ABOUT VILLA De CORTEZ

The Villa de Cortez is a Texas registered historic landmark located in Weslaco, Tx. Formerly known as The Cortez Hotel, its doors first opened in 1928 as one of the Valley’s Finest Hotels. An elegant landmark in the 30’s and 40’s, the Cortez offered all the “modern” conveniences of that era; a telegraph office, post office, coffee shop, barber & beauty shops and a beautiful ballroom for entertainment, celebrations and various events. The attractive four-story structure of Spanish design had seventy-five guest rooms encompassing a beautiful South Texas courtyard.

The history of the hotel has long been interwoven with the social and business activities of Weslaco. Marriages, proms and many special events were celebrated here and created everlasting memories! After many years of social use, the Cortez ended its glory and sadly became a depilated building.

However, in 1998, the new and improved Villa de Cortez was completely renovated and opened its doors, once again, to reflect its distinguished architecture and to serve the Valley as a premier social establishment. The second floor has been created with an atmosphere of an old Spanish Villa. You enter through a graceful cantera arch with a wrought iron gate. The Villa has its own unique wine cellar, cantina, library, living room, grotto and a beautiful “must-see” crystal ballroom. The elegant ballroom with its spacious original wooden dance floor is ornately decorated with two sparkling crystal chandeliers. The building is now home to two restaurants, boutiques, a barbershop, photographer and many office suites dedicated to local businesses in the community.

We, at the Villa de Cortez, look forward to helping you coordinate your social event and making new memories! You must come visit to enjoy the beauty of this historic landmark!

ABOUT WESLACO

Often called "The Magic Valley" because of its tropical climate and rich soil, the Lower Rio Grande Valley is a fertile agricultural region known for its cultivation of citrus, sugar cane, cotton, and a variety of vegetables. In the heart of the Valley is Weslaco, a typical Valley town that serves as market, business, social, religious, and educational center for a broad Hispanic/Anglo population.

The town was named Weslaco, an acronym for W.E. Stewart Land Company. Early settlers came as a result of excursion parties brought from Chicago, Kansas City and the Midwest. These settlers converted wild brush land into thriving agricultural land irrigated by pump stations and canal systems.

Couch and Reeves auctioned lots of homes and businesses. Soon a park, a bank and a post office appeared, followed by more stores, a movie theater, churches, government buildings and schools. By the late 1920’s, Weslaco stretched north and south along Texas Boulevard, from the railroad track and the dirt road now known as Business US 83.

In 1928, architect R. Newell Waters designed the Weslaco City Hall, which included an attached fire station. Waters specialized in design elements from Spanish architecture and drawing on the area’s history of Spanish settlement, he incorporated those elements into the homes and public buildings throughout the Mid-Valley. The City Hall and Fire Station remain in use today. Another important structure designed with this style was the Cortez Hotel, also known as Villa de Cortez, as well as the Bugambilias Marketplace, which originally housed a chiropractor and a service station.

Drive down Texas Boulevard on any given day and you will see a city revitalized and restored, seamlessly blending the present with the splendor of days gone by! Today, Weslaco’s Main Street offers much to city dwellers and travelers alike. Come to Weslaco and discover a village of shops, restaurants and specialty stores! For other exciting Weslaco attractions, visit the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce.