In 1936 McAllen  became the  first city  in the  world  to  deliver mail  across an  International border  by rocket. The project soon came to a halt when  rockets started  to crash in the streets of Reynosa;, however, of over 1500 pieces  of mail which were sent in this manner 952  made it  across the  Rio Grande intact.

 Today McAllen is one  of the  most important  Gateway Cities  to Mexico and ranks among the top ten of the  fastest growing  areas in the United  States with  it's reputation  of eternal  springtime, easy living and tons of entertainment. Called the "City of Palms", McAllen not  only attracts  foreign businesses  and retirees  who spend the winter here, but also tourists from  the northern  part of the United States and Canada who make McAllen their last  stop before entering Mexico. However, McAllen is not only a Gateway city to Mexico but also a very popular destination for  Tour groups  from both sides of the border who continuously come to  visit the many interesting sites the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.