Editing Presidio, Texas

{{Other uses|Presidio (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Presidio, Texas
| settlement_type    = [[City (Texas)|City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = Presidio texas.jpg
| image_caption      = Signpost outside the city of Presidio, Texas
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = Presidio County Presidio.svg
| mapsize            = 220px
| map_caption        = Location of Presidio, Texas
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = [[Texas]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Presidio County, Texas|Presidio]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 6.67
| area_land_km2      = 6.67
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 2.58
| area_land_sq_mi    = 2.58
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 3264
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 2579
| coordinates        = {{coord|29|33|41|N|104|21|59|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 79845-79846
| area_code          = [[Area code 432|432]]
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 48-59396<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2411489<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411489}}</ref>
| website            = [http://presidiotx.us/ City of Presidio]
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Presidio''' is a city in [[Presidio County, Texas|Presidio County]], [[Texas]], United States. It is situated on the [[Rio Grande]] (''Río Bravo del Norte'') River, on the opposite side of the U.S.–Mexico border from [[Ojinaga|Ojinaga, Chihuahua]]. The name originates from Spanish and means "fortress". The population was 3,264 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name=":0" />

Presidio is on the [[Farm to Market Road 170]], and [[U.S. Route 67 in Texas|U.S. Route 67]], {{convert|18|mi|km}} south of [[Shafter, Texas|Shafter]] in Presidio County. Presidio is approximately {{convert|250|mi|km}} southeast of [[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]], {{convert|240|mi|km}}  southwest of [[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]], and {{convert|145|mi|km}}  northeast of [[Chihuahua City]].

==History==
The junction of the [[Rio Conchos]] and [[Rio Grande]] at Presidio was settled thousands of years ago by hunting and gathering peoples. By 1200 CE, the local Native Americans had adopted agriculture and lived in small, closely knit, [[La Junta Indians]] settlements, which the Spaniards later called ''[[pueblo]]s''.<ref>Riley, Carroll L. ''The Frontier People: The Greater Southwest in the Protohistoric Period''. Albuquerque: U of NM Press, 1987, pp. 285–310</ref>

The first Spaniards came to Presidio in 1535. [[Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca]] and his three companions stopped at the Native American pueblo, placed a cross on the mountainside, and called the village {{Langx|es|La Junta de las Cruces|label=none}}. On December 10, 1582, [[Antonio de Espejo]] and his company arrived at the site and named the pueblo {{Langx|es|San Juan Evangelista|label=none}}. By 1681, the area of Presidio was known as {{Langx|es|La Junta de los Ríos|lit=The Junction of the Rivers|label=none}}. Five [[Jumanos]] towns were located along the Rio Grande to the north of the junction, consisting largely of permanent houses.<ref>Gary Clayton Anderson, ''The Indian Southwest, 1580–1830: Ethnogenesis and Reinvention'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1999), p. 21</ref> In 1683, [[Juan Sabeata]], the chief of the Jumanos, reported having seen a fiery cross on the mountain at Presidio and requested that a mission be established at La Junta.  The settlement in 1684 became known as {{Langx|es|La Navidad en Las Cruces|label=none}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/bmj07| title=Jumanos Indians| last=Hickerson| first=Nancy P.| date=2010-06-15| website=tshaonline.org| language=en| access-date= 2017-12-09}}</ref> The missions La Navidad en las Cruces, San Francisco de los Julimes, San Antonio de los Puliques, Apostol Santiago, and Santa María de la Redonda may have been established on the Texas side of the Rio Grande at La Junta.<ref>María Eva Flores, C.D.P., and Julia Cauble Smith, "La Junta de Los Rios", [https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ryl01 Handbook of Texas Online] accessed April 28, 2011. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.</ref>

Around 1760, a penal colony and military garrison of 60 men were established near Presidio. In 1830, the name of the area around Presidio was changed from {{Langx|es|La Junta de los Rios|label=none}} to {{Langx|es|Presidio del Norte|label=none}}. White American settlers came to Presidio in 1848 after the [[Mexican–American War|Mexican War]]. Among them was John Spencer, who operated a horse ranch on the United States side of the Rio Grande near Presidio. Ben Leaton and [[Milton Faver]], former scalp hunters for the Mexican government, built private forts in the area.

