McAllen, Texas, United States

🇺🇸 McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States, and the 22nd-most populous city in Texas. It is located at the southern tip of the state in the Rio Grande Valley, on the Mexico–United States border. The city limits extend south to the Rio Grande, across from the Mexican city of Reynosa. McAllen is about 70 mi (110 km) west of the Gulf of Mexico. It is the fifth-most populous metropolitan area (McAllen–Edinburg–Mission) in the state of Texas, and the binational Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan area counts a population of more than 1.5 million.

From its settlement in 1904, the area around McAllen was largely rural and agricultural in character, but the latter half of the 20th century had steady growth, which has continued in the 21st century in the metropolitan area. The introduction of the maquiladora economy and the North American Free Trade Association led to an increase in cross-border trading with Mexico.

History In 1904, the Hidalgo and San Miguel Extension (now the Sam Fordyce Branch) of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway reached the Santa Anita Ranch. John McAllen and his son James had donated land to the railroad to guarantee it would cross this area. On December 5, 1904, the McAllen Townsite Company was formed by Uriah Lott, Leonidas C. Hill Sr., John McAllen, James Ballí McAllen, and John J. Young. The new community, which was named for John McAllen, had the depot nearest the county seat, Hidalgo, 8 mi (13 km) to the south.

By 1911, 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) were under cultivation in East McAllen: commodity crops of cotton, alfalfa, broom corn, citrus fruits, grapes, and figs were raised. East McAllen had an estimated population of 1,000 that year, and West McAllen had ceased to exist. In 1911, the town applied for and was issued a charter of incorporation under the name McAllen. In 1916, 20,000 New York state troops were stationed at McAllen to help quell border disturbances related to the Mexican Civil War. The resulting economic boom increased the population from 1,200 in 1916 to 6,000 in 1920.

McAllen adopted a home rule charter in 1927. Canning factories, a winery, tortilla plants, wood-working plants, and some oil exploration increased the population to 9,074 by 1930. In 1936, Hiram Garner opened the Valley Distillery, Incorporated, which produced wines from citrus juices. The town was a petroleum and farm chemurgic centre with a population of 11,877 in 1940, by which time it had adopted the nickname "The City of Palms". In 1941, a suspension bridge replaced the old bridge from Hidalgo to Reynosa in Tamaulipas; the new toll bridge was purchased by McAllen and was named the McAllen–Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge. Its construction resulted in increased tourist trade, making McAllen a winter resort and port of entry to Mexico.

The discovery of oil in the Reynosa area in 1947 attracted a large migration of people from the Mexican interior to jobs the region. They both constituted a new tourist market and a cheap labor supply for McAllen. The sister cities were linked as a result of the increased traffic between them. The population of McAllen was 20,005 in 1950 and 32,728 in 1960. In 1954 the McAllen–Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge was the number-two port of entry into Mexico.

McAllen was an agricultural, oil, and tourist centre in 1970, when the population reached 37,636. By the start of the 1970s, McAllen had a 200-bed hospital and a new air-conditioned high school, the first school in the nation featuring on-site power generated by natural gas-powered turbines. The tourism industry continued to expand as people traveled to the area from both Mexico and the northern United States. The population continued to grow steadily through the 1970s, and reached 66,281 by 1980. During the late 1980s, the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone was an important general-purpose foreign trade zone. At the time, McAllen's main industries were retail, tourism and farming, and each was in trouble. The devaluation of the Mexican peso in the 1980s put a damper on cross-border shopping; local tourism was down because of the recession. In 1983, a freeze took out much of the valley's citrus crop.

In the mid-1980s, fueled by trade and the growth of the maquiladora (in which components are shipped to Mexico from the United States, assembled, and shipped back as finished products), the economy began to improve in Hidalgo County. McAllen sits across the border from Reynosa, a large manufacturing center. After the peso devalued, Mexico was more successful in attracting companies to run their plants in Mexico, with support operations in Texas.

Border crossing is a daily event for many and is a key component in the local economy. The city became a focal point for concerns about the border during the United States federal government shutdown of 2018–2019 over the Mexico–United States barrier. President Donald Trump held a briefing with the border agents at the patrol station here in January 2019. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen also visited the Border Patrol station in March 2019. In order to deal with overcrowded facilities in 2019 resulting from the arrival of Central American migrant caravans, immigration authorities were releasing a few hundred asylum seekers daily to private groups that assist them with basic needs and travel arrangements.

The mayor emphasized how safe and secure the city is when U.S military troops were mobilized in the city to help the Border Patrol. Portions of the razor wire coils considered unnecessary by the city were removed after troops had placed it at the border. The troops assisted by using military helicopters to carry border patrol agents to and from locations along the Mexico–United States border and by maintaining vehicles. During these border support activities, they are prohibited from law enforcement activities, such as detaining migrants or seizing drugs. U.S. military troops are prohibited from carrying out law enforcement duties. The Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller expressed concerns about the impact of continuing border support on combat readiness for the troops.

