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Pecos, Texas

... In a nutshell Pecos might have been called “Crossroads”, as it has been a crossroad for over land transportation lines for many, many years. It’s origins began because of the strategic location. Many of the old cattle and wagon trails such as the Butterfi eld Route, Chisholm Trail and Loving Goodnight Trail crossed here. There were a number of less famous trails coming into Pecos, some never having been named. The actual recorded beginning in Pecos was sometime around 1873, soon developing into a center for the various ranches in the area. It was considered nothing for a cowboy to ride 50 to 75 miles to spend his paycheck in the various saloons which comprised most of Pecos’ business district. Because of it’s strategic location, Pecos soon became the wholesale center for most of the small communities scattered throughout a 200 square mile radius. Wholesale and distribution, along with ranching were the mainstays of Pecos development until 1947. During World War II, Pecos was selected as the site for one of the largest B1-13 Training Centers in the United States. Pecos was selected as the site for this base because of the fl at terrain and weather conditions. According to the U.S. Air Force, Pecos has more fl ying days than any other location in the country, averaging 360 fl ying days per year. To this day, every other year, Pecos is the host of the Army Airfi eld Reunion, gathering people from all over the country. Until 1947, most of Pecos’ development had been along distribution lines, when a number of people realized that in the Pecos area there was a large supply of virgin land that would produce valuable crops in large quantities. There was a large quantity of underground water with which to irrigate the land. This water was available to anyone who would drill a well. The climate was very favorable to agriculture; the land was easily prepared for irrigation and there was a wonderful outlet by rail or highway for farm and ranch products. Farmers started buying up land and they were quickly followed, by others. In the late 60’s oil and gas exploration and production became very important to the Pecos economy. Many oil and gas companies had offi ces in Pecos and crews were based here. In the early 80’s there was an oil bust that affected all oil and gas exploration throughout the United States and most of the exploration was halted. Pecos Today Pecos is the County Seat fore Reeves County and has a broad based economy. In the area of agriculture, Pecos has cotton, feed grains, cattle, onions, cantaloupes and milk production. In the vegetable category, the Pecos Cantaloupe is world renowned. Pecan and pistachio growing is also being developed. Other major industries are, a major food processing plant and a battery recycling center. Tourism is becoming a major industry, due in large to our world famous cantaloupe and our West of the Pecos Museum. The Gentleman Gunfighter Born in Tennessee around 1840, legend says Clay Allison served the Confederacy as a spy. When captured, he escaped by slipping his unusually small hands though the manacles. Small or not, Clay Allison’s hands were adept enough with a six-shooter to outdraw and kill 20 men. It was said he earned the title of “Gentleman Gunfi ghter” because he never killed a man who didn’t need killing. The Clay Allison legend includes tales of gun fi ghts and escapades that range from a Dodge City showdown with Bat Masterson, to an encounter with Wyatt Earp, to a Bowie Knife fi ght in a freshly dug grave, with the winner shoveling the dirt in over the loser. Story-tellers agree that he was driving to his ranch from Pecos City in 1887 when he was pitched off his wagon and crushed under the wheels. They disagree whether or not he was sober. His grave is in the park area downtown near the West of the Pecos Museum. Rodeo “The History of the World’s First Rodeo” Just to think of rodeo time brings excitement to many people. Excitement was in the dusty air of Pecos in 1883 when a few cowboys met to fi nd out who was the best at riding and roping. From the beginning of time, there has been competition among men. So, it was with those horsemen who made a living in the daily chores about the ranch headquarters or trailing a herd of cattle in the wind, dust and rain storms. As these men crossed trails and met in places such as Pecos, there always came the question, “who is the best?” Trav Windham had become well known after driving cattle from Abilene to the Hashknife Ranch just north and west of Pecos. This ranch had been established as a place for cattle used to feed workers on the T & P Railroad: Which was moving west from Sweetwater. Deciding to quit the trail, Windham later became foreman for the Lazy Y outfit. Morg Livingston of the NA Ranch had earned a reputation as a roper. Both men had friends, but telling or bragging could not determine a winner. So it was decided that these two would meet in a contest. Word spread quickly and other cowboys also wanted to compete to prove their abilities. A place was chosen on the fl at land west of the river. History has it about where the present courthouse and law enforcement buildings are located. The time was chosen... July 4th. That was a holiday and most ranchers, cowboys and townspeople could attend. When that day came, there were horses, wagons and people walking... Coming from all directions to see what was going to happen and to fi nd out how their favorite cowboy would fair. Most stories about that day concerned the time it took Trav Windham to rope and tie his steer: 22 seconds, to win that event. Later Morg Livingston beat Windham in a matched roping. Before the day was over, cowboys from Hashknife, W, Lazy Y and the NA spreads were in the action. One story from that day named Pate Beard of the Hashknife and Jeff Chism as having walked away with honors.Others named were Jim Mannin, John Chalk, George Brookshire, Howard Collier, Jim Livingston, Brawley Oates, Jim and Henry Slack, E.P. Struckler and Henry Miller.

