Jumano and Apache Indians inhabited the region when Spanish explorers traveled across it in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the Comanche had displaced them by the mid-19th century. The area was under the military jurisdiction of Forts Terrett from 1852 to 1854 and McKavett from 1852 to 1859 and 1868 to 1883, aided in defense by the Texas Rangers. The county was created from Bexar County in 1858 and named for George C. Kimble, who died defending the Alamo in 1836. It was organized in 1876, with the county seat first at Kimbleville, then at Junction in 1877. It was a haven for a lawless element until the Rangers restored peace in the 1880s. Ranching became the primary industry, producing wool and mohair.