Historical Preservation Plan of 1977 – The Written Record Part I

In 1977, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council created the Historical Preservation Plan which presented an inventory of the districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects in the tri-county area which were significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture. We will share some of the chapters included in this plan that provide valuable historical information about Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties.

Historical Awareness in the Lower Rio Grande Valley – The Written Record.

The first recorded history of any part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley was in 1518 when the mouth of the Rio Grande or Rio de Las Palmas, as it was then called, became the object of extensive exploration. Among the leaders of these expeditions were Garay, Pineda, Camargo, Narvaez, Guzman, and Caniedo.

In 1519, Francisco de Garay, Governor of Jamaica, organized an expedition of four vessels under the command of Alonso Alvarez de Pineda to explore the Rio de las Palmas. Scattered Indian settlements were the only inhabitants observed on this expedition. Attempts to colonization during these early years ended in failure. Therefore, not until 1748 was the Spanish Province of Nuevo Santander created and Jose de Escandon appointed colonizer and governor. The Province of Nuevo Santander encompassed present day northeastern Mexico and areas of Texas between the Rio Grande and Nueces River. The Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council Planning Region is included in this area continues.