Geography McAllen is located in southern Hidalgo County. It is bordered to the south-west by Granjeno; to the west by Mission, Palmhurst, and Alton; to the north by Edinburg, the Hidalgo county seat; to the east by Pharr; and to the south by Hidalgo. The McAllen city limits extend to the south-west as far as the Rio Grande, directly north of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, in Mexico. The Anzalduas International Bridge crosses the Rio Grande at this point, 11 mi (18 km) south-west of downtown McAllen.

McAllen is 238 mi (383 km) south of San Antonio, 148 mi (238 km) south-east of Laredo, 60 mi (97 km) north-west of Brownsville, and 150 mi (240 km) north-east of Monterrey.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.6 square miles (126.0 km²), of which 48.3 square miles (125.2 km²) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²), or 0.62%, is covered by water.

Although McAllen is named the "City of Palms", tropical vegetation is only locally dominant. Many thorny shrubs and deciduous trees occur in the area, such as the Rio Grande ash (Fraxinus berlandieriana), cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia), and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa).

Economy The Rio Grande Valley began its rapid development with the introduction of irrigation in 1898 and the construction of the railroad in 1904. These major additions turned a once relatively desolate area into a major agricultural center. Throughout much of the 1900s, McAllen was a rural, agriculture-based economy characterized by sporadic growth.

Today, the area is transforming into a major international trade area. As recently as 1990, McAllen's unemployment rate was at 22.6%. By the end of 2005, that figure had dropped to 7.7%. However, in 2011, census.gov listed the McAllen metro area the poorest in the nation. As of 2012, the average cost of a home in McAllen was the third-least expensive in the country, at $178,000, while average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $708. In 2012, the cost of living in McAllen was 16.2% lower than the national average.

Trade Since the 1980s and especially since the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, the focal point of economic activity has shifted from agriculture to international trade, health care, retail, and tourism.

The McAllen Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is located south of McAllen between McAllen and Reynosa. Commissioned in 1973, it was the first inland foreign-trade zone in the United States. Also, an FTZ designation site is at the McAllen Miller International Airport to facilitate air cargo needs. Under U.S. and Mexican laws and NAFTA provisions, the FTZ designation offers specific cost-saving opportunities to manufacturers. Products can be brought into the FTZ duty-free. Services have recently expanded to include full logistic support services, including public warehouse services such as pick and pack, order processing, inventory control, incoming/outgoing quality inspection, and kitting.

Sport McAllen hosted the NAIA National Football Championship in the late 1970s and NCAA Division II national football championship games in the 1980s.

Until 2014, McAllen was home to the Texas Thunder of the independent United League Baseball, who played at Edinburg Stadium.

Birdwatching McAllen is positioned on a major flyway, the migratory path of birds between North and South America, presenting opportunities for bird and butterfly expeditions. The landscape hosts a diverse wildlife population. The Quinta Mazatlan, a historic Spanish colonial mansion, is used as McAllen's wing of the World Birding Center.

The Bicentennial Bike Path runs from Highway 83 on the south side to Bicentennial and Trenton Road on the north side. The International Museum of Art & Science, Smithsonian affiliate and AAM-accredited museum founded in 1967, is located near the path at the corner of Bicentennial and Nolana Avenue.

The Zinnia Spray Water Park is McAllen's first sprayground park. It is located at 29th and Zinnia Ave.

Champion Lakes Golf Course is located on South Ware Road just south of Highway 83. The golf course has 18 holes plus a driving range. This course hosts numerous tournaments year round.

Dog owners have room to run their pets at the McAllen Dog Park, which is divided into two sections.

Mass transit Metro McAllen (formerly McAllen Express Transit – MET) has provided public transportation for the City of McAllen since June 1997. In the beginning, McAllen Express was administered by the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. Since 2005, Metro McAllen has been operated as a department of the city of McAllen. Metro McAllen now has nine fixed routes and paratransit, serving residents and visitors. It operates seven days a week, from 6am–9pm Monday through Saturday and from 8am-6pm on Sunday. LRGVDC continues to operate regional buses under the name Valley Metro.

Downtown Bus Terminal The City of McAllen also operates the bus terminal facility in downtown McAllen, known as McAllen Central Station. Central Station serves as a hub for MET and for 14 private domestic and international bus lines. Around 60 buses depart from Central Station on a daily basis. It is centrally located in downtown McAllen at 1501 W Hwy 83.

Transport: Road • Interstate 2 travels through McAllen from Taylor Road to Sugar Road. • U.S. 83 travels through McAllen as its major east–west artery. It runs directly south of downtown McAllen. • State Highway 107 travels east through McAllen into downtown Edinburg, where it intersects the Business Route of US Route 281 and then I-69C/US 281. • State Highway 336 travels north to an intersection with FM 1016 in McAllen to an intersection with I-2/US 83. • State Highway 495 travels through McAllen from FM 2220 (Ware Road) to FM 2061 (McColl Street).

