Victoria in Victoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mission Espíritu Santo Cattle Ranch
Traditionally recognized as the first great cattle ranch in Texas, Espíritu Santo Ranch traces its history to the Spanish Mission of Nuestra Senőra del Espíritu Santo de Zúniga, established on Garcitas Creek in present Jackson County in 1722. It was moved to this site along the Guadalupe River in 1726, and this area of Victoria County has been known as Mission Valley since that time.
The mission's principal secular activity was cattle ranching, largely developed at this site. After the mission relocated to present Goliad County in 1749, its ranching operation grew to an estimated 40,000 head of cattle and was influential in the development of the famed Texas longhorn breed.
In 1833, Felix de Leon received a Spanish land grant that included the former Espíritu Santo property in Victoria County. Abner McDonald purchased the land at a public auction in 1841, and sold it to J. O. Wheeler in 1850. Quincy Davidson purchased the property in 1867. The 1870 census listed Davidson as the wealthiest landowner in Victoria County, and by 1878 the "Victoria Advocate" reported that he owned 59,989 of the 61,161 head of cattle then in Victoria County. The Davidson family retained ownership of the land for 97 years, gradually selling off large tracts. Much of the area surrounding the present ranch property remains known as the Davidson lands.
In continuous operation as a cattle ranch since the 18th century, Espíritu Santo Ranch and the ruins of the 1726 mission complex have provided a wealth of archaeological evidence of the Spanish Colonial period. It represents a tangible link to the frontier and to the earliest history of ranching in Texas.
Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12276.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1726.
Location. 28° 52.268′ N, 97° 7.946′ W. Marker is in Victoria, Texas, in Victoria County. Marker is on Lower Mission Valley Road, 1˝ miles west of Coffey Lane, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3190 Lower Mission Valley Rd, Victoria TX 77905, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Murphy Ranch (approx. 2.8 miles away); Murphy Home (approx. 4 miles away); Nursery School and Nursery Independent School District (approx. 4.1 miles away); Gilbert Onderdonk and Nursery, Texas (approx. 4.1 miles away); Camp Henry E. McCullough (approx. 6.8 miles away); Camp Victoria (approx. 7.6 miles away); Coletoville Cemetery (approx. 7.7 miles away); Margaret Wright "The Mother of Texas" (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.