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La Salle County, Texas

32 topographic sheets cover 10 settlements here, and 3 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

3 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Texas within the United States
La Salle County within Texas
Explore by year 1879 1895

What the record shows

  • 96 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 3 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 2 buildings and 1 district.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 10 populated places in this county; 10 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

3

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Cotulla Ranchbuilding201414000342
La Salle County Courthousebuilding200707000690
Welhausen School and Florita Plazadistrict2021100007001

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

2

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Land ownership map, 1895 - La Salle Co
Land ownership map (1895) - La Salle Co. Library of Congress.
Land ownership map, 1879 - Map of La Salle County, Encinal County
Land ownership map (1879) - Map of La Salle County, Encinal County. Library of Congress.

The county from the air

20 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 881 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 20 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-11-04, scale 1:17000
1951-11-04, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-11-04, scale 1:17000
1951-11-04, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-11-06, scale 1:17000
1951-11-06, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-11-14, scale 1:17000
1951-11-14, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-02-02, scale 1:18400
1968-02-02, scale 1:18400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-02-02, scale 1:18400
1968-02-02, scale 1:18400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-02-02, scale 1:18400
1968-02-02, scale 1:18400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-02-02, scale 1:18400
1968-02-02, scale 1:18400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-02-04, scale 1:26000
1973-02-04, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-02-04, scale 1:26000
1973-02-04, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-02-04, scale 1:26000
1973-02-04, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-02-04, scale 1:26000
1973-02-04, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-01-01, scale 1:26000
1974-01-01, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-01-01, scale 1:26000
1974-01-01, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-01-18, scale 1:22400
1974-01-18, scale 1:22400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-01-18, scale 1:22400
1974-01-18, scale 1:22400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1989-12-12, scale 1:65000
1989-12-12, scale 1:65000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1989-12-12, scale 1:65000
1989-12-12, scale 1:65000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1989-12-12, scale 1:64663
1989-12-12, scale 1:64663. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1989-12-12, scale 1:64663
1989-12-12, scale 1:64663. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

16 stations, 1 gage

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

13 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 142-1Justice Precinct 1: Cotulla city: Cotulla city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; City limits, Hidalgo, Goft, Boutwell; International & Great Northern Railroad
  • 142-2Cotulla city - That part Bounded by City limits; International & Great Northern Railroad; Carizzo, Baylor, City limits; Gonzales Ave., Carrizo Springs Rd.
  • 142-3Cotulla city - That part Bounded by City limits, Carrizo Springs Rd.; Gonzales Ave.; City limits; City limits
  • 142-4Cotulla city - That part Bounded by Carrizzo; International & Great Northern Railroad; City limits; City limits, Baylor
  • 142-5Cotulla city - That part Bounded by Boutwell; Goft, Hidalgo; City limits; International & Great Northern Railroad
  • 142-6Justice Precinct 1 - That part east of International & Great Northern Railroad, outside Cotulla city
  • 142-7Justice Precinct 1 - That part west of International & Great Northern Railroad, outside Cotulla city
  • 142-8Justice Precinct 2
  • 142-9Justice Precinct 3
  • 142-10Justice Precinct 4
  • 142-11Justice Precinct 5: Encinal, unincorporated (See boundaries shown on aerial photo DAE-3C-42)
  • 142-12Justice Precinct 5 - That part outside Encinal, unincorporated (See aerial photo DAE-3C-42 for boundaries of Encinal)
  • 142-13Justice Precinct 6

Wildfire, 2005 to 2019

467 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 467 of them, burning about 37,788 acres. 1 started naturally and 3 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning293
Missing data/not specified/undetermined102
Equipment and vehicle use38
Railroad operations and maintenance10
Smoking8
Power generation/transmission/distribution6
Misuse of fire by a minor4
Arson/incendiarism3
Recreation and ceremony2
Natural1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
2 February 2008Missing data/not specified/undetermined19,000 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceCOTULLA FIRE
20 January 2008Missing data/not specified/undetermined3,000 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
23 December 2007Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,500 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
30 June 2009Railroad operations and maintenance1,300 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceALDERMAN RANCH
6 September 2011Debris and open burning800 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceTRIPLE G
26 July 2019Equipment and vehicle use676 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceJAEGER
3 February 2008Debris and open burning600 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
2 February 2008Debris and open burning600 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1955 to 2025

