Harlingen, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Harlingen
Location in the state of Texas
Counties	Cameron County
Government
- Mayor	Richard Rodriguez
Area
- City	88.9 km²  (34.3 sq mi)
- Land	88.2 km² (34.1 sq mi)
- Water	0.7 km² (0.3 sq mi)
Population (2005)
- City	66,498
- Density	652.4/km² (1,689.6/sq mi)
- Metro	385,511
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
About Longitude 26.10 degrees north and -97.99 degrees west
Website: www.myharlingen.us

Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States. The city covers more than 34 mi² (88 km²) and is the second largest city in Cameron County and in the Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito metropolitan area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 57,564. The 2005 U.S. Census estimate shows Harlingen had a population of approximately 66,498. Home to Lockheed Martin, an army of hospitals, the Regional Academic Health Center, and the Rio Grande Valley's largest and busiest airport, Harlingen is renowned as the logistics, medical, and travel hub of the Rio Grande Valley. The city is within proximity to the white sand beaches of South Padre Island as well as Mexico.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Transportation 3.1 Airports 3.2 Highways 3.3 International Trade Bridges 3.4 Ports 3.5 Railroads 4 Education 4.1 Universities and Colleges 4.2 Private and Parochial Schools 5 Demographics 6 Healthcare 7 Sports & Recreation 8 Culture 8.1 Museums 8.2 Iwo Jima Monument 8.3 Festivals 8.4 Art 9 Media & Journalism 9.1 Television 9.2 Radio 9.3 Newspapers 10 External links

[edit] History

Harlingen's strategic location at the intersection of U.S. highways 77 and 83 in northwestern Cameron County fostered its development as a distribution, shipping, and industrial center. In 1904 Lon C. Hill envisioned the Arroyo Colorado as a commercial waterway. He named the town he founded on the north bank after the city of Harlingen in the The Netherlands. The town's post office was established that year. The first school opened with fifteen pupils in 1905 near the Hill home, the first residence built in Harlingen. Harlingen was incorporated on April 15, 1910, when the population totaled 1,126. In 1920 the census listed 1,748. The local economy at first was almost entirely agricultural. Major crops were vegetables and cotton.

World War II military installations in Harlingen caused a jump in population from 23,000 in 1950 to 41,000 by 1960. Harlingen Army Air Field preceded Harlingen Air Force Base, which closed in 1962. The city's population fell to 33,603 by 1972, then climbed to 40,824 by 1980. Local enterprise, focused on the purchase and utilization of the abandoned base and related housing, laid the groundwork for continuing progress through a diversified economy. The estimated population in July 1985 was 49,000, of which about 80 percent was Hispanic. In the late 1980s income from tourism ranked second only to citrus fruit production, with grain and cotton next in order. The addition of wholesale and retail trade, light and medium manufacturing, and an array of service industries has broadened the economic base. Large-scale construction for multifaceted retirement communities is a new phase of industrial development.

The city of Harlingen operates a busy industrial airpark where bombers used to land. At Valley International Airport the Confederate Air Force occupied hangar and apron space until 1991. The first hospital in Harlingen was opened in 1923 and consisted of little more than two barracks as wings. The Valley Baptist Hospital was built nearby a few years later, and eventually the older hospital closed. The Valley Baptist Hospital has grown into the Valley Baptist Medical Center. The city's outstanding network of health care specialists and facilities parallels the growth of the still-expanding center. Also serving regional health needs are the South Texas State Chest Hospital, the State Hospital for Children, and the Rio Grande State Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center.

