San Marcos, Texas
Encyclopedia
San Marcos is a city in the U.S. state
of Texas
, and is the seat
of Hays County
. Located within the metropolitan area, the city is located on the Interstate 35 corridor—between Austin
and San Antonio
.
Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River
, the area is considered to be among the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Northern Hemisphere
. San Marcos is home to Texas State University–San Marcos
, and the Aquarena Center. The population was 50,371 in 2008. San Marcos was listed in the 2010 Business Weeks fourth annual survey of the "Best Places to Raise your Kids."
, which suggests that the river has been the site of human habitation for more than 10,000 years. The headwaters of the cool, clear river are the San Marcos Springs
, fed by the Edwards Aquifer
. The San Marcos Springs are the thirty largest collection of springs in Texas. Never in recorded history has the river run dry.
In 1689, Spaniard Alonso de Leon
led an expedition from Mexico
to explore Texas and establish missions and presidios in the region. De Leon's party helped blaze the El Camino Real (later known as the Old San Antonio Road
), which followed present-day Hunter Road, Hopkins Street, and Aquarena Springs Drive (the route later shifted four miles to the south; it is now followed by County Road 266, known locally as Old Bastrop Highway). De Leon's party reached the river on April 25, the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist; the river was thus named the San Marcos.
In 1755, San Francisco Xavier de Gigedo presidio and the missions San Francisco Xavier de Horcasitas, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, and San Ildefonso were relocated from present-day Milam County to the San Marcos River at Mission San Francisco Xavier de los Dolores. Historians still debate whether the Spanish settlements were located at the San Marcos Springs or another location. In April 1808, a small group of Mexican
families settled at the Old Bastrop Highway crossing of the river, and named the settlement Villa de San Marcos de Neve. The settlers were plagued by flood
s and Indian
raids, and the settlement was abandoned in 1812.
In November 1846 the first Anglo
s settled in the vicinity of the San Marcos Springs. The Texas Legislature
organized Hays County on March 1, 1848, and designated San Marcos as the county seat. In 1851 a town center was laid out about a mile southwest of the headwaters of the river. The town became a center for ginning
and milling
local agricultural
products. The town's most notable founder and early settler was Gen. Edward Burleson
, a hero of the Texas Revolution
and former vice president of the Republic of Texas
. Burleson built a dam on the upper reaches of the river in 1849. The dam powered several mills, including one within present-day Sewell Park
.
In the decade following the arrival of the International-Great Northern Railroad
in 1881, cattle
and cotton
provided the basis for the growth of San Marcos as a center for commerce and transportation.
In 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University-San Marcos) was established as a teacher's college to meet demand for public school teachers in Texas. In 1907 the private San Marcos Baptist Academy
was established, furthering education as an important industry for the town. The demands of World War II
forced the town's industry to diversify, and with the emergence of a manufacturing and light industrial sector the town began to experience growth.
In the late 1940s, former Hollywood director Shadrack Graham produced a documentary about daily life in San Marcos as part of his “Our Home Town” series of films that encouraged commerce and civic activity in small communities. The film highlights several local businesses from the era, including Smith's Flowers, Waldrin's Cleaners, Lack's Furniture, and the Palace Movie Theater.
In the 1960s, with the establishment of Aquarena Springs
and Wonder World as attractions, the tourist industry became a growing part of the city's economy. By the 1960s what was then named Southwest Texas State University had grown into an important regional institution, and when coupled with the creation of Gary Job Corps Training Center in 1965, education became the largest industry in San Marcos. The remarkable growth explosion of Austin further allowed San Marcos to prosper.
By 1973, San Marcos and Hays County had joined the Austin Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. By that year the city's population had grown to 25,000 citizens, along with an additional Southwest Texas State University student body of 20,000.
By 1990, the city's population had grown to 28,743 and by 2000 it reached 34,733, and by 2008 the city's population had grown to 50,371, and the university now known as Texas State University, boasted a student body of 28,121.
and 47 miles northeast of San Antonio
. Interstate 35 is the main highway through the city. The city is situated on the Balcones Fault
, the boundary between the Hill Country and the Coastal Plains. Along the fault, many springs have popped up, such as the source of the San Marcos River
, a notable water feature. The eastern part of the city is blackland prairie suitable for farming; the western part consists of grassy rolling hills often marked with cacti
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 18.3 square miles (47.4 km2).Land constitutes 18.2 square miles (47.2 km2), and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2) of it (0.60%) is water.
