On October 25, 1975, on the television show Hee Haw, Freddy Fender saluted his hometown of San Benito, population 15,177.

San Benito was at first named "Diaz" in honor of Porfirio Díaz, President of Mexico at that time.

Some time later, when the town site was surveyed, the name was changed to "San Benito" in honor of Benjamin Hicks.

The name was suggested by Rafael Moreno, the popular 90-year-old camp cook of the surveying party.

Moreno suggested the name "San Benito" for his beloved "Saint Benjamin" Hicks.

San Benito was a village with a moderate number of homes, businesses, churches, and public schools several years before the town was incorporated in 1911.

On the night he was born, the city of San Benito was having a celebration in honor of its new name.

In 1927, the city adopted a commission form of government operating under a home rule charter.

As a result of the availability of irrigation water, San Benito and all of the Lower Rio Grande Valley cities came to serve a newly developing agricultural territory.

The mild winter climate in this southmost section of Texas has played a dominant role in the growth of San Benito and the other cities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

The city has become a hotspot for winter tourists and retired people, providing a substantial percentage of the buying power of this community.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, dry summers and generally warm winters.

The United States Postal Service operates the San Benito Post Office.

South Texas Academy of Medical Technology (Med Tech) is located in San Benito.