The county area fell within the territory between the Rio Grande and Nueces River, disputed after the Texas Revolution. In 1911 Willacy County was formed from Cameron and Hidalgo counties; the county seat was Sarita. As more settlers came in from northern states and transformed ranches to farms, ranchers (early white settlers) sided against farmers (newcomers); the division led to the reorganization of the county. The original Willacy County extended along the coast from the Nueces River to Cameron County. When reorganization occurred in 1921, the ranching area in the northern regions of the county became Kenedy County, and a small strip of land on the southern border was made the new Willacy County. John Gregory Kenedy donated a strip of land 1.42 miles wide across the southern border of Kenedy County, and the east line of the county was moved to include part of South Padre Island. Raymondville was chosen as the county seat, amid much protest from Lyford residents.-Handbook of Texas Online: Willacy County