Val Verde County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Val Verde County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau
in the U.S. state
of Texas
. In 2008, estimated population was 55,000. Its county seat
is Del Rio
. In 1936, Val Verde County received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
number 5625 to commemorate its founding.
Val Verde, which means "green valley", was named for a Civil War battle. 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.
The Del Rio Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Val Verde County.
Judge Roy Bean (1825–1903) operated a general store
and saloon west of the Pecos River
in Langtry
, where the original Bean building is displayed at a Texas Tourist Bureau station. Bean and his son are interred on the grounds of the Whitehead Memorial Museum
in Del Rio. Bean is the subject of the 1956 syndicated
television series Judge Roy Bean
, starring Edgar Buchanan
, and the 1972 film
, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean
, with Paul Newman
in the featured role.
, the county has a total area of 3232 square miles (8,370.8 km²), of which 3170 square miles (8,210.3 km²) is land and 62 square miles (160.6 km²) (1.92%) is water.
of 2000, there were 44,856 people, 14,151 households, and 11,320 families residing in the county. The population density
was 14 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 16,288 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 76.36% White
, 1.54% Black
or 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. 75.46% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 14,151 households out of which 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 non-families. 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 spread out with 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.
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.
Edwards Plateau
The Edwards Plateau is a region of west-central Texas which is bounded by the Balcones Fault to the south and east, the Llano Uplift and the Llano Estacado to the north, and the Pecos River and Chihuahuan Desert to the west. San Angelo, Austin, San Antonio and Del Rio roughly outline the area...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. In 2008, estimated population was 55,000. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Del Rio
Del Rio, Texas
Del Rio is a border city in and the county seat of Val Verde County, Texas, United States.. Del Rio is connected with Ciudad Acuña via the Lake Amistad Dam International Crossing and Del Río-Ciudad Acuña International Bridge...
. In 1936, Val Verde County received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark is a designation awarded by the Texas Historical Commission for historically and architecturally significant properties in the state of Texas....
number 5625 to commemorate its founding.
Val Verde, which means "green valley", was named for a Civil War battle. In 1862, soldiers of Sibley
Henry Hopkins Sibley
Henry Hopkins Sibley was a brigadier general during the American Civil War, leading the Confederate States Army in the New Mexico Territory. His attempt to gain control of trails to California was defeated at the Battle of Glorieta Pass...
's Brigade took part in the Texas invasion of New Mexico Territory
New Mexico Territory
thumb|right|240px|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of...
, 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.
The Del Rio Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Val Verde County.
Judge Roy Bean (1825–1903) operated a general store
General store
A general store, general merchandise store, or village shop is a rural or small town store that carries a general line of merchandise. It carries a broad selection of merchandise, sometimes in a small space, where people from the town and surrounding rural areas come to purchase all their general...
and saloon west of the Pecos River
Pecos River
The headwaters of the Pecos River are located north of Pecos, New Mexico, United States, at an elevation of over 12,000 feet on the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Mora County. The river flows for through the eastern portion of that state and neighboring Texas before it...
in Langtry
Langtry, Texas
Langtry is an unincorporated community in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. The community is notable as the place where "Judge" Roy Bean, the "Law West of the Pecos", had his saloon and practiced a kind of law.-History:...
, where the original Bean building is displayed at a Texas Tourist Bureau station. Bean and his son are interred on the grounds of the Whitehead Memorial Museum
Whitehead Memorial Museum
The Whitehead Memorial Museum is a western museum complex in downtown Del Rio, Texas. Located on two and a half landscaped acres, the museum consists of nine buildings...
in Del Rio. Bean is the subject of the 1956 syndicated
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
television series Judge Roy Bean
Judge Roy Bean (TV series)
Judge Roy Bean is a syndicated American Western series starring Edgar Buchanan as the legendary Kentucky-born Judge Roy Bean, a justice of the peace known as "The law west of the Pecos".-Synopsis:...
, starring Edgar Buchanan
Edgar Buchanan
Edgar Buchanan was an American actor with a long career in both film and television, most familiar today as Uncle Joe Carson from the Petticoat Junction, Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies television sitcoms of the 1960s...
, and the 1972 film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean is a 1972 western film written by John Milius, directed by John Huston, and starring Paul Newman...
, with Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
in the featured role.
