History of McAllen: 1981-1990

The 1970's cemented the promise that McAllen was indeed destined for something greater that installing hitching posts to attract business to town, the 1980's offered a promise as well, however it was a promise with a high cost.
The official population of McAllen in 1980 was 66,281...
The 80's got going with a big setback...the freeze of 1981...vegetables and citrus wer badly hurt...devaluation of the Mexican peso...losing up to eight times its value and business with Mexico suffered...
In 1983 another freeze hit local agriculture and citrys and vegetable crops hurt again...
But this time, many landmark palm trees were killed...
But theres good with the bad...
A second skyscraper was opened, the 11 story Texas Commerce Bank and our city's second high school, Memorial, graduated its first class...
Texas State Technical Institution opened a branch, which would eventually turn into South Texas College...
A new hospital opened its doors, offering a level of medical care not seen before in the valley...
In 1987 a second peso devaluation again rocked the local economy...
McAllen elects its first female city commissioner, Phyllis Griggs, who remains on the commission for 14 years...
The McAllen Economic Development Corporation is formed from the Industrial Board and the Foreign Trade Zone...
M.E.D.C. would instigate much development of industry and jobs in the future.

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