1956 Map of Harlingen

About this map

Harlingen serves as the bustling urban center of the Rio Grande Valley in the mid-1950s, defined by its complex irrigation network and strategic military presence. The sprawling Harlingen Air Force Base occupies a massive footprint in the northeast, while the city's growth is tied to the path of the Missouri Pacific and Texas and New Orleans (SP) railroads. The natural landscape is dominated by the winding course of the Arroyo Colorado, which meanders south of the city center near Ramsey Park and the Valley Baptist Hospital. Numerous local schools such as Zavala Sch, Austin Sch, and St Anthonys Sch anchor the residential grid, reflecting a community in a period of significant post-war expansion. Further south, the map captures the transition toward San Benito and the agricultural reaches of the Valley Boys Ranch.