Lyford
Lyford, Willacy County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Before the arrival of the railroad, this area was a part of the King Ranch known as "Como se LLama". Lyford was developed in 1907 by executives of the Rock Island Railroad and named for attorney William H. Lyford of Illinois. Settlers came by train from the midwest and lived in tents until permanent homes could be built. An artesian well supplied water, and "Pioneer Hall" housed worship services and school classes. Later the Lyford Hotel became a focal point for the town. Soldiers and Texas Rangers protected Lyford during the border bandit raids of 1913-15. (1985)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This corner of the Willacy County brushland was once King Ranch pasture nicknamed "Como se Llama" before Rock Island Railroad executives developed the townsite in 1907, naming it for Illinois attorney William H. Lyford. Midwestern settlers arrived by train and camped in tents until homes could be built, drawing water from an artesian well and worshiping and schooling in "Pioneer Hall." Soldiers and Texas Rangers guarded the young town through the border bandit raids of 1913-15.
Why it matters
Lyford reflects both the railroad colonization that peopled the Rio Grande Valley and the violence of the borderlands during the era of cross-border raiding and the Mexican Revolution.
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Related people
- · William H. Lyford
Related events
- · Border bandit raids of 1913-15
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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