This website offer a glimpse into the early history of Mercedes, Texas. In the early 1900s, Mercedes and the Lower Rio Grande Valley underwent a transformative shift, moving from traditional ranching to commercial agriculture. This set the stage for significant growth and marked a dynamic period in the regional development. The era is well-documented, largely due to the popularity of postcards, which were popular during that time. The historical context provided on these pages is from various sources which can be explored further on the Citations page.
Mercedes Schools - A Rich Architectural History
The first public school in Mercedes, the Buck School, faded from memory many years ago. However, several architecturally significant school buildings constructed between the 1920s and 1940s remain along Ohio Street. Among them are the Graham School, along with the former middle and high school buildings, which stand as historic landmarks.
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Downtown Mercedes During the Early Days
Many businesses on Texas Avenue in Mercedes Early Days including drug stores, clothing stores, and hardware stores. Streetlights were first installed in 1918. Horses, carriages and automobiles shared Main Street.
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Mercedes Hotel was Early Landmark and Social Center
The grand Mercedes Hotel was built in 1907. The hotel hosted social events and served elegant meals for fifty years until it deteriorated and was demolished in 1957. Today a bank and parking lot occupy the site where the iconic hotel once thrived.
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Camp Mercedes Was World War 1 Training Camp"
General Pershing, the prominent World War I military leader, established a training camp for soldiers in Mercedes, Texas. The camp, situated next to the Main Canal off 10th Street, played a crucial role in preparing troops for the war. In addition to training soldiers, the camp was dedicated to training horses, which were vital for wartime efforts. The Texas Historical Commission placed a marker at the site in 2012.
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Camp Llano Grande Established in 1916 to Defend Against Border Raids
Camp Llano Grande was established in Mercedes in 1916 during President Woodrow Wilson's administration. It was one of several National Guard camps created under the National Defense Act to repel cross border raids led by Pancho Villa. Soldiers from Indiana
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Mercedes Irrigation System Constructed in 1907 Still Used Today
The American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company built a state of the art irrigation system. It pumped water from the Rio Grande River to farms and orchards. The irrigation is still in use today. The Main Canal can be seen at 10th and Capisallo Streets.
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Early Mercedes Business and Industry Boomed
Early Mercedes industries included banking, brick Making, agriculture and beverage production. There was a active civic group that promoted Mercedes industry which later became the Chamber of Commerce.
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Early Mercedes Rich Ranching Heritage
The height of the Spanish colonial livestock economy in the Valley lasted from 1790 to 1900. Spanish Land Grant descendents owned the mid Rio Grande Valley lands, including the land that became Mercedes. Area ranches included Toluca, Tampacua, Anacuitas, Relampago, Los Ebanos.
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Mercedes Motels Flourished as Automobiles Became Popular
As automobiles gained popularity motels were built in Mercedes to accommodate travelers with parking. The motels of Mercedes boasted lush tropical gardens and shuffleboard courts, offering an enjoyable experience for guests. All were located on old Highway 83.
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Mercedes was the Site of Natural Disasters
Out of the ordinary events in the early days included fires, floods and frequent hurricanes. Early floods did little dammage as there were few buildings on the town. There were also concerts, social and civic events.
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El Fuste: A Name Tied to Ranch, Ravine, and Proposed City in Mercedes History
Throughout Mercedes history the word Fuste has been associated with various things and has been spelled several ways: Fusti Fuste Fuesti and Fueste. The Fusti Ranch was owned by the heirs of Spanish land grantee Ynojosa de Ballí. The ravine that drained the ranch and the surrounding area into the Arroyo Colorado was referred to as El Fuste. During construction of the Mercedes Main Canal in 1907 the structure built across the ravine was called the El Fuste Syphon. Later the neighborhood that developed on the land was called El Fuste. Resident efforts to incorporate as the city of El Fueste were unsuccessful and the neighborhood was annexed by Mercedes in 1960. At various times El Fuste has referred to a ranch a ravine a concrete drain a neighborhood and a proposed city
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Colegio Jacinto Trevino Generated Transformation and Controversy
As the Hispanic political movement gained momentum in the 1970s Antioch College established Colegio Jacinto Trevino in Mercedes. By fostering the development of Hispanic leaders and encouraging them to challenge the political system the college generated both controversy and transformation. The local newspaper chronicled events related to Colegio from 1970 to 1973 providing a timeline that highlights the contentious dynamics between the college supporters and detractors including the local Baptist preacher. The college was housed in this historic building which stood at the corner of Missouri and 3rd Street. It burned down in 1977 under suspicious circumstances and was demolished.
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Rio Rico: A Border Town Shaped by River Redirection and Lawlessness
The community known as Rio Rico was originally north of the Rio Grande River on land surrounded by a bend in the river. In July 1906 the American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company built a cutoff to direct the river into a more direct course. As a result Río Rico came to be located south of the border in Mexico. No longer clearly part of either the United States or Mexico Río Rico became a lawless territory where gambling dance halls and saloons flourished. The saloons and gambling are long gone but the small community of Rio Rico remains across the border 7 miles south of Mercedes.
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Jacales, Spanish Colonial, and Mission Revival Style Homes Were Found in Mercedes
Early Mercedes homes featured a variety of architectural styles, including Jacales, Spanish Colonial, and Mission Revival. Many of these historic homes remain in the Mercedes Historic District on Missouri Street.
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Mercedes City Paty Sold for Development in 1950 to The Bentsen Brothers
Mercedes City Park was designed like traditional Mexican plaza, covering a full city block with a central bandstand as its focal point. Located just south of the train station on Missouri Street, the park served as a community hub for many years before being sold for commercial development in 1950.
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Clubhouses, Attractions, and Annual Events of Mercedes
Land developers built clubhouses to attract buyers, offering upscale amenities. Mercedes boasted a variety of attractions, including restaurants and movie theaters. The city became known for the annual RGV Livestock Show and Cover Girl Pageant.
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Railroad Depot, City Hall, Power Plant Provided Infrastructure
Mercedes had robust infrastructure. Important infrastructure included a railroad depot, City Hall and Firestation, telephone builiding, power plant and a small airport. Many of these buildings can still be seen today.
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Biodiversity and Wildlife in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
The Lower Rio Grande Valley, referred to in Spanish as El Valle del Río Grande, lies along the U.S.-Mexico border in a floodplain of the Rio Grande River. While the region has seen a decline in biodiversity due to habitat loss, many species of birds and wildlife can still be found.
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Hospital and Churches Were Established in Mercedes
In 1922, the Elks Club established a hospital, and the town was home to several doctors. Mercedes also boasted a variety of small churches, including Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist congregations, as well as a large Catholic church.
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Agricultural Heritage: Cotton, Livestock, and the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show
Agriculture served as the economic backbone of early Mercedes, with cotton and livestock setting record production levels alongside citrus and winter vegetable production. Cotton gins and packing plants were established to process crops for market. The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show has been a staple event in Mercedes for over 80 years, showcasing the region agricultural heritage.
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Citations and Bibliography
The information on this website is derived from over 100 sources, with the local newspaper serving as the primary reference. Additionally, numerous books, articles, and websites have contributed valuable insights. We have made every effort to properly acknowledge these sources on the Citations page.
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