Rhodes History
Vernon Calhoun Packing Co., A Butcher.
Vernon Calhoun (the grandfather of one of our Founders), starts Vernon Calhoun Packing Co., a butcher stand in Palestine, Texas that will grow from a one-man stand into one of the largest family-owned packing plants in the country.
![Vernon Calhoun Packing Co., A Butcher](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-01-1024x768.jpg)
Join Vernon Calhoun Packing Co.
Co-Founder Mike Rhodes joins Vernon Calhoun Packing Co. as Plant Manager. Founders Mike and Lori will later purchase 50% ownership of the business.
![Join Vernon Calhoun Packing Co](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-02-1024x768.jpg)
Vernon Calhoun Packing Co. is sold to lowa Beef Processors.
![Vernon Calhoun Packing Co. is sold to lowa Beef Processors](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-03.jpg)
Vernon Calhoun Packing Co. is sold to Iowa Beef Processors. Mike and Lori use the proceeds to purchase 10,000 acres of farmland in Hidalgo County. The land served as a leased farm investment until the early 2000s.
![Rhodes Enterprises is established](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-04.jpg)
Rhodes Enterprises is established.
Planning for the Bentsen Palm Community Commences
![Planning for the Bentsen Palm Community Commences](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-05-1024x768.jpg)
Recognizing the growing need for affordable, quality housing in the Valley, master planning for the Bentsen Palm Community commences.
![The Rhodes family donates $2.4 million in land for the World Birding Center Headquarters](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-06-1024x768.jpg)
The Rhodes family donates $2.4 million in land for the World Birding Center Headquarters. In addition, $1.4 million in land is donated to the North American Butterfly Association for construction of the world’s largest outdoor butterfly park.
![$1.7 million in land and monetary donation is made by Rhodes to IDEA Public Schools](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-07-1024x768.jpg)
In order to bring top-notch educational facilitles to the Bentsen Palm area, $1.7 million in land and monetary donation is made by Rhodes to IDEA Public Schools, forming a strong partnership still in place today.
Grand Opening
Bentsen Palm Development celebrates its Grand Opening.
![Bentsen Palm Development celebrates its Grand Opening](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-08-1024x768.jpg)
Building Division Esperanza Homes
Wanting to improve the quality of homes built in the Valley, Rhodes forms their own home building division, Esperanza Homes.
![Building Division Esperanza Homes](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-09-1024x768.jpg)
Alliance River Crossing Development
Alliance River Crossing Development (a 1,500-acre industrial development) opens in Donna, Texas providing eight lanes of roadway to the international bridge into Mexico.
![Alliance River Crossing Development](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-10-1024x768.jpg)
Valley Affordable Mortgage
Valley Affordable Mortgage is created to provide a vital service to both Rhodes Enterprises and outside investors such as loan origination and loan servicing.
![Valley Affordable Mortgage](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Valley-Affordable-Mortgage.jpg)
Tres Lagos
Master planning of Tres Lagos begins with the City of McAllen.
![Master planning of Tres Lagos begins with the City of McAllen](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-12-1024x768.jpg)
Expansion Establishing Rhodes
Nick Rhodes becomes CEO of Rhodes Enterprises. Esperanza Homes develops a plan to grow into other areas of the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas with a goal of closing 1,000 homes a year by 2027. This is the start of an aggressive expansion establishing Rhodes as the largest, award-winning land developer/residential home builder in South Texas while simultaneously increasing revenue.
![Nick Rhodes becomes CEO of Rhodes Enterprises](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-13-1024x768.jpg)
Tres Lagos
Master planning of Tres Lagos begins with the City of McAllen.
![Master planning of Tres Lagos begins with the City of McAllen](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-14-1024x768.jpg)
Creation of Rhodes Property Management
![Tres Lagos Development celebrates its Grand Opening](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-15.jpg)
Tres Lagos Development celebrates its Grand Opening.
![Creation of Rhodes Property Management](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-16.jpg)
Rhodes Property Management is formed to ensure that every aspect of Rhodes' master-planned communities meets Rhodes’ top-quality standards.
Esperanza Construction
Esperanza Construction is formed, expanding the construction footprint to include multi-family and commercial construction.
![Esperanza Construction is formed](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-17-1024x768.jpg)
Creation of Rhodes Property Management
![Esperanza Homes make Builder Magazine’s Top 100 list](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-18.jpg)
Esperanza Homes make Builder Magazine’s Top 200 list.
![Edinburg division is formed](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-19.jpg)
A new Edinburg division is formed, furthering the expansion of Esperanza Homes in the Rio Grande Valley.
Esperanza Homes has Progressed
![Esperanza Homes has progressed on its growth trajectory](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-20.jpg)
Esperanza Homes has progressed on its growth trajectory, building eight communities across the Rio Grande Valley.
![Build on Your Lot Division of Esperanza Homes is formed](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-21.jpg)
A new, Build on Your Lot Division of Esperanza Homes is formed.
Creation of Rhodes Home Service and Rhodes Landscaping
![Rhodes Landscaping](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-22.jpg)
![Rhodes Home Service](https://www.rhodes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/history-23.jpg)