Presidio County, Texas
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Surnames/tags: presidio_county, Texas us_history
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History/Timeline
- Template:Presidio County created in 1850 from Bexar District and organized in 1875. It is named for Spanish Presidio del Norte (fort of the north).[1]
- 1535 Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca crossed explored Texas. He noted the Indians living in pueblos and growing large crops of corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, and melons. [2]
- 1652 - Mesames tribe tribe was destroyed by the Tobosos..
- The Nonojes suffered from the Spanish. Spanish made slave raids and enslaved the native population.
- Suma-Jumano tribe tried to befriend with the Spanish for survival.
- Apaches later merged with this group
- Foraging Indians that did not survive the 1700's were:Chisos, Mansos, Jumanos, Conchos, Julimes, Cibolos, Tobosos, Sumas, Cholomes, Caguates, Nonojes, Cocoyames, and Acoclames.
- 1683-84 - Juan Domínguez de Mendoza and Father Nicolás López left El Paso to La Junta where they established seven missions at seven pueblos. In 1683 Father López celebrated the first Christmas Mass ever observed in Texas at La Junta.[3][2]
- 1832, José Ygnacio Ronquillo was issued a conditional land grant. He established the first white settlement on Cibolo. He named it El Cibolo. [3] Eventually he abandoned the settlement, and sold the land. By Nov 1832 it was abandoned. [2]
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- 1839 -The Chihuahua Trail opened which connected Mexico’s state of Chihuahua with Santa Fe, New Mexico opened. [3]
- 1848 Ben Leaton built Fort Leaton, which has been referred as the largest adobe structure in Texas, on the river as his home, trading post. [3]
- Jan 3, 1850 Presidio County was established from Bexar County on January 3, 1850. Fort Leaton became the county Seat.[2]
- 1851 The fort was owned by owner of mortgage, John Burgess.[3]
- 1854 the army built Fort Davis in northern Presidio County. [3]
- 1857 - Milton Faver became the county’s first cattle baron. He moved his family to Chinati Mountains in the county. Faver bought small tracts of land around three springs-Cibolo, Cienega, and La Morita and established cattle ranches. He built Fort Cienega and Fort Cibolo.[3]
- Civil War Fort Davis closed during the Civil War and reopened in 1867. The black population increased to 489 when Buffalo Soldiers were stationed at Fort Davis.
- 1861-64 - Fort Davis closed during the Civil War. Fort Davis reopened 1867
- 1875 Presidio county was organized as the largest county in the United States, with 12,000 square miles (31,000 km2). Fort Davis was named the county seat. The boundaries and seat of Presidio County were changed in the 1880s. [2]
- 1875 - Presidio county was organized in 1875 as the largest county in the United States, with 12,000 square miles . Fort Davis was named the county seat. [3]
- 1880 - John W. Spencer, a local rancher and trader, found a silver deposit in the Chinati Mountains. Soon the Presidio Mine beganthat resulted in the opening of Presidio Mine and the beginning of the company town of Shafter.[3] (92 % of silver and 73%t of gold reported as produced in Texas came from Presidio. Mine [4]
- Late 1880's -Windmills, water wells, and earthen tanks were introduced on Presidio County ranches in the late 1880s.[2]
- 1882 The railroad reached Presidio County in 1882 when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway laid tracks through its northeastern corner.[2]
- 1883 -the town of Marfa began. [3]
- 1883 -1942 the mine produced over 32.6 million ounces of silver.[2]
- 1885 - County seat was moved to Marfa from Ft Davis..[2]
- 1882 - The railroad reached Presidio County when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway laid tracks through its NE corner.[3]
- 1883- 1942 the mine produced over 32.6 million ounces of silver.Marfa was established [3]
- 1885 - County seat was moved to Fort Davis. Earthen tanks were introduced on Presidio County ranches in the late 1880s. [3]
- 1887 Presidio County, Texas and the counties of Brewster, Buchel, Foley, and Jeff Davis were formed from Presidio in 1887. [2]
- 1897 Buchel and Foley were abolished and joined to Brewster..[2]
- 1888 W. F. Mitchell built the first barbed wire fence in the county at Antelope Springs. The widespread use of barbed wire resulted in the refinement of cattle breeds, improvement of ranges, and innovative use of water supplies.[3]
- Late 1880's- Windmills, water wells, and earthen tanks were introduced on Presidio County ranches in the late 1880s.[3]
- 1910 - Elephant Butte Dam was built in 1910 on the Rio Grande, which formed a large body of water for irrigating both the county and New Mexico area. [3]
- 1910's The Mexican Revolution is reflected in Presidio County's population in the 1910s. When fighting moved into Chihuahua, the refugees migrated to this county from Chihuahua. The United States Army established several posts in the county to control this.