History Timeline
- First inhabitants were 6,000–10,000 years ago and later came to include Lipan Apache, CoahuiltecanCoahuiltecanCoahuiltecan or Paikawa was a proposed language family in John Wesley Powell's 1891 classification of Native American languages that consisted of Coahuilteco and Cotoname. The proposal was expanded to include Comecrudo, Karankawa, and Tonkawa...
, JumanosSuma-JumanoThe Suma and the Jumano were people in western Sonora and Trans-Pecos region of western Texas. The Suma was the western division and the Jumano were the eastern division.-History:...
, Tamaulipans and Comanches. - 1590 Spanish explorer Gaspar Castaño de SosaGaspar Castaño de SosaGaspar Castaño de Sosa was a colonist and explorer who attempted to establish a Spanish colony in New Mexico in 1591.-Life and background:Castaño de Sosa was born about 1550 in Portugal. He is believed by many authorities to have been a converso or "Crypto-Jew" – an ostensible Christian who...
leads a mining expedition of 170 who pass through Devils Draw. He refers to a stream by the name of Laxas, which is believed Devils River. - 1673 Juan Larios opens a mission school at between Del Rio and Eagle Pass.
- 1675 Traveling Franciscan priests celebrate Mass at San Felipe Springs.
- 1736 Lt. Miguel de la Garza Falcón leads 100 soldiers along the Devils RiverDevils River (Texas)The Devils River is a pristine, whitewater river in southwestern Texas, USA. It begins in northwest Sutton County, at , where six watercourses come together, Dry Devils River, Granger Draw, House Draw, Jackson, Flat Rock Draw, and Rough Canyon...
in pursuit of Apaches. - 1834 James Grant and John Charles Beales establish settlement on San Felipe Creek, which becomes undesirable due to Indian attacks.
- 1850’s Military bases to protect against Indian attacks include Camp Blake, Camp Hudson and Camp San Felipe.
- 1860 Population of 2,874, includes 108 blacks and 1,103 foreign-born.
- 1868 San Felipe Del Rio community is established on San Felipe Creek next to Camp San Felipe.
- 1869 through 1882 Seminole Negro Indian ScoutsBlack SeminolesThe Black Seminoles is a term used by modern historians for the descendants of free blacks and some runaway slaves , mostly Gullahs who escaped from coastal South Carolina and Georgia rice plantations into the Spanish Florida wilderness beginning as early as the late 17th century...
(mixed heritage Seminoles with African blood) under John Lapham Bullis, namesake of Camp BullisCamp BullisCamp Bullis Military Training Reservation is a U.S. Army training camp located in Bexar County, Texas, just northwest of San Antonio, USA. The camp is named for Brigadier General John Lapham Bullis ,...
, defend the Texas border against Indian attack. - 1883 Galveston Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway is completed. Frank Qualia establishes Val Verde winery.
- 1884 LangtryLangtry, TexasLangtry is an unincorporated community in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. The community is notable as the place where "Judge" Roy Bean, the "Law West of the Pecos", had his saloon and practiced a kind of law.-History:...
community established, named by Judge Roy Bean after Lillie LangtryLillie LangtryLillie Langtry , usually spelled Lily Langtry when she was in the U.S., born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton, was a British actress born on the island of Jersey...
. - 1885 Val Verde County is organized from Crockett, KinneyKinney County, TexasKinney County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 3,379. Its seat is Brackettville. Kinney County is named for Henry Lawrence Kinney, an early settler.-Geography:...
, and PecosPecos County, TexasPecos County is a county located in Texas which is named for the Pecos River. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 16,809. The county seat is Fort Stockton....
counties. Roy BeanRoy BeanPhantly Roy Bean, Jr. was an eccentric U.S. saloon-keeper and Justice of the Peace in Val Verde County, Texas, who called himself "The Law West of the Pecos". According to legend, Judge Roy Bean held court in his saloon along the Rio Grande in a desolate stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert of...
elected justice of the peace in Langtry, operating out of the Jersey Lily Saloon and becoming renowned as “the Law West of the Pecos”. - 1886 Juno and Devils River communities established.
- 1888 Comstock community established.
- 1889 Norris community established.
- 1928 Lake Hamilton Dam complete.
- 1904 Lillie Langtry visits the community of Langtry.
- 1929 Lake Walk Dam complete.
- 1942 Laughlin Field/Laughin Army Air Field opens to train World War II pilots.
- 1945 Laughlin Field closes.
