Weslaco, Texas: Difference between revisions

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}

{{Infobox settlement

|pushpin_label_position =left

|pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Texas

|pushpin_mapsize =-->

 

 

 

 

}}

 

 

Weslaco derives its name from the '''W'''.'''E'''. '''S'''tewart '''La'''nd '''Co'''mpany.<ref>Temple, Robert D. ''Edge Effects: The Border-Name Places'', (2nd edition, 2009), iUniverse, {{ISBN|978-0-595-47758-6}}, page 324.</ref> It was the hometown of [[Harlon Block]], one of the Marines photographed raising the flag at [[Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima|Iwo Jima]], and of film and television actor [[David Spielberg]].

The present location of Weslaco was originally part of the Llano Grande Land Grant [[Spanish land grants in Texas|granted]] to Juan José Ynojosa de Ballí in 1790.<ref name="park_history">{{cite web |title=Park History |url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/estero-llano-grande/park_history |website=Estero Llano Grande State Park |publisher=tpwd.texas.gov |access-date=November 20, 2021}}</ref> After Ynojosa's death, the grant was allocated to his children. Manuela and María received the land on which Weslaco is located today. The Ballí family ranched and maintained ownership of the land until 1852. In 1904, the Hidalgo and San Miguel extension of the [[St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway]] made its way to the site. It was promoted by Uriah Lott, Lon C. Hill, Jr., and others interested in developing the area through farming as opposed to ranching. The American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company of neighboring [[Mercedes, Texas|Mercedes]] purchased a major portion of the Llano Grande grant and platted the West Tract in 1913. In an effort to control raids from Mexico, the United States government stationed troops along the Rio Grande in 1916. A camp was established at the Llano Grande railroad depot. This camp was located between Mercedes and the current site of Weslaco. A watchtower was constructed at [[Progreso, Texas|Progreso]] by these troops.

 

 

In 1941 stamp collector Oliver Rumbel and Weslaco Postmaster Davenport discovered at the Weslaco post office 26 panes (totalling 1,300 stamps) of the 1938 6 cent eagle airmail stamp printed in ultramarine and carmine rather than dark blue and carmine. This color error is recognized by the Scott catalog as C23c. No other examples of this color error were ever reported.<ref>Greg M. Ajamian, Robert G. Rufe, Harry G. Brittain, "Scott #C23c - the Whole Story, Part II - the Color Discovery" ''The United States Specialist'' v. 92, no. 7 (July 2021) pp. 305-325.</ref>

|Mar record high F = 104

|Apr record high F = 110

|Jun record high F = 107

|Jul record high F = 108

</ref>

}}

 

==Demographics==

 

{| class="wikitable"

!Race

!Number

 

===College and trade schools===

 

==Public library==

* [[Roberto García (Mexican boxer)|Roberto García]], professional [[Boxer (boxing)|boxer]]; former [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] Middleweight Silver title holder; lives in Weslaco and graduated from [[Weslaco High School]]

* [[Pat Hingle]], [[actor]]; lived in Weslaco and graduated from [[Weslaco High School]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/arts/05hingle.html?_r=0|title = Pat Hingle, Versatile Actor with Recurring Role in Batman Movies, Dies at 84|newspaper = The New York Times|date = January 5, 2009|last1 = Severo|first1 = Richard}}</ref>

* [[Chuck Leah]]; Americana singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist born in Weslaco<ref>Rogers, Paul (October 2020). “''Band of Ghosts''.” LA Times.</ref>

* [[Gonzalo Lopez]], criminal, born in Weslaco

 

==Parks==

 

The [[Valley Nature Center]] is a six-acre park and [[environmental education]] center that focuses on the plants and animals of the Rio Grande Valley.