Discover Orange Grove: Railway History and Festivals

If you are planning a stay in Orange Grove, local history and event dates offer two distinct areas of focus. The development during the railway era, the settlement of German families, and the naming that referred to the citrus industry of the Lower Rio Grande Valley shape the historical side. The May Feast, Orange Grove Pioneer Days, and an annual barbecue dinner hosted by the Altar Society add a look at local traditions.

Orange Grove in the Railway Era

Orange Grove’s development during the railway era began in March 1889, when the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway reached the area. The Reynolds family donated 51 acres of land to persuade the railway to build a stopping point on the ranch. In 1908, Fennell Dibrell and Max Starcke subdivided 2,500 acres from the Ventana Ranch and Miller’s ranch for the town’s development. The dates provide a timeline: the railway reached the area in 1889; land was subdivided later for the town’s development.

A large portion of the land was sold to German settlers from other Texas cities with German heritage. With the name Orange Grove, the developers sought to recall the booming and profitable citrus industry in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The town’s early history thus combines land development and settlement with a name that referenced a regional economic sector.

Early Institutions and Community Life

The early institutions can also be placed in context. The Orange Grove post office opened in 1909; L. W. Mumme established the first store that same year. First Evangelical Lutheran Church was established in 1910–1912, as Lutheran families settled in and around the new community. St. John of the Cross Catholic Church had parish status by 1925. Thus, the town’s early history includes commerce and church community life as well as railways and land development.

Festivals and Travel Planning

The May Feast began in the 1930s at the Orange Grove Rifle Club, founded in 1911. One edition of Orange Grove Pioneer Days included live music, a cooking contest, and food; arts and crafts vendors were planned for a particular Saturday edition. These program details apply to individual editions, and the program may vary from year to year. Another recurring date is the annual barbecue dinner hosted by the Altar Society of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church. It takes place on the second Sunday in November and funds the Society’s work. Confirm the date before your trip.

The Lipantitlán State Historic Site is nearby, east of Orange Grove.

Discover more destinations: Alice

Return to the main travel overview: Jim Wells.