H istory • South Texas
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
Celebrating
the rich culture and history of South Texas...
January 23, 2013
Jim Hogg County
A Publication of the Jim Hogg County Enterprise
ON THE COVER
...
James R. Hebbron
The man who gave our town his name THE VIGGO HOTEL PAGES 4 & 12
RANDADO PAGES 8 & 9
HISTORIC RANCHING COMMUNITIES PAGES 9 & 10
OLD HEBBRONVILLE CEMETERY PAGE 11
PLUS
1983 newspaper recalls memorable day in Jim Hogg County Snow photos, Then and Now Band festival highlights Jim Hogg birthday
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
STH VOL. 1 NO. 2 PUBLISHER Poncho Hernandez Jr. enterprise78361@aol.com
January 23, 2013
PAGE 2
Cover design & artwork by Julissa Hernandez
On The Cover ...
If you would like to own the original 16” x 20” acrylic James R. Hebbron - the “grand old man of color on canvas painting, dial Monterey County,” and the “Father of the 361-730-5706 to speak to the California Rodeo,” who gave our town his name, is pictured in an illustration by South artist. Sale Price only $60.00. Matted and framed: $100.00 Texas History artist Julissa Hernandez.
OX CART - La Sierrita Ranch, 30 miles south of Hebbronville, Texas
If you are interested in receiving South Texas History Magazine contact us at 361-460-9493 or email us at enterprise78361@aol.com. You can also fax your requests to 361-256-2015 or 361-527-4545. To submit articles and/or photographs for publication, please send to: sthistory@aol.com or by mail to The Enterpise, P.O. Box 759, Hebbronville, Texas 78361.
South Texas History Supplement to The Enterprise Wednesday, January 23, 2013 Volume 1, No 2 SUPPLEMENT TO THE JIM HOGG COUNTY ENTERPRISE 304 E. Galbraith, Hebbronville, Texas 78361 Copyright 1998 by the Jim Hogg County Enterprise All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publishers. Entered as Second Class Matter at Hebbronville, Texas under May 5, 1926, at the Post Office the Act of March 8, 1979, Second Class Postage Paid at Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County, Texas 78361. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Jim Hogg County Enterprise 304 E. Galbraith, P.O. Box 759 Hebbronville, Texas 78361. Poncho Hernandez Jr. Editor/Publisher 361-460-9493 Subscription rates are $35.00 per year. Call (361) 527-3261 for information. Base advertising rate is $6.00 per column inch. Volume and frequency discounts available. Contact us by email at enterprise78361@aol.com Social Media: facebook. com/enterprisenews PHONE: 361-527-3261 FAX: 361-527-4545 PHONE; 361-460-9493 FAX: 361-256-2015
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Our thanks and appreciation to the wonderful and gifted writers and historians who
contributed to this month’s edition. It’s actually been less work than fun. As you know, we preserve our history because getting where we want to go is easiest when we know where we’ve been. And while there’s no way to get a glimpse into our future, looking into the past is as simple as turning a page. So we present our second edition of South Texas History, introducing newly written and previously published articles for your enjoyment. And, because we also share an interest in publishing your articles and photographs, we’d like to remind you that YES!, we offer a platform to publish your local history at no charge and with little work. Just send us a message (along with your photos and articles) to sthistory@aol.com and we’ll get to work. The Editor
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
January 23, 2012
PAGE 3
Want your article published? Want to own this artwork? Simply email your article with your name, address and phone number to sthistory@aol.com. Be sure to include any photos and captions along with the author’s name. All content must be original. Once our editorial staff reviews and approves your submission, we’ll publish in our next edition. Your articles can then be read by interested readers garnering you increased exposure and noted professionalism. And remember, “If you don’t bring it, we can’t print it!” Articles can also be mailed to The Enterprise, P.O. Box 759, Hebbronville, Texas 78361. Please send stamped envelope for returned content.
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SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
The Viggo Hotel
January 23, 2013
PAGE 4
Built of solid 18-inch thick concrete walls and once used to hold court and sequester jurors, the Viggo Hotel remains as the county’s tallest building.