Henry Slack, grandfather of R. C. Slack of Pecos, was probably the youngest rider there. He did not remain a cowboy, becoming a business man. he never lost his love for the cowboy life. He was a famous figure from that cowboy event. He was able for many years to lead or ride in the rodeo parades when they began in the early 30’s. Many people came to know and respect “Uncle Henry”. The late Evelyn slack Mahoney often recalled stories her father, Henry slack, and about being there on July 4, 1883.

Through the years, many stories were told of the Pecos event and other towns began to claim the first rodeo. Barney Hubbs of Pecos, a longtime newsman and historian, began to gather information to verify the facts handed down from generation to generation. He obtained signed affidavits from various people, some whom attended that first rodeo. The Encyclopedia Britannica publishers picked up on Mr. Hubb’s newspaper account of the first rodeo and wanted his proof. He was successful, after much controversy, in getting Pecos named as having “ ...The first public cowboy contest wherein prizes were awarded to the winners of bronco riding and steer roping. No admission was charged to the spectators.” In getting this recognition for Pecos, he lost his affidavits, as they were never returned.

Pecos Bill

Verses about the mythical cowboy were fabricated by old time cowhands in their bunkhouse and beside the range campfires. Passed from ranch to ranch with new verses, the deeds of Pecos Bill were part of the range cowboy’s homemade entertainment. Versions vary, but most agreed that he was the youngest of 18 children and that he was separated from his family at a crossing of the Pecos River.

Pecos Bill was raised by coyotes until a cowboy convinced him of his real identity. Then, according to his cowhand storytellers, Pecos Bill taught gophers to dig holes for fence-posts, rode everything from mountain lions to cyclones and roped huge herds with one loop of his lariat. Range-hardened old timers said Bill died from laughing... At dudes who called themselves “cowboys”.

History of Col. George R. Reeves

Reeves County was named after George R. Reeves. Limited information is at hand on this man from Grayson County. Mr. Reeves was born in the state of Tennessee in 1826. He lived in Arkansas for a while, but after his marriage to Jane Moore in 1844. He moved to Grayson County, Texas where he was a farmer and a rancher.

Two years after his arrival in Grayson County, he began to serve the county in different ways. His first job was as a tax collector for the county. We can assume from his service in that position he gained the respect of the people: For in 1848, he was elected Sheriff and soon after, sent to the capital to serve as Grayson County’s House Representative. He remained in Austin until the call to arms went out for Texans to join the war effort of the South. In 1861, George Reeves helped organize the 11th Texas Cavalry. He began at the rank of Captain, but with his leadership abilities was soon promoted to Colonel and assigned to Wheeler’s Cavalry.