The San Marcos River area is considered by many archaeologists to be the oldest, continuously inhabited area in the Northern Hemisphere
.
of 2010, there are estimated to be 49,565 people in the city. In the year 2000 there were 34,733 people, 12,660 households, and 5,380 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,907.5 people per square mile, (736.4/km2) in 2000. There were 13,340 housing units at an average density of 732.6 per square mile (282.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.55% White, 5.53% African American, 0.65% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 17.03% from other races
, and 2.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 36.50% of the population.
There were 12,660 households out of which 19.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.9% were married couples
living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 57.5% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.4% under the age of 18, 41.9% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 10.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,809, and the median income for a family was $37,113. Males had a median income of $25,400 versus $22,953 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,468. About 13.8% of families and 28.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.
The San Marcos River rises from the San Marcos Springs. The springs are home to several threatened or endangered species, including the Texas Blind Salamander
, Fountain Darter
, and Texas Wild Rice. The river is a popular recreational area, and is frequented for tubing
, canoeing
, swimming, and fishing
.
The river begins at San Marcos Springs, rising from the Edwards Aquifer
into Spring Lake. Access to much of the headwaters is restricted due to the delicate ecosystem and numerous rare species. The upper river flows through Texas State University and San Marcos, and is a popular recreational area. It is joined by the Blanco River after four miles, passes through Luling
and near Gonzales
flows into the Guadalupe River
after a total of 75 miles (121 km). This course is the first section of the Texas Water Safari
.
The culture of San Marcos is greatly enriched by the city's diversity. Home to a growing Latino population, and a relatively small yet vibrant African-American population, the city hosts many annual events that highlight its different cultures, such as the annual VIVA! Cinco de Mayo Celebration, the Texas Natural & Western Swing Festival, Juneteenth
celebrations, and the Sights and Sounds of Christmas.
San Marcos benefits greatly by the presence of Texas State University and its large student population. The influx of youth contributes toward keeping the city vibrant, as exemplified by a thriving music scene. In addition, the university and local school district provide many opportunities for entertainment through the various student artistic productions, and athletic events.
Those in San Marcos enjoy a life centered greatly around nature. The presence of the pristine San Marcos River and an ample city park system provide plentiful outdoor opportunities. The admiration for nature lends to a city pride in its scenic natural beauty, and the unique and endangered species which also call San Marcos home. http://www.sanmarcoshistoricpreservation.com/
. Gary Job Corps Center is located a few miles east of the center of town.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of 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...
, and is the seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Hays County
Hays County, Texas
Hays County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its official population had reached 157,107. It is named for John Coffee Hays, a Texas Ranger and Mexican-American War officer. The seat of the county is San Marcos....
. Located within the metropolitan area, the city is located on the Interstate 35 corridor—between Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
and 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,...
.
Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River
San Marcos River
The San Marcos River rises from the San Marcos Springs, the location of Aquarena Springs, in San Marcos, Texas. The springs are home to several threatened or endangered species, including the Texas Blind Salamander, Fountain Darter, and Texas Wild Rice...
, the area is considered to be among the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
. San Marcos is home to Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos is a doctoral-granting university located in San Marcos, Texas...
, and the Aquarena Center. The population was 50,371 in 2008. San Marcos was listed in the 2010 Business Weeks fourth annual survey of the "Best Places to Raise your Kids."
History
Archeologists have found evidence at the San Marcos River associated with the Clovis cultureClovis culture
The Clovis culture is a prehistoric Paleo-Indian culture that first appears 11,500 RCYBP , at the end of the last glacial period, characterized by the manufacture of "Clovis points" and distinctive bone and ivory tools...
, which suggests that the river has been the site of human habitation for more than 10,000 years. The headwaters of the cool, clear river are the San Marcos Springs
San Marcos Springs
San Marcos Springs is the second largest natural cluster of springs in Texas. The springs are located in the city of San Marcos, Texas, about 30 miles southwest of Austin and 46 miles northeast of San Antonio.-Geology:...
, fed by the Edwards Aquifer
Edwards Aquifer
The Edwards Aquifer is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. Located on the eastern edge of Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas, it discharges about of water a year and directly serves about two million people...
. The San Marcos Springs are the thirty largest collection of springs in Texas. Never in recorded history has the river run dry.
