In 1951, a Texas town of 400 escaped a dam; 75 years later, a 90-year-old fights a border wall
Residents of the historic Texas border town of San Ygnacio are resisting the construction of a border wall, citing potential damage to their properties and the local river ecosystem. This follows a historical precedent where the town successfully fought off a federal dam project in 1951.
Why it matters
The struggle highlights the ongoing tension between federal infrastructure projects and the preservation of historic, border-adjacent communities.
Currently, there’s a battle going on in a small Texas town along the US-Mexico border. Now this particular land battle has also brought a forgotten chapter of history back to life. In 1951, residents of San Ygnacio successfully persuaded the US government to spare their community from condemnation for a federal dam project. But nearly 75 years later, the town is once again resisting a major government development; this time a proposed border wall that residents fear could damage their properties and harm the river ecosystem.At the centre of the latest struggle is Joel Ruiz, a 90-year-old landowner who has spent decades living beside the Rio Grande. He also runs a small fishing business.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in