Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Time is running out for the historic San Juan Hotel. Abandoned for nearly 30 years, this iconic building now sits at a crossroads as the surrounding city continues to grow and change. In this film, we explore the hotel as it stands today, uncover recent developments that could determine its future, and examine what it would take to bring it back to life. Along the way, we dive deep into its history to understand why this place mattered... and why it still could.
EMAIL hchc@co.hidalgo.tx.us if you are interested or have any questions!
Produced by: Prairie Nation Creative, LLC & Hidalgo County Historical Commission
Directed By: Michael Schwarz & Emily Cowan
Edited By: Michael Schwarz
Assistant Editor: Joel Anderson & Daniel Wingfield
Concept Art: Prairie Nation Creative, LLC
DOE Research By: Emily Cowan & Gabriel Ozuna
Documentary Tour Guide: Michael Schwarz
Interview Participants:
Gabriel Ozuna - Chairman / Hidalgo County Historical Commission
Jennifer Sandy - Senior Director of Preservation Programs / @savingplaces
Claudia Espinosa - Project Reviewer / Texas Historical Commission
Valerie Magolan - Historic Tax Credit Program Coordinator
Jesus Najar - Architectural Programs Manager / @preservationtexas1985
Dr. Francisco Guajardo - Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of South Texas History
Prof. Roseann Bacha-Garza - Anthropology Department / University of Texas RGV @utrgvchaps5061
Virginia Haynie Gause - Former Member Hidalgo County Historical Commission
Lorri Marchant - Great-Niece of Glenn and Mary Sigle
Newspapers - The Monitor @monitornews
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:23 - San Juan Hotel is at Risk
2:43 - The 3rd Option
3:32 - Examples around the US
4:32 - A Team Behind You
4:47 - Nationally Endangered
5:55 - Structural Report
6:26 - Asbestos
7:17 - Historic Tax Credits / DOE Donation
9:34 - Potential Uses / Concept Restoration Photos
11:07 - City's Plan / Tourism Numbers
12:05 - Why this place Matters / History
12:49 - Magic Valley
13:10 - John Closner
14:55 - The Irrigation Marketing Scheme
16:16 - The First San Juan Hotel
16:40 - The Reiley Hotel
17:49 - San Juan's Glow-up
18:19 - 1933 Hurricane Disaster
18:47 - Anderson Ownership
19:09 - Edna Nelson
19:31 - Our Lady of San Juan de Valle
21:30 - Tom Mayfield
23:08 - Decline / Fires
23:49 - 1st Abandonment
24:35 - Sigle Restoration (1981)
26:28 - Texas Historic Landmark
27:17 - The Glory Years
27:47 - 2nd Decline & Abandonment
28:48 - Who Will Take On Next Chapter?
Find the websites and socials of all 6 states here: AbandonedAtlas.com/links
Feature Documentary on a really cool abandoned hotel!
amazon.com/Forever-Majestic-Caitlen-Taylor/dp/B09VB6R4J7
Sponsor a future episode of Abandoned Atlas!
abandonedatlas.com/sponsor-aaf
Video Produced by: Prairie Nation Creative - prairie-creative.com
Want to support the Abandoned Atlas Foundation? Think about donating to our cause or buying a book as a different form of donating! Our shop is equipped to accept all major credit cards, Afterpay, Cash App, Venmo, and Paypal.
Shop Our Books - AbandonedAtlas.com/shop
Donate to our Cause!
Venmo - @AbandonedAtlas
Cash App - $AbandonedAtlas
Paypal - paypal.com/donate/?token=ovemMoyczre9Oailu8_IMrDXPf8rOergEEnJOhyoJfQ8PN_8aQUEQS0rsQc79EIBHKhzCGBhSXe0lIAS&locale.x=US
Time is running out for the historic San Juan Hotel. Abandoned for nearly 30 years, this iconic building now sits at a crossroads as the surrounding city continues to grow and change. In this film, we explore the hotel as it stands today, uncover recent developments that could determine its future, and examine what it would take to bring it back to life. Along the way, we dive deep into its history to understand why this place mattered... and why it still could.
EMAIL hchc@co.hidalgo.tx.us if you are interested or have any questions!
Produced by: Prairie Nation Creative, LLC & Hidalgo County Historical Commission
Directed By: Michael Schwarz & Emily Cowan
Edited By: Michael Schwarz
Assistant Editor: Joel Anderson & Daniel Wingfield
Concept Art: Prairie Nation Creative, LLC
DOE Research By: Emily Cowan & Gabriel Ozuna
Documentary Tour Guide: Michael Schwarz
Interview Participants:
Gabriel Ozuna - Chairman / Hidalgo County Historical Commission
Jennifer Sandy - Senior Director of Preservation Programs / @savingplaces
Claudia Espinosa - Project Reviewer / Texas Historical Commission
Valerie Magolan - Historic Tax Credit Program Coordinator
Jesus Najar - Architectural Programs Manager / @preservationtexas1985
Dr. Francisco Guajardo - Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of South Texas History
Prof. Roseann Bacha-Garza - Anthropology Department / University of Texas RGV @utrgvchaps5061
Virginia Haynie Gause - Former Member Hidalgo County Historical Commission
Lorri Marchant - Great-Niece of Glenn and Mary Sigle
Newspapers - The Monitor @monitornews
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:23 - San Juan Hotel is at Risk
2:43 - The 3rd Option
3:32 - Examples around the US
4:32 - A Team Behind You
4:47 - Nationally Endangered
5:55 - Structural Report
6:26 - Asbestos
7:17 - Historic Tax Credits / DOE Donation
9:34 - Potential Uses / Concept Restoration Photos
11:07 - City's Plan / Tourism Numbers
12:05 - Why this place Matters / History
12:49 - Magic Valley
13:10 - John Closner
14:55 - The Irrigation Marketing Scheme
16:16 - The First San Juan Hotel
16:40 - The Reiley Hotel
17:49 - San Juan's Glow-up
18:19 - 1933 Hurricane Disaster
18:47 - Anderson Ownership
19:09 - Edna Nelson
19:31 - Our Lady of San Juan de Valle
21:30 - Tom Mayfield
23:08 - Decline / Fires
23:49 - 1st Abandonment
24:35 - Sigle Restoration (1981)
26:28 - Texas Historic Landmark
27:17 - The Glory Years
27:47 - 2nd Decline & Abandonment
28:48 - Who Will Take On Next Chapter?
Find the websites and socials of all 6 states here: AbandonedAtlas.com/links
Feature Documentary on a really cool abandoned hotel!
amazon.com/Forever-Majestic-Caitlen-Taylor/dp/B09VB6R4J7
Sponsor a future episode of Abandoned Atlas!
abandonedatlas.com/sponsor-aaf
Video Produced by: Prairie Nation Creative - prairie-creative.com
Want to support the Abandoned Atlas Foundation? Think about donating to our cause or buying a book as a different form of donating! Our shop is equipped to accept all major credit cards, Afterpay, Cash App, Venmo, and Paypal.
Shop Our Books - AbandonedAtlas.com/shop
Donate to our Cause!
Venmo - @AbandonedAtlas
Cash App - $AbandonedAtlas
Paypal - paypal.com/donate/?token=ovemMoyczre9Oailu8_IMrDXPf8rOergEEnJOhyoJfQ8PN_8aQUEQS0rsQc79EIBHKhzCGBhSXe0lIAS&locale.x=US
