Frank Rabb

Rabb's offer failed, but the grove outlived him. In January 1917 he proposed giving 200 acres of his sabal palm forest as a park, and no government accepted. To win support he gave the Texas photographer Robert Runyon access to the trees, and Runyon's pictures are now at the University of Texas. As one of the "Immortal Forty" Texas delegates in 1912, Rabb helped nominate Woodrow Wilson, who named him customs collector for Brazos de Santiago, confirmed September 2, 1913, over Mexican President Huerta's objection. His ranch house is now the sanctuary headquarters.

What the plaque says

Frank Rabb Frank Rabb (1866-1932) was born in Corpus Christi to Texas ranching pioneers John and Martha Rabb. After marrying Lillian Starck, granddaughter of ranching neighbor Mifflin Kenedy, Frank and Lillian settled at San Tomas on 20,000 acres. Except for a few small plots, agriculture in the area was scarce until the late 19th century when the introduction of steam pumps and irrigation systems offset the harsh climate. Rabb worked to develop one of the first irrigation systems in the area that allowed for property to be farmed and irrigated in areas away from immediate river banks. Rabb was also a charter member of the Chatfield Irrigation Co., an early attempt at wide-spread irrigation. In addition, Rabb and other growers lobbied vigorously to have rail lines extended to their region to transport goods and export produce. By 1904, with the coming of the railroad, irrigation canals and farmland sales became a major enterprise. In addition to agriculture, Rabb also became a leader in the south Texas Progressive Democrat machine and was involved in the turbulent Mexican Revolution. Following the heated election of 1914, Rabb left politics and returned to ranching, farming and real estate interests. In 1917, Rabb offered a 200-acre sabal palm grove to the U.S. government to establish a national park. It would take almost 60 years before his vision to preserve this unique natural heritage of the Rio Grande delta came to fruition. Frank Rabb was instrumental in initiating a significant change that made large-scale agriculture in this region possible. He is remembered for his involvement in conflicts and politics of the early 20th century in south Texas and in Mexico. (2012)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Stillman House Museum — 5.9 mi
  The 1850 Greek Revival house of Charles Stillman, who laid out Brownsville in 1848 beside the army's Fort Brown, and for a century the home of the Treviño family.
• Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park — 11 mi
  A flat coastal prairie north of Brownsville where Taylor's army and Arista's Army of the North fought the first major battle of the Mexican War on May 8, 1846, now interpreted from both sides.
• Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site — 20 mi
  A 72-foot brick tower finished in 1852 for the Brazos Santiago shipping lane, dark from 1905 until a reproduction lens was lit in 2022, and the only Texas lighthouse open to the public.

More markers nearby

• Pan American Airways Blind Flying School — 3.8 mi
• Fort Brown, Texas — 5.3 mi
• Fort Brown Reservation — 5.7 mi
• Fort Brown — 5.8 mi