In 1689, Spaniard Alonso de Leon
Alonso De León
Alonso de León wasexplorer and governor, who led several expeditions into the area that is now northeastern Mexico and southern Texas.-Early life:...
led an expedition from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to explore Texas and establish missions and presidios in the region. De Leon's party helped blaze the El Camino Real (later known as the Old San Antonio Road
Old San Antonio Road
The Old San Antonio Road was a historic roadway located in the U.S. states of Texas and Louisiana. Parts of it were based on traditional Native American trails. Its Texas terminus was about southeast of Eagle Pass at the Rio Grande in Maverick County, and its northern terminus was at...
), which followed present-day Hunter Road, Hopkins Street, and Aquarena Springs Drive (the route later shifted four miles to the south; it is now followed by County Road 266, known locally as Old Bastrop Highway). De Leon's party reached the river on April 25, the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist; the river was thus named the San Marcos.
In 1755, San Francisco Xavier de Gigedo presidio and the missions San Francisco Xavier de Horcasitas, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, and San Ildefonso were relocated from present-day Milam County to the San Marcos River at Mission San Francisco Xavier de los Dolores. Historians still debate whether the Spanish settlements were located at the San Marcos Springs or another location. In April 1808, a small group of Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
families settled at the Old Bastrop Highway crossing of the river, and named the settlement Villa de San Marcos de Neve. The settlers were plagued by flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s and Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
raids, and the settlement was abandoned in 1812.
In November 1846 the first Anglo
Anglo
Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to the Angles, England or the English people, as in the terms Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American, Anglo-Celtic, Anglo-African and Anglo-Indian. It is often used alone, somewhat loosely, to refer to people of British Isles descent in The Americas, Australia and...
s settled in the vicinity of the San Marcos Springs. The Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
organized Hays County on March 1, 1848, and designated San Marcos as the county seat. In 1851 a town center was laid out about a mile southwest of the headwaters of the river. The town became a center for ginning
Cotton gin
A cotton gin is a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds, a job formerly performed painstakingly by hand...
and milling
Mill (grinding)
A grinding mill is a unit operation designed to break a solid material into smaller pieces. There are many different types of grinding mills and many types of materials processed in them. Historically mills were powered by hand , working animal , wind or water...
local agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
products. The town's most notable founder and early settler was Gen. Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson was a soldier, general, and statesman in the state of Missouri, the Republic of Texas, and later the U.S. state of Texas....
, a hero of 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...
and former vice president of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
. Burleson built a dam on the upper reaches of the river in 1849. The dam powered several mills, including one within present-day Sewell Park
Sewell Park
Sewell Park is a park located on the Texas State University campus along the San Marcos River in San Marcos, Texas.The park neighbors City Park, the San Marcos Mill Tract, Strahan Coliseum, and Texas State University....
.
International-Great Northern Railroad
The International – Great Northern Railroad was a railroad that operated in the U.S. state of Texas. It was created on September 30, 1873, when International Railroad and Houston and Great Northern Railroad merged....
in 1881, cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
and cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
provided the basis for the growth of San Marcos as a center for commerce and transportation.
In 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University-San Marcos) was established as a teacher's college to meet demand for public school teachers in Texas. In 1907 the private San Marcos Baptist Academy
San Marcos Baptist Academy
San Marcos Baptist Academy is a Baptist, coed prep school that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Association of Boarding Schools...
was established, furthering education as an important industry for the town. The demands of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
forced the town's industry to diversify, and with the emergence of a manufacturing and light industrial sector the town began to experience growth.
In the late 1940s, former Hollywood director Shadrack Graham produced a documentary about daily life in San Marcos as part of his “Our Home Town” series of films that encouraged commerce and civic activity in small communities. The film highlights several local businesses from the era, including Smith's Flowers, Waldrin's Cleaners, Lack's Furniture, and the Palace Movie Theater.
In the 1960s, with the establishment of Aquarena Springs
Aquarena Springs
Aquarena Center is an educational center in San Marcos, Texas dedicated to the preservation of the unique archeological and biological resources of Spring Lake. It is managed on behalf of Texas State University–San Marcos by the Texas River Systems Institute located in the Texas Rivers Center...
and Wonder World as attractions, the tourist industry became a growing part of the city's economy. By the 1960s what was then named Southwest Texas State University had grown into an important regional institution, and when coupled with the creation of Gary Job Corps Training Center in 1965, education became the largest industry in San Marcos. The remarkable growth explosion of Austin further allowed San Marcos to prosper.
By 1973, San Marcos and Hays County had joined the Austin Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. By that year the city's population had grown to 25,000 citizens, along with an additional Southwest Texas State University student body of 20,000.
