Palmito Ranch Battlefield
Also known as: Palmito (or Palmetto) Hill Battlefield; 41cf93
Why it's listed
Palmito Ranch Battlefield lies on a windswept, marshy coastal plain at the southern tip of Texas, roughly halfway between Brazos Island and Brownsville. Here, on May 12 and 13, 1865, Union troops from Brazos Santiago marched toward Fort Brown and skirmished with Confederates. Colonel John S. (Rip) Ford then led a two-pronged counterattack that drove the Union force back to the island. The fight is known as the last land engagement of the Civil War, though the nomination stresses a wider meaning. The Rio Grande was the Confederacy's only international border, and cotton and European arms moved through Mexican ports while Union blockades closed other harbors. The region also offered a view of French activity in Mexico. The land has changed little because storms, marsh and poor soil discouraged development, and ranching has continued since 1865. A review of Civil War battlefields cited in the form rated its integrity as good, the best among five documented in Texas.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as the site of the last land engagement of the Civil War, and argues its greater importance lies in the Lower Rio Grande Valley's role as the Confederacy's cotton outlet, arms supply route and diplomatic border. It also reports that the battlefield remains largely unchanged and has a good level of integrity compared with other Texas Civil War battlefields.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 93000266, listed June 23, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Between TX 4 (Boca Chica Hwy.) and the Rio Grande, approximately 12 mi. E of Brownsville, Brownsville |
|---|---|
| County | Cameron County |
| Listed | June 23, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000266 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | May 11-13, 1865 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated September 15, 1997 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current use is listed as agricultural field and unoccupied land; the area has been used mainly for ranching since 1865, with only ruins of a circa 1920 dwelling and outbuilding atop Palmito Hill. |
| Acreage | 6000 |
| Coordinates | 25.94178, -97.28410 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 93000266.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7128403
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.