Before you stands the Santiago Del Valle Grant Plaque. This unassuming marker holds a fascinating story. It tells of a significant land grant in Texas history. The ten leagues of land originally belonged to Santiago Del Valle. He was a prominent figure in the Mexican government of Coahuila y Tejas. Del Valle served as secretary and even a member of the Mexican congress.
In 1832 Del Valle received the land grant. This was part of Ben Milam’s empresario contract. Milam a Texian hero had initially secured the land. However the grant was later transferred to Del Valle. Imagine the vastness of ten leagues. That’s approximately 44000 acres. A huge expanse of land.
Del Valle’s ownership didn’t last long. He sold nine leagues to Michel Menard. Menard a key figure in Galveston’s founding. Thomas McKinney a business associate of Menard then acquired much of the land. The McKinney family settled the land in the late 1840s. They were probably the first permanent residents. McKinney ultimately sold most of his land holdings before his death in 1873.
The Santiago Del Valle Grant remained largely agricultural for many years. Small communities like Bluff Springs Pilot Knob Creedmoor and Del Valle itself sprung up. The northern part of the grant became increasingly urban. The southern part however remained rural. This is preserved today in McKinney Falls State Park.
The plaque a simple aluminum marker commemorates this rich history. It stands as a silent testament to the changing landscape of Texas. It connects the past with the present. The plaque reminds us of the people who shaped this land. It’s a legacy etched in history. A legacy you can stand before and contemplate today.