By 1990, the city's population had grown to 28,743 and by 2000 it reached 34,733, and by 2008 the city's population had grown to 50,371, and the university now known as Texas State University, boasted a student body of 28,121.
Geography
San Marcos is located at 29.879387°N 97.938829°W (29.879387, -97.938829) in an area locally referred to as Central Texas. This is 29 miles southwest of AustinAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
and 47 miles northeast of 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,...
. Interstate 35 is the main highway through the city. The city is situated on the Balcones Fault
Balcones Fault
The Balcones Fault Zone is a tensional structural system in Texas that runs approximately from the southwest part of the state near Del Rio to the north central region near Waco along Interstate 35. The Balcones Fault zone is made up of many smaller features, including normal faults, grabens, and...
, the boundary between the Hill Country and the Coastal Plains. Along the fault, many springs have popped up, such as the source of the San Marcos River
San Marcos River
The San Marcos River rises from the San Marcos Springs, the location of Aquarena Springs, in San Marcos, Texas. The springs are home to several threatened or endangered species, including the Texas Blind Salamander, Fountain Darter, and Texas Wild Rice...
, a notable water feature. The eastern part of the city is blackland prairie suitable for farming; the western part consists of grassy rolling hills often marked with cacti
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
.
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 18.3 square miles (47.4 km2).Land constitutes 18.2 square miles (47.2 km2), and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2) of it (0.60%) is water.
The San Marcos River area is considered by many archaeologists to be the oldest, continuously inhabited area in the Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
.
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 2010, there are estimated to be 49,565 people in the city. In the year 2000 there were 34,733 people, 12,660 households, and 5,380 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 1,907.5 people per square mile, (736.4/km2) in 2000. There were 13,340 housing units at an average density of 732.6 per square mile (282.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.55% White, 5.53% African American, 0.65% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 17.03% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 36.50% of the population.
There were 12,660 households out of which 19.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.9% 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, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 57.5% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.4% under the age of 18, 41.9% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 10.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,809, and the median income for a family was $37,113. Males had a median income of $25,400 versus $22,953 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 $13,468. About 13.8% of families and 28.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.
The San Marcos River
Texas Blind Salamander
The Texas Blind Salamander ', is a rare cave-dwelling troglobite amphibian native to San Marcos, Hays County, Texas, specifically the San Marcos Pool of the Edwards Aquifer. The salamander has blood-red external gills for absorbing oxygen from the water. The salamander's mature length is...
, Fountain Darter
Fountain darter
The fountain darter is a small freshwater fish found in the headwaters of only two rivers in Texas: the Comal River and the San Marcos River. It is generally smaller than 3 cm long and feeds on small invertebrates...
, and Texas Wild Rice. The river is a popular recreational area, and is frequented for tubing
Tubing (recreation)
Tubing is a recreational activity where an individual rides on top of an inner tube, either on water, snow, or through the air. The tubes themselves are also known as "donuts" or "biscuits" due to their shape.-Water:Tubing on water generally consists of two forms: towed and free-floating, also...
, canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, swimming, and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
.
The river begins at San Marcos Springs, rising from the Edwards Aquifer
Edwards Aquifer
The Edwards Aquifer is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. Located on the eastern edge of Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas, it discharges about of water a year and directly serves about two million people...
into Spring Lake. Access to much of the headwaters is restricted due to the delicate ecosystem and numerous rare species. The upper river flows through Texas State University and San Marcos, and is a popular recreational area. It is joined by the Blanco River after four miles, passes through Luling
Luling, Texas
Luling is a city in Caldwell County, Texas, United States, along the San Marcos River. The population was 5,080 at the 2000 census. There is some debate as to how Luling got its name. Some say it was named for a Chinese railroad worker, others for a judge named Luling, or that it was the maiden...
and near Gonzales
Gonzales, Texas
Gonzales is a city in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,202 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gonzales County.-Geography:Gonzales is located at...
flows into the Guadalupe River
Guadalupe River (Texas)
The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The river is a popular destination for rafters and canoers. Larger cities along the river include New Braunfels, Kerrville, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria...
after a total of 75 miles (121 km). This course is the first section of the Texas Water Safari
Texas Water Safari
The Texas Water Safari, billed as the "World's Toughest Boat Race", is a trek down waterways from San Marcos, Texas, to Seadrift, Texas. The primary requirement is a boat powered only by human muscle. The event was first held in 1963, and is run annually....
