Willacy County

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Willacy County. Sounds simple enough.

But this county had to be born twice before it stuck. It was carved out of Cameron and Hidalgo counties, and the first time around, the Texas Legislature created it on March 11, 1911. Organized by August 12 of that same year, with Sarita as the county seat.

A county, standing on its own two feet. Or so it seemed. Because somewhere along the way, things fell apart enough that the whole enterprise had to start over.

Recreated, April 2, 1921. Reorganized, August 13, 1921. A new county seat this time, Raymondville, and it has held that seat ever since.

Two birthdays. Not many counties can say that. Now, the name on the county, that belongs to John G.

Willacy. Born November 10, 1859. He served as a member of the Texas Legislature from 1900 to 1916, a long stretch under the Capitol dome.

Then he moved into a different kind of public service, becoming State Tax Commissioner from 1922 to 1926. A man who spent decades in the machinery of Texas government. And somewhere in that record, the Legislature saw fit to put his name on a piece of South Texas map.

A county that had to be built twice, carrying the name of a man who served long and steady. That, right there, is Willacy County.

What the marker says

Formed from Cameron and Hidalgo counties; created March 11, 1911, recreated April 2, 1921; organized August 12, 1911, reorganized August 13, 1921. Named in honor of John G. Willacy; born November 10, 1859; member of the Texas Legislature 1900-1916; State Tax Commissioner, 1922-1926; County Seat, Sarita, 1911, Raymondville, since 1921. (1936)