Refugio is the birthplace of Baseball Hall of Fame member Nolan Ryan. Landmarks include Refugio County, Refugio County Courthouse and John Howland Wood House. Refugio is the birthplace of Nolan Ryan, baseball player.
Refugio, Texas gifts and souvenirs: 37 designs made from Refugio's own map, landmarks and history, from $10 to $99. Printed to order and shipped free in the USA.
| Popular | Price |
|---|---|
| Refugio Hometown Ornament | $23 |
| Refugio Landmarks Photo Poster | from $40 |
| Refugio Vintage Travel Poster | from $40 |
| Refugio Varsity Crewneck | from $57 |
| Refugio Est. Tee | from $33 |
| Refugio Town Line Mug | from $26 |
Ceramic keepsake, gold ribbon, in 4 styles
Nine local landmarks, archival matte
Its landmark photo in a classic travel-poster layout
A local landmark photo as a gallery print
Classic large-letter postcard art, filled with local photos
Six local landmarks as instant photos on kraft paper
The town's story in dates, from its own records, for home or classroom
Map of local landmarks, washable fabric
Heavy-blend fleece, street map printed on the back
Red heavy-blend crewneck, knit-stitch town print
Soft Bella+Canvas jersey
Kids' Bella+Canvas jersey, youth sizes
Bella+Canvas toddler jersey
Bella+Canvas baby bodysuit
Large-letter postcard art filled with local photos
Glossy ceramic, dishwasher safe
Large-letter postcard art filled with local photos, 11 oz ceramic
Weatherproof, for the front walk
24″×16″, printed coir-look fibers, rubber back
12″×12″ printed wood, ready to hang
Soft-touch, zip cover
A local landmark photo with the town name, 18″×18″
Sturdy all-over-print tote
Large-letter postcard art on a sturdy tote
Foam-front trucker, printed (not embroidered) with local photos
Glossy top, cork back
Soft fleece, 50″×60″
Six local landmarks as instant photos, soft fleece 50″×60″
20 oz, double-wall stainless
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
The town's earliest Sanborn fire-insurance map, drawn building by building and hand-coloured, from the Library of Congress
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
Population 2010: 2,890 → 2020: 2,712
From Wikidata (CC0).
Before Spanish colonization, the site of present-day Refugio was a seasonal camp of the Karankawa people, particularly the Copane band. Spanish authorities knew the area by the mid-18th century, and José de Escandón considered it for a settlement and presidio.
Spain established Mission Nuestra Señora del Refugio on February 4, 1793 near Goff Bayou to minister to the Karankawa. After raids and supply issues, the mission moved to Mosquitos Creek in 1794 and then to its final location on the Mission River-the present townsite-on January 10, 1795. It was the last mission founded in Texas and was secularized in 1830.
During the Mexican era, the Power and Hewetson Irish colony received an empresario contract in 1828; its territory was expanded in 1829 and granted the former mission lands in 1831. The colony’s center developed around the mission, and in 1834 lots were platted for the Villa de Refugio. Many Irish families from County Wexford arrived that year, joining Mexican settlers.
The Battle of Refugio (March 12–15, 1836) occurred during José de Urrea’s coastal campaign of the Texas Revolution. Texian detachments under Amon B. King and William Ward fought Urrea’s forces near the mission, resulting in a Mexican victory. Many Texians captured at Refugio were executed later in the Goliad massacre.
Refugio was first incorporated in 1837 but lacked effective government until re-incorporation in 1842 under the Republic of Texas. In 1869, the county seat briefly moved to St. Mary’s and then Rockport; after Aransas County was created in 1871, Refugio regained its status as county seat.
The arrival of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway in 1905 spurred growth, followed by the discovery of oil in Refugio County in 1928. Major fields such as the Tom O'Connor Field made the area a significant petroleum producer. Ranching also shaped the region, led by Irish immigrant Thomas O’Connor, whose family holdings became among the largest in Texas.
Religious continuity persisted at the mission site. The current Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church was completed in 1901 and remains a local landmark.
Refugio has endured major storms, including Hurricane Carla in 1961, which caused widespread damage across the Texas coast.
Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Refugio, Texas, revision 1378580192 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
We share a part of every Refugio sale with local partners, and we'd love to print from your collection. Old photographs, maps and postcards make the best keepsakes.
Partner with usA favorite landmark, your street, a school or team, an anniversary gift, a different product. Tell us and we'll get back to you by email.
9 free coloring pages of Refugio, each traced from a photo of a local landmark. Print them at home, at school or for story hour.
Refugio's population was 2,712 in the 2020 U.S. Census, down from 2,890 in 2010.
Refugio County Courthouse
Refugio County
Guadalupe River
Mission River