Willacy County was formed from Cameron and Hidalgo counties, created on March 11, 1911, organized on August 12, 1911, recreated on April 20, 1921, and reorganized on August 3, 1921. It was named in honor of John G. Willacy, who lived from November 10, 1859, to September 19, 1913, served as a member of the Texas Legislature from 1900 to 1916, and was State Tax Commissioner from 1922 to 1926. The county seat was Sarita in 1911 and has been Raymondville since 1921.