Kennedy County
Project participants have identified key locations in the Rio Grande Valley that played significant roles in the Civil War history and place these on a physical map/brochure. Each of these locations are associated with an audio podcast that will explain the site’s significance and share interesting details about the action that took place there. These podcasts are accessible on this website and are accessible via cell phones through QR codes and by dialing (956) 847-3002.
Established as the Santa Gertrudes Ranch in 1853, the King Ranch had almost 150,000 acres at the time of the Civil War. Its founder Richard King contracted with the Confederacy to provide supplies to soldiers in return for overseeing cotton smuggling through the Union blockade. Besides the Santa Gertrudes ranch, the King family had business enterprises in Brownsville and Rio Grande City. These include the supplying of ice, salt, and beef. A rebel camp, San Fernando, was established nearby in June 1863 to protect the cross-border trade. The main house of the Ranch was occupied by Union troops in December of 1863. Following the war, King was pardoned after taking a loyalty oath to the United States, and the ranch was returned to his control.