Brooks County: History, Heritage and Nature

Brushy mesquite land and nearly flat to gently rolling terrain define Brooks County. The vegetation of the South Texas Plains includes live oaks, mesquite, cacti and grasses. History and nature give a trip two distinct focal points: in Falfurrias, local history and heritage take center stage; the landscape also comes to life through seasonal wildlife viewing.

Landscape and Regional Orientation

Brooks County is in the Rio Grande Plain region, south of Corpus Christi, along U.S. Highway 281. The Texas Tropical Trail also passes through Brooks County. The vegetation of the South Texas Plains combines oaks and grasses with mesquite and cacti; the terrain ranges from nearly flat to gently rolling. You can get to know the destination through both its landscape and its historic sites.

Falfurrias: Founding and Heritage

Falfurrias was founded in 1904 at a railroad terminus, four miles east of Edward C. Lasater’s ranch house. The region’s agricultural history includes a dairy operation established in 1909. Lasater introduced purebred Jersey cattle, and Falfurrias butter is considered renowned. The railroad, ranching and butter history offer different ways to explore the town’s development.

The Heritage Museum preserves the legacy of the pioneer era through artifacts, relics, records, photographs, maps and personal papers belonging to early settlers. One notable collection is the Carol Dryden Collection: approximately 99,000 photographic negatives are available for public viewing. Together with maps and personal papers, the photographs offer different insights into the area’s early history.

The Texas Ranger Room documents the role of the Texas Rangers in Brooks County’s history, as well as Falfurrias’ former role as the headquarters of Company D. Exhibits include original weapons, uniforms, records, personal mementos and photographs of Texas Rangers. The room also contains 100 pairs of boots worn by Texas Rangers; Big Foot Wallace is cited as an example.

Falfurrias’ architectural history is also on display: Alfred Giles designed the Brooks County Courthouse in 1914 in the Classical Revival style. On April 10, 2012, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Don Pedro Jaramillo Shrine is located at Jaramillo’s gravesite in Falfurrias. Jaramillo was a curandero, or faith healer, from the region between Mexico and Texas. The Veterans & Fallen Heroes Monument honors fallen heroes who defended their country.

Wildlife Viewing and Recreation

At the Brooks County Rest Area near Falfurrias, a short nature trail winds through oak groves; there is also a pond with running water. In summer, the pond attracts summer tanagers, black-crested titmice, lesser goldfinches and painted buntings. Butterflies and dragonflies may be abundant in summer and fall. The seasonal highlights therefore differ: birdwatching is a summer activity, while butterflies and dragonflies may remain abundant into fall.

The Ed Rachal Memorial Golf Course is operated by a nonprofit organization and used for recreation by residents of Falfurrias, Premont, Hebbronville, Alice, Riviera and Kingsville. Visitors from the United States and Canada also come in winter. Their season runs from October through February or March, adding a seasonal recreational option to wildlife viewing.

Discover more destinations: Falfurrias, Randall County, Wise, Dallam County, Palo Pinto County, Johnson County, Cherokee County, Aransas County.

For the main travel overview: Texas.