San Benito

San Benito was founded in 1904 by a small group of pioneers from the United States and Mexico. It was first named "Diaz" in honor of Mexico's president at the time, Porfirio Diaz. The area was an arid wilderness filled with cactus, brush and mesquite until irrigation canals were built. On July 4, 1904 the first passenger train arrived in town. Reportedly thrilled with the new railroad, community leaders renamed the station "Bessie" in honor of Bessie Yoakum, whose father, B.F. Yoakum, was instrumental in the construction of the railroad. The railroad, coupled with the extensive irrigation system, led to the expansion of agricultural exports and subsequent economic prosperity to South Texas. With the advent of irrigation, thriving crop production followed. With available water, mild winters and fertile soils for crops, San Benito developed an agricultural empire rich in a wide variety of vegetables, cotton and grain. Crops ranging from citrus, vegetables, cotton and sorghum were alternated during the season thanks to the Valley's temperate climate, making South Texas a year-round agricultural mecca. The city saw three major milestones in 1907: First, the opening of its first school. Second, the arrival of its first post office. And third, was when the original map of the town site was recorded. It was also during that time that the city's name was changed to its current name, San Benito, in honor of pioneer ranchman Benjamin Hicks. Hicks was known for his charitable attitude which endeared him to the primarily Hispanic population. In 1911, when the village was incorporated, San Benito contained a significant number of homes, businesses, churches and public schools in its 1,280 acres. In 1920, after the first census count, the city was home to 4,070 people. Today, after various land annexations, the city's incorporated area includes some 9 miles of territory and a population of about 25,000. In 1917, San Benito was occupied by the Second Iowa Regiment sent in response to bandit and vigilante problems experienced on both sides of the border. The regiment was connected to the 12th Cavalry assigned to Fort Brown at Brownsville. The 26th Infantry camped where the old San Benito Post Office is now located. It was in April 1925 that the city held its first municipal election under its newly adopted mayor and city commission form of government. The same year, with forward-thinking leaders in place, work crews began paving the main north-south arteries of the city. Shortly thereafter, industry began demonstrating its belief in the community's future and invested in the city and its infrastructure. In 1927, Central Power and Light, an electric producing company, built the city's first water treatment plant. The plant was subsequently sold to the city and even today, it serves as the community's only source of treated water. Optimism soared in San Benito in 1928 as the Missouri-Pacific Railway was constructing a new passenger station in the city. The new service was a boost to the already popular agriculture industry that was producing vegetables and resulted in the creation of packing sheds and other related businesses that employed many of the city's residents. With the passenger train, San Benito became the hub of the Rio Grande Valley, with residents from throughout South Texas coming to San Benito for shopping trips and social engagements at the prestigious Stonewall Jackson Hotel. A variety of cultural activities were enjoyed with community bands holding concerts, dances and other social activities. Three movie houses, the Rivoli, the Palace and the Ruenes also provided entertainment. The uniquely structure Aztec Building was also a gathering spot of renown, with dances featuring early conjunto musicians entertaining couples dancing on the building's open-air rooftop. The Aztec Building also served as San Benito City Hall until the current structure was built.