Old hotel simulates early Spanish missions and forts
By the late 1800s, Texas Longhorn cattle had become The once stately Hotel Viggo overlooks Highway horses. famous worldwide and were the mainstay of the Jim Hogg County
16 across from the Jim Hogg County Courthouse in Hebbronville, Texas. In great measure, the history of the Hotel Viggo is the history of Hebbronville.
The history of Hebbronville began in 1883, when the TexasMexican Railway built a narrow gauge railroad line between Corpus Christi and Laredo. Landowner Francisco P. Pena built the Pena Station to accommodate the railroad. The station was located just east of present day Hebbronville. When Pena refused to sell the railroad company enough land to establish a town at Pena Station, the company completed negotiations with another landowner and relocated the station. Present day Hebbronville is situated on part of what was once the Norecitas Grant -- a land grant given by the King of Spain to Simon de Hinojosa in 1740. His heirs sold their shares in 1890, after taking possession in 1858. One of the buyers was James R. Hebbron. The new town, containing 12 lots of 20 blocks, was located on land purchased from Hebbron and named after him. When the deal was completed, the company had the old station building loaded onto a flatcar and moved one and one-half miles west to its new location. During the mid-1800s, south Texas was predominantly cattle ranching country. Ranchers also raised sheep, goats and a few
economy. Cattle drives regularly went right down the main street of Hebbronville. Then a severe drought from 1892-1894 changed the local ranching picture. Ranchers lost their entire herds and some lost their ranches. Most remaining turned to Herefords and Brahmas, and a new era began in Hebbronville cattle ranching. Throughout this period of Hebbronville’s history, the railroad was the only means of communication with the outside world except the horse and ox cart. The steam engines were supplied with mesquite to burn as it was plentiful, coal and oil were not available, and mesquite burns as well as coal. The narrow gauge line was upgraded to a standard line in 1902. When the telegraph lines was erected in 1906, outside cattle markets became easy to reach. Hebbronville was soon the largest shipping point for cattle in the united States -- a position it held for many years around the early part of the 20th century. Jim Hogg County was created in 1913 by an act before the Texas Legislature which established the new county from parts of Duval and Brooks counties. Construction began immediately on the County Courthouse and on the Hotel Viggo directly across from it. The County Jail was built somewhat later. Construction on the hotel was completed in 1915. In those days, it was a one-day carriage trip to Laredo, 55.4 miles away. One had to get down to open
See VIGGO, Page 12
This report is based on the following sources: 1. Mitchell, Quita, Hebbronville Golden Anniversary, 1963, Hebbronville, Texas. 2. Archives of the Jim Hogg County Library, including historic editions of the Jim Hogg County Enterprise. 3. Jim Hogg County Jail Project Study, 1981. 4. Jim Hogg County Community Development Block Grant Application, 1981. 5. Personal interview with Quita Mitchell, Jim Hogg County Historical Commission Chairman. 6. Personal interview with Romeo Vasquez, Jim Hogg County Judge.
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
January 23, 2013
PAGE 5
1983 newspaper recalls memorable day in Jim Hogg Published as originally presented Oct. 21, 1983 in the pages of the Laredo Times
In October 1983, everybody gathered to commemorate a Texas Historical landmark at the Viggo Hotel
Panel unveils plaque By Jim Parish Times Staff Writer As part of this week’s festivities commemorating the 70th birthday of Jim Hogg County, a Texas state Historical Commission plaque designation Hebbronville’s downtown Viggo Hotel as a Texas historical landmark, was unveiled. Jim Hogg County Historical Commission, headed by Quita Mitchell, and Hebbronville Chamber of Commerce, headed by Harold Ashley, sponsored the ceremony. Among the state’s 254 counties, Jim Hogg and Kenedy are the babies, the last to be established, explained Jonie Chapman Dodson, ceremony chairman. Both counties were organized in 1913. Jim Hogg County was created from parts of Duval, Zapata and Brooks counties. The three-story Viggo Hotel was donated to Jim Hogg County by Dagmar Gruy Cole in 1979, so it could be permanently preserved as a landmark and continue to meet public needs, explained Jonie Chapman. It will house a county museum, a nutrition center for the elderly and other public institutions.
