Casa Blanca, Texas facts for kids

Casa Blanca was once a small, unnamed community in Jim Wells County, Texas, in the United States. It was located about two miles (3 km) southwest of Sandia and twenty miles (32 km) northeast of Alice. Even though it's not a town anymore, its history tells an interesting story about early settlements in Texas.

History

The White House Begins

Around 1754, a captain named Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera y Gallardo was looking for a good spot to start a new settlement. He chose a place near Peñitas Creek. Here, a special building called the Casa Blanca, which means White House, was built. It was made from strong blocks of a material called caliche.

The White House was shaped like a square with a courtyard in the middle. There was a well in the courtyard, and it also had a secret tunnel leading out of the building! Later, towards the end of the 1700s, this house was even used as a mission.

From Ranch to Community

In 1807, the King of Spain gave this land to Juan José de la Garza Montemayor and his sons. They used the Casa Blanca as their ranch house. Records show their family owned the land until 1852. However, some stories say the Montemayor family was forced to leave by outlaws, who were then driven away by Native Americans.

After that, different families lived in the house and the area around it. A post office even operated there from 1860 to 1866.

Wade City and Growth

In 1876, a man named John L. Wade bought the land. Since Casa Blanca was already a known stopping point, Wade decided to create a new town next to it called Wade City. He planned out streets and set aside land for stores and churches.

The post office reopened in 1893. By 1896, Casa Blanca and Wade City together had about 150 people. They had a Methodist church, a general store, a cotton gin, and a lumberyard.

The End of Casa Blanca

However, Wade City did not grow as much as expected. By 1914, its population had dropped to only thirty-five people. The post office closed for good in 1922.

Around 1936, John Wade's family asked for the land where Wade City was to become ranchland again. They argued that the town never really developed. Their request was approved, and Wade City turned back into pasture. Casa Blanca continued as a small community, but by 1945, only ruins of the old buildings remained.

The land, known as the Wade Ranch, was in operation from 1898 until 1973. After that, it was divided among many family members. The last family heirs sold their part around 2004. This meant that for the first time in many years, no one from the Wade family owned the property.