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The Naming
of Del Rio & Val Verde
Val
Verde is named after the Battle of Val Verde
from the Civil War; the only Texas County named after a battle. San
Felipe del Rio was Del Rio's "birth name" because the founding occurred
on St. Phillip's Day. |
Historical
Marker (on109 W. Broadway):
The City of
Del Rio
City of Del Rio
Del Rio was selected as Val
Verde County seat when the county was organized in 1885, but it
was another 20 years before the first city government was established.
In 1905, city residents voted to incorporate, and James McLymont was
elected first mayor. Although records from the early 1900s are scarce,
there are indications that Del Rio unincorporated after 1906. In November
1911, voters elected to incorporate again under the city commission
form of government. A home rule charter was adopted in 1918, allowing
for greater flexibility in governing. The city commission remained
in place until a 1967 election set up a council-manager system of
government for Del Rio.
(2002) |
Del Rio Attractions
& Nearby Destinations
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Val Verde County Jail
San Felipe
Springs : Just east of town on Highway 90. The source of San
Felipe Springs flows from area next to golf course. 90,000,000 gallons
of pure water flow from this pool daily. North side of Hwy 90.
Whitehead
Memorial Museum :
1308 S. Main Street 830-774-7568
Roy Bean may be forever linked to Langtry,
but he's buried here (with his son). A wide array of exhibits on
21/2 acres of grounds.
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Del Rio, Texas
Landmarks
Photo Gallery
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Del Rio has kept a surprising number of its buildings
and it is easy to imagine the city as it was in the 1940s.
Likewise, residential neighborhoods are intact and most of the ugly
commercial growth has occurred on the Highway between Del Rio, Laughlin
AFB and Lake Amistad. |
Methodist Church
as it appeared in 1949
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ |
Close-up view
of the First United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January, 2009 |
The Sacred Heart
Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2004 |
The
Sacred Heart Catholic Church:
"On the east side of the courthouse.
Built of native limestone, it was completed in 1892 and remodeled
in 1929." - Terry
Jeanson |
Roswell Hotel
in the 1930s
Postcard
courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
More Rooms
With a Past |
"On E. Losoya
St. north of the courthouse
looking west. The building in the distance on the far left is the
Roswell Hotel."
- Terry
Jeanson, January, 2009 |
"High School,
Del Rio, Texas"
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ |
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Painting of
a girl
TE photo, 2002
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Del
Rio, 1939 - Most of these buildings are extant today.
Old Postcard, TE Archives |
Main Street,
Del Rio
Postcards courtesy www.rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ |
Main Street,
Del Rio
Postcards courtesy www.rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ |
Del
Rio Tourist Information
Del Rio Chamber of Commerce:
1915 Avenue "F"
830-775-3551
Website: www.drchamber.com/
Del
Rio Hotels › Book Here
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Val
Verde County
1940s map showing Del Rio (by the Rio Grande)
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 and recent
or vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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