Along the banks of the Rio Grande lies Val Verde County, one of the largest counties in Texas and the only one named for a Civil War battle. Although Del Rio is the county seat, Langtry is more famous as the home of Judge Roy Bean, the famous (as well as<br><br>infamous) Law West of the Pecos. Among the many evocative images of the county featured in this new<br><br>book are photos of the judge's unique court/saloon. Val Verde County captures the spirit of a region and its people through historic photographs. Most of the topics included are not strictly local in nature:<br><br>Pre-Columbian art, United States westward expansion,<br><br>the creation of the state of Texas, radio and modern<br><br>telecommunications, military history and the Cuban<br><br>Missile Crisis, and the oldest continually operating<br><br>winery in Texas. From being the oldest archaeological<br><br>site in Texas to playing a role in international relations between the United States and Mexico, Val Verde County undoubtedly has a rich and varied history.