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The Commemorative Quarter for Texas





Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Rio Hondo (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Rio Hondo. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the west contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Rio Hondo is located in Cameron County.

To see how the shape of Texas' counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Cameron County: Hidalgo & Willacy.

Below are the counties that are near Rio Hondo. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Rio Hondo:

  • Cameron County     (The home county of Rio Hondo)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rio Hondo, with the one closest to Rio Hondo listed first.
    • Villa del Sol
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Villa del Sol have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Villa del Sol
      • Villa del Sol is located in Cameron County
      • Villa del Sol has also been known as:
      • Villa del Sol Colonia
    • Arroyo Colorado Estates
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Lozano
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lozano have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lozano
      • Lozano is located in Cameron County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lozano <2>
    • Arroyo Gardens - La Tina Ranch
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Green Valley Farms
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Valley Farms have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Valley Farms
      • Green Valley Farms is located in Cameron County
      • Green Valley Farms has also been known as:
      • Green Valley Farms Colonia
    • Harlingen
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Harlingen have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harlingen
      • Harlingen is located in Cameron County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 65,176 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Harlingen <2>
    • San Benito
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for San Benito have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for San Benito
      • San Benito is located in Cameron County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 24,085 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for San Benito <2>
    • Lasana
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lasana have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lasana
      • Lasana is located in Cameron County
      • Lasana has also been known as:
      • Lasana Colonia
    • Combes
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Combes have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Combes
      • Combes is located in Cameron County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,037 people
      • Combes has also been known as:
      • Combes Colonia
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Combes <2>
    • El Camino Angosto
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for El Camino Angosto have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for El Camino Angosto
      • El Camino Angosto is located in Cameron County
      • El Camino Angosto has also been known as:
      • El Camino Angosto Colonia
    • Las Palmas - Juarez
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Las Palmas - Juarez
      • Las Palmas - Juarez is located in Cameron County
    • Lago
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lago have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lago
      • Lago is located in Cameron County
      • Lago has also been known as:
      • Lago Colonia
  • Hidalgo County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rio Hondo, with the one closest to Rio Hondo listed first.
    • Heidelberg
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Heidelberg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heidelberg
      • Heidelberg is located in Hidalgo County
    • Indian Hills
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
    • La Villa
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for La Villa have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Villa
      • La Villa is located in Hidalgo County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,935 people
    • Mercedes
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Rio Rico
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Relampago
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Relampago have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Relampago
      • Relampago is located in Hidalgo County
    • Edcouch
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edcouch have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edcouch
      • Edcouch is located in Hidalgo County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,277 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Edcouch <2>
    • Mila Doce
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mila Doce have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mila Doce
      • Mila Doce is located in Hidalgo County
    • Elsa
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elsa have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elsa
      • Elsa is located in Hidalgo County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,120 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Elsa <2>
    • Llano Grande
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Llano Grande have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Llano Grande
      • Llano Grande is located in Hidalgo County
    • Monte Alto
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Monte Alto have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monte Alto
      • Monte Alto is located in Hidalgo County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Monte Alto <2>
    • Olivarez
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Olivarez have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olivarez
      • Olivarez is located in Hidalgo County
  • Willacy County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rio Hondo, with the one closest to Rio Hondo listed first.
    • Santa Monica
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Sebastian
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Willamar
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Willamar have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willamar
      • Willamar is located in Willacy County
    • Lyford South
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Lyford South. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyford South
      • Lyford South is located in Willacy County
      • Lyford South has also been known as:
      • Lyford South Colonia
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Lyford South
      • From Rio Hondo to Lyford South
    • Lyford
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lyford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyford
      • Lyford is located in Willacy County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,513 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lyford <2>
    • Zapata Ranch
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Zapata Ranch have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zapata Ranch
      • Zapata Ranch is located in Willacy County
      • Zapata Ranch has also been known as:
      • Zapata Ranch Colonia
    • San Perlita
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
    • Los Angeles Subdivision
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Los Angeles Subdivision have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Los Angeles Subdivision
      • Los Angeles Subdivision is located in Willacy County
    • Raymondville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Ranchette Estates
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ranchette Estates have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ranchette Estates
      • Ranchette Estates is located in Willacy County
      • Ranchette Estates has also been known as:
      • Ranchette Estates Colonia
    • Port Mansfield
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Port Mansfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Port Mansfield
      • Port Mansfield is located in Willacy County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Port Mansfield <2>
    • Lasara
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lasara have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lasara
      • Lasara is located in Willacy County
      • Lasara has also been known as:
      • La Sara
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lasara <2>

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Rio Hondo, see our County-by-County Page for Rio Hondo.

Cemeteries Near Rio Hondo ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Rio Hondo.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Rio Hondo covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Rio Hondo, with the one closest to Rio Hondo listed first.

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<6>

While we didn't find Rio Hondo in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Rio Hondo.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Rio Hondo, with the one closest to Rio Hondo listed first.

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Rio Hondo. See our List of 1890's Communities around Rio Hondo.

Newspapers Published in Rio Hondo ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 12 newspapers that have been published in the area around Rio Hondo.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Rio Hondo, there are papers which were published within 17 miles [27.4 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Rio Hondo.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Rio Hondo:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Rio Hondo. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Cameron County: www.co.cameron.tx.us/

The official website for State of Texas: https://texas.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<4>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<5>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Rio Hondo) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Rio Hondo. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 26.2353, Longitude: -97.5821    
<6>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Rio Hondo, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025