Official Name: Sharyland Independent School District Motto:
“Commitment, Cooperation and Communication” Colors: Red and
White Communities Served: Sharyland, Mission, Alton, Palmhust,
Edinburg, and McAllen Brief History: Sharyland is a large
community in the Lower Rio Grande Valley situated between the
cities of Mission and McAllen. Before the 19th century, the area
where Sharyland now stands was sparsely populated with ranching
families, most of Mexican descent. However, by the late
19thcentury and early 20thcentury “Anglo” land developers took
an interest in many of the lands along the Rio Grande. One such
developer was John H. Shary, a native of Nebraska who visited
the Rio Grande Valley in 1912. Shary saw the potential for
farming and citrus production and within a short time purchased
thousands of acres of land which he named Sharyland. Sharyland
attracted farmers from the North and Midwest and became known
for its citrus production. Sharyland was also John Shary’s home
until his death in 1945. Sharyland