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Welcome Home WINTER TEXAN • • • November 3, 2021
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We’re just connecting the dots.
VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 4 • November 3, 2021 • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley • • •
hello FROM KRISTI
The
question everyone asks me is, “When are the Winter Texans coming?” I find that so funny that people don’t realize the season ‘officially’ starts November 1. but our Winter Texans start trickling down as early as September. And some never leave!
Delta Lake Hotel was built in the early 20th century, next to the banks of Delta Lake and north of Monte Alto on Farm to Market Road 88.
Delta Lake Hotel was known as the “Jewel of the Delta” in its heyday.
I guess I’ve immersed myself in the winter world, and I have to say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. Sharing your stories, your accomplishments, and a whole lot of good times has kept all of us at Welcome Home RGV young at heart. I’ll admit that even though we’re younger than most of our Winter Texan friends, most of you can still run circles around us! This is my favorite time of the season, as we begin to see faces we haven’t seen in a while. This year, especially, because for some it’s been more than just the summer months since you’ve been gone. As you trickle back into the Rio Grande Valley, know you’ve been missed! We can’t wait to see you out and about this season. • We’re just connecting the dots,
Kristi
THANK YOU TO OUR
2021-2022
SEASON SPONSORS
Story and photos by Eryn Reddell Wingert
The corridors of the Delta Lake Hotel overlooked a vast brushland.
The former ballroom of the former Delta Lake Hotel.
S
he’s a stoic old gal, standing tall, interest, and when a ‘for sale’ looming on the outside, shattered, sign appeared on the property, she broken on the inside. jumped at the chance to buy it. Like most of us, she has experienced The Delta Lake Hotel, as she glory days and scar-forming tragedy. is most commonly known, has Her scars are just more visible and reinvented herself time and apparent. But time again, light shines playing host “It’s like me; through. The I’m a little rough around the edges, to investors, ruins of the flappers, but I’m a survivor, and so is this.” bootleggers-Delta Lake Hotel have like Al Capone, • Doris Taylor • found a friend, farmworkers, a self-appointed caretaker named socialites, military, and even the Doris Taylor. sick and aging. The fire-ravaged building sits on Her story began in 1928, when Texas Farm to Market Road 88, thousands of laborers were hired north of Monte Alto. Doris and her by landowner W.A. Harding to clear husband, Rich, often cruised FM 88 land and build a mansion. Harding back when they rode motorcycles. CARETAKER OF DELTA LAKE HOTEL The old hotel sparked Taylor’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 >>