- 1910 Chihuahua The growth of Presidio County's population reflected the impact of the Mexican Revolution on border life. Refugees migrated to the county from Chihuahua as the fighting moved into northern Mexico. The US Army established several posts in the county. Marfa became the headquarters for the Big Bend Military District.[5]
- 1917 the Army established Camp Marfa, later called Fort D. A. Russell, at Marfa to protect the border.
- 1917 - Marfa became the headquarters for the Big Bend Military Distric. The Army established Camp Marfa, later called Fort D. A. Russell, at Marfa to protect the border.
- 1930's Presidio County faced a drought and a population decline. Low silver prices closed the Presidio Mine at Shafter.
- 1930's - Great Depression - low silver prices closed Presidio Mine at Shafter with a loss of 300 jobs. The two banks in Marfa stayed open, the town had 3,090 citizens. Many counties endured drought and population decline. [2]
- 1934 - T. C. Mitchell and the Marfa State Bank acquired Leaton's old structure and donated it to the county as a historic site. Marfa became the headquarters for the Big Bend Military District.[2]
The Marfa population continued to grow and in 1930 the town had 3,909 residents during the
- World War II - 2 military installations (1) Fort Russell and 2) Marfa Army Airfield boosted the Presidio County economy.[2]
- World War II Presidio County enjoyed economic prosperity as the Fort Leaton became the county seat. The county was organized in 1875 as the largest county in the United States, with 12,000 square miles (31,000 km2). Fort Davis was named the county seat.n 1883, and the county seat was moved there from Fort Davis in 1885.[2]
- 1940’s the government stationed the Chemical Warfare Brigades in Marfa and constructed a POW camp nearby..
- World War II the Marfa army Air Field was built 10 miles East for advanced flight training. After the war, the installations were closed creating economic influence to this area.[6]
- The United States Border Patrol, Marfa Sector, has its offices in NE corner of Fort D.A. Russell compound. This is responsible for immigration control in 77 counties of West Texas and 18 counties even of GIANT starring James Dean, and Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and Dennis Hopper.[6]
- 1978 - the park was opened to the public in 1978.[6]
- 1974 Clayton Williams Ranches, located in Bordon, Brewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos, and Presidio Counties. The Primary use for the ranches are Cow-Calf, and yearling, Acreage: 183,000 acres.
This man was a Republican candidate for Texas governor in 1990. He says he does not have the heritage of the 6666 Ranch, but he loves the land. He buys land with profits made elsewhere. He made a fortune in oil, (CEO of Clayton Williams Energy in Midland), then Ranch #1, the 26,880 - acre of Alpine in 1975. Following this were three more ranches: Ranch #2, 78,000-acre "West Pyle" in Pecos County, and Ranch #3 10,000 acres farmland located in Fort Stockton. Williams' wife, Modesta is from an old ranching family. They raise their children to work on the ranches in the summers.[7]
- Marfa in Presidio county resembles one of the last frontiers... Its Altitude is 4,830 feet above sea leve. It has dry stream beds except when a summer thunderstorms fill them, and erode the land.. The Davis Mountains are Northward, the Chios Mountains are SE and the Chinati Mountains are SW .Marfa itself is on a highland plain called the Marfa plateau.[6]
- Marfa is famous for its excellent soaring conditions even hosting the World Soaring Championship in 1970. And last but not least, don’t forget to find your way to viewing station east of town where you can study the mystery of Marfa Ghosts Lights as they dance across the foothills of the Chinati Mountains. Seen by the earlier settlers to the area, they continue to mystify travelers and passersby, and are part of the continuing enigma and magic that is MARFA.[6]
NOTE Marfa lights are a phenomenon that has intrigued the residents of Marfa.In Paisano Pass in NE Presidio County the lights appear, twinkle, move, split, disappear and reappear to residents as well as visitors to the county. They can be seen on the Chinati Mountains. When driving cattle, Robert Reed Ellison first saw a flickering light and thought it was a campfire of Apache Indians. It has been credited to electrostatic discharge, swamp gas, moonlight shining on veins of mica, to ghosts of conquistadors looking for gold. TheTexas State Highway has built a roadside viewing spot 9 miles E of Marfa. [8]
- 1883 A. S. Gage Ranch in Brewster and Presidio counties 190,000 acres used cow-calf
Alfred S. Gage moved to Texas from Vermont. When 22 he worked for his brother, Edward who had a land business. Edward died to become Alpine Cattle Company. Alfred was general manager, then bought out other stockholders, merging Alpine's 170,000 acres with his 230,000 acres. Upon his death Alfred's owned the 400,000 acres which were A. S. Gage Ranch to daughters, Dorothy and Roxana. Dorothy's half has divided many times. But Roxana's half is owned by her daughters Roxana Catto Hayne and Joan Negley Kelleher (Wife of Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines CEO) [9]
Government Offices
Presidio County was established from Bexar County on January 3, 1850. Fort Leaton became the county seat. Marfa is the county seat of Presidio county which formed
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| Presidio co. courthouse, Marfa. |
- Presidio county was created from Bexar County on January 3, 1850. It was named for Presidio del Norte. Fort Leaton became the county seat
Geography
Trans-Pecos region of southwest Texas. Latitude/longitude: center of the county lies at 30°30' north latitude and 104°15' west longitude. Size: 3,857 square miles
Soils -:North and west part of the county clay and sandy loams. Central portion, western and southeastern part soil is volcanic rock covered with surface rubble..
