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Mercedes
The city of Mercedes was founded September 15, 1907 by the American Rio Grande Land & Irrigation Company, and was incorporated March 8, 1909.
The city was located in Capisallo Pasture, part of Capisallo Ranch owned by Jim Welles. This location was known as the Pear Orchard owing to the vast numbers of prickly pear cactus growing there at that time.
The original name given to the city was Diaz in honor of Porfirio Diaz, then president of Mexico. Later it was renamed Mercedes Diaz in honor of the president's wife and from that, Mercedes became the Queen City.
General Zachary Taylor's headquarters was just to the south east of Mercedes near the river. There the old Rabb Ranch was famous for its stage coach stop and riverboat landing for the riverboats that plied up and down the Rio Grande River carrying supplies to the settlements and military installations.
The old Toluca Ranch still stands just east of the International Bridge at Progresso, our sister city to the south. This Ranch is located near the river and a prized target for the banditos during the days of Pancho Villa. It was built with many secret rooms and passages and heavy wooden shutters on the windows to protect its residents.
Annual events include the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo, a nine-day event that is considered among the top 10 livestock shows in the state, held the second week in March.
The city was located in Capisallo Pasture, part of Capisallo Ranch owned by Jim Welles. This location was known as the Pear Orchard owing to the vast numbers of prickly pear cactus growing there at that time.
The original name given to the city was Diaz in honor of Porfirio Diaz, then president of Mexico. Later it was renamed Mercedes Diaz in honor of the president's wife and from that, Mercedes became the Queen City.
General Zachary Taylor's headquarters was just to the south east of Mercedes near the river. There the old Rabb Ranch was famous for its stage coach stop and riverboat landing for the riverboats that plied up and down the Rio Grande River carrying supplies to the settlements and military installations.
The old Toluca Ranch still stands just east of the International Bridge at Progresso, our sister city to the south. This Ranch is located near the river and a prized target for the banditos during the days of Pancho Villa. It was built with many secret rooms and passages and heavy wooden shutters on the windows to protect its residents.
Annual events include the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo, a nine-day event that is considered among the top 10 livestock shows in the state, held the second week in March.
Historical
Doll Display
This unique doll display is housed in the Mercedes Municipal Building. The collection contains more than 500 dolls from over forty countries with dolls from eleven tribes Native American, former presidents, and several movie stars--some dating back to 1890.
Mercedes Municipal Building
400 S Ohio St
Mercedes, Texas
(956)565-2371
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Vintage Farm Equipment Museum
An outside display of vintage farm equipment held on the Rio Grande Livestock Show grounds. The vintage farm equipment is displayed outside during the second week in March and for special events.
100 N Texas Ave
Mercedes,Texas
(956)565-2221
100 N Texas Ave
Mercedes,Texas
(956)565-2221
Golfing
Llano Grande Golf Course
Llano Grande Resort is surrounded by citrus groves and palm trees providing a beautiful, tropical setting. The golf course’s location allows one to escape the cares of city life, yet is only minutes from all the attractions Southern Texas has to offer. The Llano Grande golf course is a challenging 18-holes with varied terrain greens.
379 Golf Course Rd.
Mercedes, TX
(956) 565-3351
The Palms at Midvalley
The Palms at Midvalley is an 18-hole public course that sits on the northern edge of Mercedes flood plain. This is a long, intimidating links-style course with plenty of bunkers, elevated greens, thick rough, and even a few palm trees. The golf course offers four sets of tees, each providing drastically different rounds.
2.5 Mile North of FM 491, Mercedes, TX 78570
956-565-3211.
Movie Theatres
Originally lit-up at the beginning of America's Drive-in boom in the
late 1940's, the Wes-Mer, like hundreds of other outdoor screens in the
Lone Star state, was snuffed-out during the thinning of the Ozone layer
and went dark in 1984. Ten years it had laid idle, fading, and forlorn, but
ultimately was restored and re-lit, making it the first of several roadside
resurrections in Texas that were to follow. The Wes-Mer is open 4 nights of
the week: Fri-Sat-Sun and Tuesday, throughout the year. They screen
a double feature each night. Audio provided via FM radio.
Admission: $10 per carload covers all passengers.
956-565-9050
Mercedes, Texas
located on Rte.83 between Mercedes & Weslaco
Shopping
RVG Premium Outlet
The largest factory outlet mall in the area with more than 140 outlet stores such as Puma, Saks Fifth Avenue, Banana Republic, True Religion, Betsy Johnson, Burberry, Coach, Guess, Gap, Ann Taylor, BCBG, Levis, and many more.
5001 E. U.S. 83. (956)565-3900.
www.premiumoutlets.com/riograndevalley
The largest factory outlet mall in the area with more than 140 outlet stores such as Puma, Saks Fifth Avenue, Banana Republic, True Religion, Betsy Johnson, Burberry, Coach, Guess, Gap, Ann Taylor, BCBG, Levis, and many more.
5001 E. U.S. 83. (956)565-3900.
www.premiumoutlets.com/riograndevalley
Restaurants
Cortinos Italian Restaurant
234 Michigan Ave
Mercedes, TX
Phone - (956) 565-2309
Chilli’s Grill & Bar
4901 E. Expressway 83
Mercedes, TX
956-565-0055
234 Michigan Ave
Mercedes, TX
Phone - (956) 565-2309
Chilli’s Grill & Bar
4901 E. Expressway 83
Mercedes, TX
956-565-0055
Dairy Queen
930 W. 2nd. St.
Mercedes, TX
956-565-4141
Diana’s Diner
1402 W 2nd St
Mercedes, TX
(956) 825-9504
El Fenix Café
126 N. Texas
Mercedes, TX
956-565-9074
Leo’s Drive Thru & Barbacoa
161 N. Vermont
Mercedes, TX
956-514-9140
Little Caesar’s Pizza
425 Second St.
Mercedes, TX
956-565-0222
Pizza Hut
826 W 2nd St ,
Mercedes, TX
(956) 565-6319
Starbuck's Coffee
5001 E. Expressway 83
Mercedes, TX
956-514-9949
Subway
369 N Texas Ave
Mercedes, TX
(956) 514-5337
1402 W 2nd St
Mercedes, TX
(956) 825-9504
El Fenix Café
126 N. Texas
Mercedes, TX
956-565-9074
Leo’s Drive Thru & Barbacoa
161 N. Vermont
Mercedes, TX
956-514-9140
Little Caesar’s Pizza
425 Second St.
Mercedes, TX
956-565-0222
Pizza Hut
826 W 2nd St ,
Mercedes, TX
(956) 565-6319
Starbuck's Coffee
5001 E. Expressway 83
Mercedes, TX
956-514-9949
Subway
369 N Texas Ave
Mercedes, TX
(956) 514-5337