Kenedy County, Texas
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History/Timeline
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| Kenedy county courthouse. |
Kenedy County was created in 1921 from Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy counties It was named for pioneer steamboat operator and cattleman, Capt. Mifflin Kenedy, area rancher, former partner of Richard King. The King Ranch, of which Mifflin Kenedy had been a partner prior to 1868, covers a large part of the county.[1]
- 11,000 ago - there has been human habitation. [2]
- 9200-=6000 B. C. Artifacts such as stone implements, human remains date Paleo Indian period. [2]
- 6000 B.C.-A. D. 1000 - local Indian increased with bands of hunter-gatherers living on fruit, game, seeds, roots. Some or early people carved tools from wood or stone, wove baskets, made rabbitskin clothing.[2]
- Prehistoric period (A.D. 1000 - Spanish arrival), Coahuiltecan linguistic group Indians in the area, who made pottery, hunted with bows, arrows.Local Coahuiltecans were gone either from intermarrying with Spanish, disease or were driven away by the Lipan Apaches. [2]
- 1740's, 1750's - José de Escandón made several excursions to the lower Rio Grande valley and introduced settlers to the area along the river. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Reynosa, was about fifty miles to the SW in Tamaulipas[2]
- 16 land grants were made by the Spanish and Mexican Governments. [2]
- Feb1792 Grant -Agostadero de San Juan de Carricitos, made to José Nicolás Cabazos half million acres included Willacy, Hidalgo and Kennedy counties.comprised more than a half million acres, including parts of the future Willacy, Hidalgo, and Kenedy counties. Cabazos built his ranch, stocking with 900 cattle.[2]
- Nov. 1797 - San Salvador del Tule grant to Juan José Ballí. [2]
- Early 1800's - hostile the Mexican period the number of ranches in the area grew, Hostile Indians and Texas Revolution turmoil forced many families to abandon their ranches.[2]
- 1847 - Mifflin Kinedy and Richard King obtained a land grant. Together they founded the King ranch.. [2]
- 1847 -King Ranch, located in portions of Brooks, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, and Willacy Counties.. Acreage- 825,000 Acres Primary use of the Ranches: Cow-calf, feed yard, farming, horses, oil and gas, wild game hunting, birding. This is the most successful ranch of Texas with the most stories.. Captain Richard King was a stow-away on steamship and pilot during the Mexican american war and later the Civil War. He knew nothing about ranching, made a fortune on his steamship business. When he founded the ranch, he knew almost nothing about cattle ranching. He added to his inexperience by making smart decisions on buying land with the only fresh water. King was also able to coax a Mexican town of vaqueros to move to his ranch in Texas and thus work for him..The King Ranch, Inc.—it was incorporated in 1934—has diversified interests ranging from agribusiness to oil and gas, and it is co-owned by Captain King’s heirs and other stockholders.[3]
- Post 1848 - American settlement slowly increased after the Mexican War. New settlers were generally welcomed by the Mexican rancheros. Newcomers married into the local families.[2]
- 1870's - "Skinning wars" of the early 1870s were indicative of mounting ethnic and racial tensions in the area, due to her prices for cattle hides..[2] Higher prices for cattle
hides and free-range cattle, some ranchers began skinning raids, -- killing the cattle to take the hide. This pitted Mexican and Anglo ranchers against each other. [2]
- 1875 - Anglos attacked ranches in the future Kenedy County, retaliating for raids made by Mexican ranchers.[2]
- Vigilantes, outlaws from Corpus Christi raided the area, and killed nearly all of the adult males on four ranches. They burned stores, buildings, forcing many Mexican rancheros out.[2]
- 1) La Atravesada
- 2) El Peñascal
- 3) Corral de Piedra
- 4) El Mesquite.
- 1880's - Kenedy reportedly fenced in a lake that by tradition belonged to Doña Euliana Tijerina of the La Atravesada grant. [2]
- 1921 -Kenedy County, among the last Texas counties formed, was not established until 1921, when Willacy, Cameron, and Hidalgo counties were reorganized. The reason for forming this county was the distance from Corpus to county seats.[2]
- Large ranchers were trying to deter the small farms;/ranches and prevent settlement of the smaller farms/ranches and develop the Rio Grande Valley. This was the attempt of ranching interests to stave off the growing power of farmers who were beginning to develop the Rio Grande valley. [2]There was some ethnic animosity between the Mexican Americans settling in the Valley and the larger ranchers.
