Along the river irrigation allows the farming of vegetables, grains, and cottons. There are no permanent streams in the county, although many dry arroyos become raging torrents during heavy rainfalls.
San Esteban Dam was built across Alamito Creek and on the site of a historic spring-fed tinaja in as an irrigation and land promotion project. The prairies, mountains, desert, and river give Presidio County an unusual beauty. Altitudes in the county vary from 2, to 7, feet above sea level. Average rainfall is only twelve inches per year, but it comes mainly in June, July, and August. The growing season extends for days. Natural resources under production in were perlite, crushed rhyolite, sand, and gravel.
Silver mining contributed greatly to the economy of the county from the s to the s. Presidio County has no oil or gas production. About B. Since La Junta was located on an ancient and heavily traveled north-south trade route, its settlers absorbed the cultures of passersby.
Before the Spaniards appeared in La Junta the natives formed two main tribes, the Julimes and the Jumanos. They found the Indians living in pueblos and raising large crops of corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, and melons. Both the Julimes and Jumanos later succumbed to Spanish influence. The Julimes vanished in an attempt to remain aloof from the Spaniards. The Jumanos lost their identity and self-sufficiency by becoming good subjects of the Spanish crown.
After Cabeza de Vaca's visit a number of Spanish expeditions came to present Presidio County, the first in Although Spaniards explored the area of present Presidio County, they established no settlements there because they could not control the Apache and Comanche Indians.
Indian depredations continued under the Mexican government, but the first White settlement in the area of present Presidio County was established on Cibolo Creek three miles north of the site of Presidio in January by the family of Lt. With the annexation of Texas to the Union in , Americans recognized the economic potential of the frontier along the Rio Grande. By Ben Leaton built Fort Leaton on the river as his home, trading post, and private bastion.
Milton Faver was the first American to move away from the safety of the river, becoming the first large-scale rancher in the area of present Presidio County. He built two private forts-Fort Cibolo and Fort Cienega-to protect his family, workers, and livestock from Indian raids.
Several other Americans irrigated crops and grazed herds on the Rio Grande in the s and s. Although the United States census of reported no population for Presidio County, a sufficient number lived there to establish the county from Bexar Land District on January 3, Fort Leaton was the as the county seat. In the army built Fort Davis in northern Presidio County to protect travelers and settlers. By Indian attacks declined, and the census of that year recorded Whites, two free Blacks, and four slaves.
As in most frontier areas men outnumbered women to The fort was reopened in , and the population of the county increased threefold by , when 1, people were listed as residents, of them were women and were Mexican emigrants. The Black population increased to when buffalo soldiers were stationed at Fort Davis. Presidio County was organized in as the largest county in the United States, with 12, square miles. Fort Davis was named the county seat. The s brought Presidio County a larger population and improvements in the economy and in transportation.
The census of reported 2, inhabitants, a total increase of 1, and more Mexican immigrants than in John W. Spencer, a local rancher and trader, found a silver deposit in the Chinati Mountains in that resulted in the opening of Presidio Mine and the beginning of the company town of Shafter. From until the mine produced over The railroad reached Presidio County in when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway laid tracks through its northeastern corner.
With the railroad to move livestock and the Indian threat over, a new generation of cattlemen came into the county and started large ranches in and Mitchell built the first barbed wire fence in the county at Antelope Springs in The widespread use of barbed wire resulted in the refinement of cattle breeds, improvement of ranges, and innovative use of water supplies. Windmills , water wells, and earthen tanks were introduced on Presidio County ranches in the late s.
The first sighting of the phenomenal Marfa Lights was recorded in when Robert Reed Ellison came through Paisano Pass and saw the mysterious lights. On any clear night they are still visible between Marfa and Paisano Pass. The lights at times appear colored as they twinkle in the distance.
They move about, split apart, melt together, disappear, and reappear. The source of the lights and the reason for their movements have not been explained. Best Places to Live in presidio Rankings. Housing Market in presidio. It's a good time to buy in Presidio. Home Appreciation is up 6. The median home price in Presidio is. You can also use our New Interactive Map to explore places. Try Now. All rights reserved. BestPlaces Mobile App. Lowest Priced Homes. Most Expensive Listings.
Largest Homes. More Economy. More Voting Stats. Since , it has had a population decline of 6. Learn More The National Average is Home appreciation the last 10 years has been 5.
The average school expenditure in the U. There are about More Education. Start Your Review of Presidio. Members receive 10 FREE city profile downloads a month, unlimited access to our detailed cost of living calculator and analysis, unlimited access to our DataEngine, and more.
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