Established in 1908, one year after McAllen began to develop, this cemetery was created by a group of residents on land donated by the Hidalgo Canal Company. The oldest marked grave dates to 1909. The McAllen Chamber of Commerce maintained the cemetery until 1924, when area residents formed the McAllen Cemetery Association to care for it. Also known as McAllen Cemetery, it was named Valhalla until 1930, when its name was changed to reflect roses planted as part of a beautification plan. Today it has expanded to 22 acres and remains a reminder of McAllen's pioneering men and women and of the city's cultural and religious diversity.