Cruising on 10th Street...

Photo from the Internet

What We Lost and Cannot Recover!!!!

In McAllen, Texas cruising down 10th Street was a popular activity, which made it so popular in the 1980ths -90ths.

Let me start off in what made cruising on 10th Street so appealing? Many kids eagerly looked forward to the weekend to spend time with friends and to hopefully meet people from various places.

In this story, I aim to revisit some places we once had but have now lost, which exist only as memories for the current generation X - kids.

Although Generation X kids enjoyed a vibrant time in their era, today's kids will never experience the same fun. 10ths Street became the go-to hangout spot, where car clubs showcased their vehicles to the public.

Photo from the Internet 10th street in the 1980

The aroma of warm engines, the roar of exhausts, and the shine of polished chrome are just some of the elements associated with a cruise-in car show. These beloved gatherings have been integral to American culture for many years, consistently attracting enthusiasts nationwide.

The 10th Street Cruise was a venue where car enthusiasts gathered by driving their vehicles to a specific location and parking them for display.

People all over the RGV came to 10th street just to cruise and to enjoy its fun activities.

During that time, some car clubs included Explicit Effects, Ultimate Looks, United Cities, and Del Valle where the popular car clubs around. What happened to these car clubs that so many people enjoyed?

Photo from the Internet

We didn't just lose car clubs; we also lost a well-known burger joint called Rallys Burgers, which was incredibly popular in its day.

People would gather outside the buildings, and as everyone socialized, they would buy food, which greatly benefited the city's economy.

This type of gathering was beneficial because it encouraged kids to socialize with others, learn from life experiences, and perhaps fall in love for the first time.

According to my source Michale Ramirez a resident from Alamo Tx, during a night of cursing, he realized that his dad had left the old modern cell phone in his car.

Photo from the internet

These were the early cell phones, similar to the one Zac Morris used in the show "Saved by the Bell" when they first came out.

According to Michale Ramirez, he would pretend to be on the phone to capture girls' attention, and he mentioned that it worked exceptionally well.

Michale would shout out to the girls, requesting their phone numbers while the girls were walking, and they would turn and they would shout out their phone number to them. What amused me was that he claimed his phone wasn't even connected. He used it simply as a means to attract the attention of females, and according to Michael, it worked like a charm.

Photo from the internet

According to another source, Sandra Vela, who lives in Alamo, recalled that during her high school years, she occasionally visited 10th Street with her friends. However, not all of them were as fortunate as she was. Sandra's mother allowed her the freedom to hang out wherever she wanted, a luxury not a lot of people had.

One weekend, as Sandra and her friends were preparing to leave, Sandra was waiting for

her friend to arrive. Sandra noticed that her friend hadn't shown up, so she called to ask if she was ready. Her friend confirmed she was, prompting Sandra telling her to hurry. Consequently, Sandra's friend climbed out the window to head to 10th Street and join the crowd.

In that era, times were different, and these girls didn't worry about getting home unsafely. They met many guys from different cities, which led them having some of the best memories ever.

Before these girls went cruising on 10th Street, they would stop by another location that no longer exists. The Central Mall was also a popular hangout spot in the 1990s. Thus, when the city of McAllen put an end to the cursing gatherings, it negatively impacted businesses and the local economy in some cities.

It would be wonderful if moments like these could come back, allowing the cities to find a way for people to gather and enhance business opportunities. If the city could establish rules that prohibit fighting and guns, encouraging people to simply hang out like in the 10th Street days. Many people from PSJA created countless memories and many met their future spouses.

Photo from the internet. When the movies were a dollar. El Central Mall

Similar to 10th Street, the movies at El Central Mall were the go-to spot on weekends.

Movies were only a dollar; everyone could afford even that. However, when the city closed 10th Street, it significantly affected the Central Mall, leading many people to stop going to it.

The central mall has been transformed into a remodeled business that serves as a hangout spot for kids. It now features an arcade called the Main Event.

The time of cursing is over, yet it has created many cherished memories for those who experienced it. Young people will always find places to gather, but it's important to remember that it's the city managers who ultimately contribute if our local businesses sometimes fail. So, before attempting to stop whatever activities the kids are involved in today, consider the economic impact and the business the city might lose.

Picture the resurgence of the cruising site, where people gather in specific locations, potentially boosting business sales. Cruising isn't inherently always negative; it's about heading in the direction one wishes. If it were to return, ideally, all cities could establish some regulations for people to follow. It would be a win - win situation for business and the city's economy.

Story By Britney J Torres