“Rio Bravo ” is the old Spanish name of this county, which is situated in Southwestern Texas, just east of the line of the 23d degree of longitude west from Washington, and between the 29th and 30th parallels of north latitude. It contains an area of 1,300 square miles, and a population of about 3,000, composed of Americans and Mexicans.
The Frio, Leona and Nueces rivers run diagonally through the county, and take in mountain springs. With other small streams these rivers furnish the water supply. The valley lands are rich, and under a
system of irrigation very productive. South and west of the mountain range
there is considerable timber, in sufficient quantities for domestic purposes. In
that section of the county about 2,000 acres of the valley lands of the Frio and
Leona rivers have come under cultivation, producing corn, cane, wheat, oats, and
vegetables in great variety.
About 20 miles northwest from Uvalde an irrigating ditch is being cut, leading from the Nueces river, which will bring under successful and profitable cultivation from fifteen to twenty thousand acres of valuable lands. The chief industries of the county are stock raising, and farming which needs irrigation to be successful.
A large New York company has been formed for the purpose of cutting a canal from the Nueces river, some ten miles west from Uvalde, which when completed will furnish water for over 20,000 acres of fertile soil. The town of Uvalde is situated in the southern central portion of the
county, and has a thriving population of about 700. It is upon the banks and
near the head of the beautiful Leona river, surrounded by a growth of elm, oak,
hackberry and pecan, and therefore in the midst of a charming forest park.
The surface of the county is considerably broken, the climate is dry and delightful,
the rain-fall moderate, and the temperature averages about 69 degrees. Upon the
construction of a railroad through this county west from San Antonio it will offer
large inducements to settlers. The town of Uvalde is west from San Antonio
90 miles. Mr. N. L. Stratton is the district clerk.
Source: Southern and Western Texas Guide for 1878/ James L. Rock, W.I. Smith
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