Col. Reeves lead his men in such famous battles as the 100 Day Siege of Atlanta. He also maintained his forces as they waged guerilla warfare on the armies of General Sherman as they made their infamous march to the sea.In 1874, Col. Reeves returned home where he was sent again to Austin. In 1881, he was elected Speaker of the House and continued in that role until his death in 1882. Shortly after his death, a petition from Toyah reached the legislature. In honor of the late Speaker of the House, a new county taken from Pecos County, would hold the name of Reeves. Named for a man who served the people in war and in peace. West of the Pecos Museum The city of Pecos, located near the Pecos River, is on the high prairie at the northern border of the Chihuahuan Desert. It is 210 miles east of El Paso, 3292 miles west of Fort Worth on I-20, about 168 miles north of Big Bend National Park and 85 miles south of Carlsbad Caverns. Pecos history begins with the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, through the periods of the Indian migration, cavalry exploration, pioneer westward movement and the era of cattle trails. In 1881, the arrival of the Texas & Pacifi c Railroad ensured the future of Pecos as a commercial and agricultural center on the Fort Worth to El Paso route. The area developed a ranching industry and with the advent of modern irrigation methods, substantial farming interests. The T & P railroad’s dining cars served sweet Pecos Cantaloupe, bringing this delicacy its nationwide fame. The West of the Pecos Museum, the restored 19th century Orient Hotel with its adjoining saloon, was the scene in 1896 as Barney Riggs, a local man, killed outlaws Bill Earhart and John Denson after they threatened him. Bronze markers have been placed on the fl oor showing where the two fell. Today the Museum displays on three fl oors, a collection of pioneer artifacts and displays of railroad, rodeo and ranching memorabilia. Adjoining the Museum is a park including the grave of Clay Allison, the famous Pecos “Gentleman Gunfi ghter”. The Museum underwent a half million dollar restoration for the fi rst time since being built in the late 80’s and is truly a treasure. Pecos is blessed with a solid, close knit community and prides itself on the fi nest in true West Texas hospitality. Pecos, Texas County Seat: Reeves County, Texas Population: 9,501 Area: 2642 square miles Elevation: 2617 feet Location in Miles to... Odessa, TX 76 miles Carlsbad, NM 82 miles El paso, TX 210 Miles San Angelo, TX 210 Miles Contact information Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB P.O. Box 27 Pecos, TX. 79772 432 445-2406 www.pecostx.com Email: staff@pecostx.com The West of the Pecos Museum P.O. Box 1784 Pecos, Texas 79772 432 445-5076 www.westofthepecosmuseum.com

History of Uvalde, Texas

On February 8, 1850, Uvalde County was formed by a legislative act from Bexar County but failed to secure a permanent county because of an insufficient number of settlers, until the year 1852. These first settlers to arrive at the canyon later changed the name to Uvalde. Of equal importance to the early history of the county was the development of the farming and ranching settlements at Waresville by Capt. William Ware in the upper Sabinal Canyon and Patterson Settlement by George W. Patterson, John Leakey, and A. B. Dillard on the Sabinal River; these settlements coincided with Reading Black's development of the Leona River at Encina. A second attempt by Black to organize the territory resulted in a petition to form a county encompassing the area of the present Kinney, Maverick, and Uvalde counties.

Reading W. Black's initiatives helped to truly establish Uvalde, in August of 1866, following the Civil War. Mr. Black hired a surveyor from Germany and started work on May 2, 1855, which is said to be the birth date of Uvalde. The town was divided into 464 lots, a schoolhouse square, a cemetery (located on the corner of Leona and North Park), a park (Uvalde Athletic field), a garden, presently the City park, and four town plazas. Mr. Black names the plazas: the market, now known as the bandstand; the fountain, now the post office; the townhall (City Hall); and the courthouse.

UVALDE COUNTY, named for Spaniard Juan de Ugalde,qv is in Southwest Texas midway between San Antonio and the International Amistad Reservoir on the United States-Mexico border. Uvalde County covers 1,588 square miles and the Nueces, Leona, Sabinal, Dry Frio, and Frio rivers flow through Uvalde County. At the intersection of U.S. highways 83 and 90 is Uvalde, the county seat. Other major towns are Knippa, Sabinal, and Utopia; minor towns are Cline, Montell, Concan, and Reagan Wells.

Artifacts discovered in various parts of the county indicate that people hunted and gathered in the future Uvalde County as long ago as 7000 B.C. After the establishment of San Antonio in 1718, the Uvalde County region was consistently traversed by Spanish soldiers, commercial packtrains, buffalo hunters, cattlemen, and mineral prospectors.

In 1762 Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Mission was established near the site of present Montell and near the site of a prehistoric Indian village at Candelaria Springs. The mission was abandoned in 1767 due to Comanche attacks. On January 9, 1790, Juan de Ugalde,qv governor of Coahuila and commandant of the Provincias Internas,qv led 600 men to a decisive victory over the Apaches near the site of modern Utopia at a place known then as Arroyo de la Soledad. In honor of his victory, the canyon area was thereafter called Cañon de Ugalde.

