Rio Grande Valley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Rio Grande Valley is an area located in the southernmost tip of Texas. It lies along the northern bank of the Rio Grande, which separates Mexico from the United States.

In reality, the Rio Grande Valley is not a valley, but a delta or floodplain. However, early settlers from Mexico felt that the term "Valley" sounded more inviting to tourists and northern investors than did "Delta." The Rio Grande Valley is also called "El valle", the Spanish translation of "the valley", by those who live there.

The region is made up of four counties: Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County.

Its largest city is Brownsville, Texas. Other major cities include McAllen, Harlingen, Edinburg, Weslaco, and Mission.

Contents

[edit] Historical Locations

The Valley has many historical landmarks that spread throughout its counties. These historical landmarks attract tourist from all over the United States; however, not as much as its beach South Padre Island. Some of the most popular locations, both to tourist and locals alike, is La Lomita Historic District, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, to name a few.

[edit] People of historical interest

The Valley has had a silent presence in American History from cotton smuggling during the Civil War, to being the birthplace of some of its noted citizens.

A few people that have been born, lived, or died in the Rio Grande Valley are:

  • Gloria E. Anzaldúa (Writer/Poet)
  • Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr. (U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative)
  • Harlon Block (Iwo Jima flag raiser, died on Iwo Jima, Weslaco, Texas)
  • Cathy Baker (T.V. performer, Hee-Haw country western T.V. program, Edinburg, Texas)
  • William Jennings Bryan (U.S. Secretary of State)
  • Tony Garza (U.S. Ambassador to Mexico)
  • Kika de la Garza (U.S. Representative, Mission, Texas)
  • Freddy Fender (Musician/Actor lyricist, San Benito, Texas)
  • Alfredo C. Gonzalez (Sgt., U.S.M.C. k.i.a provincial captial of Hue City, Viet-Nam, Medal of Honor recipient. 1994, U.S. Navy commissions DDG66 U.S.S. Gonzalez in his honor, Edinburg, Texas)
  • Bill Haley (Musician, interred, Harlingen, Texas)
  • Kris Kristofferson (Musician and actor, song writer, Brownsville, Texas)
  • Tom Landry (American football coach, Dallas Cowboys, Mission, Texas)
  • Rachel McLish (Ms. Olympia/actor, Harlingen, Texas)
  • Eduardo Paz-Martinez (Writer/Journalist)
  • Major Samuel Ringgold (Father of modern artillery, served at what is now Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, Texas)
  • Valente Rodriguez (Actor)
  • Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, USA, Ret. (Ground forces commander in Iraq, Rio Grande City, Texas)
  • Rod Santa Ana (Agro-Writer)
  • Merced Solis (aka Tito Santana, Wrestler)
  • Nick Stahl (Actor, Harlingen, Texas)
  • Zachary Taylor (U.S. President)

[edit] Places of Historical Interest

The First Lift Station in Mission, Texas once provided water for irrigating the crops of the early Rio Grande Valley. The lift station was constructed by Mexicans at a cost of $300 in 1985.
The First Lift Station in Mission, Texas once provided water for irrigating the crops of the early Rio Grande Valley. The lift station was constructed by Mexicans at a cost of $300 in 1985.
  • Los Ebanos Ferry Last hand operated ferry on the Rio Grande River
  • La Palma Lounge, Brownsville Birth of the Beer Bucket, 1967
  • La Lomita Historic District
  • Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
  • Borderfest started in 1977. Held for 4 days every year on the month of March. This festival is held to unite all cultures and musics from around the world. [1]
  • Fiesta Edinburg celebrated its 40th year this February, held the last week in February.
  • S.T.A.R. a/k/a South Texas Ag Roundup held at the Edinburg Municipal park every February and is in its fourth year as a stock show for high school aged children. All manner of domestic livestock shown. Is dedicated solely to the raising of funds for the education of the participants and none of the proceeds are kept by the S.T.A.R. organization.

[edit] Economy

The Rio Grande Valley remains one of the poorest parts of the United States. Hispanics comprise a large percentage of the Valley's population, ranging from 80% in some centers to 92% in the southernmost city of Brownsville. Its many international bridges bring in many Mexican nationals to shop, sell and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande River.

The Valley is also a popular tourist destination during the winters for residents from the midwestern United States and Canada. Winter Texans (as these part-time residents from the North are called), Mexican nationals, and thousands of college students who visit South Padre Island and Borderfest throughout March and April for Spring Break create the bulk of the Valley's tourism. Winter Texans typically arrive in mid- to late fall and stay until early to mid-spring and reside in the many recreational vehicle or travel trailer parks found near U.S. Highway 83.

South Padre Island is another popular tourist destination. It is rated as one of the Top Ten Spring Break destinations for college students by many traveling companies. The exotic birds that pass through this tropical island attract birders from around the world to the Valley.

[edit] Media

[edit] Newspapers

[edit] Television

[edit] Radio

  • KKPS Local Tejano Music Que Pasa 99.5 Official Site
  • KBFM Wild 104, formerly B-104 (Hip Hop/Top 40)
  • KBTQ 96.1 formerly THE BEAT (Spanish Oldies)
  • KGBT 1530 La Primera (Univision)
  • KIWW (Spanish)
  • KMBH/KHID 88.9/88.1 NPR (Classical/Public Radio)
  • KTEX 100.3 (Country)
  • KNVO Romantica 101.1 Official Site
  • KQXX 105.5 (Oldies)
  • KVLY Mix 107.9 (Adult Contemporary)Official Site
  • KFRQ The Q 94.5 (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock)Official Site
  • KHKZ Hot Kiss 106.3 (Popular Adult Contemporary)
  • KESO Digital 92.7 (Internacional, Spanish Top 40)
  • KIRT 1580 AM Radio Imagen (Variety, Spanish contemporary)
  • KURV 710 AM Heritage Talk Radio (part of the BMP family of stations)

[edit] Webcams

[edit] External links

  • Rio Grande Valley Online Online community information site for people who live in or planning to live and visit the Rio Grande Valley area. Includes free classifieds posting.
  • Borderfest Borderfest Historical data and info site.
  • RGV Pride "Information about people, places, and events in The Rio Grande Valley.


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