Carlos de la Garza

A fourth-generation Tejano rancher, Carlos de la Garza was born into a family that was prominent among the colonies in Refugio, Goliad and Victoria. He and Tomasita Garcia were married in 1829; they settled on the family ranch at Carlos Crossing near this site. A community called Carlos Rancho developed at the crossing. Here de la Garza operated a commissary and oversaw his extensive holdings. In 1834, as a member of the Power and Hewetson colony, he obtained the title to a league of land including the old de la Garza Ranch. When the Texas revolution broke out in 1835, de la Garza served as a captain in the Mexican Army. When the people of La Bahia abandoned the town during its occupation by Texian military forces, de la Garza granted them asylum at Carlos Rancho. In the spring of 1836 de la Garza led about 80 ranchers known as "Guardia de Victoria" who served as scouts and advance cavalry for General Jose de Urrea's advancing Mexican Army. He played a significant role in the events that disastrously divided Fannin's command at Refugio and in those that led to the Mexican victory in the Battle of Coleto. After Fannin's surrender, de la Garza influenced Urrea to spare the lives of his neighbors during the Goliad Massacre.

De la Garza's loyalty to Mexico was not held against him, and he became a prominent citizen of the Republic and later the state of Texas. After the revolution he continued ranching, operated a ferry at Carlos Crossing, participated in battles against Indians and allowed his rancho to serve as a place of refuge for settlers in difficult times. He died in 1882 from an old arrow wound. (1999).