Going to the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse is a little like having the winning ticket to the past. Not only do you get to visit one of the nine World Birding sites, but there’s the intriguing story and history surrounding the Pumphouse’s importance to agriculture. Also, during this time of year, you’ll get to see it dressed up for the holidays. The last time I visited was around Halloween and they had the entire front of the area decorated with spiders, monsters and clowns.

The center features a 4.5-mile round trip biking and walking trail. On this trail, bikers are likely to see a variety of birds such as Kiskadees, Kingfishers, cardinals, hummingbirds, pelicans, and others. You can take the trail east to the wetlands, or west underneath the border crossing. Visitors can also take their time and walk around, viewing butterfly gardens and the luscious landscape, or make reservations for a tour.

The Magic Valley’s early 20th Century transition into an agriculture powerhouse is retold at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, which now embraces nature conservation as part of its purpose. The pumphouse still features some of its old mechanics, giving a peek into its history. Visitors to the museum can learn about the steam-driven irrigation pump that transformed Hidalgo County into a year-round farming phenomenon.

Through the museum, you will learn that the hurricane of 1933 shifted the Rio Grande River a half-mile away from the pumphouse, requiring the digging of a canal to the river. Initially there were just two pumps installed in 1909 in the old pumphouse with others added over the years to send water to farm fields and cities via irrigation canals. All of the pumps are there for viewing. Total pumping capacity reached 408,000 gallons a minute, fast enough to fil an Olympic-size pool in 20 seconds.

The pumphouse, operating first by steam before coal and electricity followed, performed its duties until 1983 when an all-electric pumphouse was installed downstream. Interpretive text and images explain the pumphouse system in terms easy to understand.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bike rentals are available for $6 per day and are available at the Pumphouse front desk. There are guided museum tours available for $3. Guided trolley tours are available for $5 every third Tuesday of the month. Other dates are available upon reservation in advance. There is a map for self-guided tours showing all the spots of interest inside the museum like the original pumproom, intake channel, water tubes in boiler, the steam collector pipe, and more.

While you are in the area, the block preceding the Pumphouse is full of history. Located just a short distance away is the old courthouse, jail and other historic buildings. Also close by are several dining and shopping options in old houses.

You can also locate other historic areas of Hidalgo on their sidewalk map located by a little swing and small pavilion.

The museum is located at 902 S. 2nd St. Call (956) 843-2286 or (956) 843-8686 for more information. You can also visit their website at https://cityofhidalgo.net/old-hidalgo-pump-housemuseum-and-world-birding-center or find them on Facebook.