60 of 165 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 165 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 5 injuries and about $1,449,000 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail67
Thunderstorm Wind49
Flash Flood29
Tornado10
Flood7
Heavy Rain2
Lightning1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2012Tornado (EF0)Woodward2 hurt, $50,000Tornado touched down along Farm to Market Road 468 near the Dimmit County line. The tornado flipped an 18 wheeler then proceeded northeast about 5 miles. The tornado then crossed Farm to Market Road 469 and struck an oil hydraulic fracturing flow back site. The tornado flipped one RV trailer at the site. Two people inside the RV trailer sustained serious injuries. Both were released from the hospital the next day. The winds were estimated to be around 80 mph with this damage. The tornado proceeded northeast across open ranch land another 5 miles before dissipating.
February 1990Thunderstorm Windnot stated2 hurtno account filed
May 2015Tornado (EF1)Woodward1 hurt, $100,000NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado caused damage on a private ranch in rural northwest La Salle County. The tornado touched down near Johnson Ranch Road just northeast of Farm to Market Road 468. A rancher was thrown from his barn and landed on top of his trailer. Numerous large trees were snapped at their base and several trees were uprooted. The tornado destroyed a wooden cabin, lofting debris |about 100 yards. Wind speeds were estimated at 85 to 90 mph.
March 2023HailCotulla$300,000La Salle County Sheriff's Office reported hail damage to cars, including broken windshields, in Cotulla from hail up to the size of softballs. The large hail broke windows in several homes.
May 1980Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
June 1955Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
September 2017Flash FloodGardendale$100,000Texas Department of Transportation reported Interstate 35 north of Millet was closed due to flooding. Bulldozers are being used to help push cars and trucks out of high water north of Cotulla.
October 2013Flash FloodFowlerton$100,000Several high water rescues occurred in La Salle County with water as high as|4 feet deep in some areas.
May 2017Lightning(Cot)Cotulla Muni Ar$50,000Lightning caused a fire at a storage facility along Highway 97.
May 2015Tornado (EF0)Gardendale$50,000A tornado moved across a ranch and damaged a couple of barns. Three trees were uprooted and many branches were broken.
October 2013FloodCotulla$50,000Major flooding along the Nueces River occurred near Cotulla. Some farm and ranch equipment were flooded. Cattle were cut off by the flood waters also.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindEncinal$25,000The bow echo that impacted northwest Webb county continued northeast into southern La Salle county, causing damage in the town of Encinal. There was damage to the siding of a few trailer homes. The sheet metal on a several structures was peeled back, and even taken off in some cases. Several large 8-12 inch diameter tree limbs were snapped. Highway signs were also blown over.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindCotulla$24,000Two tractor trailers blown over 5 SSW of town (estimated on I-35).
April 2016HailCotulla$20,000Ping pong ball sized hail occurred in Cotulla causing damage to plants. Images relayed to the NWS through Facebook.
March 2016Thunderstorm WindArtesia Wells$20,000Pictures submitted from the public showed large mesquite trees blown down. Roof damage occurred to a church.
May 2022Thunderstorm WindEncinal$10,000Winds damaged a barn, windmill and water container north of Encinal.
April 2016HailCotulla$10,000Quarter sized hail occurred at the Big's Travel Center near Interstate 35 in Cotulla.
March 2013HailPowerton$10,000Coop observer reported golf ball sized hail near Fowlerton.
June 2007Flash FloodCotulla$10,000TXDOT reported a large section of F.M. 624 in rural southeastern La Salle county closed due to flooding. A culvert along 624 was washed out due to the heavy rain. The road remained closed into the next day.|
July 2018Thunderstorm WindCotulla$5,000Business signs and power lines were blown down near Interstate 35 in Cotulla.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindLos Angeles$5,000Winds snapped or uprooted trees near Los Angeles.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindTuna$5,000Large tree limbs were blown down at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area.
April 2024Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt$2,000Power cables damaged, trees down, and roofs damaged throughout the town of Cotulla.
March 2023Hail(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt$2,000Public report was received with pictures showing golf ball to tennis ball sized hail that broke a skylight in Cotulla.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindCotulla$1,000Thunderstorm wind damage report in Cotulla of chance fencing blown down at the Tx DOT facility.
May 2025Heavy RainCotulla-Observed 1.19. The period of the Rain event was 30 minutes.