The historical marker was unveiled by little Leila and Kate Gruy, grandchildren of the donor. They were accompanied by their father, Steve Gruy and grandfather, Viggo Gruy. There were prayers by Rev. Tim Brewer, of First Methodist Church, and Father Tomas Guzman, of our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. County Judge Romeo J. Vasquez announced that a $100,000 government grant will enable the county government to restore the Viggo Hotel. The judge was a teacher for 17 years before entering politics. As the location of a county museum, the former hotel will enable future generations to learn the heritage of the ranching and petroleum producing region for which Hebbronville is the major trade center, he explained. As a lesson in social studies, Hebbronville fifth graders, accompanied by Principal Graciela Gonzalez and Supt. E. G. Nava, attended the ceremony. Robert Fulbright spoke on the Viggo Hotel’s history. He noted the first part was built in 1915 by C.F. Lugue. He described the architecture as mission revival. The owner was Viggo Kohler. At first it mainly served cattle buyers and sellers. In 1924 an oil boom began. The second section of the hotel was built to house the many travelers who came into the area in connection with the oil and gas businesses. He described the landmark hotel as being the source of happy memories because countless community social and civic events were held there. After the ceremony, everyone went to the county courthouse. Refreshments were served in the commissioners’ meeting room. County commissioners welcoming visitors were Jaime Gomez, Raymundo Farias, Federico Garza and Agapito Molina. Judge Vasquez, county clerk Lilia Pena and county treasurer Linda Jo Solis and other officials also were in the receiving line.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Publication of the attached article was made possible through the Texas Press Association “Press Clips” and Texas State Historical Commission archives dated Oct. 21, 1983. The article and photographs were originally featured in The Laredo Times).
Judge speaks
Jim Hogg County Judge Romeo J. Vasquez, at right, speaks at a ceremony commemorating Jim Hogg County’s 70th birthday. Standing at his left is Quita Mitchell, Jim Hogg County Historical Commission chairman and Robert Fulbright, a Hebbronville civic leader and rancher.
Relates history
Robert Fulbright, a lifelong resident of Hebbronville, relates the history of Viggo Hotel which will soon start a new life as the location of Jim Hogg County Museum. Seated at the right of Fulbright is Jonie Dodson, mistress of ceremonies at the hotel’s dedication as a historical landmark.
Related article
Admiring plaque
Appears on page 10
The Texas State Historical Commission plaque, designating the Viggo Hotel as an official Texas historical landmark, attracts the attention of area students.
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
Kingsville museum exhibiting annual quilt collection The art of quilting is on display at the John E Conner Museum at Texas A&M UniversityKingsville in the annual exhibit “A Celebration of Quilts.” The exhibit is displayed in the west wing of the museum through Saturday, March 9. Opening date and reception was held January 17, 2013. The exhibit features a wide variety of quilts, from traditional patterns to unique works of art. Each of the 28 pieces was created by a member of the Saturday Quilters who meet the fourth Saturday of the month at the Kleberg County Extension Building in Kingsville. The youngest quilter is a teenager and the oldest is over 90. The museum is located at 905 W. Santa Gertrudis Ave. Museum hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission to the museum is free, however, donations are accepted. For more information, call 361-593-2810.
January 23, 2013
PAGE 6
On display
Chuckwagon quilt
Celebrating 100 Years “A century of Strong and The First Independent Community Banking” National 1913 - 2013 Bank of Hebbronville Congratulations on your 100th Anniversary
Jim Hogg County The Enterprise
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
January 23, 2013
Snow Photos, Then and Now Courtesy Photos Cynthia Gutierrez
1920s
1966
2004
PAGE 7
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
January 23, 2013
PAGE 8
Once competing with Hebbronville, Randado lapsed into a quiet ranch Written by an Enterprise writer in May of 1963, Terry Long’s story tells the tale of the town of Randado - long abandoned, but not forgotten.
near Rio Grande City. Lee, then a lieutenant colonel was stationed at Camp Cooper on the Brazos River. Lee no doubt was thankful for the gracious hospitality of the rancher’s founder, Don Hipolito Garcia. Lee could also get water for his horses and buy the strong ropes with which to stake them. In 1860, Don Hipolito had named the ranch Randado after the intricately decorated lassos made there. They called them randas.
