1949 Map of Mc Allen

About this map

McAllen and the surrounding irrigation districts of the Rio Grande Valley anchor this mid-century survey of the Texas-Mexico borderlands. The landscape transitions from the concentrated citrus and farming grids around Edinburg, Pharr, and Mission to the sparsely settled ranchlands of Starr County and Jim Hogg County. Across the Rio Grande del Norte, the international connection is defined by the twin cities of Reynosa and Hidalgo, as well as the industrial presence of the Presa el Azúcar reservoir on the Rio San Juan. Transport networks of the era are dominated by the Missouri Pacific RR and the Pan American Highway, which funnel commerce through the valley. Significant local landmarks such as Moore Field and the Mina de los Santos reflect the region's diverse economic foundations in aviation, mining, and agriculture.