In 1790, the Spanish signed a peace agreement with the [[Lipan Apache]], creating El Barrio del Cementerio de Los Lipanes, now located downtown.

In 1849, a [[Comanche]] raid almost destroyed Presidio, and in 1850, Indians drove off most of the cattle in town. A post office was established at Presidio in 1868, and the first public school was opened in 1887.<ref>Suzanne Campbell of [[Angelo State University]], San Angelo, "George B. Jackson, Black (or African-American) Businessman, Rancher, and Entrepreneur", [[West Texas Historical Association]], annual meeting, [[Lubbock, Texas]], April 2, 2011</ref>

During the Mexican Revolution, General [[Pancho Villa]] often used [[Ojinaga]] as his headquarters for operations and visited Presidio on numerous occasions.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} As a result of Pancho Villa's force's raid and capture of Ojinaga on January 10, 1914, many Mexican army troops and civilians fled to Presidio seeking safe-haven.  U.S. forces detained 2,000 Mexican refugees in Presidio, eventually marching them north 60 miles to Camp Marfa.  The refugees would later be sent by train to Ft. Bliss (El Paso).

In 1930, the [[Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway]] reached Presidio and the [[Presidio–Ojinaga International Rail Bridge]] was built. The population grew from 96 in 1925 to 1,671 in 1988, but the number of businesses declined from 70 in 1933 to 22 in 1988. At the end of 1988, Presidio experienced a population boom, due in part to previously undocumented immigrants enrolled in the amnesty program. The population in 1990 was 3,422. Despite Presidio having been occupied continuously since ancient times, the community was finally incorporated in 1980, with Herb Myers elected as Presidio's first mayor.

The town is featured in the 1959 movie ''[[Rio Bravo (film)|Rio Bravo]]'' and the 1964 movie ''[[Rio Conchos (film)|Rio Conchos]].''{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In 1986, the Texas Department of Transportation opened a two-lane bridge, connecting Presidio and Ojinaga, the [[Presidio–Ojinaga International Bridge]].  By 2019, a second span will be constructed, with the original bridge being refurbished.{{Needs update|date=August 2024}}  The increased bridge capacity is projected to meet higher traffic, mainly commercial and agricultural in nature.

As of 2020, Presidio's local economy is based largely upon employment at [[Presidio Independent School District]], United States Customs and Border Protection, and local retail businesses.

