| Leslie Morales and Johanna Morales | Fall, 2005 |
| U.S. History 1302 | R. Hines, Instructor |
In April of 1853, a man named Reading W. Black purchased 460,535 acres for the price of $2,500.00. In 1855, Black founded a small town which he originally named Encina, this town was furiously attacked by Seminole, Tonkawa and Lipan-Apache Indians and this, among many other contributing factors, discouraged people from coming to this new town, but after time, Uvalde began to attract settlers with its mine and railroad and thus began to grow. In 1856 the name of the town was changed to Uvalde, after a Spanish governor whose name was Juan de Ugalde, and became the county seat at the time. Reading Black was assassinated after the Civil War, but the town that he left behind would make him proud today.
The town of Uvalde in Uvalde County is located at the crossroads of the nation’s two longest highways, Highway 83 and Highway 90, it is a beautiful town where many people, including winter Texans, make their home and enjoy a peaceful life. The town is known as the "world's honey capital" and it is distinguished by its huge oak trees that give the town an interesting appeal as they sit in the middle of several of its streets- hence it is also known as the “City of trees”.
Uvalde is the official home town of Matthew McConaughey, Hollywood actor and producer who starred in the 1998 film, The Newton Boys, about the famous bank and train robbers that were also from Uvalde. Also, this town was home of the former Vice President, John Nance Garner, who contributed greatly to Uvalde’s Southwest Texas Junior College and whose home is now a museum, The Garner Museum.
Another interesting and historical story is the one of the famous outlaw, King Fisher, who eventually became a lawful man. Fisher was a man of crime, he rustled cattle and horses and was respected by other criminals, and he even put up a sign on a road that read "This is King Fisher’s road take the other." (Historical marker pioneer cemetery) Fisher was arrested in 1876, by the famous Texas Ranger Leander McNelly and after that he turned from his old and wicked ways and in 1883 he became Uvalde’s sheriff. Fisher was killed in a shootout in San Antonio, and today there stands a marker for him in Uvalde’s historic Pioneer Cemetery.
Located in the corner of 104 W. North St. stands the Janey Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House.
Built in 1891 and restored in 1982, this opera house was expected to fulfill the cultural needs of the developing town. At first, it was used for local events such as graduations and such, but then after 1904, professionals came to Uvalde and performed there for the amusement of the townfolk. This two floor building is incredible, both on the outside and the inside, it seats people on the lower floor and on a balcony, which was considered to be for the lower classes. The stage is remarkable, the lighting and everything make this precious historical marker a must see when visiting Uvalde. Today, the opera house is used by the people of Uvalde for its performing arts and several other events.
A very important historical site as well is the Pioneer Cemetery, there are markers dating back to 1859. Among these markers are the graves of the town’s founder, Reading W. Black, and King Fisher, a famous peace officer of the town. Two of the grave stones state that the person buried was killed by Indians, such as the Lipan-Apache, Seminole, and theTonkawa Indians, the first one read:Ben A. Pulliam, born January 3, 1841, was killed by Indians July 13 A.D. 1873, and the second read:Watkins, born September 19, AD 1836, Assassinated by Indians August 11, 1862, this stone marks the place of his grave and remains. The first man was killed before the town was founded in 1855, and the second was assassinated after the town was founded, and this reveals a glimpse of just how tough it must have been for the settlers, even after the town was established, there seemed to be various attacks from these Indians among the developing town.
Also, the El Progresso Memorial Library- Museum is a very important historical marker in this town. It holds many archives of the town and historic books on the town’s foundation and like topics. This library has just recently been moved to a new location and it is a great place to go and read, and discover about the town's history. On September the 16th, 2005 the library had a display on the World War II and in one of the glass cases there was the very helmet of Jack Lent, for all to see along with many other things belonging to veterans such as boots and pictures, there also were several newspaper articles.
Uvalde today has access to three continuing education institutions; the Southwest Texas Junior College, the Sul Ross University Rio Grande College, and the Texas A&M University Research & Extension Center. As mentioned before, Vice President Garner made notable donations to the Junior College which allows people from Uvalde to study and get their associate in town without having to leave, or drive far away. A bachelor’s and master’s degree are also possible to achieve without leaving home for the people of Uvalde through the University Rio Grande. The continuing education schools bring people in from neighboring towns so this is good for the economy of Uvalde.
This town seems to be doing well for itself, it is constantly growing because of the migration that takes place from Mexico and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the percentage of Hispanic residents may actually come close to being 100 percent some day. The town, has endured war time, survived droughts, and has expanded in its cultural way of life. The people of Uvalde are very pleased with the town, and it is a great town indeed, beautiful and full of history at every corner, you don’t have to live in this small town to appreciate it, all you have to do is become acquainted with it's history and it's people; The El Progresso Memorial Library- Museum is a great place to start by checking out the towns archives. Next, you should take a whole afternoon and talk to people around town, at the parks, the antique stores and at the Opera House, and Garner museum. You will see that before long you will come to love the small town of Uvalde, Texas.
An Interview with A Resident from Uvalde
Links
The Handbook of Texas Online
Annotated Bibliography:
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