Explore the Past!
Prior to the 1740s the Apache tribes first inhabited the now Sutton County area, during the early to mid-1740s the Comanches drove the Apache tribes south and west. The Comanches soon dominated the area by keeping Spanish colonists south of the Rio Grande until the 1820 Liberal Revolution in Spain sparked concerns with Mexican leaders to grant English settlers land. In the 1820s, empresarios were granted permission for land in an effort to control the raids from native tribes.
The history of Sonora is rich in Spanish heritage and Western culture following hte Texas Revolution and was a little less than civil. In fact the early days resembled something like a wild western movie. We had six saloons on Main Street where the cowboys would come to town and visit for a drink and a card game. There was actually a court house lawn shooting over who was watering stock at the town well that day. Sonora earned a place in Western history the day a young Will Carver from the famous Wild Bunch Gang came to town and investigated the community bank. He now lies in our cemetery under an unmarked grave courtesy of the sheriff and couple of deputies.
To capture and share the essence of our great history Sonora has a handful of growing museums and exhibits. Our western heritage is also honored in events held around Sonora such as the Sonora Outlaw Rodeo and Cinco de Mayo Festival. Both the events and museums attract visitors from all over the United States interested in the Old West.
A fantastic glimpse at the life on the ranch and in the rustic town can be enjoyed at the Old Ice House Ranch Museum and at the Miers Home Museum. Across fro the Miers is the old jail, erected in 1891 and presently in the planning stage to be opened as an additional historic venue.
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