Handy Ranch

Thomas J. Handy (1843-1927) first came to the Rio Grande Valley from Wisconsin as a Union solider during the Civil War. While stationed with Co. F, 4th Wisconsin cavalry, handy met Angelita Cavazos (ca. 1844-1925). The two were married on April 25, 1866 at her family’s asadores ranch, located along the military highway that paralleled the rio grande. After the war, Handy became a farmer and rancher and U.S. Customs inspector, stationed along the military highway. Thomas purchased 2214 acres of land along the Rio Grande in 1878 and Angelita later inherited family property, making the Handys significant land owners in the area. By the 1960s, most of the handy property had been sold, with a large portion sold to the city of Alamo.

Handy Ranch is a historical marker in Donna, Hidalgo County, dedicated in 2009. It is one of 138 historical markers documented in Hidalgo County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 236 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 26.0774, -98.0669 near Donna. The nearest cataloged historic site is Run (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Asadores Ranch, Asadores Ranch Cemetery, and Donna Public Schools.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507015872. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.