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History
in a Pecan Shell
Settlement
dates back to 1749 when what is now Hidalgo was known as La Habitación.
The community was also known as Rancho San Luis or San Luisito.
The town was renamed Edinburgh (with an H) when Scotsman John
Young invested in the community in 1852. Edinburgh became the county
seat - and in 1876 a post office opened under that name. Nine years
later Edinburgh changed its name to Hidalgo. |
Old Hidalgo
Photo courtesy Museum of South Texas History |
The
county government shifted in 1908 when the courthouse and offices
moved to nearby Chapin, Texas. After County Judge Chapin was involved
in a trial, residents felt the need for another change of name. Chapin,
Texas became Edinburg
(without the H).
During the period of "border unrest" during the turmoil in Mexico,
U.S. troops were stationed at Hidalgo - it had also been home to a
contingent of Texas Rangers. By 1920, Hidalgo had a healthy population
of 250 residents.
Flooding and erosion of the banks of the Rio Grande necessitated a
move to higher ground. A Hidalgo-Reynosa ferry had been in service
until the suspension bridge above was built in 1926.
By 1930 Hidalgo's population was over 600 and it incorporated in 1931.
By 1940 most of the original town site had been obliterated by the
currents of the river - which explains the absence of a distinct downtown
or older buildings. At that time the town's population was nearing
700. |
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| Aerial view
of Hidalgo, Rio Grande, Reynosa Bridge crossing into Mexico. Photo
courtesy Museum of South Texas History |
Hidalgo Reynosa
International Bridge
Photo courtesy Museum of South Texas History |
In
comparison with its Mexican neighbor, Reynosa,
Hidalgo remained small. From a population of 1,600 in 1980 it leapt
to 3,300 by 1990. New subdivisions provided housing and the town erected
an oversized sculpture
of a bee in the city park; Hidalgo being the alleged entry point
into the U. S. for the dreaded "Killer Bees" that had been migrating
northward from Brazil.
The current population of Hidalgo is given as 7,300 on the 2004 state
highway map. |
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