Sarita, county seat was established at Sarita, where John G. Kenedy, had built his headquarters. [2]
- Since that time the county has changed little. [2]
Kenedy county was ranching from the advent of the Spanish to early 1990's.[2]
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- There have never been more than twenty-five ranches in the county,[2]
- Most of Kenedy land belongs to Armstrong, King, Kenedy, and Yturria interests.[2]
- 1930 - were thirteen ranches in Kenedy County, with an average of 61,500 acres.
- 1945 - consolidations, created seven ranches, averaging 70,130 acres. [2]
- 1947 - Oil was discovered in the county.[2]
Peak years there are 80,000 head of cattle in the county. That number subsequently decreased, the county remains an important ranching center. [2]
- 1947- Jan 1, 1991 crude oil was 643,446 barrels to a total of 31,800,494 barrels was produced.[2]
- 1990's -Small amounts of sorghum, hay, and cotton are grown.[2]
- 1990's three-fourths of the land was in farms and ranches, with less than 1 percent under cultivation. [2]
- 1990s oil and natural gas accounted for the largest source of nonfarm earnings.
- 1999 , Hurricane Bret struck Texas, but damage in the county was low due to low population. minimal because of the low population.[2]
- 2000's - The Peñascal Wind Power Project was built near Sarita in the early 21st Century and is expected to slightly raise the population of the area.[2]
The King Ranch, of which Mifflin Kenedy had been a partner prior to 1868, covers a large part of the county.[2]
- Sarita had 300 residents by 1916, some moved away when a major hurricane swept through the area in 1999. The town had a catholic church, school, post office, a few homes and headquarters for the headquarters of the Kenedy Ranch. No other businesses. Many employees live in Kleberg County. There is a United States Border Patrol Sarita checkpoint on U.S. Route 77 14 miles south of the town of Sarita. [4]
East Family Ranches, in counties: Brooks, Cameron, Hildago, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Kleberg, Starr, And Willacy counties. (340,000 Acres) used for Cattle, oil, gas, no known date of founding.
- This ranching family will not talk to the press. According to the 1957 book, "The King Ranch" by Tom Lea: Tom T East a rancher married Alice Kleberg, granddaughter of Richard King and the King Ranch in 1915. The newlyweds went to live on Tom East's San Antonio Viejo Ranch located 75 miles from the King Ranch. The Easts suffered financial troubles and sold their 77,000 acres . After this the first oil well was found on their ranch San Antonio Viejo.).. Upon Alice Kleberg's death, her estate was transferred back to the East family.
- Robert and Evelyn East, widow of his brother own the East Family Ranches. Robert owns the San Antonio Viejo, Casa Verde and San Pablo while while Evelyn East owns the Santa Fe.[5]
La Parra Ranch and Memorial Foundation The granddaughter of Captain Miflin Kenedy would sit at night viewing the darkening ranch alone, thinking of past members of her family. La Parra Ranch began in the Wild Horse Desert, in Kenedy County, founded by Captain Miflin Kenedy who helped Richard King found the King Ranch. Sarita Kenedy East, granddaughter of Miflin Kenedy, Sarita Kenedy East was born to Petra Vela De Vidal and Miflin Kenedy who founded La Parra Ranch first in Cameron county, (later part of Kenedy County, Texas. She donated moneys to a Trappist Monk. Apparently she first had the Alice National Bank along with cousin, Judge Lee H Lytton Jr and another man as members of a trust known as the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation. Over the years she changed the management of the trust. Upon her death, the headquarters and land were left by will to the Trappist monastery. After her death lawsuits erupted contesting the final will codicil, claiming undue exertion over Mrs. East. Lawsuit 2 Lawsuit Sarita Kenedy East Sarita Kenedy East and Museum
- Bass Family Ranches, Location in Aranasas, Atascosa, Brooks, Hidalgo, Johnson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Parker, Red River and Tarrant counties (ACREAGE: 150,000 Acres)
- The Basses are similar to the Easts. The family is very tightlipped. Neither the family or employees will confirm location, acreage. According to what we can find, there are 3 Texas ranches.
