La Rosita, aka Rosita, Texas, Duval County. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
Founded around the turn of the 20th century, a school preceeded the opening of a post office in 1917 (closed in 1929).
Prior to the Great Depression the population was a mere five residents, growing to 20 in the late 1940s. The community enjoyed a high-water mark of 25 residents for the 2000 census.
A Visit to La Rosita
Photographer's Note:
Here are a few pic's of what's left of the town of Rosita, Texas. Located in Duval County between the towns of Freer and San Diego. About a 1-1/2 miles SW of the intersection of Hwy 44 and FM 3196. When Hwy 44 was built they were bypassed and its decline was sealed. - William Beauchamp, October 2009
Felipe Valerio Store and Garage Historical Marker
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, October 2009
Historical Marker - On junction of Hwy 44 and FM 3196
Felipe Valerio Store and Garage
(1.5 MI. Southeast)
Built in 1905 by Felipe Valerio (1878-1953) and his wife Jesusa (1886-1973), the Valerio store was an integral part of the small community of La Rosita. Located approximately halfway between San Diego and Freer, the store provided groceries and other goods for residents of this rural area. An increase in business from the area oil boom in the 1930s led to the addition of a gas station and garage. The store also served as a bus station, and Felipe Valerio was local postmaster from 1917 to 1929. Construction of State Highway 44 led to the closing of the store in 1956.
La Rosita, Texas Forum
- Subject: Rosita, Duvall County, Tx
A gas station, beer joint was built up on Hwy 44, known as the Rosita Inn. It was one of the few watering holes between Freer and San Diego. As a child I remember going into the original Rosita store as we lived about 5 miles west toward Freer. Sometime in the 1940's a young girl waiting on a San Diego school bus was attacked and killed by a mountain lion at Rosita. - Gloria Beare, September 09, 2011
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