Mission History, Texas

Mission is a great city in Hidalgo County, Texas located near Mcallen and Harlingen. It has a long history and the early settlers of this area are tied to La Lomita, Community. The French Oblates developed a chapel here which dates back to Spanish land grant.

Until 1904, Mission had small railroads and a small railway junction point only five miles away from La Lomita. The railroad was extended and covered 20 acres of land that became the town of Mission. John J. Conway and J. W. Holt are among the first property owners and settlers in Mission. In 1907, they purchased lots of lands in Mission and divided it for resale.

In 1908, Texas was granted a post office under the name of Lomita and the postal authorities accepted Mission as a town. In 1908, a school and a pharmacy used the depot of the Post Office. In the following years, a great hotel was established in Mission and also a daily Newspaper started. In 1910, John H. Shary improved the irrigation system of this town and sold tracts of lands for farms.

During that time, the farmers were allowed to grow three corps a year. Economy of the town got boosted after the discovery of Oil in 1930. In 1941, some of the famous businessmen of the city including John H. Shary sold some tracts of land to the government to establish an airbase in this area.

The airbase was named Moore Field and it maintained a population of 3,000 during World War II. After the World War II, the families of the former soldiers returned back to Mission to be settled here.

After World War II, Moore Field Airbase became Tri-Cities Airport and during the Korean conflict, it again became the Moore Field Air Base. In 1960, Moore Field Air Base once again closed down. After World War II, the town of Mission emerged as a center of economy, agriculture and industry.

Tourism and Textile became the major industries of this area. Frito-Lay, Inc a big manufacturing plant was established which resulted in the boost of the economy.

In the 1900s, historical landscapes were rebuilt and renovated to attract more tourists from all over the world. After the rapid development and industrialization, Mission became one of the Principal cities of Texas.