By Terry Long The Enterprise
UNRECORDED HISTORY
Only a road sign tells you that you’re passing Randado as you streak down Farm Road 496 toward Zapata and Falcon Lake. You may notice the cantina and dance hall on the left side of the road, but the cattle guard leading to the old ranch town of more than a century will probably escape your glance. Randado is now only the home of the heirs to an original Spanish land grant, its quiet, pastoral glory having passed with the coming of the automobile and the railroad. Its main street, once lined with shops, stores, stables and other needs of a Mexican village is now empty and lonely. CHURCH ONCE THE CENTER At one end stands San Rafael Church, once the center of life for the whole area. At the other, an ancient caliche rock building, once a general store, serves as a car garage for the De La Garza family. Behind it is the home of Rafael De La Garza, one of the brothers who still lives on the ranch. Across the road is the main house built not so long ago. Here lives the bachelor brother Miguel De La Garza with his mother, Mrs. Inez De La Garza and other members of the family. Randado (pronounced Rahn-DAHdoh) is located in Jim Hogg County between Hebbronville and Zapata. A row of majestic hackberry trees hides it from the
Randado’s San Rafael Church highway which leads to the rapidly developing Falcon Lake area. The highway is traveled by many fishermen, campers and tourists heading for the lake. OTHER SUCH COMMUNITIES There are many other ranch communities in this part of the state. They developed around a certain ranch and grew to be unofficial towns. The ranch owner, or patron, allowed them to build their houses and shops there and to raise their families. Most of them, of course, worked for him. Randado was once an elegant oasis in the hard-bitten land. Robert E. Lee in 1856 stopped here on his trips to Fort Ringold, which was
The De La Garza’s have few of the details of those early years recorded. The history and tradition of the ranch have been handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Don Hipolito was born in Mier, Mexico in 1816. He died at Randado in 1888. According to the tradition, Don Hipolito, as a very young man, set out from Mier to settle 45,000 acres handed down to his family in a Spanish grant. To this he added more over the years so that at one time Randado was 80,000 acres in size - well stocked with cattle and horses. Now about 2,000 acres remain of the original. The other has passed into the hands of four other families, Gallagher, Palacios, Salinas, and Leyendecker - through marriage. To Don Hipolito and his wife were born one child, Margarita. She married Bernardo De La Garza. To them were born four children, Ygnacio, Rosa, Maria and Miguel. Miguel’s sons are Rafael and Miguel Jr. who now live at the ranch with their mother. MANY FROM MIER Many of the Mexican settlers of then Zapata area came from Mier. Texas won its independence and later became a part of the United States, but the area between the Nueces was long a disputed territory. The people of the border country remained Mexican at heart. The people of Zapata county, which originally took in most of what is now Jim Hogg County, continued to pay their See RANDADO, Page 9
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
January 23, 2013
Historic ranching communities By Cynthia Gutierrez The Enterprise
There were many small, historic communities besides Randado that made up the land that was to become Jim Hogg County. Hebbronville, of course, became the county seat when the county was established but there were at least five other ranch towns that left their mark on Jim Hogg County. Guerra, Texas was originally known as El Colorado because of the red sandy soil found in the area. Guerra is located on FM 649 at about 45 miles south of Hebbronville. It became a permanent settlement in the early 1900’s when landowner A. Guerra established the community. The post office was founded in 1906 and was still in service in 1990. In 1914, Guerra had a population of 100 residents and 16 businesses including a general store, a blacksmith, a railroad agent and many livestock
establishments. From 1920 to the mid 60’s the community maintained a population of around 50 residents, which actually grew to 75 in 1990. The area still serves as a retail point for nearby cattle ranchers. Eight miles south of Guerra on FM 649 is another ranch town. Cuevitas, Texas was part of the Jose de Escandon land grant where the Guerra brothers established a ranch and a general store. A post office was established there in 1894, and they had their own church, cemetery and school. Cuevitas was mentioned by name in an episode of “Gunsmoke” when Sheriff Matt Dillon called it the worst place to live. Cuevitas’ population rose as high as 80 in 1915, and fell to 25 in 1939 and finally to 12 in 1990-2000. Agua Nueva and Alta Vista are two of the oldest settlements in this area. Agua Nueva is located along FM 1017, in southeastern Jim Hogg
