Uvalde County

The 1790 victory the stone credits to Ugalde came after several Lipan Apache peace commissioners were assassinated in San Antonio. On January 9, 1790, Ugalde's troops and their Comanche allies defeated a combined Lipan and Mescalero Apache force at the Arroyo de la Soledad, near present Utopia. Lipan leaders such as Canoso answered with a year of reprisals that reached into Nuevo Leon. Spanish officials then gave up their aim of destroying the Lipans, and treaties of 1793 to 1799 recognized Lipan rights to trade at the presidios and to round up wild horses, and restored annual payments.

What the plaque says

Uvalde County Created 1850. Named for canyon which in turn had been named for the Spanish Army Captain Juan de Ugalde, who fought and routed Indians here in 1790. Over the years, "Ugalde" became "Uvalde". Many cattle, sheep, goats are raised; and Uvalde honey is famous for its flavor. Noted for fine hunting and scenic drives. Historic sites marked include 3 old forts, 2 Spanish missions, a Ranger camp. Home of Southwest Texas Junior College, Garner State Park and home (now museum and library) of John Nance Garner, first Texan elected Vice-President of United States. 1965

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Uvalde Grand Opera House — steps away
  An 1891 Victorian opera house on the Uvalde square with a turret and a dragon weathervane, once owned by John Nance Garner and still staging volunteer theater upstairs.
• Briscoe-Garner Museum — 0.4 mi
  The Uvalde house of John Nance Garner, the vice president who made the office a power in Congress, now a free museum to him and to Governor Dolph Briscoe.
• Fort Inge Historical Site — 2.5 mi
  A county park on the Leona River below a 140-foot volcanic plug, where an army post guarded the new road to El Paso from 1849 to 1869 and Texas Rangers camped after.

More markers nearby

• Kincaid Hotel — steps away
• Fort Inge, Camp Dix, C.S.A. — steps away
• Early Texas Wagon Yards — steps away
• Rice Hotel and Saddlery — steps away