- 1) Lee Bass owns El Coyote (S of Falfurrias )
- 2) Ed owns the Wainscot (SW of Fort Worth)
- 3) the Bass family owns the San Jose cattle company on the Gulf Coast as well as additional acreage scattered around Texas..
- 4) Winfield Scott founded Winscott, founded by Winfield Scott (Fort Worth millionaire)
- 5) San Jose Ranch is located on San Jose Island (north of South Padre. Cattle would have to swim or be transported by barge to and from the mainland. (The Island has an airstrip, but is used for people).[6]
Government Offices
- Texas Escapes relates the first county seat for Willacy County was Sarita, Texas. The courthouse was built in 1917. Courtesy of Terry Jeanson [7]
- The Texas legislature formed the Kenedy County in 1921. At this time Willacy county was reorganized. At this time Willacy county seat was changed to Raymondville. Courtesy of Terry Jeanson [7]
- Sarita thus became the first county seat for Kenedy County. Kenedy county used the 1917 courthouse which did not physically move. [7]
- Kenedy county inhabitants raised money to refurbish the old 1917 Sarita courthouse.[7]
- 2010, Kenedy County and its citizens celebrated the completion of the restoration of the 1917 county courthouse. An article in the Corpus Christi Caller Times, noted the restoration was abt $4 million but was paid for by Kenedy county, not the restoration program for the state. Moisture had affected the stucco, (which was placed over brick). This restoration then replaced the exterior brick and stone which was deteriorated. For interior the original colors or paint (tan and light green and tan gold in courtroom were repainted to match the original colors. Similar carpet was used. Courtesy of Terry Jeanson [8]
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| ranches in Kenedy co.. |
- Sarita, the capital boasts a Catholic church, school, several homes, a post office, and the Lebh Shomea House of Prayer. There are no businesses. These are located on the headquarters of the Kenedy Ranch. The 1921 Kenedy County Courthouse is a two-story white Beaux-Arts structure on a large green and the most prominent building in town. Many employees live in Kleberg County located North of this county. There is limited housing available in the town. A prominant whitewashed, 2-story headquarters of the Kenedy Pasture Company, which owns most of the land in the county and employs many of Sarita's citizens. The building also houses the Kenedy Ranch Museum.[9]
Geography
Kenedy county is 13th largest county of Texas for total area and its land area only is 25th largest county. Yet with this large area the population is very low. There are more cattle.
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Size--1,946 square miles- ( 1,458 square miles land ) with 487 square miles (25%) is water. Kenedy County borders the Gulf of Mexico and Baffin Bay on the East, making up much of the border with Kleberg County. U.S. Highway 77 extending south of Corpus Christi in the Rio Grande Plain region of South Texas, splits the county. It is bordered by Kleberg County on the north, the Gulf of Mexico on the east, Willacy County on the south, and Hidalgo and Brooks counties on the west. The center point of the county is 26°55' north latitude and 97°40' west longitude. [2]
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| location in Texas |
Less than 1% of the county is considered prime farmland.
Its soils are generally sandy with areas of light-colored loamy surfaces over very deep reddish or mottled clayey subsoils. Coastal soils are sandy, salty with grey to black cracking clay. [2]
- Baffin Bay ( of Padre Island) has three branches, ( Alazan Bay on the north), Cayo del Grullo and Laguna Salada Several ephemeral streams, including San Fernando, Santa Gertrudis and Los Olmos, flow into the bay, but only when it rains. Due to the low rainfall and thus inflow of water into the bay, promoted also by shallow water with warm climate, the bay at times reaches a high salinity that sometimes is detrimental to the fish. If the bay reaches a relatively high water salinity 75‰ (parts per thousand) in its northern part. Between the years of 1946 and 1948 and again in 1968, the salinity level in the bay exceeded 100‰ killing the fish in the area.[10]
About 21 km2 of the bottom of the bay is covered in seagrass; most other parts are dominated by shoal grass.
