Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Harlingen
Cameron County, Texas
ZipCodes
78550, 78552
Motto
in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley
Page Contents for Harlingen, Texas
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Statistics & Facts
The Texas state capital is Austin.
The population of Harlingen is approximately 80,650 (2000), 64849 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 17,798 (1990), 21645 (2010).
The amount of land area in Harlingen is 69.742 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.476 sq kilometers.
The distance from Harlingen to Washington DC is 1513 miles.
The distance to the Texas state capital is 283 miles. (as the crow flies)
Harlingen is positioned 26.19 degrees north of the equator and 97.68 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Harlingen elevation is 40 feet above sea level.
Location
where highways 77 and 83 intersect about 140 miles south of Corpus Christi, Texas near the Mexican border. Harlingen is near the city of Brownsville.Return to Index
History & History Related Items
The first inhabitants of the area were the native Coahuiltecans, who fished and gathered plants for food. Next Spanish explorers and then settlers claimed the land. The flags of Mexico, Texas, the Confederacy and the United States have all flown here in Harlingen. By the time Texas joined the Union in 1845, Harlingen was a thriving community with the Rio Grande River adding much to the local economy. The community was established by Lon C. Hill, a local lawyer. He named it after a community in Holland where similar canals and irrigation had stimulated that area as he hoped the area of Harlingen would also thrive. Due to its proximity to the railroad and the river, Harlingen did just that and continues today to serve as a major crossroad for business and more.
Harlingen was once known as "Six-shooter Junction." Texas Rangers and Immigration officers had to work hard to maintain order here.
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The founding of Harlingen
1910Attractions
Iwo Jim War Memorial
on the Marine Military Academy
Phone: 210-412-2207
Toll-free: 800-365-6006
This is the original sculpture of WWII's Iwo Jima Flag-raising. It was originally made of plaster (now fiberglass) and then used to cast the memorial for Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Other items are also on display, including information on the persons portrayed in the sculpture.
Things to see in the area:
Rio Grande Valley Museum
Harlingen, Texas 78550
Phone: 956-430-8500
Hugh Ramsey Nature Park
Arroyo Queen
Texas Air Museum
Jackson Street District
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - phone: (956) 748-3607
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
Gladys Porter Zoo in nearby Brownsville
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Harlingen City Government
City of HarlingenHarlingen City Hall
118 E Tyler Ave
Harlingen, TX 78550-9116
Phone: 956-427-8720
Harlingen Chamber
Harlingen area Chamber of Commerce
311 E. Tyler
Harlingen, Texas 78550
Phone: (956) 423-5440 or (800) 531-7346
open Monday - Friday 8-5
Harlingen Organizations
Harlingen area Chamber of Commerce
311 E. Tyler
Harlingen, Texas 78550
Phone: (956) 423-5440 or (800) 531-7346
open Monday - Friday 8-5
Harlingen Libraries
Harlingen Public Library
410 76 Dr
Harlingen, TX 78550-5072
Phone: 956-430-6650
Harlingen Schools
Harlingen School District
1409 E Harrison St
Harlingen, TX 78550-7129
Phone: 956-427-3403
Harlingen Miscellany
The population of Harlingen was:
1990 - 48,735
2000 - 80,650
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