Besides public and church-affiliated schools, Harlingen students attend the University Preparatory School, the Marine Military Academy, Texas State Technical College, or Rio Grande Vocational and Rehabilitation Classes. Civic and cultural development in Harlingen has kept pace with the growth of the community. Fraternal orders and civic organizations operating in the community include Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist, 20-30, VFW, and American Legion; a woman's building is maintained as a center for the activities of the many women's clubs active in the city. Development and appreciation of the fine arts are encouraged by organizations such as the Rio Grande Valley Art League, the Art Forum, and the Rio Grande Valley Civic Association, which stages its winter concert series at the 2,300-seat Harlingen Municipal Auditorium. Each March Harlingen is the site of the Rio Grande Valley International Music Festival. The city has two newspapers—the Harlingen Press, a weekly paper established in 1951, and the Valley Star, a daily established in 1911. In 1990 the population was 48,735. In 1992 the city was named an All-America City, cited especially for its volunteer spirit and self-help programs. In 2000 the community had 57,564 inhabitants and 2,549 businesses.

[edit] Geography

Harlingen is located at 26°11′32″N, 97°41′47″W (26.192203, -97.696275)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 88.9 km² (34.3 mi²). 88.2 km² (34.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (0.76%) is water.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Airports

Harlingen is known as the logistics center of the Rio Grande Valley. The city's airport, Valley International Airport (HRL), has a service area that encompasses the lower Rio Grande Valley and northern Mexico, serving more than two million people on both sides of the US-Mexico border. It is the largest international airport in the region and handles approximately 50% of all passenger traffic in the Rio Grande Valley. Valley International Airport lies in the northeastern portion of Harlingen and offers an attractive border-crossing option via the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios. The airport has aligned itself as the Air Cargo Hub of the Rio Grande Valley and works closely with carriers such as UPS, DHL, FedEx, BAX Global, Menlo Worldwide, and Southwest Cargo. In 1975, Southwest Airlines began to fly to the Rio Grande Valley via the Harlingen Airport with four roundtrips each business day. Additional airlines that serve the airport include Continental Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. Sun Country Airlines offers direct seasonal service to Minneapolis/St. Paul during the winter season from November to April.

[edit] Highways

Two six-lane divided highways intersect in Harlingen: U.S. Highway 77 and U.S. Highway 83. U.S. Highway 77 connects to Interstate 37 at Corpus Christi. U.S. Highway 83 connects with Interstate 35 at Laredo.

[edit] International Trade Bridges

The Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios is a state of the art international bridge located just 10 miles south of Harlingen. This four-lane international crossing is one of the largest and most modern ports of entry in South Texas. With a full U.S. Customs inspection facility that accommodates up to 75 trucks simultaneously, the Free Trade Bridge is acclaimed as the most time-efficient crossing. The Free Trade Bridge accesses a four-lane highway in northern Mexico, offering a fast route to the border cities of Matamoros and Reynosa, as well as the industrial city of Monterrey. With the completion of Mexico's State of Tamaulipas new 'autopista', the Free Trade Bridge will provide a seamless highway connection for more efficient distribution of industrial products to interior Mexico.

[edit] Ports

The Port of Harlingen is located four miles east of Harlingen on Highway 106. It is 25 miles West of Mile Marker 646 on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, which stretches from the Mexican border at Brownsville, along the entire coast of the Gulf of Mexico to St. Marks, Florida. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway provides over 1,300 miles of protected waterway, 12' deep and 125' wide. The Harlingen Channel is maintained to a width of 125 feet and a depth of 12 feet and is supplied by the Arroyo Colorado, a fresh water river.

[edit] Railroads

Union Pacific Railroad has a local terminal and switching yard in Harlingen. The Harlingen Industrial Parks and Port of Harlingen have direct rail access.

[edit] Education

• Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District

[edit] Universities and Colleges

• Texas State Technical College
• South Texas College
• University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
• University of Texas Pan American

[edit] Private and Parochial Schools

• Marine Military Academy - All male college prep school, founded on the teachings of the United States Marine Corps
• Valley Baptist Academy
• St. Alban's Episcopal School
• St. Anthony Catholic School
• Calvary Christian School
• St. Paul Lutheran School

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 57,564 people, 19,021 households, and 14,360 families residing in the city. The population density was 652.4/km² (1,689.6/mi²). There were 23,008 housing units at an average density of 260.7/km² (675.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.68% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 16.39% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. 72.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race; most are of Mexican descent, but there are also few numbers of Central and South Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans etc.

