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Texas
| Counties
ZAVALA
COUNTY, TEXAS
28° 51' 36"N,
99° 45' 36" W (28.86, -99.76) |
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Zavala County
History
1936 Centennial
Marker (Highway 83, 1.9 miles N of Crystal
City):
ZAVALA COUNTY
In 1832 land grant of Mexico to John Charles Beales. Lake Espantosa
was campsite on road from Mexico
to San Antonio.
County created from Uvalde County
and Maverick, 1858.
During the Civil War, especially in 1863-1864, was crossed by Cotton
Road to Eagle
Pass, entry point of Confederate goods. Including guns, powder,
medicines. Organized 1884.
Named in honor of Lorenzo de Zavala (1788-1836), signer of the Texas
Declaration of Independence; first vice president to serve Republic
of Texas.
Original county seat was Batesville.
Since 1927 it has been Crystal
City.
Historical Marker:
ZAVALA COUNTY
Explored as early as 1691 by the expedition of Domingo Teran de Los
Rios, Spanish governor of Texas. The historic San Antonio Road crossed
this region from southwest to northeast and was used by most of the
Spanish explorers and travelers of the 18th century. French-American
explorer St. Denis used it in 1714, as did the Canary Islanders, who
made one of the first civil settlements in San
Antonio, in 1718.
The county was created in 1858 from Uvalde
County and Maverick counties
and named for Texas patriot and statesman Lorenzo de Zavala. Not until
1884, however, did enough people reside here to permit it to be organized.
The first county seat was Bates City, later renamed Batesville.
First judge was J. M. Downs and commissioners were W. C. Mangum, E.
P. Waller, V. M. West and G. B. Kenney. Before 1884 was out, a school
election had been held in Palo Blanco, and a $7,500 contract had been
let for a courthouse and jail.
When the county seat moved to Crystal
City (1928) courthouse and jail were built here. New courthouse
erected 1969 at cost of $475,000 was commissioned by 1968-1969 county
courts: Irl Taylor, Judge; Cecil Davis, Jr.; F. D. Keller, Jr.; H.
R. Reynolds; E. B. Ross; Jesus Rodriguez; and Henry Volz, Jr., commissioners.
(1969) |
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Zavala County Courthouse |
Zavala
County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson |
Zavala County
Town List
Cities, Towns &
Ghost Towns: History, attractions, landmarks, architecture, monuments,
museums, cemeteries, bridges, parks, vintage & contemporary images,
area destinations, hotels,
and forum.
County Seat - Crystal
City
Book Hotel Here - Crystal
City Hotels |
Zavala County
Vintage Maps
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From 1907 Texas
state map #2090 showing Zavala County
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
From
1920 Texas state map #10749 showing Zavala County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
From
1940 Texas state map #4335 showing Zavala County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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