Val Verde County, Texas

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File:Val Verde County Judicial Center, Del Rio, TX DSCN0905.JPG
Val Verde County Judicial Center at 100 E. Broadway St. in Del Rio
File:Del Rio Bank and Trust Co., Del Rio, TX DSCN0910.JPG
Del Rio Bank and Trust Company was organized in 1910. The bank is hence a year older than the Del Rio city government and has served Val Verde County for more than a century. The photo is the facility at 1200 Veterans Blvd.; another location is 22411 N Bedell Ave.

Val Verde County is a county located on the southern Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population is 47,586.[1] Its county seat is Del Rio.[2] The Del Rio micropolitan statistical area includes all of Val Verde County.

Val Verde, which means "green valley",[3] was named for a battle of the Civil War. In 1862, soldiers of Sibley's Brigade took part in the Texas invasion of New Mexico Territory, where they captured several artillery pieces at the Battle of Val Verde. The battle is memorialized both in the name of the county and a small settlement in Milam County.

History

Early history

The first inhabitants of what is now known as Val Verde County lived there some 6,000–10,000 years ago. Their descendants include such Native American peoples as the Lipan Apache, Coahuiltecan, Jumano, Tamaulipan and Comanche.[4][5]

Colonial rule

In 1590, Spanish explorer Gaspar Castaño de Sosa led a mining expedition of 170 who passed through Devils Draw. He referred to a stream by the name of Laxas, which is believed to be Devils River.[6][7][8]

In 1673, Juan Larios opened a mission school at a location between Del Rio and Eagle Pass.[5][9]

In 1675, traveling Franciscan priests celebrated Mass at San Felipe Springs.[5][9]

In 1736, Lt. Miguel de la Garza Falcón[10] led 100 soldiers along the Devils River[11] in pursuit of Apache natives.

During 1834, James Grant[12] and John Charles Beales[13] established a settlement on San Felipe Creek,[14] which became hazardous due to Indian attacks.

Aftermath of Mexican–American War

During the 1850s, military bases established to protect against Indian attacks included Camp Blake,[15] Camp Hudson[16] and Camp San Felipe.[17]

As of 1860, the county had a population of 2,874, including 108 blacks and 1,103 foreign-born.[5]

Post–Civil War

During 1868, the San Felipe Del Rio community is established on San Felipe Creek, next to Camp San Felipe.[5]

From 1869 through 1882, Seminole Negro Indian Scouts (mixed heritage Seminoles with African blood) under John Lapham Bullis, namesake of Camp Bullis, defend the Texas border against Indian attacks.[18][19]

In 1883, the Galveston Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway was completed.[20] Italian immigrant Frank Qualia established Val Verde winery.[21][22][23]

In 1884, the Langtry community was established, named after George Langtry (an engineer and foreman). It has mistakenly been attributed to being named after British entertainer Lillie Langtry by Judge Roy Bean.[5][24]

In 1885, Val Verde County was organized from Crockett, Kinney, and Pecos counties. Roy Bean was elected justice of the peace in Langtry, operating out of the Jersey Lily Saloon and becoming renowned as "the Law West of the Pecos".[5]

In 1886, the Juno and Devils River communities were established.[5]

In 1888, the Comstock community was established.[5][25]

In 1889, the community of Norris was established.[5]

By 1890, the last Indian raids had happened and were no longer considered a threat.[26]

Twentieth century

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". are land and Script error: No such module "convert". (2.7%) are covered by water.[34]

Major highways

Adjacent counties and municipios

National protected areas

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Template:Sronly%±
18902,874—
19005,263Script error: No such module "String".%
19108,613Script error: No such module "String".%
192012,706Script error: No such module "String".%
193014,924Script error: No such module "String".%
194015,453Script error: No such module "String".%
195016,635Script error: No such module "String".%
196024,461Script error: No such module "String".%
197027,471Script error: No such module "String".%
198035,910Script error: No such module "String".%
199038,721Script error: No such module "String".%
200044,856Script error: No such module "String".%
201048,879Script error: No such module "String".%
202047,586Script error: No such module "String".%
U.S. Decennial Census[35]
1850–2010[36] 2010[37] 2020[38]

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Val Verde County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
<templatestyles src="Nobold/styles.css"/>Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[39] Pop 2010[37] Pop 2020[38] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 9,734 8,548 7,836 21.70% 17.49% 16.47%
Black or African American alone (NH) 609 563 538 1.36% 1.15% 1.13%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 129 86 57 0.29% 0.18% 0.12%
Asian alone (NH) 235 207 351 0.52% 0.42% 0.74%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 12 37 35 0.03% 0.08% 0.07%
Other race alone (NH) 29 29 85 0.06% 0.06% 0.18%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 259 210 477 0.58% 0.43% 1.00%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 33,849 39,199 38,207 75.46% 80.20% 80.29%
Total 44,856 48,879 47,586 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census[40] of 2000, 44,856 people, 14,151 households, and 11,320 families resided in the county. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. The 16,288 housing units averaged Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the county was 76.36% White, 4.54% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 18.22% from other races, and 2.60% from two or more races. About 75.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 14,151 households, 42.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.00% were not families. About 17.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.55.

In the county, the population was distributed as 32.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 19.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,376, and for a family was $31,434. Males had a median income of $26,485 versus $18,039 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,096. About 22.10% of families and 26.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.80% of those under age 18 and 26.40% of them age 65 or over.

Education

File:Val Verde County LIbrary, Del Rio, TX DSCN1416.JPG
The Val Verde County Library is located at 300 Spring St. in Del Rio.

School districts include:[41]

Sometime prior to 1976 the Comstock district absorbed the Langtry and Pandale common school districts.[42] The former Juno Common School District consolidated into Comstock ISD in 1992.[43] There was formerly a Star Route School on Miers Ranch. In 1964 the school had 13 students.[44]

Southwest Texas Junior College is the designated community college for the county.[45]

The Val Verde County Library in Del Rio serves the county.[46]

Government

Val Verde County government is led by a four-member board of county commissioners, each commissioner representing one of four districts. The county commission appoints a county administrator as chief administrative officer of the county. The chief law-enforcement authority of Val Verde is the Val Verde County Sheriff's Office. Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office. The fire-protection arm of the Val Verde is the Val Verde County Fire Rescue. Val Verde County Fire Rescue.

County commissioners

One county commissioner is elected from each district to serve a 4-year term. Commissioners are chosen in partisan elections by voters from the districts in which they live. The board appoints a county judge to be chief administrative officer of the county, responsible to the commission for the orderly operations of matters within the board's jurisdiction. The current office holders are:

  • Val Verde County Judge: Honorable Judge Lewis Owens[47]
  • Val Verde County Precinct 1: Martin Wardlaw
  • Val Verde County Precinct 2: Juan Vazquez
  • Val Verde County Precinct 3: Robert Beau Nettleton
  • Val Verde County Precinct 4: Gustavo Flores
  • Val Verde County Secretary: Elizabeth Ferrino

Politics

Val Verde County has been a longtime swing county, having voted for both Republicans and Democrats throughout its history.

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Communities

City

Census-designated places

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Former census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Notable people

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ In Old Spanish or Modern Galician; Spanish nowadays would say Valle Verde, and Modern Portuguese Vale Verde. Although verde is the same in masculine or feminine, val((l)e) used to be feminine, masculine nowadays.
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". - Text list
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ Texas Education Code: Sec. 130.200. SOUTHWEST TEXAS JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  46. ↑ Home page Template:Webarchive. Val Verde County Library. Retrieved on March 26, 2010.
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Pumpville (Texas State Historical Association)

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External links

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