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Weslaco, Texas is a popular golf vacation and bird watching area and retirement community.

Weslaco TX History

Weslaco lies on land that was part of a Spanish Land Grant called Llano Grande given in 1747 to Juan José Ynojosa de Ballí. The Ballí family ranched and maintained ownership of the land until 1852. The American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company purchased a major portion of the Llano Grande grant and platted the area in 1913. In 1917, the irrigation company sold 30,000 acres to W. E. Stewart, a land developer from Kansas City who named the town after his W.E. Stewart Land Co. The Stewart Company then sold the townsite to Ed C. Couch and R. L. Reeves. The site was surveyed and platted in 1919 and lots were sold.

During the Prohibition Era, there was heavy traffic with people headed for the international bridge that links the United States to Mexico. People went to Mexico to purchase alcohol and to watch dog races. Al Capone is said to have spent some time in Weslaco looking after his interests distributing illegal alcohol.

Weslaco Texas – For Nature Enthusiasts, Golfers & Senior Tourists

Today, Weslaco Texas has four Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail sites and three other excellent year-round birding locations inside the city. There are more birds per square mile and tropical and exotic species seldom seen anywhere else. Weslaco is a popular area for nature enthusiasts, golfers and senior tourists who want to take a day trip into Mexico, which is only ten minutes away.