Del Rio, Texas. (original) (raw)
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
- 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.
Del Rio, Texas Landmarks
Photo Gallery
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." -
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/
Painting of a girl
TE photo, 2002
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 InformationDel Rio Chamber of Commerce:
1915 Avenue "F"
830-775-3551
Website: www.drchamber.com/
Del Rio Hotels › Book Here
Val Verde County 1940s map showing Del Rio (by the Rio Grande)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
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