Hebbronville is the Vaquero Capital of Texas
The Texas-Mexican Railway Company helped establish Hebbronville in the late 19th century, and the town soon became one of the nation's largest cattle shipping centers. Though the cattle industry has waned, the town retains the related culture and proudly calls itself the "Vaquero Capital of Texas," a legacy it celebrates annually with rodeos, goat roping and cook-offs at the Vaquero Festival. Ranchers from the massive tracts that surround Hebbronville come to town to buy materials, dine at locally-owned restaurants and attend church. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, housed in an impressive Spanish Colonial Revival church, operates more than a dozen ministries and the historic Scotus College building, which houses the Franciscan Friars of Hebbronville.
A mix of contemporary and ranch-style homes
Hebbronville’s architecture is varied. There is a mix of pre-war cottages and bungalows, mid-to-late 20th-century ranch-style homes, some with Mediterranean influences, and manufactured homes. Many contemporary homes have brick facades, vaulted ceilings, arched entryways and attached garages or carports. The community’s sun-soaked roads are narrow and sometimes adorned with drought-resistant vegetation. Lots generally measure around a quarter-acre in size, but a few dozen homes sit on an acre. Some residents fence off their front and back yards. Homes here can sell from around $13,000, if they need repairs, to around $320,000. The median sale price is about $115,000.
Apply Texas helps high schoolers get an early start
The Jim Hogg County Independent School District scores an overall B-minus on Niche and serves around 1,000 students. Hebbronville Elementary scores a B-minus, Hebbronville Junior High has a C-plus and Hebbronville High receives a B-minus. HHS 12th graders begin an early college application process in their fall semester through Apply Texas, which has led to high college acceptance rates and scholarship awards. Students can earn specific endorsements on their high school diploma, including social studies, computer science and JROTC.
A day at Jim Hogg County Park
Hebbronville features a few public spaces for recreation. Jim Hogg County Park is the town’s biggest outdoor recreational space, home to several baseball and softball fields. Local leagues play ball on the fields, and a few sets of covered steel bleachers sit outside the field gates for spectators. Between ball fields are several individual, covered picnic tables with grills. A large, covered pavilion offers space for bigger celebrations and get-togethers. The park also has a playground, a seasonal pool and basketball courts. Hebbronville Plaza, located across from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, is a large green space with walking paths, over 20 benches and a small pavilion. Hebbronville is about 100 miles from the beaches in Corpus Christi.
Locally owned restaurants and supply stores pepper the community
Most of the town’s commercial infrastructure lines State Highway 16; gas stations, banks, service businesses and a couple of hotels pepper the thoroughfare. Tractor Supply Co. and Montalvo’s Feed Store are a couple of popular in-town spots for ranchers to grab animal feed and materials. Lowe’s Market and DG Market are the community’s two largest grocers, but several convenience markets have snacks and essentials. Many of Hebbronville’s restaurants are take-out or drive-through spots, like Avila’s BBQ, a small red building where patrons pick up their fajita packs, tacos and burgers. Residents stop by Y Double Drive Thru for homemade jerky and sodas. Las Lomitas Café and Tasty Pastry serves carne guisada plates, enchiladas and flautas, and has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
Navigating Jim Hogg County
Residents mainly depend on cars to get around; State Highways 16, 359 and 285 cut through the city and serve as main thoroughfares. Laredo is one of the nearest cities, about 56 miles west, and Corpus Christi is around 105 miles northeast. CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital in Alice is one of the closest medical facilities, about 55 miles away. Laredo International Airport offers flights around 56 miles away.
Written By
Brennen Martin
