An Irish immigrant, John F. Campbell, began the community in the 1860s by promoting settlement in the area.

He also opened a general store in the community and held Catholic church services in his home.

The community's population went down during the middle of the decade, but it gained a general store and another livestock breeder.

[3] The Wild Man of the Navidad, one of the purported sightings of Bigfoot, was also filmed as a movie in Campbellton, in which locals appeared in small roles.

[4] Campbellton is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 281, FM 1099, and the Atascosa River in southeastern Atascosa County, approximately 12 miles (19 km) east of Christine and 54 miles (87 km) south of San Antonio.