Carville family receives Historic Texas Lands Plaque for protecting rare coastal site on Rancho Riacho Austin, TX – The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has awarded the owners of Rancho Riacho, Rebecca and Robin Carville, a Historic Texas Lands Plaque, recognizing their outstanding commitment to preserving an important archeological site along Miller Creek in Refugio County. The Carvilles are among a select group of private landowners across Texas who protect the state’s irreplaceable cultural heritage on their own property. In 2023, the Carvilles contacted the THC to explore options for protecting an archeological site on their land. THC Archeology Division staff conducted site visits in 2023 and 2024, documenting precontact and archeological deposits. The site is well preserved, making it a significant resource for understanding the region’s prehistoric human past. Recognizing the site’s importance, the Carvilles took a further step to ensure its long-term protection, nominating it for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark—a formal legal designation that safeguards the Lone Star State’s most precious archeological sites in perpetuity. “The Carville family didn’t just open their gates to our archeologists — they made a lasting commitment to protect this site for future generations,” said State Archeologist Brad Jones. “That kind of stewardship is exactly what the Historic Texas Lands program was created to honor.” The Historic Texas Lands Plaque program recognizes private landowners who have taken concrete steps to preserve significant archeological sites on their property — whether through conservation easements, site transfers, State Antiquities Landmark designations, or support for professional archeological research. Plaques are cast in aluminum, one foot in diameter, and are displayed on ranch gates and other prominent locations as a mark of distinction. The program is supported by the Robert E. and Evelyn McKee Foundation of El Paso. Texas is estimated to contain more than 2 million archeological sites representing at least 13,000 years of human history. The protection of those sites on private land depends on the voluntary partnership of landowners like the Carvilles. For more information about the Historic Texas Lands Plaque program, contact the THC Archeology Division at 512.463.6096 or archeology@thc.texas.gov. About the Texas Historical Commission The Texas Historical Commission is the state’s official historic preservation agency. It preserves, operates, and manages 42 state historic sites, the Texas Heritage Trails Program, Texas Main Street Program, Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, and many more heritage tourism and historic preservation initiatives across the state. The Texas Historical Commission’s mission is to protect and preserve the state’s historic and prehistoric resources for the use, education, enjoyment, and economic benefit of present and future generations. For more information, visit thc.texas.gov. 
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