More than two hundred years ago, the Spanish government began settling a vast area stretching from Panuco River in Tampico, Mexico, to the Nueces River in present-day Corpus Christi. In 1762 King Carlos III of Spain, at the suggestion of the Viceroy of Mexico, ordered a just and equal division of the territory. Spanish in order to insure that all proposed portiones (section of land) had equal access to the bank on the Rio Bravo and extending inland. The average portion was two-thirds of a mile wide on the riverbank and stretched inland for eleven to sixteen miles. This marked the beginning of the history of Rancho La Lomita, site of the La Lomita Mission, after which the city of Mission was named.
In 1745, Jose de Escandon ordered Captain Jose Antonio Cantu to establish the town of Reynosa at its present site, which at that time was under the jurisdiction of Anzalduas. Written records substantiate that the side known as La Lomita was granted to Captain Cantu of Reynosa by a Spanish grant in 1767. The land was eventually sold to M. Guillermo Rene Guyard, who at his death in 1874 willed the land to the Missionary Oblates of Mary. In 1906 the oblate Fathers sold the land on which the city on Mission and much of its nearby community now stand to John J. Conway and J.W. Hoit, who established Rancho La Lomita Land Company. Most of the area's activities were centered on La Lomita.
In 1908 the Missouri Pacific established a railway station near the center of the new community, four miles north of the mission. That railroad stop has grown into the thriving city of Mission. It was in the area that the first citrus was planted in the Rio Grande Valley.
The historic La Lomita Mission still stands and is visited regularly each year by tourists and residents, and the multi-million dollar citrus industry is celebrated annually with the gala Texas Citrus Fiesta, attracting participants from both sides of the Rio Grande.
Mission, Texas Education
Mission Consolidated Independent School District
Mission Consolidated Independent School District consists of about 15,000 students who are served by just over 2,000 staff members and supported by the communities of Mission, Alton and Palmhurst. In this way, we truly are "Many Faces" with "One Mission." That mission is summed up in our motto of "Success for Every Student."
Mission CISD is tucked along the Texas/Mexico border in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. We are a long slender district stretching across roughly 41 square miles. The district serves the community through two 4A high schools, three junior high schools, 13 elementary schools and an alternative campus for students considered to be at risk.
We have a proud tradition of excellence that continues today. Several campuses have been National Title One winners. Statewide media and education watch groups have honored several campuses each year, ranking them among the best in the state. Our educational leaders have also become sought-after resources by educators from across the nation. All of this, with a student population that traditionally struggles in many areas of the state. Ninety-seven percent of our student population is Hispanic.
Students have the opportunity to enroll in a challenging and rigorous curriculum through the Advanced Placement (AP) program. The district offers Pre-AP and AP courses in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Spanish in grades 7-12. Qualifying high school seniors can also begin earning college credit through concurrent enrollment courses with the University of Texas-Pan American and South Texas College. A Newcomers Academy for grades 3-6 offers students new to this country the specialized curriculum they need to help them succeed in junior high and high school.
Community support for Mission CISD schools is not only evident during football season (a Texas tradition), but also in our schools on a daily basis. Parental involvement and support plays a major role in student success. Local businesses go beyond donating money or student incentives; they are also an invaluable resource used in curriculum enhancement. Overwhelming voter support in a $38 million bond issue election in May 2000 has resulted in two new elementary schools, a new junior high school, central kitchen expansion, renovations to a junior high school and the expansion of a ninth grade campus into the district's second high school.
City of Mission Phone Numbers
City Services:
Animal Control‚ (956) 580-8711
City Hall ‚ (956) 580-8650
Facility Maintenance ‚ (956) 580-8785
Fire Department (central) ‚ (956) 580-8705
Fire Department (#2) ‚ (956) 580-8715
Golf Course ‚ (956) 580-8770
Housing Program‚ (956) 580-8693
Library ‚ (956) 580-8750
Municipal Court ‚ (956) 584-5150
Parks & Recreation ‚ (956) 580-8760
Planning & Zoning ‚ (956) 580-8672
Police Department ‚ (956) 584-5000
Utilities ‚ (956) 580-8780
Other Services:
AEP-CP&L (electricity) ‚ 1-800-274-2611
Auto License‚ (956) 581-8898
Better Business Bureau - Weslaco‚ (956) 968-3678
BFI Recycling Center‚ (956) 519-8444
County Health Dept.‚ (956) 585-2461
La Joya ISD ‚ (956) 580-5002
Mission CISD ‚ (956) 580-5500
Mission Hospital ‚ (956) 580-9000
Progress Times (newspaper)‚ (956) 585-4893
Sharyland ISD ‚ (956) 580-5200
Southwestern Bell (phone) ‚ 1-800-464-7928
The Monitor (newspaper) ‚ (956) 686-4343
Time Warner (cable) ‚ 1-800-222-5355
US Post Office ‚ (956) 585-1481
Mission, Texas Hospital
Rated one of the top hospitals in the country, Mission Regional Medical Center's (MRMC) latest expansion make it one of the Valley's premier medical centers. The licensed 289-bed hospital provides a full service Emergency Unit, a Rehabilitation Unit, a complete continuum of Outpatient Services and a caring compassionate staff to serve your healthcare needs. MRMC is also rated one of the top hospitals in the country for clinical excellence in pulmonary services and maternity care.
In addition to the main campus, Mission Regional Medical Center also offers pre-natal care at two maternity clinics in Alton and Sullivan City. MRMC is conveniently located just off expressway 83 on South Bryan Road, one mile west of Cimarron Country Club, and adjacent to the Mission Expressway Business Park.