In 1907 John J. Conway and James W. Hoit began the Mission Canal Co. Irrigation system, which was instrumental in the early agricultural growth of the area.

The boilers began operation in 1907 and the lift station started to pump water from the Rio Grande.

Wood was used in units of 2 to 3 cords (7 to 11 m³) and a crew of 26 men with teams of mules worked around the clock to keep the boilers fed.

The plant was later operated by John H. Shary and by Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement Districts No.

The property was developed for recreational use after dams and a new pumping plant were built upstream in the late 1950s.