One theory of the original Catarina namesake is from a Mexican woman killed by Indians on or near the site, around 1778. Another is that it was named after Catarina Garza, a Mexican revolutionary leader, who was fond of making forays into that area. The later is more believable due to his presence around the more recent 1980’s.
Rancher Asher Richardson decided in 1910 to build a railway from Artesia Wells to his planned town of Asherton and allowed for a depot to be created at the Taft-Catarina Ranch, owned by Charles P. Taft, brother of President William Taft. Catarina was considered to be a town by 1915 with approximately 25 residents, businesses, and the famous Taft House.
Winter Garden Farms, Inc. purchased the 225,000 acre Taft-Catarina ranch to section off into subdivisions, with new roads and bridges to attract new settlers. Experts were brought in to design roads, bridges, and a water works system equipped to serve a city of 10,000. Citrus trees and vegetables were imported to add diversity to the natural vegetation and mesquite.
Heavy marketing brought in new settlers so fast that roads couldn’t be built at the same pace and required additional crews. Along with many businesses, the Catarina Hotel and Cafe, also known as the Catarina Royal Palm Hotel was built in 1926 and open the following year. The original school became too crowded, so construction of a new high school was approved in 1929. While online articles claim a population up to 2,500 by 1929, the closest I could find was 800 in San Antonio Express article from 1930.
Unfortunately, massive growth and success would only last for about 6 years due to water shortages and the Great Depression. Decline began in 1931 and steadily saw much of the town moving, left behind, or removed to make way for those willing to continue ranching operations.
Catarina is still a ranching community with a gas station and about 80 residents. One of the longest standing remains of its boom was the hotel, which was vacant for several years, reopened a few times, and burned down after being struck by lightening in 2020. The old high school is decaying inside a fortress of thick trees.
