San Benito, Texas

San Benito is known as the "Resaca City." A picturesque resaca, 400 feet wide, flows through the city, which is the main canal of a large irrigation system. Only 8 miles from the Mexican border, San Benito was first named Diaz, for Mexico's president, because the people of the area were predominantly of Mexican ancestry. Anglo settlers didn't arrive until 1906, after the completion of the first irrigation system. Prior to this, the region was an arid, mesquite-cactus-brush covered wilderness. As a result of irrigation, the city, as well as all of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, developed an extensive agribusiness. The mild winter climate allows crops to grow year round, not to mention the colorful flowers and native trees. A birder's paradise!

Note the name of the streets, particularly in the central part of town. Generally, the north-south streets are named after Texas heroes; the east-west streets for early community leaders. In other areas of the city, streets are named after landmarks and notable figures in Mexican and American history.

Col. Sam A. Robertson, founder of the city, promoted and built the San Benito and Rio Grande Valley Railroad to provide an efficient transportation system for shipping farm products. Because of the intricate network of lines and spurs, the railroad was commonly known as the "Spiderweb Railroad."

Hay rides are offered year-round every weekend at 1220 West Business U.S. 77, and historical markers are found within the city and area.