PAGE 9
County, approximately 35 miles south of Hebbronville and was first settled sometime before 1900. Its name may have come from the Spanish land grant Agua Nueva de Abajo, which belonged to Juan Manuel Ramirez, but other sources claim that it was named for a local spring, which was a popular spot for picnics and festivals. For a time, it was a large community with a general store by 1903 and post office in 1910. Church services were held in a home with a visiting priest conducting the mass. In 1915 the estimated population was 200 and by 1936, the community had several homes, a school and two businesses. Between 1940-1960, the number of residents remained between 40 and 50. In 1988, Agua Nueva had three businesses and a cemetery and a population of about 20. The community continues today
Photo by Christina Garza
See RANCH, Page 10
Church Dome La Sierrita Ranch
bronville because modern transportation has eliminated the need of such communities. Don Hipolito originally settled in a house on the other side of the highway from the present site. CAME IN 1849 “They moved here in ‘49 (1849),” Mike said, sipping a beer as he gloried in the grand past of Randado. When San Rafael Church was originally built is not known. According to the Catholic priests at Roma, it was the first center of the parish built in the 1830s. Old timers in their 90 have returned to Randado for a last visit to the church where they were baptized, according to Mike. But the construction date is not known, and somehow it seems of little importance. The majestic trees that hide Randado from the highway grew up around a “tank,” or man-made lake. It catches
water form the surrounding slopes and hills and covers about five acres. After a rain it is filled with water. DUG TANK BY HAND Don Hipolito’s men dug the tank by hand carrying the dirt away in cowhide containers. One was called a “guaripa,” which was a four handled cowhide containers. The other was a “mecapal,” which was carried on a man’s back with a strap across the forehead. It took years to dig the tank. Water for the town came from low artesian wells. Some of them now used as trash pits. The town graveyard is dominated by a large tomb, where don Hipolito and other members of the family are buried. Like many other ranch communities in this area, Randado will soon be forgotten. The new Falcon Dam to the south promises a new life and Randado is now just a sign on the road between the lake and the cities to the north.
RANDADO - From Page 8 taxes at Mier and to live the same pastoral life. They found it hard to adjust to the Anglo law and politics. This did the people of Randado live as their ancestors had in Mexico. Their peaceful isolated existence gave way to progress and gradually died. At the turn of the century, Randado was a thriving community. It began to die as the railroad moved into Hebbronville. In 1913, when Jim Hogg County was formed, more voters were cast in Randado than in Hebbronville. There was talk of making Randado the county seat. Indeed, Hebbronville had not originally been included in the land of the county, but Duval County relinquished the area around Hebbronville to the new county. Randado had more people, but no railroad and it was not an organized town, just a community. POST OFFICE CLOSED A post office was maintained in
Randado until about two years ago. It was closed on the death of Miss Guadalupe De La Garza who had long been postmaster. Randado has its legends like any such community. Mike De La Garza can tell of the Indian raids stories he heard as a boy. “When the owls hoot in the trees, mother says she often thinks of those raids when she was a little girl. The Indians would hoot like an owl to signal each other,” Mike said. There was the story of Nicho, the old Indian who lived in Randado for many years and who knew many things about its past. One tale relates an Indian raids in which one of the De La Garza men killed an Indian warrior and found that the warrior was a woman. In 1930 there was still about 30 families living in Randado, but they slowly moved away, mostly to Heb-
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
January 23, 2013
PAGE 10
1983 Hebbronville High School Marching Band Originally presented in an article published October 1983 - Laredo Times
Band Festival highlights Jim Hogg birthday The weeklong celebration of Jim Hogg County’s 70th birthday will culminate with a Band Festival on Saturday. The festival will be dedicated to Supt. E.G. Nava, a beloved educator who will retire next year as Hebbronville superintendent. On Tuesday, the three-story Viggo Hotel, which was donated to Jim Hogg County by Dagmar Gruy Cole so that it could be preserved for community uses, was dedicated as a Texas historic landmark. A commemorative plaque from Texas State Historical Commission was unveiled. A tea party was given on Wednesday by Cenizo Garden Club to commemorate the club’s 50th anniversary, as well as the county’s 70th. Thursday there was a school parade which was fol-
