Near Inez in Victoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Victoria County
Photographed By Brian Anderson, February 20, 2022
1. Victoria County Marker
Inhabited briefly by adventurer Cabeza de Vaca in 1530's and French explorer La Salle in 1680's. Site of 1720 Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga. Mission friars, sent here to Christianize and civilize the Karankawa Indians, laid foundation for the cattle industry of Texas, their stray stock forming nucleus for later vast herds of wild cattle. Presidio La Bahia, founded 1721 within present Victoria County, has been restored on a later site, in Goliad.
Civilian settlement began in 1824 with Martin de Leon's grant from the Mexican government to plant a colony on the Guadalupe River. Placido Benavides, son-in-law of De Leon, commanded Victoria militia, which as part of army of Gen. Sam Houston, opposed Mexican countrymen during the Texas Revolution.
After the establishment of the Republic of Texas, Victoria County was officially organized in 1837. Many settlers from the Old South immigrated to the area.
Navigation of Guadalupe River began 1854 with line of steamers between Victoria and Indianola. Kemper's Bluff was principal cotton loading point.
Known as "Cradle of the Cattle Industry in Texas", county remained principally agricultural and ranching area until oil was discovered in late 1930's.
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee.
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.
Location. 28° 53.338′ N, 96° 49.528′ W. Marker is near Inez, Texas, in Victoria County. Marker is on U.S. 59, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in the Victoria County Southbound Safety Rest Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Inez TX 77968, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery (approx. 2.1 miles away); Fort St. Louis (approx. 2.3 miles away); St. Joseph Catholic Church (approx. 2.3 miles away); Foster Field (approx. 6˝ miles away); Foster Army Air Field (approx. 6.6 miles away); Foster Field Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); 201st Fighter Squadron, Mexican Expeditionary Air Force (the Aztec Eagles) (approx. 6.6 miles away); a different marker also named Foster Field (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Inez.
Also see . . . Victoria County - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on February 22, 2022, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Photographed By Brian Anderson, February 20, 2022
2. Victoria County Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2022, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 22, 2022, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.
