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ZAPATA,
TEXAS
Zapata County
Seat, South Texas
Hwy 83 at the International Reservoir
50 miles S of Laredo
Population:
7,119 (1990)
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History in
a Pecan Shell
Zapata dates to Spanish land grants that go back to 1767.
When the first settlers crossed the Rio Grande the town was called
Habitacion. Then Carrizo, then Bellville after
Governor Peter Bell. Finally the permanent name of Zapata was authorized
to honor Col. Antonio Zapata, one of the founders of the Republic
of the Rio Grande.
In the early 1850s, two military posts, Camp Drum and Camp
Harney, were located at Zapata. to combat border disturbances
and prevent Indian attacks.
In 1842 the men of the Somervell expedition briefly occupied
the town. It was here that received orders to abandon the expedition.
Those that refused to turn back went on to become captured by the
Mexicans.
The population of Zapata increased suddenly when people from Guerrero
crossed the river to escape the Mexican Revolution. |
In 1953 the
town was moved to higher ground when Falcon Dam was built.
Zapata is a gas and oil well center.
The
Zapata County Courthouse - and photo of the 1901 Zapata County
Courthouse now under water in the Falcon Reservoir ... next
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Museum
in Zapata
TE Photo |
Zapata, Texas
Forum
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