Title: Falcon Reservoir-Expedition and Settlement
Headings: Falcon Reservoir
Falcon Reservoir
Expedition and Settlement
Ranchos along the River
Cattle-raising in the Eighteenth Century

Content: Hacienda families were involved in cattle raising, sheep and goat herding, agriculture, or mining—anything that could be produced and sold for a profit. The hacienda could occupy hundreds of thousands of acres and have tens of thousands of cattle. The patrón, or owner, of the hacienda was a member of the upper class, enjoying wealth, prestige, and political influence. His workers, the vaqueros (cowboys), and their families were members of the lower class, the peón, and were usually bound by debt to the patrón. Several true haciendas were in operation in northern Mexico and later in Texas in the nineteenth century, but no haciendas of that scale were ever located along the Rio Grande, only small haciendas or ranchos. The ranching families maintained a strong connection to the town. It was a place to gather supplies, go to church, and attend festivals, weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations. It was a place where the men could meet with the other ranchers in the community, discuss political and social issues, and plan out the next rodeo. Ruins of an early house in Santander located across the Rio Grande river from the settlement of Revilla. The structure is now submerged in Falcon reservoir.