Chimney Park RV Resort On The Rio Grande, Mission, TX - Passport America Participating Park

"Gem of a South Texas RV Park That is Lively and Fun And Right On The River"

 

On the banks of the Rio Grande river, Chimney Park is an age qualified (55+) Senior Citizen community in Mission, Texas. It's a lush oasis with palm trees and abundant natural vegetation that is very popular among winter Texans and retirees looking for both a beautiful natural setting and an active senior community.

Chimney RV Resort History

The chimney after which the park is named is recognized by the Texas Historical Commission and became A Rio Grande Valley historical landmark in 1985.

The land Chimney Park RV Resort is on was originally owned by the Primitive Polardos, the first settlement of the Nuevo Santerders Colony. The land between the Nuecus and Rio Grande Rivers formed a part of this settlement.  The Spanish Viceroy granted “porcion” #55 to Jose Antonia Cantu.  In 1767, Mr. Cantu sold the land to the Cavazos Sisters. In 1774 the Cavazos’ attorney sold this land to Rene’ Guyard for the  sum of $400.  By 1861 Mr. Guyard died and willed all of this land in procions #55 and #57 to Father Paresot and Father Pedro and the Oblate Missionaries. The Little La Lomita mission was established on the property and is still standing. The Fathers willed the land to the Mission Society of the Oblate of Fathers of Texas. The land was filed in the courthouse on October, 1875.

 

In 1904 James Holt of Minneapolis had an interest in South Texas to expand an agricultural empire.  Holt, Conway and Welcome came south to look over the land and purchased the land near the Rio Grande River. In August of 1907  the area started its first lift station.  They used wood in units of 2-3 cords.  A crew of 26 men with teams of mules was kept busy day and night to keep the boilers going.

The brick for the chimney was made by hand in a plant near Madero, a small town nearby.  The building was completed by laborers working for 40 cents a day. Many of them lived in shacks on the property.

A brick layer from New York was hired for the “sure enough pump” as the natives called it.  The chimney is 106 feet tall and is 6 feet in diameter.  At the top is a double row of blocks that form a design. There is some mystery as to why the top was never completed, but whatever the reason the design was never finished, the boilers began operation in 1907 and the lift station started to pump life giving water from the Rio Grande.

In 1913 the Bankers Trust Company took receivership from Conway and Holt. John Shary bought the area in 1914. He used the station for irrigation until the 1952-53 droughts. Soon after, the Falcon and Anzalduas Dams were built and the pump was no longer needed.

Chimney Park was opened in the early 1960′s as a fishing camp with no amenities, but lots of rustic charm. Since then it has undergone extensive renovations and is now a highly rated RV resort yet it still retains that rustic charm and beauty that drew people to this location over 100 years ago.

Chimney Park has excellent amenities and is one of the top rated parks in the Rio Grande Valley.

Chimney Park retains that rustic charm and beauty that drew people to this location over 100 years ago.

Park Highlights: 273 total RV sites, can accommodate RV’s up to 45ft, 30/50 amp, back-ins, Wi-Fi, dump station, full hookups, restrooms, showers, handicap accessible, heated pool, hot tub, ice, phone, picnic tables, pool table, shuffleboard, fishing, boat ramp, boating, canoeing, chapel service, nature watching. 

Park Events: This is an active senior (55+) community. This is just a sample of fun things to do when you are here at Chimney Park RV Resort on the Rio Grande Valley. Resort activities include: bingo, potlucks, flea market, ice cream socials, card games, variety shows, church services, Red Hat Society, jam sessions, dance parties, Thanksgiving party, New Years Eve party, sightseeing, river boat rides and bird watching.

Chimney Park is an active senior community with many fun things to do.

Area Attractions:

Nearby amenities, activities and things to do and see in Mission, Texas:

-Tours

-Sightseeing on the Rio Grande

-Lively Riverside Restaurants

-Pepe’s on the River

-Riverside Club

-Golf – there are many excellent golf courses nearby including   

-Shopping

-Mexico

-Chimney Park is in Butterfly Country! We are less than one mile from the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Butterfly Park. 

-South Padre Island and much more!   

Regular Rate $41, Passport America Member Rate: $20.50

Notes: All ages are welcome for short term stays. Longer stays (over 2 weeks) are 55+ only. PA is valid year-round. From Jan thru March, PA is valid for 3 nights. Reservations and drive-ups welcome. PA not valid on premium sites. Credit cards accepted. Pets welcome. *Rates are for 2 people. $2 for each add’l person per day.