Hidalgo County Historical Commission

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

Something lurks in the shadows of the Borderlands… 👁️

Join us for an eerie evening of folklore, storytelling, and cultural exploration featuring Dr. Milena Melo, Dr. David Bowles, and Dr. Juan José García as we unravel the mysteries behind one of the Borderlands’ most chilling legends.

Some stories are told. Others are survived. Come share your experience.

Location: Búho: Books & Coffee | 1140 E. Washington St., Brownsville, TX
Date: Thursday, October 29
Time: 6:00–7:30 p.m.

A hauntingly good giveaway!
19 attendees will receive a copy of ¡El Cucuy! by Joe Hayes or ¡El Cucuy también tiene miedo! by Donna Barba Higuera.

¿Le tienes miedo al Cucuy?

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

Join us for our next Saturday Speaker Series at the Weslaco Museum! We are excited to welcome Presenter Andrew Booher as he delves into the history of the “Weslaco Eight.” Don’t miss this fascinating look into local history. Mark your calendars and come learn with us!

10/19/2026

EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY! 🗳️

⏰️ Polls will be open from 7AM - 7PM everyday during early voting, except on Sunday, Oct. 25 when they will be open 10AM - 4PM.

🚨 YOU CAN VOTE AT ANY OF THE 32 POLLING LOCATIONS LISTED!

Make a plan and GET OUT TO VOTE!

For more information, visit the Elections Department website: https://www.hidalgocounty.us/105/Elections-Department

10/19/2026

Join UTRGV’s Open Access Week 2026 Challenge!
Explore practical tools in a short 5-day asynchronous challenge: ORCID, Zotero, ScholarWorks @ UTRGV, Open Publishing Support, and Research Data Management.
Try the activities and email [email protected] to receive a certificate.
Start here: https://utrgv.libguides.com/oaweek2026

10/19/2026

-- For 100 years, the community of Hebbronville has welcomed and enjoyed the blessings of the Franciscan friars, whose order looked for shelter awa from the 1920s Cristero War in Mexico. "Since 1926, the Franciscan friars, with sacrificial efforts and service, have been dedicated supporting the cultural, educational and spiritual needs of Hebbronville and the surroundings communities that were and are located in Jim Hogg, Webb and Duval Counties."

10/19/2026

10/17/2026

This morning, we celebrated the official unveiling of the newest historic marker in Hidalgo County, Texas . Congratulations to The City of Mercedes, the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library and entire community for this historic day. With support from the City of Mercedes and the HCHC, Dr. Carlos Cantú, Derek Xavier García and community members worked to research, apply and install the newest marker for all to visit.

To learn more about Colegio Jacinto Treviño, visit the Dr. Héctor P. García Memorial Library where you will find an exhibit outlining the history of the college. Thank you to all who attended today y viva el Colegio Jacinto Treviño!

The new marker reads:
Colegio Jacinto Treviño

Early public education in South Texas emphasized English-language curriculum and Anglo culture, subsequently removing Spanish instruction and pushing Spanish-speaking students into segregated schools. In the 1960s and 1970s, new activist groups such as the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO) helped organize student walkouts to challenge this practice and argued for bilingual, bicultural and binational education for Chicano populations across Texas. However, community members in the Rio Grande Valley lacked teaching degrees and available educational material that satisfactorily met these goals. At a MAYO conference in December 1969, members suggested starting a higher-learning institution producing teachers and curriculum catered to Chicano culture.

A group of 15 student activists, the inaugural cohort, established the College in October 1970. They envisioned the new Colegio Jacinto Treviño as a "University without walls," an inclusive and egalitarian institution. The founders divided the governing section into three equal sections: Students, Community and Faculty. The school received accreditation through the Antioch-Putney Graduate School of Education. In November 1970, the school found a home at the corner of S. Missouri Avenue and W. Third Street in Mercedes. The first undergraduate program, a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree, began in 1971 with 49 students. The school expanded to offer Master of Education and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees, as well as a General Educational Development (GED) program. The Colegio experienced administrative uncertainty and funding issues, causing it to lose its accreditation in 1974. Two years later, the college closed. Despite its brief history, Colegio Jacinto Treviño was a model for educational self-determination and innovation to meet the needs of the community.