National Register Listing

Daniels Farm House

W of Rio Grande Village in Big Bend National Park, Rio Grande Village, TX
Daniels Farm House is historically significant because of its long-term association with the social, cultural, and economic development of the Big Bend. In the first place, it is one of the few remaining physical structures throughout the entirety of Big Bend National Park that adequately represents the farming activities of early West Texas pioneers. In a region traditionally dominated by stock raisers, floodplain and irrigated farming emerged as a viable economic alternative for both Anglo and Hispanic residents. Secondly, since 1918 the growing dependency of these lower Rio Grande communities upon farming centered around Daniels Farm House. After the establishment of Big Bend National Park in 1944, nearly all evidence of this activity--with the exception of this structure--disappeared. In effect, Daniels Farm House is the last remaining physical representation of a social and economic lifestyle once common along the Rio Grande. While no longer evident in the Big Bend region today, irrigated and flood-plain farming played a significantly historic role in the early settlement of the region.

In 1918 Jesus Estrada, the original deed holder of Block G-19, section 6 (Daniels Farm House), sold his land to a Swedish immigrant named John 0. Wedin. That same year, Wedin, an experienced wheat farmer from Kansas, leveled the land and installed an 8-inch centrifugal pump irrigation system. Although the Hispanic residents of the area had practiced subsistence, floodplain farming for decades before Wedin's arrival, it was he who introduced one of the earliest commercial, irrigated farms into this portion of the Rio Grande valley. The remains of a flagstone canal still visible near the north elevation of the farmhouse are all that remain of the original irrigation network.

In addition, in 1918 Wedin built the structure known today as Daniels Farm House. While it appears that he did not use the building as his residence, he did use it to house farming equipment. Wedin's residence was located about one mile farther east of the present Daniels Farm House site. For the next eight years, Wedin raised wheat, alfalfa, hay, and other crops that he marketed among Anglo and Hispanic residents living in the nearby mining communities of Boquillas and San Vicente, Texas. In 1926 Wedin sold his farm to Joe H. Graham of Del Rio, Texas.
Local significance of the building:
Economics; Agriculture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture houses residential buildings
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
Texas random facts
Brewster County, located in southwestern Texas, has a rich and multifaceted history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Mescalero Apache and Comanche tribes, who hunted and gathered along the Rio Grande and its tributaries. The area attracted Spanish explorers in the 16th century, who sought to establish trade routes and establish settlements in the region.

The modern history of Brewster County began in the mid-19th century when it was part of the larger Presidio County. It was named after Henry Percy Brewster, a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas. After the Civil War, the county experienced an influx of settlers, primarily ranchers, who took advantage of the rich grasslands and water sources in the area. Cattlemen such as Alta Adele Koch, known as the "Cattle Queen of Texas," played a significant role in shaping the county's economy.

The discovery of silver in the nearby Chinati Mountains in the late 19th century led to a mining boom in Brewster County. The town of Terlingua became a center of mining activity, attracting thousands of prospectors seeking fortune. However, the silver boom was short-lived, and by the early 20th century, the mines had closed, causing a decline in population and economic activity.

Brewster County's landscape and wildlife also played a role in its history. The establishment of Big Bend National Park in 1944 helped to conserve the region's natural beauty and attract tourists. Today, Brewster County is known for its stunning vistas, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a thriving art and cultural scene, making it a popular destination for visitors from around the world.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Brewster County, Texas.

  • 1887: Brewster County is established and named after Henry Percy Brewster, a Secretary of War for the Republic of Texas.
  • 1889: Alpine, the county seat, is founded as a water stop for the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway.
  • 1900: The completion of the Southern Pacific transcontinental railroad brings growth and prosperity to the county.
  • 1921: Big Bend National Park is established, including a large portion of Brewster County.
  • 1933-1938: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) establishes numerous camps in the area, contributing to infrastructure development and conservation efforts.
  • 1943: Construction begins on the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, a renowned wildlife conservation and research site.
  • 1998: The Terlingua ghost town is designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
  • 2007: The US-Mexico border fence is constructed through parts of Brewster County, impacting local communities.