Vegetation - the "Marfa Plateau have drama grasses that feed the Highland Herefords. Central, western --desert shrub, cacti.
Creeks-Rivers -- ( due to the arid climate, there are no permanent small streams. Upon rainfall, the dry arroyos become swirling and high (just as the same thing occurs in Colorado).
Major Creek? are Alamito Creek, Cibolo Creek, Capote Creek, and Pinto Canyon.
- San Esteban Dam was built across Alamito Creek is fed by one spring - "tinaja of 1911 serving for irrigation.
The county has all of prairies, desert, mountains and river. Altitude:- 2,518 -7,728 feet above sea level.
Temperatures are moderated by the mountains, but vary from 33° F in January to 100° F in July.
- Caport Falls are spring fed
Adjacent counties
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| adj counties |
Map of Presidio County, Texas and the counties of Brewster, Buchel, Foley, and Jeff Davis created from Presidio in 1887. Buchel and Foley were abolished and joined to Brewster in 1897.[3]
Protected areas
- Big Bend National Park
- Capote Falls
Demographics
2010 United States Census, there were 7,818 people residing in the county. 85.9% were White, 1.0% Asian, 0.7% Native American, 0.6% Black or African American, 9.9% of some other race and 1.9% of two or more races. 83.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).
In 2000, there were 7,304 people in this county giving a population density of 2 people/sq mi Racial breakdown was 84.95% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 13.47% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 84.36% of the population was Hispanic..
Median income for a household in the county was $19,860, and the median income for a family was $22,314. with 36.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.40% of those under age 18 and 44.10% of those age 65 or over. This is one of the largest counties and one of the poorest counties in the United States.
US 67.svg U.S. Highway 67
US 90.svg U.S. Highway 90
Texas 17.svg State Highway 17
Politics:
Presidio County usually supports Democrats over Republicans. The people voted for a Republican president only five times. (One was Dwight D Eisenhower)
MARFA
Marfa in Presidio county resembles one of the last frontiers... Its Altitude is 4,830 feet above sea leve. It has dry stream beds except when a summer thunderstorms fill them, and erode the land.. The Davis Mountains are Northward, the Chios Mountains are SE and the Chinati Mountains are SW .Marfa itself is on a highland plain called the Marfa plateau.
[6]
The Marfa population continued to grow and in 1930 the town had 3,909 residents.
Towns
Ghost towns
- Adobes
- Casa Piedra
- Fort Holland
- Lindsey City
- Porvenir
- Tinaja
Formed From
Bexar county, Jan, 1850
Resources
- Mystery Lights Festival every Labor Day in Marfa.
- hunting leases
- Big Bend National Park.
- NOTE Marfa lights are a phenomenon that has intrigued the residents of Marfa.In Paisano Pass in NE Presidio County the lights appear, twinkle, move, split, disappear and reappear to residents as well as visitors to the county. They can be seen on the Chinati Mountains. When driving cattle, Robert Reed Ellison first saw a flickering light and thought it was a campfire of Apache Indians. It has been credited to electrostatic discharge, swamp gas, moonlight shining on veins of mica, to ghosts of conquistadors looking for gold. TheTexas State Highway has built a roadside viewing spot 9 miles E of Marfa. [10]
Notables
Land Grants
- Ronquillo Land Grant
Cemeteries
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- FindaGrave cemeteries of Presidio county
- Cemeteries, Presidio county, Gloria Mayfield
- Presidio county cemeteries List non-clickable
- Cemetery List, Presidio county non clickable
Sources
- ↑
Indians of Area
- Paleo-Indians Hunter-gatherers existed thousands of years ago located among others in Trans-Pecos. They did not adapt to Culture clashes, colonization, and the European diseases destroyed the culture..
- 1500 B.C. Corn farmers of Cochise culture settled in the area called La Junta de los Ríos, to use the abundant water, fertile farmland, and bountiful game. <ref>https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcp08</li>
- http://www.historictexas.net/presidio/
- https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Presidio_County,_Texas_Genealogy
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