Near Donna in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Handy Ranch
Photographed By James Hulse, April 21, 2023
1. Handy Ranch Marker
Inscription.
Handy Ranch. . Thomas J. Handy (1843-1927) first came to the Rio Grande Valley from Wisconsin as a Union solider during the Civil War. While stationed with Co. F, 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, Handy met Angelita Cavazos (ca. 1844-1925). The two were married on April 25, 1866 at her family's Asadores Ranch, located along the Military Highway that paralleled the Rio Grande. After the war, Handy became a farmer and rancher and U.S. Customs Inspector, stationed along the Military Highway. Thomas purchased 2214 acres of land along the Rio Grande in 1878 and Angelita later inherited family property, making the Handys significant land owners in the area. By the 1960s, most of the Handy property had been sold, with a large portion sold to the city of Alamo.
Thomas J. Handy (1843-1927) first came to the Rio Grande Valley from Wisconsin as a Union solider during the Civil War. While stationed with Co. F, 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, Handy met Angelita Cavazos (ca. 1844-1925). The two were married on April 25, 1866 at her family's Asadores Ranch, located along the Military Highway that paralleled the Rio Grande. After the war, Handy became a farmer and rancher and U.S. Customs Inspector, stationed along the Military Highway. Thomas purchased 2214 acres of land along the Rio Grande in 1878 and Angelita later inherited family property, making the Handys significant land owners in the area. By the 1960s, most of the Handy property had been sold, with a large portion sold to the city of Alamo.
Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15872.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1866.
Location. 26° 4.645′ N, 98° 4.016′ W. Marker is near Donna, Texas, in Hidalgo County. Marker is on Military Highway (U.S. 281) half a mile west of International Blvd (Farm to Market Road 493), on the left when traveling west. The marker is located along the south side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Donna TX 78537, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Alamo, TX. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
Alamo is on U.S. Highway 83 nine miles southeast of McAllen in southern Hidalgo County. Between 1902 and 1909 Peter Ebenezer Blalock and George T. Hawkins accumulated 32,000 acres of land surrounding the townsite and extending fifteen miles north of the Rio Grande. By 1908 they had laid out the town, built shipping pens, and named the railroad depot Ebenezer. The site became known as Camp Ebenezer when a community of prospective buyers housed in temporary dwellings developed.
(Submitted on May 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, April 21, 2023
2. The Handy Ranch Marker is the middle marker of the three markers
Photographed By James Hulse, April 21, 2023
3. The view of the markers from the highway
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 113 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
