Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce
301 W. Railroad St.
Weslaco, TX 78596
Local: (956) 968-2102
Toll-Free: (888) 968-2102

We are Weslaco... and We invite you to visit!

Weslaco, Texas, is different than other cities in the Rio Grande Valley. People come from all over South Texas to spend quality time in Weslaco. You'll find more than friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. You'll discover great shopping, golf and the best way to get to Mexico for an afternoon adventure.

What began as a community and local government effort became a reality in 1997 when Weslaco was named a Texas Main Street City. With the ball already in motion, Weslaco and its main street businesses began the task of rehabilitating and revitalizing the downtown area.

Having the City hall, Tower Theater and Skaggs House, all Texas historic landmarks, located on or adjacent to Main Street, gave Weslaco a head start to the program. Cooperation and communication have proved to be the keys to successful beginnings. The City of Weslaco offers a façade loan program to central business district businesses.

A drive down Main Street evokes memories of the 1930's Spanish architecture that helped make Weslaco famous. Older establishments have returned to the stucco shapes and forms that many will remember. Even newer buildings are conforming to the style of years gone by. Housed within these buildings are merchants who care about the look and feel of Main Street Weslaco. They offer the same personalized service and variety of services that have kept them in business for so many years.

Take the opportunity to dine at some of Weslaco's finest restaurants, shop for furniture, carpet, clothing, shoes, hardware good, stationery and so much more, and don't forget to visit some of the most unique historic sites in Texas.

The Keystone Project was the restoration of the 1920's Villa de Cortez Hotel Building. This project converted a beautiful, but disintegrating building to an office building. The restoration included reviving the 2nd floor ballroom, which bustles with events every weekend.

The Rio Grande Valley is a golfer's mecca and Weslaco features its fair share of courses, from its challenging 9-hole executive course to the exciting Tierra Santa Golf Club and Community.

Mid Valley Golf Course
18 hole par 72
Carts Available
2 miles north of Expressway 83 on Baseline Road, Mercedes
565-3211

Tierra Santa Golf Club Tierra Santa is a 7,100+yard championship course designed by GolfScape's Jeffrey D. Brauer, 1995's A.I.A. Architect of the Year, from Dallas, Texas. This 18-hole par 72 course was nominated by Golf Digest as the best, new affordable public course in the United States.
Carts Available
1901 Club De Amistad, Weslaco, approx. 4 miles south of Expressway 83
973-1811

Village Executive Golf Course
9 hole par 31
Carts Available
2 miles south of business 83 on FM 1015
968-6516

Chartered July 26, 1971, the Weslaco Museum moved to its present location, the former City Library, in 1986. Earlier artifacts were exhibited in a uniquely built stone and concrete house known as the World's Smallest Museum.

Iwo Jima Painting
Upon entering the museum your eye goes immediately to the painting of the famous WWII flag-raising on Iwo Jima. It was donated by the U.S. Marine Corps to the Weslaco post Office as a tribute to Harlon H. Block, USMC, and the men of Weslaco who died in the service of their country.

Mail Sorting Desk
A restored case with its pigeon-holes served as a sorting desk for Weslaco's first postmistress, Mrs. R.L. Reeves (Alameda), who served from March 1920 to January 1922.

Early Switchboard and Operator
A telephone exchange was used in Weslaco until 1929 when the telephone system was sold to the Public Service Corporation of Kansas.

Early Bank Safe
The bank safe was used in the Guaranty State Bank, the first bank in Weslaco, established July 15, 1920. It was later used by the First National Bank until 1971. Mr. Robert McAllen gave the safe to the museum in 1974.

Photographs and News
The Weslaco Museum is fortunate to have a wonderful collection of photographs of the city, its founders, and citizens dating back to Weslaco's beginnings. No visitor should omit this fascinating pictorial history from his/her stop at the museum. Weslaco historians, as well as historians of the times, may utilize the complete collection of the News. At the back of the Museum is a section characterizing the history of the farming community so important to Weslaco. Many more exhibits await the visitor. Museum docents will tell you wonderful personal stories about the permanent exhibits, making them live again as you learn of the people who are our history. From time to time special displays are brought into the Museum, so we invite you to visit us... again and again!

Hours
Monday-Friday 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Saturday from 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m
515 South Kansas Avenue
Weslaco, Texas 78596
(956) 968-9142

Try the Weslaco Public Library for your many information needs. Our reference staff can search for materials in our collection, reference books, computer databases and the Internet for you. What we don't have on hand, we can inter-library loan from any Hidalgo County Public Library or borrow from libraries throughout the country.

Collections
The Library has videos, books on cassettes, music cassettes and CDs plus a collection of 75,000 books including large print books. The Texana section includes history, travel and other Texas information plus fiction by Texas authors. Browse the magazine collection. Borrow framed art prints for 30 days.

Computers Available For Use
computers available for free word processing (usually no waiting in a.m.)Internet connection to the World Wide WebMedical information updated monthly on Infotrac Health Reference CenterComing soon: a talking computer for anyone with vision problemsVariety of computer information and reference staff to assist with it

Programs
Pick up the Library's monthly calendar. Don't miss the classic guitar concerts, author visits, quilting classes, income tax assistance and 55 Alive classes. That's just a sample of the many activities scheduled in the library's theater and meeting room.Check the bulletin board for events in the community.Literacy CenterApproximately 1,000 adults come to the Literacy Center each year to learn to read and write, to study for the GED, prepare for citizenship, or to learn English or Spanish. It is located on the 2nd floor of the Library. Your can help by volunteering a few hours a week. Volunteer tutors are trained and assigned adult students.

Visit the Friends of the Library Bookstore
Lots of great used books, magazines and records at bargain prices!Donations always needed. Proceeds buy new books for the library.Volunteers needed to sort and price books and maintain the bookstore.

Do you have a collection or display?
The Library needs displays for its display cases. Contact Irma Oliva at 968-4533 for scheduling.

Join the Friends of the Library
The Friends provide $10,000 annually for new materials for the Library through funds raised in the Bookstore, from memberships and from programs.
Individual $3
Family $15
Sustaining $30
Patron $50
Sponsor $100
Life Member $500

To join, fill out a membership form at the library circulation desk or mail your membership to the Friends c/o the library.

Parking
On Kansas Avenue, in the library lot & behind the library. RV and overflow parking in the church lot on Sixth Street.

Hours
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 1 p.m - 5 p.m
Closed Sunday

If you like a quieter library and extra service, the best times are before 3 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
Weslaco Public Library Website
525 S. Kansas AvenueWeslaco, Texas 78596
Phone: (956)968-4533

NUEVO PROGRESO, MEXICO
Located just seven miles south of Weslaco on Highway 1015 (International Blvd.) is Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. This quaint small village is quickly gaining popularity from all points in the Rio Grande Valley for its friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Drive across the bridge or park and walk across. Enjoy old Mexico charm with its curio shops, street vendors and excellent restaurants aplenty. The streets are lined with shops catering to the tourist. Stop by the U.S. Customs Office and pick up the "Know Before You Go" brochure to answer your questions about what you can bring back into the United States.