[2] The Del Rio micropolitan statistical area includes all of Val Verde County.

Val Verde, which means "green valley",[3] was named for a battle of the Civil War.

In 1862, soldiers of Sibley's Brigade took part in the Texas invasion of New Mexico Territory, where they captured several artillery pieces at the Battle of Val Verde.

Their descendants include such Native American peoples as the Lipan Apache, Coahuiltecan, Jumano, Tamaulipan and Comanche.

[4][5] In 1590, Spanish explorer Gaspar Castaño de Sosa led a mining expedition of 170 who passed through Devils Draw.

[6][7][8] In 1673, Juan Larios opened a mission school at a location between Del Rio and Eagle Pass.

[5][9] In 1736, Lt. Miguel de la Garza Falcón[10] led 100 soldiers along the Devils River[11] in pursuit of Apache natives.

During 1834, James Grant[12] and John Charles Beales[13] established a settlement on San Felipe Creek,[14] which became hazardous due to Indian attacks.

[5] From 1869 through 1882, Seminole Negro Indian Scouts (mixed heritage Seminoles with African blood) under John Lapham Bullis, namesake of Camp Bullis, defend the Texas border against Indian attacks.

[20] Italian immigrant Frank Qualia established Val Verde winery.

It has mistakenly been attributed to being named after British entertainer Lillie Langtry by Judge Roy Bean.

Roy Bean was elected justice of the peace in Langtry, operating out of the Jersey Lily Saloon and becoming renowned as "the Law West of the Pecos".