San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-14

ton in which all of us are. at times,
more or less prone to indulge, is re-
sponsible for the existence of San
Benito; one of the most prosperous
and thriving cities in the Lower Rio
Grapde Valley.
In the early days of June. 1904,
three men sat on flat car. With a
soft Gulf breeze tempering the beam
ing rays of a midsummer sun and the
satisfaction of a task well done in
their hearts. they INDUCED in the prin-
cipal occupation of mankind during
rest hours-"day dreaming" These
men were in charge of construction
work on the st. Louis, Brownsville &
Mexican railroad and had just fin
ished laying track across a resaca near
small settlement known as Bessie"
The day previous three or four os the
families who resided in the settle
ment bad held a picnic in celebration
Of the coming of the railroad and the
gala spirit of yesterday made the
lonesomness of today more poignant
20 the three "boomers."
THOUGHTS TAKE SHAPE.
Their thoughts naturally ran to PEG
| pie and mpanionship-lots of people
and plenty of companionship. And
the thoughts gradually began to take
the shape of plans. Bessie" could be
come city! The resaca just bridged
could be damned and made into n
reservoir TO hold water that could
be pumped from the nearby Rio
Grande and then released into irriga-
ton bitches to the fertile soil of the
district. If this were done 'Bessie"
would become hive of activity and
there would be people-lOtS of people
Nd plenty of companionship.
The plans turned to plots and ways
and means of realizing the dream"
was discussed. Before the meeting
ended everything was as clear as
picture. The canals and pumping sta
ton were located; the reservoir con-
structed. and sites for public build
ings and business enterprises estab-
lished as firmly as though they were
fact. They impaired their scheme to
others who fell heartily in line and
the process of financing and construc-
ION started.
DREAM COMES TRUE.
Because it was the center of the
San Benito tract that name was Sc
lected to supplant Bessie" the ma.
LIBERALIZATION Of that day dream" back
in 1904 is the San Benito of some
1900 inhabitants and 5000 fertile, ir.
rigated acres that occupies such
prominent position in the agricultural,
industrial and social life of the most
fertile and progressive area in the
United States today.
The growth of San Benito has not
been sporadic Four years after the
flat car meeting the population had
increased to 30. Two years more.
1910. brought it to 80. But the pre-
caution was always taken to incul.
germ" and instill the pull together
spirit that always spells success
These 80 went about the business Of
city building with a vengeance and
the result of their labors appears in
the census for 1920, which gives San
Benito a population or 500. At
present the number Of inhabitants is
estimated above 1900 and still grow.
ing. 100. -.
GREAT CIVIC SPIRIT.
San Benito is unique in that it
clings tenaciously to the spirit that
gave it birth. When street paving
became necessary every property own
CT paid in fun for the improvement.
Only a small bond issue was neccs-
sary for the city to bear the cost of
paving street intersections, etc. Re.
Gently the urgent need Of a modern
I5-room hotel was felt and the citi-
zens met the issue by subscribing
$50, 200 in stock subscriptions in the
remarkably short time Of eight DAYS
The result of their generosity and
confidence in the future of their city
will soon take shape in the form Of
modern, fiye-stOry hostelry that will
point its concrete finger into the sky
ae permanent monument to tho
spirit that made it, as well as every
forward step in development and the
very existence Of the city itself, pos
sible.
REMARKABLE CHANGE.
There is nothing in the San Benito
of today that would remind the Wis.
itor Of yesterdays Bessie" Con
crete paving with culverts and curb
ing stretch for II miles through its
business and residential district. The
largest irrigation pumping plant in
the world supplies water to the $4,000
fertile acres that surround the city
at the lowest rates assessed in the
Valley. Its business district com.
prises more than 22J etablihments
And industries too numerous to men
ton. including a brick and tile fac.
tory, five cotton gins, the general Of.
fices and shops Of the 3. Il. & X. G
V. Railway, n canning factory. n box
and crate factory that supplies .he
greater portion Of the needs of the On
tire Valley in this respect. eight large
produce shippers. many Of whom have
their. own packing plants for citrus
fruits, and an iron and machine
works are found within its confines
MUCH BUILDING.
The building permits and public
development work in San Benito dur.
ing 1925 reached the enormous total
Of S3,0O0,OO0. At present u brick
and reinforced concrete buildings are
under construction and the bailding
activity in the residential district is
greater than at any time in the his
tory Of the city.
The Sen BenitO district is the
largest irrigated area in the entire
Valley. Its lands have proven OK
ceedingly productive for the raising
a. - T.. e