Brogado is located a mile northeast of Balmorhea, Texas USA in the edge of the Barrilla Mountains southwestern part of Reeves County. The Brogado post office was a vital part of the community, serving residents from 1894 to 1918 in an adobe building. The post office was a hub of activity, with residents coming and going to send and receive mail, packages, and telegrams. In addition, a public schoo
l was established in 1897, providing education to the local children. The school had one teacher who was dedicated to educating twenty-four students in the small but bustling community. Despite the challenges of rural life, the residents of Brogado were committed to education and communication, and the post office and school played important roles in connecting them to each other and to the wider world. Brogado is steeped in history and was named in honor of Father Brocardus Ecken - a priest who visited the town and was deeply admired by the people of the parish. The town has its roots in farming and, even in the 1990s, remained a farming community with a store. The old Catholic church and cemetery at the heart of the settlement are a testament to the town's rich Texas history. The church has been the focal point of many important events in the town's past, and the cemetery has been the final resting place for several generations of locals. In 1990, the population of Brogado was reported to be 122 - a small community, but one with a proud and fascinating history. "Brogado" is the Spanish homonym given to Father Brocardus Ecken by Spanish speakers when he arrived in 1892 to nearby Fort Davis about 38 miles away. He was the main bond of the larger Trans-Pecos community for thirty-five years. The small community near Christ the King Catholic Church was named in honor of this well-known priest. Formerly, the area was known as "Indio" due to the Mescalero Apaches who regularly raided the settlements for cattle, horses, and people. In 1880, Jesus Aguirre started the tradition of the Cross at Brogado Hill. He placed a seven-foot wooden cross to safeguard the community from Natives depredations, demonstrating his unwavering faith and devotion to his people. Over time, the tradition has become an integral part of the community's identity, symbolizing their shared beliefs and values. Today, the close-knit rural settlement still reveres this tradition, passing it down to future generations as a testament to their enduring spirit and resilience. Amidst the rocky and cactus-covered terrain of Brogado Hill, lies a path that leads to the cemetery. For generations, local families have braved the bumpy and steep trail, navigating the twists and turns with unwavering determination. This path represents not just a physical journey, but a metaphor for life's challenges. With perseverance and a steadfast spirit, we too can overcome any obstacle that comes our way. Nestled within its 246-acre expanse, the Sandia Springs Preserve is a haven of mesquite thickets and tall grass that stretch across the rolling uplands. A rocky hillside, home to the Brogado cemetery where the early pioneers were laid to rest, adds a touch of history and mystique to the preserve. The land has been reclaimed by nature, but a cattleguard and a gate with a padlock secure the preserve. The Wetlands project, once completed, will extend over six acres of the preserve and provide a vital habitat for migrating shorebirds.