As in other cities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, a significant part of Harlingen's transient population and a significant contributor to its economy consists of "Winter Texans." Winter Texans are generally retirees from the northern Midwestern states and Canada who come to escape the northern winter weather between roughly November and March. Many live in trailer or recreational vehicle parks.

There were 19,021 households out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.44.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,296, and the median income for a family was $34,015. Males had a median income of $27,014 versus $21,795 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,886. About 19.3% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.7% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Healthcare

Harlingen Medical Center is the advanced general acute care hospital in Harlingen. HMC specializes in advanced cardiovascular care, orthopedics, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology. The state of the art facility opened in 2003 and boasts over 100 beds, all private rooms. Harlingen Medical Center provides some of the most advanced and up to date medical care in the Rio Grande Valley.

Valley Baptist Medical Center (VBMC) was founded in 1925 on F Street in Harlingen. It is currently located at Ed Carey Drive and Pease Street. It is a 600-bed not-for-profit hospital that also serves as the regional trauma center. VBMC also operates a country club, a restaurant (Magnolia Grille), and an exercise facility (Valley Baptist Health & Fitness Center).

Harlingen's third hospital, Solara Hospital is a long-term acute care facility where patients can receive treatment for as long as a month, compared to general hospitals where patients are treated for shorter periods. The 41–bed hospital is owned by Solara Healthcare of Dallas, Valley Baptist Health System and local physicians.

Valley Diagnostic Clinic is a large outpatient facility with both primary care physicians and specialists in fields such as cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, etc.

The Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) is a teaching hospital that serves as an extension campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Su Clinica Familiar offers services tailored to the border region, concentrating in the areas of dentistry, internal medicine, women’s health and pediatrics. Services are mostly tailored for the poor. It has a teaching partnership with the nearby Regional Academic Health Center.

In addition there are various smaller clinics, group and individual practices in the city.

Valley AirCare, Inc. provides emergency medical and critical patient transport helicopter service within 150 miles of its Harlingen base and fixed-wing service throughout North America.

The Ronald McDonald House on Treasure Hills Boulevard opened in 1998 and is funded by private donations, grants, and fundraising events. It is a "home away from home" for families of children being treated for serious illness or injury. Many families travel to large medical centers to get the best treatment for their children. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a safe, comfortable place for a family to stay as they face the trauma of their child's illness. The family can stay in the House at a very nominal charge while their child is being diagnosed and treated for illness. There are 232 Houses in the United States and 22 other countries, providing approximately 6,000 rooms every night at Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide. Each Ronald McDonald House is run by a local non-profit organization comprised of members of the medical community, business and civic leaders, parents/volunteers, and McDonald's restaurant owners and operators.

[edit] Sports & Recreation

Harlingen was home of the Rio Grande Valley White Wings, a Central Baseball League Minor league baseball team. The city lost the team in 2003, however, after the formation of United Baseball League in 2005, the team was reinstated.

Valley Race Park is a racetrack for Greyhound dogs. Valley Race Park was the first greyhound track in Texas to accept Pari-Mutuel wagering. The facility is fully air-conditioned and the grandstands totals over 80,000 square feet. The grandstand has over 400 monitors to pick-up the 50 plus Simulcast Live Racing signals from the top Greyhound and Horse tracks from all around the United States. Valley Race Park was shut down in the fall of 1995, but reopened after 5 years in the spring of 2000.

The World Birding Center has a location in Harlingen's Hugh Ramsey Nature Park. Work continues on designs for a new 7,250-square-foot visitors’ center at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park. The two-story center will include a gift shop, observation tower, meeting rooms and enclosed viewing areas. Meanwhile, visitors at both Ramsey Park and the Thicket will find parking and extensive trails, as well as maps, information and public restrooms.