The years immediately following the Civil War were marked by conflicts between Confederates and Unionists returning to live in Uvalde County. Black's attempt to form a strong local Union League may have led to his assassination in October 1867.

At the end of the Civil War, Uvalde County remained the last frontier district court site for a region that included the unorganized territories of Zavala, Kinney, Edwards and Maverick counties. The region was home to smugglers, cattle and horse rustlers, and numerous other desperadoes. One of the county's most colorful and powerful characters during this period of lawlessness was its most notorious cattle rustler, J. King Fisher.

Uvalde County gradually emerged.

During the first decade of the twentieth century the county's population grew from 4,617 in 1900 to an estimated 11,233 in 1910.

One-fourth of all mohair produced in the United States in 1903 originated in Uvalde County.

Between 1900 and 1903 irrigated farm acres increased from 365 to 2,500. By 1903 farms were successfully growing peaches, plums, figs, pears, onions, tomatoes, pumpkins, melons, potatoes, cabbage, and beans. Onions shipped from Uvalde County reached a high of 100,000 pounds in 1903.

Limestone asphalt mined at Blewett in southwest Uvalde County was shipped to road-paving contractors throughout Texas from 1898 to 1901.

In 1910 county farmers harvested 23,135 pounds of pecans.

In 1921, the construction of the Uvalde and Northern Railway to Camp Wood and of the Asphalt Beltway Railway in 1921, and the expansion of the asphalt mines in far southwestern Uvalde County at Blewett and Dabney, drew in Mexican Americans, whom by 1930, made up 40 percent of Uvalde County's population.

The Great Depression caused many Mexicans living in Uvalde County and Texas to return to the relatively calm political environment and improving economic conditions in Mexico. Only large-scale ranches survived the depression.

Two notable government projects were completed in the county in the later part of the 1930s: the National Fish Hatchery, three miles west of Uvalde (1937), and Garner State Park, which was built with Civilian Conservation Corps labor and opened in 1941.

Garner Army Air Field opened in 1941. Due to a boom in economy, the land was turned over. From 1947 to present day, this land is the home of Southwest Texas Junior College.

Ranchmen in Uvalde County were primarily breeding Hereford cattle by 1940.

 In 1948 the dominant agribusinesses in Uvalde County were livestock and the wool and mohair industry; that year an estimated 48,448 acres of farmland was under cultivation.

 A 2,500-acre pecan plantation, irrigated by one of the largest artesian wellsqv in South Texas, had 30,000 trees in Uvalde County in 1940. During the 1950s a devastating drought claimed large numbers of cattle and live oak trees, as water wells went dry; the production of corn, wheat, cotton, and oats declined dramatically, and the number of farms dropped from 690 in 1950 to 525 in 1959. The raising of pecans remained a major industry in the county in the 1990s.

 By 1960 Mexican Americans made up one half of Uvalde County's 16,015 population. Efforts to gain civil rights for Hispanics in Uvalde County began with the establishment of the Tomas Valle Post of the American Legion.

 As late as November 23, 1973, a federal administrative judge ruled that Uvalde County schools were still segregated. County churches maintained segregated places of worship until an integrated Catholic church emerged in Uvalde in 1965.

 In 1973 Uvalde County had one of the largest wool and mohair merchandising warehouses in Texas. By 1975 the county rated third among counties in Texas in Angora goat and mohair production.

 The National Fish Hatchery, produced a million fish annually in the early 1970s-fish produced were channel catfish, largemouth bass, and sunfish. Ranchers began leasing their land to hunters.

 By the 1970s the Hereford breed had decreased in popularity, and ranchers had begun to crossbreed with Brahman cattle,qv a breed able to graze farther from water in hot weather. Since 1973 Uvalde County livestock raisers have introduced a number of European breeds to produce cattle more adaptable to feedlots, which have become more common.

 The population grew from 17,348 in 1970 to 22,441 in 1980.

