Helotes, Texas
Encyclopedia
Helotes is a city in Bexar County
, Texas
, United States
. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,285 at the 2000 census; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had grown to 7,960.
Indians. A small farming and ranching community began to develop in the area shortly after the Texas Revolution
in the late 1830s. The ranches suffered occasional attacks by the Comanche
s until the late 1870s. In 1858, a Scottish immigrant, Dr. George Marnoch, purchased the land that would later become the site of the town. Marnoch's home at one time served as a stagecoach
stop and a post office
for cowboy
s driving their cattle from Bandera to auction in San Antonio
. His heirs sold a portion of their property in 1880 to a Swiss immigrant, Arnold Gugger, who built a home and mercantile store around which the town of Helotes sprang to life. In 1908, Gugger sold his property to Bert Hileman, who opened the town's first dance hall. He was also instrumental in getting old Bandera Road paved and opening the town's first filling station
. He sold his property in downtown Helotes in 1919, when the town's population declined. In 1946, the manager of San Antonio's Majestic Theatre, John T. Floore, opened the landmark John T. Floore Country Store, which is actually a dance hall (or honky tonk
) that draws top Country Western
talent, such as Willie Nelson
, who still plays there on occasion. Mr. Floore also financed the first annual Helotes Cornyval festival in the 1960s, which was held to celebrate the opening of a new post office. Corn
played an important role in the heritage of Helotes. The local Indians planted corn, actually maize
, in the fertile valleys of the area, and feed corn was a major crop grown in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The town name is derived from the Spanish word helote, which means "green maize
," but exactly how the town came to be called Helotes is still a subject of debate. As the urban sprawl
of San Antonio expanded and approached the outskirts of Helotes in the 1970s, residents determined to take their fate into their own hands. After a decade of planning and negotiation, Helotes became an incorporated city
in October 1981. To this day, residents still struggle with the dilemma of maintaining the city's rugged country charm, while at the same time allowing for the development of modern suburban facilities and businesses. Helotes was the hometown of the late Texas state Senator Frank L. Madla
, who perished after his home on the south side of San Antonio caught fire on November 24, 2006.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 4,285 people, 1,471 households, and 1,291 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,014.3 people per square mile (392.0/km²). There were 1,525 housing units at an average density of 361.0 per square mile (139.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.95% White 2.24% African American 0.14% Pacific Islander, 3.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.49% of the population.
There were 1,471 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 79.9% were married couples
living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.2% were non-families. 10.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $76,951, and the median income for a family was $80,090. Males had a median income of $50,625 versus $38,362 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $29,534. About 2.0% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.
. They are:
Bexar County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,285 at the 2000 census; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had grown to 7,960.
History
According to anthropologists, the area was occupied seasonally from about 5,000 B.C. by small bands of migrant Indians in search of food and game. The Lipan Apache moved into the area in the late 17th century and occupied it throughout the 18th century. However, the Lipan were forced from the area in the early 1820s by the ComancheComanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
Indians. A small farming and ranching community began to develop in the area shortly after the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
in the late 1830s. The ranches suffered occasional attacks by the Comanche
Comanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
s until the late 1870s. In 1858, a Scottish immigrant, Dr. George Marnoch, purchased the land that would later become the site of the town. Marnoch's home at one time served as a stagecoach
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
stop and a post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
for cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
s driving their cattle from Bandera to auction in San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. His heirs sold a portion of their property in 1880 to a Swiss immigrant, Arnold Gugger, who built a home and mercantile store around which the town of Helotes sprang to life. In 1908, Gugger sold his property to Bert Hileman, who opened the town's first dance hall. He was also instrumental in getting old Bandera Road paved and opening the town's first filling station
Filling station
A filling station, also known as a fueling station, garage, gasbar , gas station , petrol bunk , petrol pump , petrol garage, petrol kiosk , petrol station "'servo"' in Australia or service station, is a facility which sells fuel and lubricants...