lowed by a pep rally and a junior high school football game. Friday was a day for “open house” festivities at all Hebbronville schools. Activities of the day culminated with the Hebbronville vs Premont football game. On Saturday the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall will be the setting for a fiesta at which there will be exhibits of arts and crafts. There will be an abundance of foods, beverages, music and games. The Band Festival will be at Hebbronville High School football field on Saturday at 1 p.m. Thirteen bands will present ten-minute marching and musical performances. These bands will be from high schools in Cotulla, Freer, Hebbronville, Premont, Zapata, Odem, Benavides,
RANCH - From Page 9 with an estimated population of about 20 in 2010. At 22 miles, Alta Vista is a little closer to Hebbronville. The area was first settled in 1890, when the Jones family purchased the Jones-Alta Vista Ranch. By 1906, the community had a store and post office. By 1936, the population was recorded at 25 residents. It even
had a small school in the mid 1940’s. By the early 1990’s, however, it had become a dispersed community. The most recent ranching community to be formed in Jim Hogg County is Thompsonville. Thompsonville is most likely named after Oscar Thompson, the county’s first sheriff.
Rio Grande City, Mercedes and La Joya. Laredo will be represented by the Martin, Nixon and United High School Bands. Between 1,250 and 1,300 of the area’s most talented young musicians will participate in the salute to Supt. E.G. Nava. Performances by the bands will be judged by Ray Meza, of Georgetown; Pedro Cisneros, of Pharr-San Juan, and Alfredo Continas, of Rio Grande City. Trophies and other awards will be presented. Bands will be judged on marching; showmanship and musical ability. Awards will be given for the best drum major, best percussion and best flag section.
Did you know It is located 17 miles southwest of Hebbronville and was settled sometime around World War I. Their post office was established in 1925, but only continued until 1936. It maintained several homes, farm units, tanks and a school until around 1948. By the census in 1990, it too had become a dispersed community.
RANDADO
was once identified as “The only walled city in the United States” 1920s edition Encyclopedia Britannica Read the story: Page 8 & 9
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
January 23, 2013
PAGE 11
Historic marker tells story of Old Hebbronville Cemetery Donated by Maria Pena in memory of her husband,
Hebbronville cemetery quickly became the first public burial ground for area settlers.
the first public burial ground for area T his burial ground has served settlers. Hebbronville since the early 20th century. The cemetery began as part of a rural community know as Pena Station on land owned by the Pena family. The area was once part of the Noriecitas Simon De Ynijosa Grant and the first settlers here were families from northeastern Mexico. In 1877, Faustina Pena and her family came to this area from Cuidad Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico; the settlers opened a general store called La Estrella (The Star) which served residents of the New community, named Pena Station. In 1883, the Mexican Railroad Company laid tracks west of Pena Station on property owned by James Hebbron, who agreed to lay plans for a new townsite. Residents and businesses soon moved to the town. Maria Pena donated the property for this cemetery in memory of her husband, Donicio Pena. In 1907, this land was officially deeded; this became
MARKER: Historic Texas Cemetery - 2008 by The Southwell Co., San Antonio, Texas.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Article and graphic from Texas Historical Commission staff (CTS, 6/8/2009, rev 8/6/09. 27” x 42”- Historic Texas Cemetery Marker with post. Jim Hogg County (Job #09JH01)
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The earliest marked grave is for Gregorio Salinas Garcia (1886-1900). Others buried here include vaqueros (cowboys), farmers, merchants, ranchers and veterans of military conflicts. Ascension Martinez (d. 1982), noted cattleman and co-founder of Hebbronville’s first school, El Colegio Altamirano, is interred here. As is Severo Pena, noted agriculturalist and owner of La Florida Ranch. Cemetery features include vertical stones, interior fencing, iconography, grave slabs and Spanish-language markers. Family members and area residents maintain the property. In 1967 the cemetery land was donated to the Diocese of Corpus Christi; in 2000, ownership transferred to the newly-established Diocese of Laredo. Today, old Hebbronville cemetery continues to serve as a reminder of the generations of men and women who fostered the growth of the Hebbronville community.
