Zapata County: Falcon Reservoir, Nature and History

Falcon International Reservoir, historic settlements, and nature offer different perspectives on Zapata County. The reservoir lies on the Rio Grande in Zapata and Starr counties. The county’s history also includes colonial settlements, the architecture of San Ygnacio, and far-reaching changes brought about by Falcon Dam. These give you different themes to explore on your trip: water and settlement history, historic buildings, nature, and local collections.

Reservoir and transformed settlements

The reservoir is also part of a profound change to the settlement landscape. Uribeño was one of five settlements in Zapata County that were flooded by Falcon Reservoir in the 1950s. After Falcon Dam was built and lake water flooded Old Zapata, the county seat was relocated. Falcon Reservoir is thus part of both the county’s geography and its history.

There is also one specific condition to consider when planning a boating trip: the separate, single-lane concrete ramp in Zapata County Park is exposed when water levels are low and can then be used. Check the water level before planning your trip.

San Ygnacio and historic buildings

San Ygnacio is a Texas border town dating to the mid-19th century. Many buildings are made of locally sourced sandstone, giving the town a distinctive architectural character. San Ygnacio is considered the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Zapata County.

The Treviño-Uribe Rancho has a special place in the area’s architectural history. It is one of the best-preserved colonial ranchos in the Rio Grande Valley and contains one of the best-preserved examples of a 19th-century fortified house along El Camino Real de los Tejas. The Rancho is designated as a contributing property of a National Historic Landmark.

Early history along the Rio Grande

Mission Revilla a Visita was founded in 1750. Ruins in Zapata County mark the site of Hacienda Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. The hacienda is considered the first Spanish colonial enterprise on the north bank of the Rio Grande. The ruins of Dolores also bear witness to the beginnings of cattle ranching north of the river.

At the Drexel Rio Grande Overlook, interpretive signs explain the river’s connection to El Camino Real de los Tejas. This adds another perspective on the same historic route to the Rancho’s architectural history.

Museum and nature

The Zapata County Museum of History has an encyclopedic collection of cultural objects and biological specimens. Drawing on local archives, the museum presents a comprehensive and balanced account of history in both English and Spanish.

Nature also has different local connections. The Seedeater Sanctuary is a Zapata County park in a floodplain. For several years, Zapata City Park was home to a breeding population of White-throated Seedeaters.

Discover more destinations: Zapata, Rains County, Lee County, Willacy County, Wilbarger County, Hansford County, Jefferson, Nacogdoches.

For the broader travel overview: Texas.