Ricardo, TX

Ricardo is a Kleberg County census-designated place on U.S. 77 between Kingsville and Riviera, formed around a railroad siding and depot. The station began as “Richard” after Robert Kleberg Sr. asked for a depot in 1908; the name later became Ricardo. Cotton shaped the first farming economy, a gin opened in 1915, and the local farmers’ co-op eventually added a grain elevator and supply store. Ricardo Independent School District remains the community’s named institution. Ricardo is a South Texas place whose map runs from rail siding to cotton fields to school.