Riviera, Texas
Riviera is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Kleberg County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 689. It is located south of Kingsville on U.S. Route 77 (Future Interstate 69E) and northeast of Falfurrias on Texas State Highway 285. History. Riviera was founded in 1906 by Theodore Fredrick Koch, a land promoter. He purchased land from the King Ranch to sell to landseekers. He built a townsite along the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway and named it after the French Riviera. Koch ran a train from Chicago to  Riviera twice a month to bring more people to the area. Riviera witnessed growth in its first few years, but a drought hit the area in 1915 and then a terrible hurricane hit the area in 1916. When U.S. Highway 77 was constructed, it helped the economy get back on its feet. Now its economy depends on farming. It is also the last stop for about to Raymondville, going south, so its gas stations and restaurants are used by many travelers heading in that direction. Education. Riviera is served by Riviera Independent School District.