Hidalgo County Was Formed in 1852 and Named for a Mexican Hero

Hidalgo County was formed in 1852. It was named for Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the Catholic priest who called for Mexican independence from Spain in 1810. That call became known as the Grito de Dolores—the Cry of Dolores.

Naming the county after him was a sign of the region's deep Mexican and Tejano roots. Most early residents were Spanish-speaking ranching families who had lived along the Rio Grande for generations.

The county covers 1,596 square miles in South Texas along the Mexican border. Spanish settlement of the area started in 1749 under José de Escandón. For more details, the Handbook of Texas entry on Hidalgo County is the official historical source.