History of Mercedes

Over a century old. Founded in 1907. Mercedes, Texas was founded September 15, 1907, by the American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company. Mercedes was incorporated on March 8, 1909.

On the grounds of a ranch and pear orchard

Before its founding, Mercedes was part of the Capisallo Ranch, a 90,000-acre holding

owned by Jim Welles of Brownsville. This land on which Mercedes is situated (2 miles east of the present site) was originally known as the “Capisallo Pasture.” The particular land on which the town was built was known as the ‘Pear Orchard” — owing to the vast numbers of prickly pear which grew there.

From Diaz to Mercedes

Before it was called Mercedes, Mercedes was called General Zachary Taylor

“Diaz” in honor of Porfirio Diaz then president of Mexico. The directors of the American Rio Grande Land Company, sensing a revolution brewing in Mexico, changed the name to Mercedes. They were still honoring the presidential family, but this time it was Mercedes Diaz, the wife of El Presidente. The Mexican revolution began not long after.

Other Historical Highlights

In 1846, General Zachary Taylor’s established headquarters near the future Mercedes, just south of Santa Maria, Texas. General Taylor, who would become the 12th president of the United States, came south at the start of the Mexican-American war.

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