Weslaco (Images of America: Texas) [Paperback]

Karen Gerhardt (Author), Blanca E. Tamez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 1999

Often called “The Magic Valley” because of its tropical climate and rich soil, the Lower Rio Grande Valley is a fertile agricultural region known for its cultivation of citrus, sugar cane, cotton, and

a variety of vegetables. In the heart of the Valley is Weslaco, a typical Valley town that serves as market, business, social, religious, and educational center for a broad Hispanic/Anglo population. This compilation of mid-Valley memories focuses on the development of agriculture and community life in Weslaco from the early 1900s to the 1950s, as once again the Valley undergoes transition, this time from agriculture to international trade due to NAFTA. Featuring images of WeslacoÂ’s buildings, schools, colorful residents, lively celebrations, and

the Texsun Corporation, which employed Valley workers for almost 60 years, this photographic tour

provides insight into the areaÂ’s diverse heritage.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Karen Gerhardt and Blanca E. Tamez have worked together to produce this illustrative history of the regionÂ’s past. Using over two hundred historic photographs from the collection of the Weslaco Bicultural Museum, their collaboration tells the story of everyday life in this farming community along the Rio Grande border.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (October 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738503053
• ISBN-13: 978-0738503059
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,605,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific photo history, December 28, 1999

By 

"vallain" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weslaco (Images of America: Texas) (Paperback)

The photos show the history of Weslaco in South Texas from 1919 to the 1950s. As a librarian I am thrilled to have this coverage of early days in the Rio Grande Valley. The pictures show the growth of agriculture, the multi-cultural nature of the area and the businesses that contributed to the Mid-Valley's growth. I've not seen these photos in print elsewhere and this successfully captures the character and history of Weslaco within its pages.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Volume!, January 7, 2000

By 

"vallain" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weslaco (Images of America: Texas) (Paperback)

Karen Gerhardt, museum director, has produced a beautiful volume called Weslaco, the history of the town in pictures and text. Drawing on the museum's extensive photography collection, she and intern Blanca Tamez have told all sides of the story of the town's history and cultures, its industries, farms, recreations, institutions, and its people. The production values are excellent for a book of this type. It is indispensable for anyone who is interested in local history. I gave a copy to a friend who spent his childhood in Weslaco. He was deeply touched by the story and the pictures, especially a photo of his uncle standing next to a tent in the town's earliest days. Karen's previous publication credits include Bale O' Cotton, about cotton ginning; Chasing the Bone Pile, a history of the Strecker Museum at Baylor University; and a film script about the home front in Texas during the Civil War. All proceeds for the Weslaco book go toward the new Agricultural Discovery Center.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing collection of photos, August 9, 2011

By 

TRAVIS MCDANIEL - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Weslaco (Images of America: Texas) (Paperback)

If you have any interest in history, this series of books looks to be an invaluable resource. I was looking to learn more about my hometown and was amazed by the things I didn't know!