Spiderweb Railroad

Col. Sam A. Robertson, who founded the town of San Benito in 1907, promoted and built the San Benito & Rio Grande Valley Railway. It was designed to provide a more accessible and efficient transportation system for the shipping of area farm products. Because of the railroad's intricate network of lines and spurs, it was commonly known as the Spiderweb Railroad. The first phase of the rail line were begun in 1911 under the supervision of Col. Robertson's brother Frank S. Robertson. Construction of the feeder rail lines brought trackside loading facilities to the remote farming areas of the valley and assured the continuing development of brushland into irrigated farms. Trains carrying freight and passengers were soon making two round trips daily over routes that eventually stretched 128 miles. For many years the Spiderweb remained essential to the valley's development as one of the leading agricultural regions of the nation. Traffic on the line declined, however, because of improved roads, motor transportation and more centralized loading facilities. Today the history of the line serves as a reminder of the pioneer farmers and businessmen who were instrumental in the area's early growth.

Spiderweb Railroad is a historical marker in San Benito, Cameron County, dedicated in 1982. It is one of 116 historical markers documented in Cameron County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 194 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 26.1385, -97.6264 near San Benito. The nearest cataloged historic site is First Presbyterian Church of San Benito (historical marker), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Robertson, Col. Sam, Home of, San Benito Post Office, and Purvis, Albanus Clemens.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5061005010. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.