Falcon, Old

In 1746, Col. Jose de Escandon was commissioned by the Viceroy of New Spain to lead the colonization of this area. The first settlers arrived 3 years later and were assigned land on which to build their homes. A survey conducted in 1767 resulted in the allocation of individual land grants to the settlers, which marked the start of private property ownership in the area. About 1800, Jose Eugenio Ramirez established a ranch on the north bank of the Rio Grande and named his headquarters Ramireno. The settlement that grew up around his home was plagued throughout the 19th century with Indian raids, particularly when military protection was withdrawn during the years of the Mexican Revolution (1810-1821). In the early 1900s, Ildefonso Ramirez opened a general store, and, when a post office was established in 1915, the name of the village was changed to Falcon in honor of Jose Eugenio's wife, Maria Rita de la Garza Falcon. After Falcon Dam was completed in 1952, the town was flooded, and residents were forced to relocate to this site. The history of Old Falcon, however, with its ties to 18th-century Spanish colonialism, remains an important part of their heritage. (1983)

Falcon, Old is a historical marker in Falcon, Zapata County, dedicated in 1983. It is one of 10 historical markers documented in Zapata County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 34 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 26.6410, -99.0957 near Falcon. The nearest cataloged historic site is Falcon Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.4 miles away. Others within a short drive include Lopeno, Old, Lopeno Cemetery, and Alejandrenas Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5505003726. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.