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The history of McAllen
From the 1904 railroad townsite and 1911 incorporation to border commerce and the modern Main Library, follow dated milestones with links to their historical sources.
People who shaped McAllen
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them. Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
McAllen Heritage Museum McAllen, Texas History
The Ef’n Sonny Show visits McAllen Heritage Center, with sampled exterior, exhibit and museum-shop scenes. It is a creator’s museum visit, not a complete documentary or a claim that past exhibits remain on display.
Watch on YouTube ↗Famous people born in McAllen
See all 31 famous people
- 1904
A railroad townsite
The railroad reached the Santa Anita Ranch in August 1904. That December, John McAllen and partners formed a townsite company, and the new town took his name.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 1907
A post office
A McAllen post office opened in 1907. The same year, a second town was started two miles to the east and became known as East McAllen.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 1909
First brick building
The First State Bank building, the town's first brick building, went up around 1909. The McAllen Monitor newspaper began that same year.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 1911
Incorporation
By 1911 the western settlement was gone, and the town received a charter of incorporation under the name McAllen.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 1916
A border boom
About 20,000 New York state troops were stationed at McAllen during border disturbances. The population grew from 1,200 in 1916 to 6,000 by 1920.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 1927
Home rule charter
McAllen adopted a home rule charter. Canning plants, a winery and other industries helped lift the population past 9,000 by 1930.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 1940
City of Palms
By 1940 McAllen had nearly 12,000 residents and had taken on the nickname City of Palms.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 1941
A bridge to Reynosa
The McAllen-owned toll crossing between Hidalgo and Reynosa supported trade and tourism. The bridge is at Hidalgo, not a claim that downtown McAllen sits directly on the river crossing.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 2000
Passing 100,000
McAllen grew from about 84,000 residents in 1990 to 106,414 in 2000.
Handbook of Texas ↗ - 2011
A new Main Library
The Main Library moved to a 123,000-square-foot, single-floor building on North 23rd Street and reopened on December 10, 2011.
McAllen Public Library ↗
See the history for yourself.
Visit McAllen Heritage Center for local-history exhibits and confirm current visiting information with the museum.
For archival material and research help, McAllen Public Library publishes its library locations and services. Historic photographs have their own permissions; this guide does not treat every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones checked against their historical sources October 18, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of local history.