.
Culture
Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday in the United States honoring African American heritage by commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. State of Texas in 1865...
celebrations, and the Sights and Sounds of Christmas.
San Marcos benefits greatly by the presence of Texas State University and its large student population. The influx of youth contributes toward keeping the city vibrant, as exemplified by a thriving music scene. In addition, the university and local school district provide many opportunities for entertainment through the various student artistic productions, and athletic events.
Those in San Marcos enjoy a life centered greatly around nature. The presence of the pristine San Marcos River and an ample city park system provide plentiful outdoor opportunities. The admiration for nature lends to a city pride in its scenic natural beauty, and the unique and endangered species which also call San Marcos home. http://www.sanmarcoshistoricpreservation.com/
The Square
San Marcos's town center was laid out in 1851. The square was recently the focus of a multi-million dollar restoration project. It is also one of the primary sources of entertainment for Texas State students.Education
In addition to Texas State University and the San Marcos Baptist Academy, San Marcos is served by the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School DistrictSan Marcos Consolidated Independent School District
San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District is a public school district based in San Marcos, Texas, USA.In addition to San Marcos, the district also serves the towns of Martindale, Reedville and parts of Maxwell. The district extends into small portions of Caldwell and Guadalupe counties...
. Gary Job Corps Center is located a few miles east of the center of town.
Transportation
- Capital Area Rural Transportation SystemCapital Area Rural Transportation SystemCapital Area Rural Transportation System or CARTS is a public transportation system serving Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, and Lee counties, as well as rural areas of Hays, Travis, and Williamson. As of 2008, it serves a total of 169 communities....
- San Marcos Municipal AirportSan Marcos Municipal AirportSan Marcos Municipal Airport is a public use airport located in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. It is four nautical miles east of the central business district of San Marcos, a city that is mostly in Hays County. The airport is owned by the City of San Marcos and operated by Texas Aviation...
- San Marcos StationSan Marcos StationThe San Marcos Station is an intermodal transportation center in San Marcos, Texas, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system...
Notable Texans and San Marcos
- Lyndon Baines JohnsonLyndon B. JohnsonLyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
was educated at Texas State University, then called the Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Many landmarks on campus and around town are named for him, including a main thoroughfare, a student center, a statue, and a museum. - Jazz music great Eddie DurhamEddie DurhamEddie Durham was an American jazz guitarist, trombonist, composer and musical arranger of the swing music medium born in San Marcos, Texas, probably best known for his work with musicians like Cab Calloway, Willie Bryant, Andy Kirk, Glenn Miller, Jimmie Lunceford and Count Basie, among others...
(1906–1987), contributing composer to Glen Miller's classic, "In The Mood," was from San Marcos where an annual jazz festival is held in his honor. - The popular rock band Blue OctoberBlue OctoberBlue October is a rock band from Houston, Texas. The band was formed in 1995 and currently consists of Justin Furstenfeld , Jeremy Furstenfeld , Ryan Delahoussaye , Matt Noveskey , and Julian Mandrake .-History:Blue October was formed by lead...
is from San Marcos. - The Traits/aka Roy HeadRoy HeadRoy Head is an American singer, best known for his hit "Treat Her Right."-Career:Head achieved fame as a member of a musical group out from San Marcos, Texas known as The Traits. The group's sponsor landed their first recording contract in 1958 with TNT Music in San Antonio, Texas while they were...
and The Traits were originally six San Marcos High School students who would later become a Rockabilly Hall of FameRockabilly Hall of FameThe Rockabilly Hall of Fame was established on the internet on March 21, 1997, to present early rock and roll history and information relative to the artists and personalities involved in this pioneering American music genre....
band by writing and recording several hit songs in the country-rock and rhythm and blues genres during the late 1950s through the mid 1960s, including their 1959 cover song "One More Time" and the #2 nationally ranked song in 1965, Treat Her Right (song)Treat Her Right (song)"Treat Her Right" is a soul music song, with a standard twelve-bar-blues structure. Written by Roy Head and Gene Kurtz, it was recorded by Roy Head and The Traits and released on the Back Beat label in 1965. The song reached number two in the United States on both the Billboard pop and R&B charts...