. He sold his property in downtown Helotes in 1919, when the town's population declined. In 1946, the manager of San Antonio's Majestic Theatre, John T. Floore, opened the landmark John T. Floore Country Store, which is actually a dance hall (or honky tonk
Honky tonk
A honky-tonk is a type of bar that provides musical entertainment to its patrons...
) that draws top Country Western
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
talent, such as Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, who still plays there on occasion. Mr. Floore also financed the first annual Helotes Cornyval festival in the 1960s, which was held to celebrate the opening of a new post office. Corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
played an important role in the heritage of Helotes. The local Indians planted corn, actually maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
, in the fertile valleys of the area, and feed corn was a major crop grown in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The town name is derived from the Spanish word helote, which means "green maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
," but exactly how the town came to be called Helotes is still a subject of debate. As the urban sprawl
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
of San Antonio expanded and approached the outskirts of Helotes in the 1970s, residents determined to take their fate into their own hands. After a decade of planning and negotiation, Helotes became an incorporated city
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
in October 1981. To this day, residents still struggle with the dilemma of maintaining the city's rugged country charm, while at the same time allowing for the development of modern suburban facilities and businesses. Helotes was the hometown of the late Texas state Senator Frank L. Madla
Frank L. Madla
Frank Lloyd Madla, Jr. , was for thirty-three years a Democratic member of both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas State Senate from south San Antonio...
, who perished after his home on the south side of San Antonio caught fire on November 24, 2006.
Overview
When Helotes incorporated in 1981, there was very little in the town. Now with a population of almost 10,000 people, Helotes is becoming one of the most sought after suburbs of San Antonio. Helotes itself includes the newly renovated Old Town Helotes. Completed in 2011, Old Town Helotes is the revitalized downtown of Helotes, which includes John T. Floore's Country Store, All That Glitters, L&M Feed and Supply, Mander Automotive Service, First Baptist Church of Helotes, and El Chaparrel Mexican and other Helotes originals. Other shopping centers off the major thoroughfare, Bandera Road, include: CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General, Dairy Queen, Bill Miller BBQ, Sonic, Starbucks, BBVA Compass Bank, Broadway Bank, and the Helotes Post Office. At the intersection of Loop 1604 and Bandera Road, in bordering San Antonio, is popular Bandera Trails Center and Bandera Centre Shopping Center. Both shopping centers provide a large variety of shops, eateries, and entertainment. These include: Target, Kohl's, Barnes & Noble, HEB Grocery, Lowe's, Home Depot, Gold's Gym, Santikos Silverado 16 Movie Theater, T.J. Maxx and countless other stores and restaurants. The Cornyval Festival is an annual tradition in the city of Helotes, bringing in local vendors and thousands of area residents to celebrate the namesake of the town.Geography
Helotes is located at 29°33′55"N 98°41′21"W (29.565328, -98.689251).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,285 people, 1,471 households, and 1,291 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,014.3 people per square mile (392.0/km²). There were 1,525 housing units at an average density of 361.0 per square mile (139.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.95% White 2.24% African American 0.14% Pacific Islander, 3.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.49% of the population.
There were 1,471 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 79.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.2% were non-families. 10.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $76,951, and the median income for a family was $80,090. Males had a median income of $50,625 versus $38,362 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $29,534. About 2.0% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Helotes residents are zoned to schools in the Northside Independent School DistrictNorthside Independent School District
Northside Independent School District is a school district headquartered in Leon Valley, Texas. It is the largest school district in the San Antonio area and the fourth largest in the State of Texas...
. They are:
- Charles L. Kuentz, Jr. Elementary School (Helotes)
- Helotes Elementary School (Helotes)
- Bob Beard Elementary School (San Antonio)
- Dean H. Krueger Elementary School (San Antonio)
- Hector Garcia Middle School (San Antonio)
- Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School (San Antonio)
- Sandra Day O'Connor High School (Helotes)