• VICTOR PARK

Location: The intersection of U.S. Hwy. 77/83 and "M" St. Amenities: 40 acres consisting of 5 lighted baseball/softball fields, 6 lighted tennis courts, playground equipment, park pavilion with barbecue pit, covered picnic shelters, soccer/athletic fields, restrooms, and the Victor Park Aquatic Center. Access to Arroyo Hike & Bike Trail on sidewalk along Highway 77/83 access road.

• PENDLETON PARK

Location: The intersection of Morgan Blvd. and Grimes St. Amenities: 47 acres consisting of 18 lighted tennis courts with pro shop (HEB Tennis Center), park pavilion with barbecue pit, playground equipment, 6 little league baseball fields, scenic pond with freedom fountain, picnic tables, and restrooms.

• HARLINGEN SPORTS COMPLEX

Location: 3139 Wilson Rd. Amenities: 80 acres consisting of 4 lighted softball fields, 8 youth baseball fields (4 lighted), 2 soccer fields, fishing pond and pier, 2 basketball courts, playground, handicap accessible playground, one mile jogging/walking trail, covered picnic shelter, park pavilion with barbecue pit, and restrooms.

• DIXIELAND PARK

Location: 2501 S. Dixieland Rd. Amenities: 20 acres consisting of a playground, 9 hole disc golf course, park pavilion with barbecue pit, lake, and restrooms.

• LON C. HILL PARK/FAIR PARK

Location: Lon C. Hill Park (Across from the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium Complex) Amenities: 73 acres consisting of playground, covered picnic shelters, barbecue pits, 2 basketball courts, volleyball area, hummingbird and butterfly garden, and the Lon C. Hill Aquatic Center.

• RANGERVILLE PARK

Location: 1101 Rangerville Road Amenities: 24 acres consisting of a playground, 3 soccer/athletic fields, .75 mile jogging trail, park gazebo with barbecue pit, and restrooms.

• HUGH RAMSEY NATURE PARK

Location: 1000 Block South Loop 499 Amenities: 54 acres of wooded park land includes nature trails, observation blind overlooking the Arroyo Colorado, and restrooms.

• ARROYO PARK

Location: Intersection of New Hampshire St. and Hale St. Amenities: 29 acres consisting of 2 softball fields, 2 soccer fields, nature trails with scenic overlooks of the Arroyo Colorado, playground, volleyball area, covered picnic shelter, and restrooms. Access to Arroyo Hike & Bike Trail.

• C.B. WOOD PARK

Location: Harding Ave. Amenities: 9 acres consisting of a playground and covered picnic shelter. Access to Arroyo Hike & Bike Trail.

• LT. GEORGE GUTIERREZ JR. PARK/LA PLACITA

Location: 500 W. Harrison St. Amenities: 2 acres consisting of picnic areas, benches, playground, and bandstand.

• MCKELVEY PARK

Location: 1325 S. 77 Sunshine Strip Amenities: 11 acres consisting of playground, and picnic areas. Access to Arroyo Hike & Bike Trail.

• CITY LAKE PARK/LIBERTY GARDENS

Location: 410 '76 Drive Amenities: 7 acres consisting of jogging/walking trail, lake, and meditation garden.

• WINDSOR PARK

Location: Intersection of S. 77 Sunshine Strip and Filmore St. Amenities: 2 acres consisting of playground, covered picnic shelters, and barbecue pits.

• HUNTER PARK

Location: Intersection of 3rd St. and McGregor St. Amenities: 2 acres consisting of playground and picnic areas.

• VESTAL PARK

Location: 501 La Fayette Amenities: Multi purpose fields including soccer and baseball. Bathroom facilities.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Museums

• Located by Valley International Airport and Texas State Technical College is the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum, showcasing Harlingen's, as well as the Rio Grande Valley's, history.
• Housed on the grounds of the Marine Military Academy is the Marine Military Academy Museum and Gift Shop, alongside the Iwo Jima Monument.

