Marker Inscription
Founded by an engineer, Col. Sam Robertson, on Gulf Coast Railroad that in 1904 reached this area colonized by Mexico about 1770. First called "Bessie", for child of railroad official B.F. Yoakum, then "Diaz", to honor Mexican president; present name honors landowner Benjamin Hicks. Land and water company and sugar company opened here, 1906. Robertson was first Postmaster, 1907. School also opened in 1907, with Miss Kate Purvis, teacher. City was incorporated June 27, 1911: J.M. Breen, Mayor; J. Scott Brown, J.H. Haines, Commissioners.
About this site
San Benito is a historical marker in San Benito, Cameron County, dedicated in 1971. It is one of 116 historical markers documented in Cameron County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 194 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 26.1317, -97.6318 near San Benito. The nearest cataloged historic site is San Benito Bank and Trust Company (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include First Methodist Church of San Benito, San Benito Post Office, and Purvis, Albanus Clemens.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5061000892. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