- 1952 Laughlin Field reopens as Laughlin Air Force BaseLaughlin Air Force BaseLaughlin Air Force Base is a facility of the United States Air Force located five miles east of the central business district of Del Rio, Texas.-Overview:...
, and serves as a secret U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
unit. Major Rudolf AndersonRudolph AndersonRudolf Anderson, Jr. was a pilot and officer in the United States Air Force, and the first recipient of the Air Force Cross...
, a U-2 pilot from Laughlin, is the only casualty of the Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile CrisisThe Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
. - 1969 Armistad Dam and ReservoirAmistad ReservoirAmistad Reservoir is a reservoir on the Rio Grande at its confluence with the Devils River 12 miles northwest of Del Rio, Texas, USA. The lake is bounded by Val Verde County on the Texas side of the international border, and the state of Coahuila on the Mexican side of the border...
complete. The project cost $78 million.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 3232 square miles (8,370.8 km²), of which 3170 square miles (8,210.3 km²) is land and 62 square miles (160.6 km²) (1.92%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 90
U.S. Highway 277
U.S. Highway 377
State Highway 163- State Loop 79 is currently under construction in Val Verde County & Del Rio. It will connect with U.S. Highway 90, U.S. Highway 277 and U.S. Highway 377. The Loop is expected to create an economic boom that will bring in well known National name brand Hotels, retail stores and restaurant establishments to the area.
Adjacent counties and municipios
- Crockett County (north)
- Sutton County (northeast)
- Edwards County (east)
- Kinney CountyKinney County, TexasKinney County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 3,379. Its seat is Brackettville. Kinney County is named for Henry Lawrence Kinney, an early settler.-Geography:...
(east) - Terrell CountyTerrell County, TexasTerrell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 1,081. Its county seat is Sanderson. The county was named for Alexander W. Terrell, a Texas state senator...
(west) - Acuña, Coahuila, MexicoAcuña (municipality)Acuña is a one of the 38 municipalities of Coahuila, in north-eastern Mexico. The municipal seat lies at Ciudad Acuña, which contained over 98% of the municipality's population in 2010. The municipality covers an area of 11,487.7 km² and is located on the international border between Mexico...
(south) - Jiménez, Coahuila, MexicoJiménez (municipality of Coahuila)Jiménez is a one of the 38 municipalities of Coahuila, in north-eastern Mexico. The municipal seat lies at Jiménez. The municipality covers an area of 3040.9 km² and is located on the international border between Mexico and the USA, here formed by the Río Bravo del Norte , adjacent to the U.S...
(south)
National protected areas
- Amistad National Recreation AreaAmistad National Recreation AreaAmistad National Recreation Area includes the area around the Amistad Reservoir at the confluence of the Rio Grande River, the Devils River, and the Pecos River. "Amistad" is Spanish for "friendship", as the Amistad Reservoir is located on the border with Mexico...
- Rio Grande Wild and Scenic RiverRio Grande Wild and Scenic RiverThe Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River protects a 196 mile portion of the Rio Grande in Texas. Parts of Brewster, Terrell, and Val Verde counties are included in this section of the river....
(part)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 44,856 people, 14,151 households, and 11,320 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 14 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 16,288 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 76.36% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.54% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.68% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.55% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 18.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.60% from two or more races. 75.46% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 14,151 households out of which 42.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.00% were non-families. 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 spread out with 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.
Economy
The median income for a household in the county was $28,376, and the median income for a family was $31,434. Males had a median income of $26,485 versus $18,039 for females. The per capita incomePer capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Cities and towns
|
Juno, Texas Juno is a small unincorporated community in Val Verde County, Texas, United States, in the southwestern part of the state.-Population and location:... Lake View, Texas Lake View is a census-designated place in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. The population was 167 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lake View is located at .... Langtry, Texas Langtry is an unincorporated community in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. The community is notable as the place where "Judge" Roy Bean, the "Law West of the Pecos", had his saloon and practiced a kind of law.-History:... |
Laughlin Air Force Base Laughlin Air Force Base is a facility of the United States Air Force located five miles east of the central business district of Del Rio, Texas.-Overview:... Pandale, Texas Pandale is a ghost town in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. It is a small town whose current population is smaller than in some previous years. It has been noted as a starting point for canoeing expeditions.-Location and Population:... Val Verde Park, Texas Val Verde Park is a census-designated place in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,945 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Val Verde Park is located at .... |