In 2010, Presidio built the world's largest [[sodium-sulfur battery]] to provide power when the city's lone line to the [[Electric power transmission|United States power grid]] goes down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-04/texas-town-turns-monster-battery-backup-power|title = Texas Town Installs a Monster Battery for Backup Power|date = 18 March 2019}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.6|sqmi|km2}}, all land. Presidio is located near the confluence of the [[Rio Conchos]] and the Rio Grande. The Rio Conchos flows in a northeasterly direction from its source in the [[Sierra Madre Occidental|Sierra Madre]] in the state of [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua, Mexico]]. Commonly referred to as "La Junta" (the joining), the two rivers resulted in plentiful water, creating a flood plain that is ideal for farming.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location=Presidio, Texas (Oct 1, 1927–Mar 6, 2013)
|single line=Y
|collapsed = Yes
| Jan record high F  = 88
| Feb record high F  = 95
| Mar record high F  = 105
| Apr record high F  = 106
| May record high F  = 114
| Jun record high F  = 117
| Jul record high F  = 116
| Aug record high F  = 114
| Sep record high F  = 112
| Oct record high F  = 103
| Nov record high F  = 95
| Dec record high F  = 88
| year record high F = 117
| Jan high F  = 67.3
| Feb high F  = 73.9
| Mar high F  = 81.9
| Apr high F  = 90.2
| May high F  = 97.4
| Jun high F  = 102.6
| Jul high F  = 101.1
| Aug high F  = 99.8
| Sep high F  = 94.9
| Oct high F  = 87.2
| Nov high F  = 75.7
| Dec high F  = 67.4
| year high F = 86.6
| Jan mean F  = 50.4
| Feb mean F  = 56.1
| Mar mean F  = 63.2
| Apr mean F  = 71.7
| May mean F  = 79.9
| Jun mean F  = 86.9
| Jul mean F  = 87.0
| Aug mean F  = 85.8
| Sep mean F  = 80.7
| Oct mean F  = 71.4
| Nov mean F  = 58.8
| Dec mean F  = 50.9
| year mean F = 70.2
| Jan low F  = 33.4
| Feb low F  = 38.3
| Mar low F  = 44.6
| Apr low F  = 53.2
| May low F  = 62.4
| Jun low F  = 71.2
| Jul low F  = 73.0
| Aug low F  = 71.8
| Sep low F  = 66.5
| Oct low F  = 55.5
| Nov low F  = 41.9
| Dec low F  = 34.4
| year low F = 53.9
| Jan record low F  = 4
| Feb record low F  = 7
| Mar record low F  = 20
| Apr record low F  = 25
| May record low F  = 34
| Jun record low F  = 50
| Jul record low F  = 59
| Aug record low F  = 58
| Sep record low F  = 42
| Oct record low F  = 27
| Nov record low F  = 13
| Dec record low F  = 10
| year record low F = 4
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch  = 0.41
| Feb precipitation inch  = 0.33
| Mar precipitation inch  = 0.18
| Apr precipitation inch  = 0.31
| May precipitation inch  = 0.64
| Jun precipitation inch  = 1.22
| Jul precipitation inch  = 1.54
| Aug precipitation inch  = 1.43
| Sep precipitation inch  = 1.48
| Oct precipitation inch  = 0.91
| Nov precipitation inch  = 0.38
| Dec precipitation inch  = 0.42
| year precipitation inch = 9.24
| Jan snow inch  = 0.1
| Feb snow inch  = 0.0
| Mar snow inch  = 0.0
| Apr snow inch  = 0.0
| May snow inch  = 0.0
| Jun snow inch  = 0.0
| Jul snow inch  = 0.0
| Aug snow inch  = 0.0
| Sep snow inch  = 0.0
| Oct snow inch  = 0.0
| Nov snow inch  = 0.0
| Dec snow inch  = 0.2
| year snow inch = 0.4
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| precip days colour =
| Jan precipitation days  = 2
| Feb precipitation days  = 2
| Mar precipitation days  = 1
| Apr precipitation days  = 1
| May precipitation days  = 3
| Jun precipitation days  = 4
| Jul precipitation days  = 6
| Aug precipitation days  = 5
| Sep precipitation days  = 4
| Oct precipitation days  = 3
| Nov precipitation days  = 2
| Dec precipitation days  = 2
| year precipitation days = 35
|source 1 = [[Western Regional Climate Center]], [[Desert Research Institute]]<ref name="PreWeather">{{Cite web|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute|title=Presidio, TEXAS (417262), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary |url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?tx7262|access-date=Mar 26, 2016}}</ref>
|date=Mar 2016
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1880 = 147
| 1930 = 1202
| 1980 = 1723
| 1990 = 3072
| 2000 = 4167
| 2010 = 4426
| 2020 = 3264
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 1850–1900<ref name=1900CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/49-population-tx.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-tx-p1.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1920<ref name=1920CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-tx-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1930<ref name=1930CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch10.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch09.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br>
1950<ref name=1950CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-46.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/33255142v1p45ch02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00496492v1p45s1ch02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1980<ref name=1980CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/texas/1980a_txab-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cph-2/cph-2-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2000<ref name=2000CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
}}

