Paradise is a Pharr piece away...if you don't live in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas that is. In Pharr, they grow vegetables all year long, make claim to miles and miles of Texas citrus growing in abundant orchards, and is one of the state's hot spots for Winter Texans who make the annual exodus from their cold Northern and Midwestern homes to spend a little time in, well - paradise!...
Here's how it all started: Established in 1909, Pharr - in the Rio Grande Valley - is still a center for agricultural production with great winter vegetables, abundant citrus orchards and plenty of cotton. But where did it all start?
Originally a Spanish land grant, the area was later broken into smaller tracts in the late 1800s. John Connely Kelley and Henry N. Pharr arrived about 1909 and bought 16,000 acres of land. Pharr, a Louisiana sugarcane grower founded the Louisiana and Rio Grande Canal Company to construct an irrigation system for a sugar plantation. Kelley formed the Pharr Townsite Company, naming the new town after his partner.
Pharr became a stop on the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway around 1911. Four thousand acres had already been sold to settlers and the town had a depot, hotel and bank. Today, in addition to being one of Texas' finest communities, Pharr is a Mecca for winter Texans who flood the many modern RV resorts each season and take advantage of a host of winter tourist related activities. Access to Mexico is available via U.S. 281 and the Pharr / Reynosa International Bridge.
Attractions include:
Tierra del Sol Golf Course
Originally designed by David Bennett, of San Antonio, this plush, formerly private, championship, 18-hole, 6,767-yard golf course was built in 1983, then purchased by Pharr and converted into "Tierra del Sol", a spectacular municipal links.
Smitty's Juke Box Museum
Housed in one of Pharr's first buildings, Smitty's Juke Box Museum invites visitors to relive old memories with its extraordinary collection of old juke boxes. Among the treasures are a patented wind-up Edison Victrola, the first Wurlitzer Model P10 from 1934, all the way up to the most modern compact disc player.
Ye Old Clock Museum
What began in 1965 as a private collection has grown to an impressive 2,000 time pieces. It's one of only five such museums in the United States.
Winter Citrus and Vegetable Show
Having been celebrated more than a half century, the All Valley Winter Citrus and Vegetable Show, held the first week of each December, in the Pharr International Convention Center, features scores of citrus and vegetables that are harvested, prepared, and displayed by local 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter members.
Fine Arts And Show
Every March, fine artists from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Valley participate in the Annual Benefit Fine Arts Show and Sale. Visitors view original works in oil, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, wood carving, weaving, and photography, all highlighted by a live auction, benefiting a local charitable organization. Border crossings are easy and simple. No visas, passports, or other documents are required of U.S. citizens to visit the border cities of Mexico. There is a small bridge toll. A Mexican tourist card is required for visiting Mexico beyond the border cities, or for stays exceeding 72 hours.
 Quick access to the Mexican border is also available at the Reynosa international bridge. Shopping and dining opportunities abound in this quaint Mexican border town, which is a favorite day-trip destination for thousands of winter Texans each year.
For more information, visit the official Pharr Web site, and take the time to visit the services and shops highlighted on the borders of this page!
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Welcome to 
Episode 1 - The History