have the regular Union scale Figures as of February 1, 1932 where the first two years of a University course of wages in the Rio Grande Valley. Common labor, may be had. The High Schools and Grade Schools sqch as is used on the farms and for general un­ favorably with those of Year 1932 HARLINGEN of the Valley compare almost entirely by our any of the older and larger cities and communities skilled work, is supplied Population 1920 1784 12,125 of other parts of the country. local Mexican population. Population, including (census 1930) suburband additions 1920 1784 15,000 and the LAND COSTS Mexican labor is the very best that one can Assessed Valuations 1923 $1,852,000 $10,514,532 One contemplating making a home in the Rio desire in this particular part of the country. They Business Establishm'ts 1926 128 457 Grande Valley is interested in what it is going fit into the scheme of things here and the labor Ave. School Enrol'mt 1922 534 2,823 do so. to cost him to is plentiful and cheap. Telephone connections 1921 200 1,729 Lower There is the cost of Land, the cost of Labor, Water mains 1923 1 mile 47 miles the cost of setting out a Citrus Grove, the cost of The usual cost of common labor is from $1.00 Light connections 1920 227 2,520 it, the cost of Taxes, etc. maintaining to $1.50 per day, with the day beginning at sunrise Water connections 1920 400 1,752 Rio Grande Land values vary widely in the Rio Grande ar:d ending at sunset. Storm sewers 1923 1 mile 14½ miles Valley. Undeveloped lands, in the brush, not locat­ Curbs and gutters 1920 4 miles 44 miles Districts ( and, therefore, ed within the Irrigation 1922 2.61 miles 22 miles not supplied with water for irrigation) may be had TAXES Paved streets Valley at prices ra1:ging from $50.00 per acre (in large Sanitary sewers 1923 7 miles 23 miles tracts) up to $250.00 per acre, according to locat­ In Cameron County, Texas-the County in Post Office receipts 1921 $9,600 $57,945.68 soil. Lands in the Irrigation ion and character of which Harlingen is located-the tax rate is mod­ containing a total of 356 acres. Districts that are cleared and in cultivation; but 8 City Parks not set to citrus fruit groves, may be had at prices erate, considering the fact that this is a new country Municipal Auditorium seating 2400 people. ranging from $200.00 per acre up to $700.00 per just being developed and that large public improve­ Municipal Golf Course-said to be one of finest in acre, or more, according to location and extent of ment programs have been carried out. the State. improvements. Lands highly developed, with we:! cared for In Cameron County, Texas the following tax The Valley Mid Winter Fair Association holds its bearing fruit groves, will range in price from rates are at this time in effect (1932): annual Fair at Harlingen because of its being the according to $700.00 per acre to $5000.00 per acre, center of the Valley. It is usualiy trees, the location of the grove and the geographical age of the .74 on the $100 valuation. care that it has been given. Very few well cared State Taxes ...... $ held about the end of November each year and is for citrus groves five year old, or more, for sale County Taxes ...... $1.50 on the $100 valuation. an outstanding annual event. at any price. City of Harlingen ..... $1.50 on the $100 valuation Dist...... $1.00 on the $100 valuation. with reference CITRUS GROVES Ind. School Because of its strategic location Navigation Dist...... $ .25 on the $100 valuation. to other parts of the Valley, Harlingen is the Whole­ If one desires to grow a citrus grove of his sale Distributing center for the Valley territory. trees set on his own, he can get first class fruit If one does not live in town-he does not have land, and guaranteed to grow, at prices rang:nJ from about $1.00 to $1.50 per tree. It takes from to pay City Taxes. All Highways and Railways radiate from Harlin­ 56 to 60 trees to the acre. It costs about $50.00 gen. per acre per year to properly take care of a young begin to bear some at PLAY growing grove, and it will Harlingen showed the greatest per-centage of three years from time of setting the trees. How­ 1920 to 1930 of any ever it will be the fourth year before there is a No other locality in the South affords a better increase in population from with the exception of comm<:-rcial crop-and even then the crop will be opportunity for outdoor recreation and play than other city or town in Texas light From five years of age on, the grove will be town. Harlingen has never Rio Grande Valley of Texas. With hundreds one small "oil boom" Compliments on a commercial production basis. A well cared for the had a boom, but has enjoyed a steady and substan­ grove should produce about 4 boxes of fruit per of miles of fine paved roads and the delightful tial growth during the past ten years. tree at the age of five years, and should increase weather that prevails most of the time, it is ideal HARLINGEN CHAMBER about on(• additional box per tree each year from for motoring. years of age-after Some of the finest churches, schools, office biuld­ then until the grove is twelve will be found in Harlingen. OF COMMERCE which time the production remains about the same ings and public buildings as at the age of twelve years. Numerous fine Country Clubs and Golf Courses afford an opportunity for indulgence in that sport. The Harlingen Chamber of Commerce will be No one knows how long a citrus fruit grova The Gulf Coast along the eastern extremity of the glad to furnish other information about Harlingen will last. The oldest groves in the Rio Grande Val­ upon request. Write the finest fishing, boating, swimming, and the Rio Grande Valley, ley at this time (1932) are about eighteen years. Valley offers us your inquiries. However there are individual trees in the Valley camping and hunting grounds to be found anywh0re. that are much older, and in Florida there are At Point Isabel (the Valley's gulf port) is some groves around 100 years of age. It is said that HARLINGEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Ha-,,l in3en, Texas old of the finest Tarpon Fishing to be found off any there are groves in Spain more than 600 years Harlingen, Texas and still bearing fruit annually. ~hore of America.