. The Traits were originally composed of Roy Head (SMHS 1959), Tommy Bolton (SMHS 1959, 1941–2003), Gerry Gibson (SMHS 1959), Dan Buie (SMHS 1960), Clyde Causey (SMHS 1958) and Bill Pennington (SMHS 1960). - Country musicCountry musicCountry 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...
star George StraitGeorge StraitGeorge Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
graduated from Southwest Texas State University in 1979. A club (George's) located in the basement of the LBJ Student Center, is named in his honor. - Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning folk singer-songwriter Terri HendrixTerri HendrixTerri Hendrix is a San Marcos, Texas-based contemporary folk singer-songwriter. In addition to releasing several albums on her own label, Wilory Records, she co-wrote the Dixie Chicks Grammy-winning instrumental, "Lil' Jack Slade".- Awards :...
is based in San Marcos. - Tino Villanueva, distinguished poet, editor, critic, university professor and Chicano painter was born in San Marcos.
- Ty DetmerTy DetmerTy Hubert Detmer is a former National Football League and NCAA quarterback. He starred at Brigham Young University, where he set many records and won the Heisman Trophy in 1990...
, a Heisman-winning quarterback from Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
was born in San Marcos. - Horror author Scott A. JohnsonScott A. JohnsonScott A. Johnson is an American author in the genre of horror.His first novel, An American Haunting, was released in 2004 by Harbor House Books. He currently serves as the Literary and Paranormal Studies Editor for Dread Central, where he pens "Cold Spots", an article series about real haunted...
received his Bachelors Degree from Texas State University, then called Southwest Texas State University, in 2002. - San Marcos police officer and rescue-recovery diver Daniel Misiaszek founded the San Marcos Area Recovery Team (SMART) http://www.smartdivers.com in 1988 and set a World Record for the longest scuba dive in open water of 60 hours and 24 minutes on September 3, 2001. Misiaszek authored "Hardened Hearts" detailing 30 years of public safety service.
- San Marcos native Taryn Davis, founded "The American Widow ProjectThe American Widow ProjectAmerican Widow Project is a non-profit organization providing peer to peer support to a new generation of military widows grieving the loss of a spouse in the armed forces....
", after husband CPL Michael Davis was killed in action in the Iraq War on 21 May 2007. The group is dedicated to preserving the memories of soldiers through military widows & widowers in sharing tears, laughter, and memories of their loved ones. - Post-rock band This Will Destroy YouThis Will Destroy YouThis Will Destroy You, often abbreviated to TWDY, is an American post-rock band from San Marcos, Texas, formed in 2005. The band consists of guitarists Jeremy Galindo and Chris King, bass player and keyboardist Donovan Jones and drummer Alex Bhore...
is based in San Marcos. - Noted Chicago-based improvisational comedian Cameron Goldapp was born and raised in San Marcos, TX.
- Actor Powers Boothe is also a Graduate of Texas State University. (Then southwest Texas State University)
- True WomenTrue WomenTrue Women is a 1993 novel by Janice Woods Windle. The book was adapted into a 1997 CBS miniseries starring Dana Delany, Annabeth Gish, Angelina Jolie, Julie Carmen, Tina Majorino and Rachael Leigh Cook.-Plot summary:...
character Martha Benny Lawshe lived in San Marcos and was an active member of First Baptist Church (NBC). - Texas Country singers Randy Rogers, Ryan Beaver, and Paul Eason all attended Texas State University
- Charles BarsottiCharles BarsottiCharles Barsotti is an American cartoonist who has contributed gag cartoons to major magazines.Born in San Marcos, Texas, Barsotti grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Texas State University in 1955. He has been the cartoon editor of The Saturday Evening Post and has been a staff cartoonist...
cartoonist for The New YorkerThe New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
was born in San Marcos and is a graduate of Texas State University - Ray William JohnsonRay William JohnsonRay William Johnson is an American comedian best known for his YouTube series Equals Three, in which he provides commentary on viral videos. Many of the videos featured on Equals Three are noted to have received an additional boost of popularity...
, a YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
comedian. Raised in San Marcos, TX.
External links
- City of San Marcos
- http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/departments/library/index.html/ San Marcos Public Library
- Welcome to San Marcos - A Visitor's Guide
- Economic Development San Marcos
- San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce
- Texas State University - San Marcos
- San Marcos Convention and Visitor Bureau
- 78666.com - Guide to San Marcos, Texas
- Visit San Marcos - The San Marcos Hospitality Association
- San Marcos, Texas: Home of Southwest Texas State University, Katherine Ann Porter Childhood home
- Hays County... San Marcos, TEXAS
- Summer in San Marcos - About.com
- San Marcos Historical Preservation