BALLI LEGACY

At the time of her death in 1803, Rosa Maria Hinojosa de Balli was the most powerful person residing in the Rio Grande Valley. She owned more than 650,000 acres, the land inherited from the passing of her father and her husband.

Though she resided in Reynosa, she established her ranch headquarters in the La Feria area. She gave birth to three sons, one an eventual priest who bequeathed his calling in the naming of Padre Island.

"Dona Rosa exercised unquestioned authority over the area," write Teresa Palomo Acosta and Ruth Winegarten in their book entitled Las Tejanas--300 years of History. "

"She was the godmother of many children baptized at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Viejo Reynosa. She also built a family chapel and donated funds for churches in three Mexican cities. Neighboring ranchers kept their valuables and papers in her strong box, sought her advice and borrowed her farming tools. Although the ranching empire declined after her death, her memory was cherished because of her wealth, generosity and piety."