February 2024Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt-KCOT ASOS recorded a severe wind gust of 56 knots (64 mph) as a strong thunderstorm bowed through northern La Salle County and Cotulla.
March 2024Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt-ASOS station KCOT in Cotulla, TX measured a wind gust of 60 mph likely due to efficient evaporative cooling in wake of an anvil from a strong to severe thunderstorm to its south.
April 2024HailCotulla-Trained spotter reported quarter size hail in Cotulla.
April 2023Hail(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt-Public posted video of nickel to quarter sized hail falling in Cotulla.
April 2023HailCotulla-Public reported through social media that golf ball sized hail occurred in Cotulla.
March 2023Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt-The Cotulla/La Salle County Airport ASOS recorded a wind gust to 70 mph.
April 2022Thunderstorm WindArtesia Wells-Small to medium sized branches were broken from trees near Artesia Wells.
May 2022Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt-Cotulla/La Salle County Municipal Airport ASOS measured a gust to 58 knots.
August 2022FloodArtesia Wells-Major flooding occurred in southeast La Salle County as a flood wave from San Casamiro Creek moved through. Major flooding cut off extensive portions of the flood plain.
August 2022Flash FloodCotulla-Farm to Market Road 624 southeast of Cotulla had flood waters covering the road.
May 2020Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt-Cotulla-La Salle County Airport ASOS measured a gust to 70 mph.
June 2020Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)La Salle Co Arpt-Cotulla-La Salle County Airport ASOS measured a gust to 59 mph.
March 2018Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)Cotulla Muni Ar-Cotulla-La Salle County Airport ASOS measured a gust to 53 knots.
March 2018Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)Cotulla Muni Ar-Cotulla-La Salle County Airport ASOS measured an additional wind gust to 53 knots.
April 2018HailEncinal-Law enforcement reported quarter sized hail east of Encinal.
October 2018FloodWoodward-Heavy rainfall between 4 to 6 inches occurred on October 7th across the Upper Nueces River watershed. The flow from this heavy rainfall caused the Nueces River at Cotulla to reach major flood stage on the 15th and continued through the 19th across La Salle County.
October 2018FloodWoodward-Heavy rainfall between 5 to 8 inches occurred on October 15th across the Upper Nueces River watershed. The flow from this heavy rainfall caused the Nueces River at Cotulla to reach major flood stage on the 20th and continued through the 25th across La Salle County. Major and massive lowland flooding occurred. Many roads near the river were flooded, including Farm to Market Road 3408 from Interstate 35, Valley Wells Road, and the frontage road near mile marker 67. Flooding also occurred on Dobie Road including in and around Farm to Market Road 624. FM 624 flooded south of Highway 97 toward Fowlerton.
May 2017Thunderstorm Wind(Cot)Cotulla Muni Ar-Cotulla-La Salle County Airport ASOS measured a gust to 59 MPH.
April 2017Hail(Cot)Cotulla Muni Ar-Video was submitted of hail falling near Cotulla. Hail was measured to the size of half dollars.
September 2017FloodTuna-Farm to Market Road 3408 from I-35, Valley Wells Road, and the frontage road near mile marker 67 were flooded. Flooding also occurred on Dobie Road including in and around Highway 624.
April 2016HailArtesia Wells-Dime sized hail occurred at Artesia Wells.
April 2016Tornado (EF0)Los Angeles-Spotter reported a brief rain wrapped tornado.
May 2016HailTuna-Heavy amount of nickel sized hail was reported by the public through social media.
August 2016Flash Flood(Cot)Cotulla Muni Ar-Water was over the road on Farm to Market Road 468 west of Cotulla.
April 2015HailPowerton-Quarter sized hail was reported in Fowlerton.
April 2015HailEncinal-Public reported penny sized hail occurred in Encinal.
May 2015Flash Flood(Cot)Cotulla Muni Ar-Cotulla Fire Department and spotter reported high water on Farm to Market Road 468 just northwest of Cotulla.
May 2015Flash FloodArtesia Wells-Farm to Market Road 624 was closed from Cotulla to the county line due to water over the road.
May 2015FloodCotulla-The Nueces River crested at 20.63 feet at Cotulla on the 23rd but was in major flood category from the 22nd to the 30th. The flooding caused several roads around Cotulla to be closed. The frontage road on Interstate 35 near the KOA campground was closed. Farm to Market Road 3408 and Valley Wells Road were closed.
April 2015HailArtesia Wells-Quarter sized hail occurred near Artesia Wells.
April 2015HailCotulla-Picture received via social media of at least quarter sized hail in Cotulla. Time estimated by radar.
May 2015FloodFowlerton-Flood wave moving down the Frio River flooded several roads around Fowlerton.
July 2014Flash FloodArtesia Wells-Flooding was reported on Farm to Market Road 133 west of Artesia Wells.
July 2014Flash FloodLos Angeles-Water covered the road on Farm to Market Road 469 south of Los Angeles.

Every populated place in the county

10

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.