Hidalgo County – Introduction
This county is named for Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the priest who made the call to arms for Mexico’s independence from Spain. This call to arms effectively started the revolt. This is one of many cases where Texas history and Mexico history are forever intertwined.
The county is located in the Rio Grande Valley in deep south Texas. It’s southern border is the Rio Grande River, as well as, the country of Mexico.
Pictures of the older County Courthouses
The 1884 County Courthouse, located in the town of Hidalgo, is still standing. It was, originally, a 2 story with central copula. Today it is a single story with a tin roof. One day, we will stop in the town to see it.
To date, we have found no pictures of older courthouses.
Pictures of the 1954 Hidalgo County Texas Courthouse
Currently (2019) a new county courthouse is under construction.
Cities and Towns
- *Edinburg – County Seat
- McAllen
- Hidalgo
- Mercedes
- Mission
- Rio Grande City
- Alamo
- Donna
- Weslaco
Other Hidalgo County Attractions
- Hidalgo County Centennial Marker – HIDALGO COUNTY Formed from Starr and Cameron counties. Created January 24, 1842. Organized April 7, 1854. Named in Honor of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla – 1753-1811 Mexican Patriot – County Seat, 1852, Edinburgh, name changed February 7, 1861, to Hidalgo. Moved to present site, then called Chapin, October 12, 1908. Name changed to Edinburg, February 3, 1911.
- Bust of Padre Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla, Edinburg
- Hidalgo County Veterans Memorial, Edinburg
- Great Western Trail , Edinburg
- Chisolm Trail , Edinburg
- Plaza Hidalgo , Edinburg
- Museum of South Texas History , Edinburg
- 1910 Hidalgo County Jail on Museum Grounds , Edinburg
- Citrus Theater, Edinburg
- Team Mascot Themed Boots, Mercedes
- State Theater, Mercedes
- Mercedes Hotel 1928, Mercedes
- Mercedes City Hall and Fire House, 1928
- Main Square Park, Donna (Donna Hooks Fletcher Statue, Chisolm Trail Marker,Large Rocking Chair Display, Veterans Memorial)
Our List of additional attractions to see
- Bentson Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission
- World Birding Center, Mission
- McAllen Heritge Center, McAllen
- National Butterfly Center, Mission
- Nuevo Santandar Gallery, McAllen
- McAllen Nature Center, McAllen
- Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen
- International Museum of Art and Science, McAllen
- World’s Largest Killer Bee, Hidalgo
- 1884 Hidalgo County Courthouse/Jail, Hidalgo
- Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Alamo
- Anzalduas Park (Birding), Mission
- Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
If anyone knows of anything else … please leave us a comment! We’d love to see it, next time we go out!!
Links
Hidalgo County Website
Texas State Historical Association
Wikipedia Article
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