Weslaco Population- 23,500  Altitude 70

General-

Named from the initials of W.E. Stewart Land Company that promoted the townsite in the irrigated Rio Grande Valley in 1919.  Located in the heart of immense citrus, vegetable, and cotton-producing area, it is home to the food processing industry and home to more than 6,000 winter Texans. 

The charming city hall, built in 1928, features intricate cast-stone sculpture adorning entryway and cupola of the Spanish Moorish building.   Interior stairway is set with colorful Spanish tiles in geometric designs; a designated historical site at 500 S. Kansas Ave.

The public library is one of the most modern facilities in the Rio Grande Valley.  It, too, boasts Old-Mexico style, complete with Spanish open courtyard.  525 Kansas Ave.

Bicultural Museum-

Artifacts accent daily lives of region's Hispanic and Anglo settlers;  a colorful cultural blend.  Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10 -12, 1-4. Saturday from 10-4. (No lunch break.) Donations accepted.  515 S. Kansas Ave. (956)-968-9142

Parks-

Nature park is 5-1/2 acres of mesquite trees, cacti, native shrubs, tropical flowers, and wildlife maintained by Audubon Society,  Open Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 301 S. Border in Gibson Park.

Harlon Block Memorial Park features a  simple but elegant monument a local Marine, one of the five at the famed flag-raising on Iwo Jima.   The recreational park is open 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily at Seventh & Bridge St.

Rio Grande Valley Tourist Information Center-

Free literature, maps, and information about attractions and accommodations throughout the Valley.  Open Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Valley Chamber of Commerce, U.S. 83 Expressway at F.M. 1015.

Weslaco Visitor Center-

Where to stay, what to eat, local attractions, events, historical sites, and recreational ideas.  Open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. U.S. 83 Expressway at Airport Dr. exit, north access road.

For more information on Weslaco, Texas:

Texas Escapes.com, feature on Weslaco
Weslaco Official City site

 

Back to the top