DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Zavala County — and if you're rollin' through this part of southwest Texas, you're passin' over ground with a long memory. It starts, as so many things in Texas do, with a land grant.
Back in 1832, Mexico granted this land to a man named John Charles Beales. That's the opening chapter. Before fences, before county lines, before any of what came next.
Out here somewhere sat a place called Lake Espantosa — a campsite on the road running from Mexico all the way up to San Antonio. Travelers stopped there. Rested there.
Moved on. That road had a life of its own long before the county did. Then comes 1858, and the Texas legislature carves a new county out of Uvalde and Maverick.
That's Zavala County taking shape. But it doesn't get organized right away — that doesn't happen until 1884. In the years between, something dramatic rolls through.
During the Civil War — and especially in 1863 and 1864 — this ground carried the Cotton Road to Eagle Pass. Eagle Pass was the entry point for Confederate goods: guns, powder, medicines. That road through Zavala County was a lifeline, and the people who depended on it knew exactly what was at stake every mile of the way.
Now, the county's name — that comes from a man worth knowing. Lorenzo de Zavala, born 1788, died 1836. He signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and served as the first vice president of the Republic of Texas.
A man who put his name on the founding of something and then lived just long enough to see it stand. The county honored him by taking his name. Batesville came first as the county seat, but since 1927, that distinction has belonged to Crystal City.
One county, quite a journey.
What the marker says
In 1832 land grant of Mexico to John Charles Beales. Lake Espantosa was campsite on road from Mexico to San Antonio. County created from Uvalde and Maverick, 1858. During the Civil War, especially in 1863-1864, was crossed by Cotton Road to Eagle Pass, entry point of Confederate goods. Including guns, powder, medicines. Organized 1884. Named in honor of Lorenzo de Zavala (1788-1836), signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence; first vice president to serve Republic of Texas. Original county seat was Batesville. Since 1927 it has been Crystal City. (1965)