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SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
January 23, 2013
PAGE 12
VIGGO - From Page 4 and close 26 gates across private ranches during the journey. Many people with business in Hebbronville found it more convenient to stay overnight than brave such a trip. The first movie theater opened in 1914, the first telephone came to town in 1920, and the gas company began service in 1924. Hebbronville was slowly becoming a small city with all the modern amenities. Hebbronville had passed its first boom. The second began in 1924. Oil was discovered in Jim Hogg County that year, and the “Black Gold” brought with it rapid population and economic growth. Most housing in Hebbronville dates to this early oil boom. The Hotel Viggo was a major landmark in Jim Hogg County immediately after its completion. It is the tallest building in the county. It is part of the courthouse complex both historically and physically. Ranchers in town on county business and oilmen in town for the new industry stayed
at the hotel. In addition, the hotel has served as an adjunct county office building. The hotel was used to sequester the jury when a case required holding a jury overnight during the late 1950s. Two years ago, the courthouse was remodeled and court itself was held in the hotel. Most notably, for the entire commercial life of the hotel it was the only hotel or motel in the area. It was the focal point of most social activities of the county’s leaders and the place anyone passing through Hebbronville stayed. Joseph Gruy Jr., son of the builder of the newer division, notes that whether he is in New York, New Orleans, or Houston he meets people who have stayed at the Hotel Viggo at one time. Since the town was an early center of the nation’s cattle and oil industries, the two industrial bases of Texas’ and the Southwest’s economies, the hotel had a very cosmopolitan clientele and ambience. Some early cattlemen and oilmen who stayed there are now wealthy and power-
Photo: Viggo Kohler (left) and Henry Edds Courtesy Photo by Cynthia Gutierrez
ful. Social events such as New year’s dances were always held at the Viggo. The heyday of the Hotel Viggo occurred during the Roosevelt era when the Roosevelt Birthday Balls were held annually on the President’s birthday. These were formal dress affairs attended by local leaders and influential guests. Proceeds went to the infantile paralysis foundation as Roosevelt
requested upon establishment of this national volunteer fundraiser. The Hotel Viggo consists of two separate divisions that are joined by a hallway on each of the three floors and an elevator shaft. One division, the north and central building, was built between 1913 and 1915 by C.F. Lugue for owner Viggo Kohler. This portion includes the hotel kitchen, the dining
hall, a lobby, and a large reception room in addition to 26 guest rooms. This division of the hotel is topped by a large alamotif complete with inscription of the date of completion. With the oil boom of 1924, there was a need for more room and so Kohler hired Joseph Gruy to expand the hotel. The south wing doubled the capacity of the hotel, adding an additional 27 guest rooms complete with baths. The total room count is: 53 guest rooms, 45 baths, 2 suite kitchens, 2 lobbies, 1 dining room, 2 supply rooms, 1 reception room, and 1 main kitchen. The entire structure is built of solid concrete with walls over 18” thick. Its potential as a fortress has not gone unnoticed in history. The most famous example of this occurred shortly after the hotel opened. Pancho Villa and his supporters were
in Texas and rumor had it they would raid the ranches of Jim Hogg County. Therefore, most of the county’s ranchers and their families went to the hotel for refuge. Villa never came closer than twenty miles from the hotel, but people still talk about the time when the county families hid in the hotel from Pancho Villa. The style of the building is typical of many Texas structures that were built to simulate the early Spanish missions and forts yet serve late 19th century and early 20th century needs. The structure has the stuccoed guasi-adobe facade and the alamotif on top, while the exterior of the older division is topped by cornices. On the interior, the older division has molding for the hanging of pictures about one foot from the ceiling. The central stairway in the older building winds up to all three flights of stairs accompanied by a concrete railing topped by ornate work which matches the exterior cornice and alamotif.
Time to Remember ...
...Join us next month for a compilation of “Remembering Hebbronville When” researched and written by Hebbronville’s own Cynthia Gutierrez. On the stand and delivered to your door February 20, 2013.
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