So many sites to see
Thirty-five years ago, our first issue featured a story by John M. Young titled “No time to see it all, but you can try.” We know our seasonal visitors aim at visiting Valley sites while here, and we also know, from the work we do with our RGV Visitors Guide, that we have a lot of interesting places to see.
The article talks about several top sites to see in the Valley, and I will recap some of those here. We hope you take some time to visit the local sites and enjoy the history and locales the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.
Young states that he personally enjoys crossing the river at the Los Ebanos Ferry, west of Mission and La Joya. He goes on to mention the Hidalgo County Historical Museum (now the Museum of South Texas History-MOSTH), McAllen International Museum (now International Museum of Arts and Science-IMAS), and the Gladys Porter Zoo.
“If I had to choose a few places to visit, I would begin with the Confederate Air Force Museum,” says Young. In 1987, the museum was located at Harlingen’s International Airport. Today, the museum is located at the historic Port Isabel – Cameron County Airport in Los Fresnos.
The museum features eight flying WWII aircraft; numerous vintage, operational ground and support vehicles, and artifacts – most of which have been provided by South Texas families.
At the museum, you can take a tour through the many displays from the preludes to war in Asia and Europe, to the fall of the Third Reich and the defeat of the Japanese Empire. You’ll see it all through the eyes of our country’s heroes.
Museum volunteers can conduct group tours outside regular museum hours on request – so if you get a group that wants to go, call them and see what can be scheduled.
General admission is free, but donations are accepted. The rate for group tours of 10 or more will be $5 per attendee. A group tour can include an exhibition by a pilot as he pre-flights, starts and flies one of the museum’s vintage aircraft (weather permitting).
Call (956) 479 8585 or visit www.rgvcaf.org for more information.
Another place Young touches on is just across the border – Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. This Mexican town is not as hectic as Reynosa, Young says – and this still applies today. Nuevo Progresso merchants host a Winter Texan activity twice a year. Usually, a welcome back event in December and an appreciation day in March.
The Los Ebanos Ferry, mentioned at the beginning, is one of his top places to visit. The hand drawn ferry is a bit of history and perfectly safe. On the other side it is only a couple of miles to the Mexican town of Diaz Ordaz. This town is spread out with shopping.
In Mission, the La Lomita Chapel is another historic sight to see. It was originally built in 1865 and was headquarters for the Oblate Fathers in Hidalgo County from 1865 to 1904. The picnic areas are cool and sheltered, a wonderful spot to just sit and think or have a small snack after walking the grounds.
A place close by, he has on his must-see list is Bentsen State Park. The Park is the World Birding Center headquarters. It has several trails, camping spots, a fishing area, a learning center and activities throughout the year. On a recent visit, we saw a group doing meditation at one of the picnic areas and a flock of wild turkeys.
Bird watchers will love this area where over 273 types of birds have been spotted.
Young continues to talk about the local museums, listing MOSTH and IMAS as two more must-sees.
MOSTH, in Edinburg, is located inside an old building that used to be the courthouse and courtroom with a “hanging tower” complete with a rope. The museum features a great deal of artifacts and information about South Texas.
Both museums feature special events and rotating exhibits throughout the year.
For quiet nature walks try Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge. It’s south of Alamo on FM 907 to U.S. 281. Young states he has never been able to cover the entire 2,000 acres, even riding in the park vehicle. For wildlife and native growth, he says this stop is a must.
There is plenty of information in local chambers about places to visit. Pick up some literature on South Padre Island in the blue building just as you go over the causeway. There you will find information on the art trails that span the island. There’s some good eating places, fine fishing, and rentals of water vehicles and golf carts to enjoy the outdoors.
“There’s so much see and do around here that you don’t have much excuse for just sitting,” said Young in 1987. “Try asking a few Winter Texans. They all have a favorite spot.”
It is amazing these places are still top places to see today. These spots and more are what bring you, and so many other tourists, to our area. We hope you enjoy traveling down memory lane with us this season and getting out there and enjoying the wonderful places in the Valley.
For more details about the places mentioned, and more sites to see throughout the Rio Grande Valley, visit www.wintertexantimes.com and go to our digital edition’s library. There you will find our Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide. This guide has a map that is sectioned into different areas of the Valley – so you can make a plan from anywhere.
