Vintage Architectural Photos: All photos courtesy of The Weslaco Museum.
A Streetscape of 1925, 1926 Weslaco
The 1928 Weslaco City Hall today
The Weslaco City Hall when it was first built
The Royal Palm Hotel
The Hotel Cortez
The Bridge to Rio Rico, Tamaulipas, Mexico
A bustling Weslaco in the mid 1920s, before the City Hall was built. From the historic photograph collection of Weslaco Museum
Street Scene, Weslaco, Texas 1926 (Park on right is future site of the Cortez Hotel) From the historic photograph collection of Weslaco Museum
Architect R. Newell Waters was a native of San Angelo and a graduate of M.I.T. He started designing buildings in the Rio Grande Valley in 1924. The City Hall was a multi-use facility, including an auditorium, jail, city offices, firehouse and dormitory for the firemen.
Detail of Weslaco's 1928 City Hall Photo Courtesy Weslaco Museum
The Weslaco City Hall when it was first built From the historic photograph collection of Weslaco Museum
Weslaco's First Hotel, the Royal Palm, hosted many of the early land speculators. From the historic photograph collection of Weslaco Museum
The Cortez Hotel was built in 1928 and opened it's doors for a New Year's Eve Ball that year. The cost was a reported $250,000 and the architect was Paul Silber of San Antonio.
The Spanish Revival Style building has recently (1997-98) undergone a restoration by its new owners Patti and Larry Dittburner and is now known as the Villa de Cortez.
The Bridge to Rio Rico, Tamaulipas, Mexico The gates closed at midnight. The bridge collapsed in 1941 after its foundations were swept away in a flood. From the historic photograph collection of Weslaco Museum More Texas Bridges ›
