From Smallness Has Grown Bigness

Refugio County Texas is about two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island, which suggests that the County is capable of very little politically or socially.

But size is deceiving. The County played a key role in the successful 1835 Texianne rebellion against Mexico; and a delegate from the County to the Texas Independence convention was the first president of the new nation; then, 10 years later, in 1845, the state's first governor.

Two Refugio based authors, Hobert Huson and Father Wm. H. Oberste produced what are widely regarded as the classic histories of Spain's invasion into America. Also, Huson was a candidate for the Texas governorship in 1940.

More recently, Joseph L. Galloway penned a passionate critique of the Irag war in a book-movie entitled We Were Soldiers Once, and Young.

"Joe Galloway just may be the finest war correspondent of our generation," said General Norman Schwarzkopf. 😊

Starlet Allison Paige says Refugio as her birthplace, as did the late actor-director Jack Starrett (Gabby).

Sport wise, Refugio has long been a state leader in high school athletics.

In 1955, Refugio integrated Blacks, with immediate success; multiple other Texas schools have done their best to emulate the Refugio program.

As is well-known, pitcher Nolan Ryan was born in Refugio, not so well known is the fact that infielder Rocky Bridges was also born there. Until 2024, Refugio's Dan Firova was a baseball coach for the Houston Astros. Jared Kelley and Austin Ochoa are young Refugio exes seeking to make it in professional baseball.

Not known at all perhaps are the numerous Refugio educators, musicians and ministers who have done quite well in their professions. The late Air Force chaplain Martin Mcguill is one of these, as are Jan Naylor Cope, sometime provost of the Episcopal Cathedral in DC, and the late Bill Anderson, who was a long-time ministerial leader among Southern Baptists.

Refugio has long been identified as the winter home of the Whooping Cranes (Austwell). See photo at top of page.

Rhode Island should have it so big.