Highway, US 83, runs north and south from North Dakota’s border with Canada, where it connects with the Manitoba Hwy 83, and winds itself south to Laredo, Texas and then follows the Rio Grande River to the coast at Brownsville.
Down here in the Texas Rio Grande Valley area, it is the major route along the Mexican border. From Mission, just west of McAllen, to Harlingen, there is an expressway that bypasses most of the small towns. Business 83 is a little more interesting.
The small border towns along US 83 are all a little different but they generally have one thing in common, low income. Median annual household incomes range from about $15,000 to $25,000. Nearly half are below the poverty level.
San Juan, Texas is a town just east of McAllen along Bus. US 83. They are at the high end of the small town incomes with a median household income of $22.700. It appears that most commerce in the area is related to the process of citrus and produce.
Palm trees line Bus 83 between the road and the railroad.
I’m sure that the San Juan Hotel was once a marvelous place to stay, but it is now an unused historical site. Maybe the mice enjoy it.
At the other end of the spectrum, San Juan is home to the largest church in the RGV, the Basilica Our Lady of San Juan del Valle.
If you’re not in a hurry, our recommendation would be to take the scenic route down business US 83. Many areas remind us of Rt. 66.