Presidio first appeared as a [[census designated place]] in the [[1980 U.S. Census]];<ref name=1980CensusTX/> and listed as a city in the [[1990 U.S. Census]].<ref name=1980CensusTX/> 

===2020 census===

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Presidio racial composition'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4859396&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><br /> (''NH = Non-Hispanic''){{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White or European American]] (NH)
|62
|1.9%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|8
|0.25%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|4
|0.12%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|62
|1.9%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|1
|0.03%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|8
|0.25%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|3,119
|95.56%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''3,264'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 3,264 people, 1,394 households, and 729 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, 5,106 people, 1,285 households, and 1,033 families resided in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,620.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,541 housing units at an average density of {{convert|599.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 83.39% White, 0.10% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 15.43% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 94.12% of the population.

Of the 1,285 households, 49.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were not families. About 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24 and the average family size was 3.73.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 37.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $18,031, and for a family was $19,601. Males had a median income of $20,469 versus $15,000 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $7,098. About 40.4% of families and 43.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 48.3% of those under age 18 and 64.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Consular missions==
The [[Diplomatic missions of Mexico|Consulate of Mexico in Presidio]] is in the city.<ref>"[http://portal.sre.gob.mx/presidio/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=131&op=page&SubMenu= Inicio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610214538/http://portal.sre.gob.mx/presidio/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=131&op=page&SubMenu= |date=2011-06-10 }}." Consulate of Mexico in Presidio. Retrieved on March 30, 2010.</ref>

==Education==

The City of Presidio is served by the [[Presidio Independent School District]], which includes Presidio Elementary School, Lucy Rede Franco Middle School, and Presidio High School.  In 2011, Shella R. Condino, physics teacher at Presidio High School, was unanimously chosen by the National Aviation Hall of Fame's selection committee to receive the 2011 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=School Teacher Nominated by Overlook Wins Nation’s Top Honor |url=http://www.overlooksys.com/school-teacher-nominated-by-overlook.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306091033/http://www.overlooksys.com/school-teacher-nominated-by-overlook.html |archive-date=6 March 2016 |access-date= |website=www.overlooksys.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2016, Dr. Edgar B. Tibayan, principal of Lucy Rede Franco Middle School was adjudged as Texas Principal of the Year. He represented the state of Texas in the search for National Principal of the Year in 2016.

The Presidio Schools count approximately 1,300 students, Pre-K through 12th grade.  Presidio students have competed nationally in rocketry, with a wide array of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) classes and activities in which all students may participate.  The district also offers numerous activities in the fine arts, including art, band, jazz ensemble, mariachi and an annual school musical.

All Presidio schools are fully accredited by the [[Texas Education Agency]].

Presidio County is within the [[Odessa College District]] for community college.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm|title=Texas Education Code Sec. 130.193. ODESSA COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.}}</ref>

==Tourism==
{{unsourced|section|date=July 2024}}
Presidio is located three miles north of [[Fort Leaton State Historic Site]].  Plans are underway to open Chinati Mountains State Natural Area, 15 northwest of Presidio, along [[Farm to Market Road 170|FM 170]].  [[Big Bend Ranch State Park]] is adjacent to Presidio with Fort Leaton serving as a facility to purchase use permits.  Connecting Presidio south to Lajitas is the Camino del Rio (River Road), a 50-mile scenic drive following the Rio Grande.

Tourists often use Presidio as a less-congested gateway to Mexico at Ojinaga. All travel permits are available, and Mexican vehicle insurance is also available nearby.  Ojinaga is a city with tourist services including dining, shopping, and lodging. Nearby sites of interest include Peguis Canyon, as well as the old mining village of Manuel Benavides. Bus service to Chihuahua is available daily.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Texas}}
* [http://www.presidiotx.us City of Presidio website]

{{Presidio County, Texas}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Presidio County, Texas]]
[[Category:Rio Conchos]]
[[Category:Texas populated places on the Rio Grande]]
[[Category:Mexico–United States border crossings]]
[[Category:1684 establishments in New Spain]]