Located in the corssroad between Corpus Christi, Laredo and San Antonio, San Diego, Texas, became an important town in the development of South Texas and the Brush Country.
The original settlers built homesteads along San Diego Creek, named after the Spanish land grant made to Julian and Ventura Flores. San Diego grew not only in agricultural and ranching importance, but also political importance in South Texas.
Sheep, cattle and cotton soon made it an important inland port with goods from the San Diego area travelling by wagon to Corpus Christi and Laredo.
The success attracted the railroad and soon there would be one line connecting Corpus Christi, Laredo and San Diego. San Diego was on the map and thriving.
Soon homes, businesses and churches sprouted up and San Diego was named the seat of Duval Country in 1879.
In 1915, the infamous “Plan de San Diego,” a revolutionary attempt to regain the southwest United States for the Mexicano population came to light and dominated South Texas life for the rest of the year.
The plan called for a revolt to take up arms against the U.S. government and its aims were extremely radical. “Balo’s War,” a historical novel written by San Diego resident Alfredo Cardenas explains the revolt.
Politics took center stage in San Diego. The town developed a tradition of violence, usually politically motivated. Several shootings resulted in death of politicians and their associates. The “patron system” – a.k.a. Boss Rule – took over South Texas.
This was the scenario when the Parr family took over in the 20th century as the patron enveloped South Texas.
Reports indicate the Parrs were involved with the infamous Box 13 episode in Jim Wells County where late votes appeared and helped Lyndon B. Johnson defeat former Texas governor Coke Stevenson by 86 votes in a statewide race for U.S. Senator.
Archie Parr, the first duke was elected a county commissioner in 1898 and gained much political clout. He became a state senator, albeit via corruption. He died in 1942.
George B. Parr, the second duke, inherited the Dukedom from his father and retained power through patronage of the impoverished Mexican-American majority in the area. He controlled elections and freely accessed public funds for personal use. He too was indicted and was about to serve a prison sentence when he committed suicide at his “Los Horcones Ranch” south of Benavides.
Truly, San Diego is one of the most colorful and historic towns in South Texas. It has survived and continues to be a thriving city with pride in its history and its school system.

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