Zavala County Texas. (original) (raw)

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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)

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

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