TexasEscapes.com Texas Escapes Online Magazine: Travel and History
Columns: History, Humor, Topical and Opinion
Over 1600 Texas Towns & Ghost Towns
NEW : : TEXAS TOWNS : : GHOST TOWNS : : FEATURES : : COLUMNS : : ARCHITECTURE : : IMAGES : : SITE MAP
HOME
SEARCH SITE
ARCHIVES
RESERVATIONS
Texas Hotels
Hotels
Cars
Air
Cruises
 
  Texas : Towns A-Z / Hill Country : Rio Frio

RIO FRIO, TEXAS

On the Frio River
Real County, Texas Hill Country
Highway 83, FM1120
5 miles S of Leakey
22 miles SW of Vanderpool
35 miles N of Uvalde
86 miles NW of San Antonio
Population: 50 (Est)

Area Hotels - Book Here & Save
San Antonio Hotels
More Hotels

Frio River
Frio River
Photo courtesy Linda Kirkpatrick, October 2007
The Frio River runs parallel between Highway 83 and FM 112 from Leakey . The 200 mile river flows into the Nueces River - a mile south of Three Rivers - after joining with the Leona River and Sabinal. ( See : Swimming to Mexico )
Frio River , Rio Frio Texas
Frio River Texas
TE photo, 2001

The Rio Frio Landmark Oak

Rio Frio Landmark Oak, Rio Frio, Texas
The historic Rio Frio Landmark Oak
Photo courtesy Don Eichler, 2006

History in a Pecan shell

The town was settled between 1856 and 1860 and many early settlers had previously lived in Leakey . Rio Frio's population has never exceeded seventy-five people.

Rio Frio was once known only as "The Ditch" after an irrigation ditch dug by the Lombardy Trading Company. Very near the tree the same company opened an Academy for the education of the area children which soon became a well-regarded institution.
Rio Frio Texas LombardyIrrigation Ditch Historic Marker
Lombardy Irrigation Ditch Historic Marker
TE photo, 2001

A short timeline of significant historic events in Rio Frio

1868: Local businessmen constructed a gravity-flow irrigation canal off the Frio River.
1871: A school was established
1875: A charter was granted for the Lombardy Irrigation Company and the town was granted a post office. The Irrigation Company then sold small plots to arriving settlers who had the responsibility of maintaining the canal.
1918: Real County's last cotton gin closed after a boll weevil infestation and this gave birth to the mohair business.
1920: A church building was built - serving both Baptists and Methodists. The building was later made a mission serving the Mexican and Mexican-Americans of the area.

Rio Frio Cemetery
Rio Frio Cemetery
Photo courtesy Linda Kirkpatrick, October 2007
Rio Frio Stories
  • The White Lady of Rio Frio by Linda Kirkpatrick
    Story of a ghost that haunts the banks of the Frio River

  • Rio Frio Nearby Destinations
  • A few miles north to Leakey or south to Concan
  • Lost Maples State Natural Area
  • Garner State Park
  • FM 337, a scenic drive
  • Swimming to Mexico, Part III - A trip

    Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce
    P.O. Box 743 Leakey, TX 78873
    830-232-5222.
  • Rio Frio, Texas
    TE photo, 2001
    Rio Frio, Texas Forum
    To share history or photos of Rio Frio, Texas, please contact us.
    © John Troesser

    More stories & photos: Texas | Texas Towns | Hill Country
    Book Your Hotel Here & Save:
    Uvalde Hotels | More Hotels
     
    TEXAS TOWN LIST | TEXAS GHOST TOWNS | TEXAS COUNTIES
    Texas Hill Country | East Texas | Central Texas North | Central Texas South |
    West Texas | Texas Panhandle | South Texas | Texas Gulf Coast
    TRIPS | STATES PARKS | RIVERS | LAKES | DRIVES | MAPS

    TEXAS FEATURES
    Ghosts | People | Historic Trees | Cemeteries | Small Town Sagas | WWII |
    History | Black History | Rooms with a Past | Music | Animals | Books | MEXICO
    COLUMNS : History, Humor, Topical and Opinion

    TEXAS ARCHITECTURE | IMAGES
    Courthouses | Jails | Churches | Gas Stations | Schoolhouses | Bridges | Theaters |
    Monuments/Statues | Depots | Water Towers | Post Offices | Grain Elevators |
    Lodges | Museums | Stores | Banks | Gargoyles | Corner Stones | Pitted Dates |
    Drive-by Architecture | Old Neon | Murals | Signs | Ghost Signs | Then and Now
    Vintage Photos

    TRAVEL RESERVATIONS | USA

    Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | Recommend Us
    Contributors | Staff | Contact TE
    TEXAS ESCAPES ONLINE MAGAZINE
    Website Content Copyright ©1998-2007. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. All Rights Reserved
    This page last modified: October 16, 2007