In 1951, a Texas town of 400 escaped a dam; 75 years later, a 90-year-old fights a border wall

Currently, there’s a battle going on in a small Texas town along the US-Mexico border. Now this particular land battle has also brought a forgotten chapter of history back to life.

In 1951, residents of San Ygnacio successfully persuaded the US government to spare their community from condemnation for a federal dam project. But nearly 75 years later, the town is once again resisting a major government development; this time a proposed border wall that residents fear could damage their properties and harm the river ecosystem.

At the centre of the latest struggle is Joel Ruiz, a 90-year-old landowner who has spent decades living beside the Rio Grande. He also runs a small fishing business. As per reports, Ruiz, along with other residents have managed to temporarily put a break on construction after confronting contractors, examining historical property records and pursuing legal action. However, this pause is not backed by a court order.

San Ygnacio might be a small town but it comes with a remarkable history. Founded in 1830, it is among the oldest communities in Zapata County, southern Texas. Situated along the Rio Grande, across from Mexico, the town is known for its historic sandstone houses, traditional architecture and long connection with the border region. The Texas State Historical Association records that San Ygnacio was once a centre of trade and retains a distinctive collection of 19th-century sandstone buildings. Its historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

According to the Texas State Historical Association, in the early 1950s, plans for the Falcon Dam and its reservoir threatened to submerge settlements along the river. San Ygnacio was also among them. In April 1951, hundreds of residents petitioned the government to exclude their land from condemnation proceedings. Their argument was that the town stood high enough above the reservoir's projected maximum water level to remain safe from flooding. The petition succeeded, and San Ygnacio was spared from the planned acquisition. The victory became an important part of the town's history. Now, residents are drawing on those same records and challenging another federal project.

The latest dispute concerns the US government's renewed border-wall expansion under President Donald Trump. The programme includes steel barriers and supporting border-security infrastructure intended to strengthen control along the US-Mexico border.

In San Ygnacio, construction activity has raised questions about whether the government and its contractors have the necessary rights to work on this particular land as it is privately owned. The heavy machinery cleared vegetation and damaged parts of Ruiz's riverfront property. Residents also reported that construction affected trees and an irrigation line, while a steel barrier obstructed access to his boat ramp. The fishing business he had operated for years was also disrupted.

The disagreement centres on land ownership. Federal authorities have maintained that construction is taking place on government-controlled land, while residents point to property records that they say establish their ownership of the disputed areas. Texas Public Radio reported in June 2026 that landowners questioned why clearing work had begun before they had signed right-of-entry agreements or the government had completed condemnation proceedings.

For San Ygnacio's residents, the concern extends to the river. The Rio Grande is the town's sole source of drinking water, making the riverfront's future particularly important for those living there.

Also, the proposed construction has also affected the area around the San Ygnacio Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary. Ruiz helped establish the sanctuary in 1973, and residents fear that the loss of vegetation and changes to the riverfront could damage the habitat they have spent decades protecting.

As per reports, the Department of Homeland Security waived several federal environmental laws to accelerate border infrastructure construction. Residents and environmental advocates argue that proceeding without the usual safeguards could have lasting consequences for the river and surrounding land.

Architectural conservator Frank “Chip” Briscoe and attorney Ricardo de Anda examined property records linked to the earlier Falcon Dam dispute and found no evidence that the government had subsequently acquired the land excluded from the original condemnation.

De Anda filed lawsuits alleging that the government had taken private property in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution. Following discussions involving local officials, contractors and federal representatives, construction on the disputed land was halted temporarily.

San Ygnacio has secured a temporary breather for now rather than a definitive victory. Whether its residents can once again persuade the government to respect their claims remains uncertain.