The town of El Campo was once a bald prairie of lush grass, prized by "vanqueros" or Mexican cowboys. A railroad was built, called the Macaroni Line, because it was built by Italians, and a switching station, called "Prairie Switch", was indeed a blessing for the cowboys to ship their cattle to market. At night as they bedded down the cattle and sat by the campfire, they looked across the prairie and could see the soft glow of the lantern at Prairie Switch.

Some thought the glow looked like a Pearl on the Prairie. Soon, "Prairie Switch" became known as "Pearl of the Prairie". Poor immigrants came to this lush prairie land, the Swedes, Danes, Germans, Czechs, Bohemians, to name but a few. The common denominator of these immigrants was a strong work ethic. They tamed this land of grass, mud and mosquitos and created an economically strong and beautiful place to rear children.

Soon "Prairie Switch" became known as "El Campo". Not only did settlers have a strong work ethic, but cleanliness was in their minds, next to Godliness, and so a sense of pride coupled with hard work made El Campo a delightful place to live.

Located on the back of the Chamber building. El Campo's logo became "Pearl of the Prairie".

Sponsor: El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.
Artists: El Campo Art Association 1994.