Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum and World Birding Center — Attraction in Hidalgo

And interesting look at the technology that allowed for the transformation of rural Hildago County into an agricultural Powerhouse at the turn of the century century. This Museum & Nature area houses the original building intake and pumps from the initial opening of the water transfer station. They have preserved technology from different intervals as technological progress was made and pumping efficiency increased. The intake for this facility shifted drastically following a significant hurricane in 1933 upon which the main channel of the Rio Grande River shifted half mile to the South. An intake Canal had to be dredged with new intakes placed. You can walk around this Museum and see the transition from the initial wood fired water boilers with piston stroke pumps 2 the V12 engines used before the placement of electrical engines committed to water transfer. The grounds are lightly landscaped, the most interesting aspect is the Border fence that runs the perimeter of the intake now. It is not the official border with Mexico, however it is littered with clothing and the remnants of people having jumped this fence. Border patrol has a heavy presence here. Very minimal Wildlife both birds and butterfly and minimal vegetation. General walking path is dirty and dusty, nothing special to see. Overall it is a wonderfully preserved part of early...

Very fascinating tour of both the city and the museum. The old boilers and pumps, and how much water they lifted up into the gravity fed irrigation system, which made the Rio Grande valley and agricultural marvel. When you consider how long ago these things were built, and with what we consider limited technology, the feat accomplished is astounding. The boilers and pumps are enormous. The tour guides were friendly and interesting, though obvious not as well versed in the information. Or possibly just not accomplished public speakers. Perhaps because they were city employees, and they don't do tours very often. Nonetheless, they were very able to answer questions well. The cost for a guided tour of the Pump House and a trolley tour of the city was only $5. I thought it was well worth the money. This is a museum and tour I...

If it was for the structure and surrounding area alone, I would love to give it more stars. However, the ladies at the visitor center were cold and mild. They offered zero insight on the place and that's such a shame. There aren't very many spots like this in the RGV and their lackluster attitude has no place in this historical spot. They lacked people skills and did not seem too approachable at all. It is free so that's cool, but I'd rather pay and get a some insight. The pumphouse is beautiful, but they seem to use it as storage for holiday stuff and oddities and it ruins the back in time experience. Again it is free but I'd rather pay if that means they could store the junk elsewhere. Might do some research to see who I can contact regading...