DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Uvalde County — straight from the record, with maybe a little Texas wind behind it. Now, every place worth knowing has a story behind its name, and Uvalde County is no different. The county was created in 1850, and it takes its name from a canyon.
That canyon, in turn, had been named for a Spanish Army Captain — Juan de Ugalde — who fought and routed Indians right here in 1790. Over the years, the way folks said it shifted, the syllables softened, and Ugalde became Uvalde. That's the name as it stands.
The land itself has always been productive. Cattle, sheep, and goats are raised out here in numbers worth talking about. And if you've ever had Uvalde honey, well, the marker doesn't need to sell it hard — that honey is flat-out famous for its flavor.
On top of that, the country is noted for fine hunting and scenic drives, the kind that remind you why people came out this way in the first place and decided to stay. History left its marks on this ground in a serious way. Among the historic sites that have been marked: three old forts, two Spanish missions, and a Ranger camp.
Think about what each one of those represents — soldiers, priests, lawmen — all staking something out here on this terrain. And then there's the matter of the people who came after. Uvalde County is home to Southwest Texas Junior College and Garner State Park.
And if those weren't enough, it's also home to the house of John Nance Garner — now a museum and library — the first Texan ever elected Vice-President of the United States. A canyon, a captain, a county, and eventually a Vice-President. Not bad for a place that started with a name nobody could quite agree on how to spell.
What the marker says
Created 1850. Named for canyon which in turn had been named for the Spanish Army Captain Juan de Ugalde, who fought and routed Indians here in 1790. Over the years, "Ugalde" became "Uvalde". Many cattle, sheep, goats are raised; and Uvalde honey is famous for its flavor. Noted for fine hunting and scenic drives. Historic sites marked include 3 old forts, 2 Spanish missions, a Ranger camp. Home of Southwest Texas Junior College, Garner State Park and home (now museum and library) of John Nance Garner, first Texan elected Vice-President of United States. 1965