Rio Hondo, Texas. (original) (raw)

Arroyo Colorado
Photo Courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2008

History in a Pecan Shell

Spanish for "deep river," the community was named in 1910 for being on the Arroyo Colorado. A post office was granted the following year and opened in the store of J. R. George.

The population was 150 in 1914 when the town had most essential businesses - as well as a restaurant. The population grew to 250 in the mid-1920s and by the end of that decade it had swelled to 1,000. The Great Depression took its toll - and by the end of the 30s, the population had decreased to 713. A rebound in the 50s put it over 1,100. The population in 2000 was given as 1,942.

Historical Marker - On FM 1420,
near intersection with FM 508 (Combes-Rio Hondo Road):

Stagecoach to the Rio Grande, C.S.A.

About 10 miles east of this site during the Civil War was Paso Real, ferry point on Arroyo Colorado. As early as 1846, stagecoaches had gone over Paso Real Ferry (the name probably meant "The King's Pass"). In the 1860's, the spot had international importance. It was a crossing for the cotton road, lifeline of the Confederacy. When Federal coastal blockades had cut off imports and exports for the entire South, this road moved cotton down to Matamoros so that it coud be exchanged for guns, ammunition, medicines, cloth, shoes, blankets and many other vital goods.

Besides the prized cotton loads that went past Paso Real, the stagecoach connection there was of importance to Confederate and foreign businessmen, government agents, diplomats and Army personnel.

This was an area of conflict and intrigue. Bandits and Army deserters watched the road for stages and cotton wagons to pilfer. Mysterious travelers went this way--sometimes with a pursuing Sheriff on the next stage.

Of 31 stagelines in Confederate Texas (hauling mail, soldiers, civilians), no other was more vital nor more interesting to travel than this through Paso Real.

1965

Cameron County Office
Photo Courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2008

Cameron County 1920s map showing Riohondo
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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