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Hidalgo County TX
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DONNA, TEXAS


Hidalgo County, South Texas

26°10'13"N 98°2'57"W (26.170336, -98.049037)

Off US 83 and State 374
A few miles N of the Rio Grande
10 miles SE of Edinburg the county seat
11 miles E of McAllen
23 miles W of Harlingen
W of Weslaco
NW of Hidalgo
244 miles S of San Antonio
Population: 16,611 Est. (2018)
15,798 (2010) 14,768 (2000) 12,652 (1990)

Book Hotel Here › Donna Hotels


Donna Hooks Fletcher Museum, Donna Texas
Donna Hooks Fletcher Museum
318 S. Main
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, April 2008
More Texas Museums

History in a Pecan Shell

Donna by Mike Cox ("Texas Tales" column)

"Donna Hooks Fletcher had that wholesome Gibson girl look, which may explain part of her ability to get what she wanted...

T.J. Hooks ... purchased 23,000 acres in Hidalgo County in 1900. When his 21-year-old daughter’s marriage fell apart, Hooks gave her some land so she could start supporting herself. She stocked her acreage with Jersey cattle and launched a successful butter business... more



Historical Marker:

Donna

Two East Texas men, T. J. Hooks and A. F. Hester, began developing this area for settlement in the late 1890s. Through formation of the La Blanca Agricultural Company, they set up farms and irrigation systems and advertised the area's favorable climate and resources. In 1904, when a rail line was built here, they founded the town of Donna, named for T. J. Hooks daughter. Ed Ruthven opened the first store and, in 1908, the town incorporated with R. P. Boeye as mayor. Since the earliest days of the 20th century, Donna has developed as one of the leading cities of the Rio Grande Valley.
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986



Donna, Texas
Landmarks & Attractions

Donna Texas mural
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, April 2008
More Texas Murals


Donna TX - Donna Central Elementary School
Donna Central Elementary School
316 N. Main St.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark

Photo courtesy Stephen & Elizabeth Taylor, March 2005


Donna TX - Donna Central Elementary School
School brickwork
Photo courtesy Stephen & Elizabeth Taylor, March 2005


Donna Central Elementary School Historic Marker, Texas
Donna Central Elementary School Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Stephen & Elizabeth Taylor, March 2005

Historical Marker (corner of N. Main St. and Scobey Ave.):
Donna Central Elementary School
Built as the result of a special bond election in 1925, this is the oldest existing structure in the Donna Independent School District. Initially an elementary school, it served as a junior high facility from 1965 to 1983. Designed by the architectural firm of Elwing & Mulhausen, it is a highly significant part of Donna's built environment. The school building features a two-story central block with a Tudor-arched entry and two large square towers.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1990
  • Donna Hooks Fletcher Museum -
    In Historic American Legion Hall
    318 S. Main
    956-464-9989

  • Donna Wet Lands - Birding and butterfly gardens.
    Call Chamber of Commerce - 956-464-3272 - for guided tours

  • Donna Visitor Center - 921, Miller Ave.

  • Donna Hotels

  • Reckless Driving sign, Donna Texas
    Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, April 2008
    More Texas Signs



    Take a road trip

    | South Texas

    Donna, Texas Nearby Towns:
    Edinburg the county seat
    McAllen
    Weslaco
    Hidalgo
    Harlingen
    See Hidalgo County

    Book Hotel Here:
    Donna Hotels | McAllen Hotels | More Hotels
    Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


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