thumb|200px|right|Val Verde County Judicial Center at 100 E. Broadway St. in Del Rio
200px|right|thumb|Del Rio Bank and Trust Company was organized in 1910. The bank is hence a year older than the Del Rio city government and has served Val Verde County for more than a century. The photo is the facility at 1200 Veterans Blvd.; another location is 22411 N Bedell Ave.
Val Verde County is a county located on the southern Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population is 47,586. Its county seat is Del Rio. The Del Rio micropolitan statistical area includes all of Val Verde County.
Val Verde, which means "green valley", was named for a battle of the Civil War. In 1862, soldiers of Sibley's Brigade took part in the Texas invasion of New Mexico Territory, where they captured several artillery pieces at the Battle of Val Verde. The battle is memorialized both in the name of the county and a small settlement in Milam County.
History
Early history
The first inhabitants of what is now known as Val Verde County lived there some 6,000–10,000 years ago. Their descendants include such Native American peoples as the Lipan Apache, Coahuiltecan, Jumano, Tamaulipan and Comanche.
Colonial rule
In 1590, Spanish explorer Gaspar Castaño de Sosa led a mining expedition of 170 who passed through Devils Draw. He referred to a stream by the name of Laxas, which is believed to be Devils River.
In 1673, Juan Larios opened a mission school at a location between Del Rio and Eagle Pass.
In 1675, traveling Franciscan priests celebrated Mass at San Felipe Springs. led 100 soldiers along the Devils River in pursuit of Apache natives.
During 1834, James Grant and John Charles Beales established a settlement on San Felipe Creek, which became hazardous due to Indian attacks.
Aftermath of Mexican–American War
During the 1850s, military bases established to protect against Indian attacks included Camp Blake, Camp Hudson and Camp San Felipe.
As of 1860, the county had a population of 2,874, including 108 blacks and 1,103 foreign-born.
In 1883, the Galveston Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway was completed. Italian immigrant Frank Qualia established Val Verde winery.
In 1884, the Langtry community was established, named after George Langtry (an engineer and foreman). It has mistakenly been attributed to being named after British entertainer Lillie Langtry by Judge Roy Bean.
In 1885, Val Verde County was organized from Crockett, Kinney, and Pecos counties. Roy Bean was elected justice of the peace in Langtry, operating out of the Jersey Lily Saloon and becoming renowned as "the Law West of the Pecos".
In 1889, the community of Norris was established.
Twentieth century
- 1928 Lake Hamilton Dam complete.
- 1929 Lake Walk Dam complete.
- 1936 Val Verde County received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark number 5625 to commemorate its founding.
- 1942 Laughlin Field/Laughlin Army Air Field opens to train World War II pilots.
- 1945 Laughlin Field closes.
- 1969 Amistad Dam and Reservoir complete. The project cost $78 million.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which are land and (2.7%) are covered by water.
Major highways
- 20px U.S. Highway 90
- 25px U.S. Highway 277
- 25px U.S. Highway 377
- 20px State Highway 163
- 20px Loop 79
Adjacent counties and municipios
- Crockett County (north)
- Sutton County (northeast)
- Edwards County (east)
- Kinney County (east)
- Terrell County (west)
- Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico (south)
- Jiménez, Coahuila, Mexico (south)
National protected areas
- Amistad National Recreation Area
- Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River (part)