 A substantial increase in improved acreage, from 54,187 acres in 1970 to 123,576 acres in 1980, resulted in increased production of corn, wheat, and cotton. Approximately $45 million from farming industry in Uvalde was recorded in 1974.

 County voters supported Democratic presidential candidates in all elections except in the years 1928 and 1952. After 1952, however, voters consistently supported Republican candidates, with one exception in 1964.

 The Texas Agricultural Extension Service recorded an estimated market value of $11,062,000 for cotton, $6,183,000 for corn, and $1,100,000 for wheat in 1989 for Uvalde County.

 A variety of vegetables with estimated cash receipts of $7,982,000 were grown in the county that year-spinach, onions, cantaloupes, carrots, cabbage, and cucumbers.

 Ranchers in 1989 received an estimated $2,222,700 in hunting leases on 740,000 acres of land. These profits helped them survive losses in other areas of their operation.

 County ranchers fed an estimated 43,500 beef cattle, 17,000 pigs, 85,000 goats, and 38,000 sheep in 1989.

 The allocation of the county's underground water was the dominant concern for farmers, ranchers, merchants, and politicians throughout the 1980s. Below-average rainfall in the late 1980s accelerated efforts to maintain local control of underground water supplies. In January 1989 Uvalde County joined Medina County by withdrawing from the Edwards Underground Water District.

 Uvalde has taken on the reputation of the "County of 1,000 Springs," and it is no mystery that the waterways that run through Uvalde County are crystal clear, giving way to the town slogan of " Clearly, Texas."

 A rare winter freeze in 1989, when temperatures dipped to 6° F, so extensively damaged the county's winter vegetable crop that Uvalde county judge Bill Mitchell declared the county a disaster area.

 In 1990 Uvalde County had a population of 23,340, with 60 percent identified as Hispanic.

 Not only recognized for its beautiful architecture, Uvalde is known as the "City of Trees" due to the huge live oak trees that were preserved during the layout of the town. The first seven streets, which ran east and west, were Leona, Mesquite, Oak, Nopal, Main, Garden, and Calera. The first five streets that ran north and south were Park, High, Getty, Camp, and Wood. The streets, that intersected the four town plazas, were, and still are, Main and Getty.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lizardo S. Berrios, Socialization in a Mexican-American Community-A Study in Civilization Perspective (Ph.D. dissertation, New School for Social Research, 1979). Lois Miller Carmichael, The History of Uvalde County (M.A. thesis, Southwest Texas State Teachers College, 1944). Florence Fenley, Oldtimers: Frontier Days in the Uvalde Section of Southwest Texas (Uvalde, Texas: Hornby, 1939). A Proud Heritage: A History of Uvalde County (Uvalde, Texas: El Progreso Club, 1975). Uvalde Leader-News, January 14, 1990. Vertical images, El Progreso Memorial Library, Uvalde, Texas. WPA Texas Historical Records Survey, Inventory of the County Archives of Texas (MS, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin).

Zapata, TX© Copyright 2009 Zapata County Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.

601 N. US Hwy 83 | PO Box 1028 | Zapata, TX 78076

Phone: (956) 765-4871 | (800) 292-LAKE | Fax: (956) 765-5434 | Email

Visitor Information

Zapata, Texas is the home of Falcon Reservoir and Dam and a town with very unique attractions and often called “the best kept secret in Texas”…. we welcome visitors with a warm and folksy style.   We are located 50 miles south of Laredo and 200 miles south of San Antonio on the Mexican Border along the shore of Falcon Lake, and we are the gateway to the Rio Grande Valley.

The conveniences and attractions of a modern resort coupled with the world class fishing, hunting and birding is what draws thousands of visitors to the area each year, and has brought many back to live.

The ….. and vibrant business climate and the friendly people call Zapata County home.   With the waters of Falcon Lake and the mountains of Mexico as a backdrop, you will witness some of the most spectacular sunsets.

From sunrise to sunset, the area is a great playground for fishing, water skiing, sailing, bird watching, hunting, golf, shopping and visiting some of the most historic villages in the state of Texas.

As the day winds down with the spectacular sunsets over the lake, you will want to visit the large selection of   restaurants available for your choosing then retreat to one of our hotels, lodges or bed & breakfasts. 

Welcome to the Home of Falcon Lake, Zapata.