Transport: Air • McAllen Miller International Airport is served by American Airlines with non-stop service to Dallas/Fort Worth; by United with non-stop service to Houston; by Aeromar with nonstop service to Mexico City; and by Allegiant Air with nonstop flights to Las Vegas and with seasonal service to Los Angeles and Orlando-Sanford.

Education • South Texas College has a total of more than 27,000 students attending its five campuses in Hidalgo and Starr counties, and the eSTC virtual campus. The main campus is in McAllen.

Public libraries McAllen Public Library operates a main library and two branches, the Lark Branch and the Palm View Branch. The New Main Library opened in the fall of 2011 inside a former Walmart big box store. The library earned high praise and received the International Interior Design Association's 2012 Library Interior Design Award.

Arts and culture International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS), founded in 1967, is a Smithsonian Affiliate and American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accredited museum located in McAllen at the corner of Bicentennial and Nolana Avenue.

Television stations • KGBT-TV 4 Harlingen, Texas Independent • KRGV-TV 5 Weslaco, Texas ABC • XHAB-TV 8 Matamoros, Tamaulipas Vallevision • XERV-TV 9 Reynosa, Tamaulipas Canal de las Estrellas • XHREY-TV 12 Reynosa, Tamaulipas Azteca Uno • XHOR-TV 14 Reynosa, Tamaulipas Azteca 7 • KVEO 23 Brownsville, Texas NBC/CBS • KTFV-CD 32 McAllen, Texas UniMás • KTLM 40 Rio Grande City, Texas Telemundo • KNVO 48 McAllen, Texas Univision • XHVTV-TV 54 Reynosa, Tamaulipas Multimedios (Canal 6 Mexico) • KFXV 60 Harlingen, Texas FOX • KMBH-LD 67 McAllen, Texas FOX • [MCN] 17.12 McAllen, Texas Public Broadcasting Station

Media: Radio • KURV 710 AM News Talk Radio • XERDO-AM La Raza 1060 AM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish] • XEMS-AM Radio Mexicana 1490 AM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish] • KHID 88.1 FM McAllen (National Public Radio) • XHRYS-FM Hits FM 90.1 FM (Top 40 Hits) [Spanish] • XHRYN-FM Uni 90.5 FM [Spanish] • XHRYA-FM Mas Musica 90.9 FM (Hit Radio) [Spanish] • XHMLS-FM Exitos 91.3 FM (All-Time Hits) [Spanish] • KCAS The New KCAS 91.5 FM • XHEOQ-FM Notigape 91.7 FM (News) [Spanish] • XHAAA-FM La Caliente 93.1 FM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish] • KFRQ Q94.5 FM (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock) • XHRT-FM Xtrema 95.3 FM (All-Time Hits) [Spanish] • KBTQ Recuerdo 96.1 FM (Oldies) [Spanish] • KVMV Family Friendly & Commercial Free 96.9 FM (Adult Contemporary Christian) • KGBT-FM Solamente Exitos 98.5 FM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish] • KKPS La Nueva 99.5 FM (Local Tejano Music) [Spanish] • KTEX South Texas Country 100.3 FM (Country) • KNVO-FM Jose 101.1 FM [Spanish] • XHAVO-FM Digital 101.5 FM (International Music) [Spanish] • KBFM Wild 104.1 FM (Hip-Hop/R&B/Reggaeton) • KJAV 104.9 FM Ultra 104.9 ("Sonamos Diferente")(Classic Hits) • KQXX The X 105.5 FM (Classic rock) • KHKZ Kiss 106.3 FM (Hot AC) • XHVTH-FM La Mas Buena 107.1 FM (Regional Mexican) (in Spanish) • KVLY Mix 107.9 FM (Top 40)

Media: Print • The Monitor • Valley Morning Star • Texas Border Business • Mega Doctor News.

Architecture and points of interest 1 Chase Neuhaus Tower 17 Floors

2 BBVA Compass Tower 11 Floors

3 Bentsen Tower 11 Floors

4 DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel 9 Floors

5 McAllen Medical Center 8 Floors

6 Inter National Bank 6 Floors

Districts 1 Downtown McAllen

2 De Palmas Historic District

3 17 Street Entertainment District

4 McAllen Arts District

5 Uptown McAllen

6 McAllen Convention Center District

Points of Interest 1 McAllen Botanical Gardens

2 Quinta Mazatlan

3 McAllen Convention Center

4 La Plaza Mall

5 International Museum of Art and Science

6 Historic Cine El Rey Theatre

7 Veteran's War Memorial of Texas.