Historical Marker

Bruni

Marker installed: 2009
Marker size: 27" x 42"

This historic settlement was named for Antonio Mateo Bruni (1856-1931), a native of Bozzi, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Bruni's parents died when he was a young boy, and in 1872, he moved to San Antonio to live with an uncle. Five years later, Bruni, along with his brother Luigi, moved to Laredo, where they opened a mercantile store. Antonio Bruni married Consolacion Henry in 1879, and the couple had nine children. Bruni acquired interest in the sheep and cattle industry, and was appointed Webb County tax assessor in 1882. Bruni went on to serve as a county commissioner and as county treasurer. The Texas Mexican Railroad built a station on one of Bruni's ranches ca. 1881, and Bruni took the opportunity to open a commissary at the site. When the first school in the area opened in 1886, the fledgling settlement was called Bruniville. A post office was first established in 1900, and Moglia Lodovico served as the first postmaster. In 1922, the Bruni Townsite Company, established by C. R. Cole and Dudley Tyng, purchased and surveyed over 150 acres approximately one quarter mile west of the site of the school and post office that had already been built. The discovery of oil in the area during the 1920s brought growth to the town of Bruni. Mining of commercial-grade uranium beginning in the 1970s gave the area another economic boost. In 1974 the Bruni, Torrecillas (Oil Town) and Aguilares school districts joined to form the Webb Consolidated Independent School District. When the Mirando schools joined the district in 2005, the Bruni-based WCISD became the only education facilities operating outside of Laredo in Webb County. (2009)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

The cattle industry played a significant role in the development of Texas, with cowboys driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Texas random facts
Webb County, located in southern Texas along the Mexico border, has a rich and vibrant history dating back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by various Indigenous groups, including the Coahuiltecan and Cabeza de Vaca tribes. In 1705, the Spanish government established what is now known as the city of Laredo, making it one of the oldest European settlements in present-day Texas.

During the 19th century, Webb County played a crucial role in the struggle for Mexican independence and the subsequent development of the Texas Republic. In 1836, during the Texas Revolution, Mexican troops led by General José de Urrea were defeated by the Texian forces at the Battle of San Patricio, which took place near present-day San Patricio, a community within Webb County.

Following the Texas Revolution, Laredo became an important trading center, connecting the United States and Mexico. The city's location along the Rio Grande made it a key point for trade and transportation, leading to its rapid growth. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War, and Laredo became part of the United States.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant changes to Webb County. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s further stimulated economic growth, as it provided an efficient means of importing goods and exporting local agricultural products. This led to the expansion of ranching and agriculture industries in the region. Additionally, the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the early 20th century brought further prosperity and development to the county.

Today, Webb County continues to thrive as a bustling border city and a hub of trade between the United States and Mexico. With a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant economy, the county serves as an important intersection of history, commerce, and diversity in Texas.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Webb County, Texas.

  • 1848 - Webb County is established as a county in the state of Texas.
  • 1849 - The first permanent settlers arrive in what is now known as Laredo, the county seat of Webb County.
  • 1852 - The county's first courthouse is built in Laredo.
  • 1860 - The population of Webb County reaches over 4,000 residents.
  • 1881 - The Texas-Mexican Railway reaches Laredo, leading to increased trade and development in the county.
  • 1906 - A new courthouse is built in Laredo to replace the previous one.
  • 1944 - The Laredo Air Force Base is established, contributing to the county's economy and providing employment opportunities.
  • 1977 - The Rio Grande Industrial Park is opened, promoting industrial development in Webb County.
  • 2010 - Webb County's population exceeds 250,000 residents.