Val Verde County, Texas

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

• 1928 Lake Hamilton Dam complete.^[5]
• 1904 Lillie Langtry visits the community of Langtry.^[27]
• 1929 Lake Walk Dam complete.^[5][28]
• 1936 Val Verde County received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark number 5625 to commemorate its founding.^[29]
• 1942 Laughlin Field/Laughlin Army Air Field opens to train World War II pilots.^[5][30]
• 1945 Laughlin Field closes.^[5]
• 1952 Laughlin Field reopens as Laughlin Air Force Base, and serves as a secret U2 unit. Major Rudolf Anderson, a U-2 pilot based out of Laughlin, was the only casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis.^[31][32]
• 1969 Amistad Dam and Reservoir complete. The project cost $78 million.^[5][33]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 90
• U.S. Highway 277
• U.S. Highway 377
• State Highway 163
• Loop 79

Adjacent counties and municipios

• Crockett County (north)
• Sutton County (northeast)
• Edwards County (east)
• Kinney County (east)
• Terrell County (west)
• Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico (south)
• Jiménez, Coahuila, Mexico (south)

National protected areas

• Amistad National Recreation Area
• Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River (part)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 47,586. The median age was 34.5 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.9 males age 18 and over.^[40][41]

The racial makeup of the county was 44.6% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 17.5% from some other race, and 34.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 80.3% of the population.^[41]

89.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 10.3% lived in rural areas.^[42]

There were 15,796 households in the county, of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.9% were married-couple households, 17.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[40]

There were 18,455 housing units, of which 14.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.9% were owner-occupied and 35.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.6%.^[40]

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 44,856 people, 14,151 households, and 11,320 families resided in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km²). The 16,288 housing units averaged 5 units per square mile (1.9 units/km²). 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.^[44]

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.

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^[51]
• 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.

City

• Del Rio (county seat)

Census-designated places

Former census-designated places

• Box Canyon-Amistad

Unincorporated communities

• Comstock
• Juno
• Langtry
• Pandale

Ghost town

• Pumpville^[54]