Step Back In Time With A Look at Texas' 9 Oldest Cities

Texas has been around for a long time and some of the places in Texas have been here for even longer than the state itself! Let's check out some of the oldest spots in The Lone Star State!

1. Presidio (Founded 1535)

By Yuan Yufei - User:Jadecolour - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Presidio_texas.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9871545

Figuring out the oldest places in Texas can really depend on what you're looking at, but modern-day Presidio stands out. Initially named La Junta De Las Cruces by Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1535, it is the oldest European settlement in Texas. The area has continuously cultivated farmland since 1500 BC by the Cochise culture. The town officially became Presidio in 1683.

2. Ysleta (Founded 1680)

By Unknown author - Olhttps://texasbeyondhistory.net/trans-p/peoples/newcomers.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98802734

Just east of El Paso, Ysleta is considered by some to be the oldest town in Texas. Both Spaniards and Native Americans settled here in 1680 after the New Mexico Pueblo Revolt. The Tigua Indians have continuously occupied the region since then. Ysleta was annexed by El Paso in 1955, but the Tiguas were recognized as a tribe in 1967.

3. Nacogdoches (Founded 1716)

Nacogdoches claims to be "The Oldest Town in Texas," and its history is deeply rooted in the Caddo Indians. The Spaniards established a mission here in 1716. In 1779, it was recognized as a pueblo by the Spanish government.

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4. San Augustine (Founded 1717)

From 1935 to 1944, the Farm Security Administration dispatched photographers across the country to document American life in agricultural and suburban areas. John Vachon snapped this shot in April 1943 of two men conversing on San Augustine’s historic square. These men, unidentified in Vachon’s notes, are sitting in front of the 1919 San Augustine County Jail, which was restored in 2017 as a law enforcement museum and Texana research library. To the right is the 1927 San Augustine County Courthouse, which was restored in 2010

East of Nacogdoches, San Augustine began with the Mission Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Ais in 1717. Although abandoned briefly, it was re-established in 1721. The town took its current name in 1832, thought to honor St. Augustine of Hippo.

5. San Antonio (Founded 1718)

By Unknown author - Frank Thompson, The Alamo (2005), p. 106, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4934888

San Antonio, now a booming metropolis, started with the Mission San Antonio de Valero (later known as the Alamo) in 1718. San Antonio de Béxar was uniquely settled and formally founded in the same year, and it became the county seat of the Republic of Texas in 1837.

6. Austin (Founded 1730)

By SMU Central University Libraries - https://www.flickr.com/photos/smu_cul_digitalcollections/6329862384/, No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53434847

The capital city of Texas, Austin, traces its roots to a Spanish mission built in approximately 1730. It was named Waterloo before becoming Austin, in honor of Stephen F. Austin, in the 1830s when it was designated the capital of the Republic of Texas.

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7. Goliad (Founded 1749)

Library of Congress

Goliad, named in honor of Father Hidalgo, saw the bloodiest massacre of the Texan revolution. It began as Santa Dorotea and was later called La Bahia before adopting its current name in 1829.

8. Laredo (Founded 1755)

By Unknown artist - This image is available from the New York Public Library's Digital Library under the digital ID G92F037_010F: digitalgallery.nypl.org → digitalcollections.nypl.org, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10082897

Founded by Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera y Garza in 1755, Laredo initially aimed for agriculture but shifted to livestock due to harsh conditions. It became a villa in 1767 and built a military garrison in 1775 due to Comanche and Apache raids.

9. Port Isabel (Founded 1770s)

Don Chencho, one of Port Isabel’s most known historical residents, stands near his donkey and wagon in this undated photo taken in Port Isabel. Inscribed on the photo is: “Don Chencho: Believed to be oldest resident in the Rio Grande Valley.”

Port Isabel began as a fishing village and summer resort in the 1770s. It experienced growth during the Mexican War, the California gold rush, and the establishment of the Rio Grande Railroad. In 1928, it was renamed Port Isabel.

These towns offer a fascinating glimpse into Texas' rich history and the enduring spirit of its early settlers. From ancient missions to vibrant modern cities, these destinations tell the story of Texas' journey from frontier settlements to statehood.

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Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus

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