[edit] Iwo Jima Monument

Located on the grounds of the Marine Military Academy is the Iwo Jima Monument. The Iwo Jima Monument is the original full-sized creation of the renowned artist and sculptor, Dr. Felix de Weldon, and was used for the casting of the monument erected at Arlington Cemetery outside Washington, D.C. After completion of the monument this sculpture was placed in storage until the early 1980s when its creator donated it to the Academy. Donations were collected to fund the transport and reassembly of the monument, which was supervised by its creator and on 16 April 1982 the monument, was officially dedicated. The Visitors Center contains photographs documenting this event as well as a signed photograph of the monument on which the sculptor officially donated this "original" monument to the Academy.

Beside the Iwo Jima Monument in Harlingen, is the grave of Harlon Block, a native of South Texas; one of the well-known Iwo Jima Flag Raisers.

[edit] Festivals

• Harlingen is home to the annual RioFest as well as the annual film festival RioFilm, both held in April in conjunction with one another.
• Blues on the Hill, a summer music festival held every two weeks during the summer months, takes place at McKelvey Park along the Arroyo Colorado.
• The Jackson Street Jubilee, a gathering of local artisans and crafters, takes place in October on Harlingen's Jackson Street.
• Market Days is an old fashioned open-air street fair with antiques, crafts, sidewalk sales, produce cart, and food vendors. Part of Jackson Street is blocked for this event. This event is sponsored by the Harlingen downtown Merchants Association. Market Days is helded on the first Saturday of each month. The public is invited.

[edit] Art

Home to Harlingen's art scene is the D'Arte Centre on Jackson Street.

[edit] Media & Journalism

[edit] Television

• XHRIO(Channel 2, licensee: Entravision, Fox affiliate)
• KGBT (Channel 4, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: Raycom Media, CBS affiliate)
• KRGV (Channel 5, Weslaco, Texas, licensee: Mobile Video Tapes, Inc., ABC affiliate)
• KVEO (Channel 23, Brownsville, Texas, licensee: Comcorp of Texas License Corp., NBC affiliate)
• KTLM (Channel 40, Rio Grande City, Texas, licensee: Sunbelt Media Co., Telemundo affiliate)
• KNVO (Channel 48, McAllen, Texas, licensee: Entravision Holdings, LLC.,Univision affiliate)
• KTIZ (Channel 52, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: Orbitz Broadcasting Corp., i (TV network) affiliate)
• KMBH (Channel 60, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: RGV Educational Broadcasting, Inc. PBS)

[edit] Radio

• KHID 88.1 FM Classical
• KBNR 88.3 FM Spanish
• KOIR 88.5 FM Spanish
• KMBH 88.9 FM Classical
• XMLS 91.3 FM Top-40
• KTER 90.7 FM Religious
• KCAS 91.5 FM Religious
• KESO 92.7 FM Spanish
• KFRQ 94.5 FM Rock
• KZSP 95.3 FM News/Talk
• KBTQ 96.1 FM Spanish
• KVMV 96.9 FM Religious
• KGBT 98.5 FM Spanish
• KKPS 99.5 FM Tejano
• KTEX 100.3 FM Country
• KNVO 101.1 FM Spanish
• KBUC 102.1 FM Country
• KBFM 104.1 FM Top-40
• KJAV 104.9 FM Spanish
• KQXX 105.5 FM Oldies
• XHNA 105.9 FM Tejano
• KBIC 105.7 FM Spanish
• KHKZ 106.3 FM Hot AC
• KQBO 107.5 FM Spanish
• KVLY 107.9 FM Adult Contemporary
• KURV 710 AM Talk
• KVJY 840 AM Talk
• KRIO 910 AM Spanish
• KUBR 1210 AM Spanish
• KSOX 1240 AM Sports
• KRGE 1290 AM Spanish
• XRDO 1450 AM Spanish Talk
• XEMS 1490 AM Spanish
• KGBT 1530 AM Spanish
• KIRT 1580 AM Spanish
• KQXX 1600 AM Oldies
• KVNS 1700 AM News/Talk

[edit] Newspapers

• Valley Morning Star
• Brownsville Herald
• The Monitor
• Island Breeze

[edit] External links

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 26.192203° -97.696275°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA