Riviera, Texas

Riviera is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Kleberg County, Texas, United States. Riviera is located about 11mi south of Kingsville on U.S. Route 77 (Future Interstate 69E) and about 22mi northeast of Falfurrias on Texas State Highway 285.HistoryRiviera was founded in 1906 by Theodore Fredrick Koch, a land promoter. He purchased land from the King Ranch to sell to landseekers. He built a townsite along the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway and named it Riviera after the French Riviera. Koch ran a train from Chicago to Riviera twice a month to bring more people to the area. Riviera witnessed growth in its first few years, but a drought hit the area in 1915 and then a terrible hurricane hit the area in 1916. When U.S. Highway 77 was constructed, it helped the economy get back on its feet. Now its economy depends on farming. It is also the last stop for about 60mi to Raymondville, going south, so its gas stations and restaurants are used by many travelers heading south.