Adjacent counties
- Kleberg County (north)
- Willacy County (south)
- Hidalgo County (southwest)
- Brooks County (west)
Protected areas
- Padre Island National Seashore (part)
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| Padre Island. |
Demographics
In 2000, there were 414 people, 138 households, and 110 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.28 people per square mile (0.11/km²).
The racial makeup of the county was 64.49% White, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 31.88% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 78.99% of the population were Hispanic!! The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the county, the population had widespread age groups including 29.20% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years old. For every 100 females there were 110.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.70 males.[2]
The median income for a household in the county was $25,000. The per capita income for the county was $17,959. 15.30% of the population and 9.90% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 15.60% are under the age of 18 and 18.80% are 65 or older.[2]
Kenedy County is the third least populous county in Texas. Kenedy has 108 times more cattle than people in 1999
Climate has been described as semiarid, subhumid or subtropical. As with all areas, the climate varies with the precipitation. Tropical storms and hurricanes are common, and they strongly alter the climate.[2]
Trees/grasses -Kenedy County is covered with brush and a scrubby mesquite, with some huisache, acacia, post oak, and live oak. Tall bunchgrasses, such as the seacoast bluestem, are found along the coast, as well as cordgrasses, saltgrass, and marsh millet. Cattle seem to find enough to eat.[2]
Schools:
Sarita Elementary School (PreK-6) of the Kenedy County Wide Common School District. Of the nine Texas counties having only one school apiece, the population of Sarita Elementary School was the smallest. A small portion of Kenedy County is served by the Riviera Independent School District.
Highways:
- U.S. Highway 77 - is the only highway
- I-69 E--The future route of Interstate 69E is planned to follow the current route of U.S. 77 in most places.
Protected Areas
- Padre Island National Seashore (part)
Town
- Sarita (county seat)
Resources
- Padre Island National Seashore (part)
- Norias Division of the KING RANCH - in southern part of the county
- Encino Division of the King Ranch (1/4 of the division) is in western part of county
- Tejano Conjuntos Festival
Census
- 1920 -- 1,033
- 1930 -- 701
- 1940 -- 700
- 1950 -- 632
- 1960 -- 884
- 1970 -- 678
- 1980 -- 543
- 1990 -- 460
- 2000 -- 414
- 2010 -- 416
- Est. 2015 --- 407
Notables
- Miflin Kenedy
- Richard King
Land Grants
- Rincon de los Laureles - Spanish grant 22 miles south of Corpus Christi, owned by José Pérez Rey and María José Pérez Rey was purchased by Mifflin Kenedy and partner, Richard King
- Spanish grant twenty-two miles south of Corpus Christi, "Corner of the Laurels," probably from groves of laurels that were growing there. This is where Miflin Kenedy took up residency when he and Richard King dissolved their partnership on November 5, 1867.
Cemeteries
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- Cowboy cemetery, Kenedy, County employees of Kenedy
- FindaGrave cemeries, Kenedy county, Texas 6
- Cemeteries of Kenedy County, Gloria Mayfield
Sources
- ↑ https://texasalmanac.com/index.php?q=topics/government/kenedy-county
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 2.39 https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hck04
- ↑ http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-biggest-ranches/
- ↑ http://broom02.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Sarita%2C%20Texas&uid=1575
- ↑ http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-biggest-ranches/
- ↑ http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-biggest-ranches/
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGulfCoastTowns/Sarita-Texas-Kenedy-County-Courthouse.htm
- ↑ http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGulfCoastTowns/Sarita-Texas-Kenedy-County-Courthouse.htm
- ↑ http://broom02.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Sarita%2C%20Texas&uid=1575
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baffin_Bay_(Texas)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenedy_County,_Texas
- http://www.co.kenedy.tx.us
- "Kenedy, Mifflin". The Handbook of Texas On-Line. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- Padre Island Birds
- Inventory of Kenedy county Records
- http://www.howderfamily.com/blog/more-land-than-people/ smallest population]
- Lawsuit 2
- Lawsuit
- Sarita Kenedy East
- Sarita Kenedy East and Museum
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