The Brooks County seat is situated near La Mota de Falfurrias, an oak grove that historically served as a spring source for Indians and Spanish colonizers. Acquired by agricultural entrepreneur Edward C. Lasater, the oak grove became the headquarters of his “Rancho La Mota.” Like the King and Kenedy ranching dynasties, Lasater brought the railroad to his ranch, as he donated land in 1904 for the founding of Falfurrias, or “Land of Heart's Delight,” as a shipping center to serve his Falfurrias Creamery Company, a dairy farming distribution and promotional entity. By 1911, with continued success, Lasater declared political independence from Starr County and its aging boss, Manuel Guerra, with the creation by the Texas legislature of Brooks County with Falfurrias designated as its seat.
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