Harlingen History

With a depressed economy of the 1930s, Harlingen leaders sought to attract federal funds to the area. In May 1941, in preparation for what would become WWII, the U.S. War department accepted the city's offer of 960 acres for a military airfield and gunnery school. The area's flatness was ideal for aircraft operations. The Harlingen Army gunnery school accepted its first student in August 1941. By 1944 the facility covered nearly 1,600 acres and accommodated 9,000 trainees including Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). The field closed in 1946 after the war. Several buildings were sold to local residents.

The field was reactivated in 1952 as Harlingen Airforce Base. In 1961 the base was closed again. This closure caused the removal of millions of dollars from the local economy. The base facilities served as a regional airport which became the Valley International Airport in 1970. Portions of the base became the Texas State Technical College, the Marine Military Academy, and the Rio Grande Valley Museum. This museum is where my blog on Harlingen begins.

Harlingen, Texas is located on the Rio Grande River approximately 30 miles northwest of Brownsville. 




The town was founded by man named Lon C. Hill. As the story goes, Hill a lawyer by trade, travelled by stagecoach from his hometown of Beesville, Tx to Brownsville, Tx to try a law case. He was so fascinated by the land he gave up his law practice and moved to South Texas.

In 1902 Hill purchased a parcel of land (13,837 acres) from Mrs. Henrietta King of King Ranch for $1.50 to $2.50 per acre depending on the condition of the land. Hill commissioned workers to build a ranch house where Harlingen sits today. The house was completed in 1904. Prior to completion, misfortune struck. Hill's wife and youngest child died from typhoid fever causing Hill along with his eight remaining children to move into the unfinished building. Harlingen had several names "Rattlesnake Junction" and "6-Shooter Junction" but Hill named it Harlingen in honour of his friend whose ancestral home was Harlingen, Holland.

Hill was a pioneer and visionary. He envisioned a canal system that would supply the water needed for growing crops.  His first pumping station was built in 1907.

Hill also brought the first automobile to the valley in 1907. It was a chain-driven gray Buick that was cranked on the side. It became known as the "Gray Ghost".

Hill operated a brick kiln where he manufactured bricks for his own use and for sale to others. Each brick would be marked with the Hill's "Bar K" brand which was also used for branding his cattle.

The Hill Sugar Mill was built in 1911 and was burned by Mexican bandits in 1917. During this period, bandits destroyed the security of the valley. The revolution in Mexico along with the activities of Pancho Villa, gave others the excuse to raid in the U.S. On the Hill Plantation each child was given a gun and taught how to shoot. A dark robe was at the bottom of each bed for escape at night. It was a hard time in the Rio Grande Valley.

In 1923 the first hospital was built in Harlingen. There were 7 patient rooms charging $5 per day, a surgery room, reception, and a storage area. The building was moved to the museum complex area in 1978.

The last part of the museum was the Paso Real Stagecoach Inn. This is a replica built in 1978 by carpentry students using wood salvaged from the original. The original was built in 1850 on the Arroyo Colorodo River. It served as the way station for the stagecoach from Alice to Brownsville. Rooms cost 35-50 cents per night. Meals consisted of beef jerky, beans, tortillas, and milk. It was also the receiving place for Harlingen mail. In 1904 the railroad arrived making the way station obsolete.

This was a pretty cool museum all-in-all. Many of the artifacts were not under lock and key. They encouraged us to look in the early books or touch the bricks made by Hill himself. Can't say that about many places.