The General Services Administration is currently implementing a multi-year facility upgrade that will dramatically change the appearance and throughput of the border crossing.

The area grew substantially when irrigation converted the barren Imperial Valley into fertile agricultural land.

Irrigation happened as a direct result of a huge flood (combined with topsoil) in 1906 when the Colorado River burst its channel due to the California Development Company's poor engineering.

It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1992, and remains today as US government office space.

In 1974, a new port of entry was built two blocks to the west, adjacent to the international rail crossing.