Helotes, Texas

Helotes (/həˈloʊtɪs/ hə-LOH-tis) is a city in Bexar County, Texas, United States, located on the far northwest side of San Antonio. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan statistical area. Its population was 7,341 at the 2010 census.[6]

Helotes, Texas
City
The historic Floore Country Store in Helotes
Location of Helotes, Texas
Coordinates: 29°33′55″N 98°41′21″W
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyBexar
Government
 • MayorTom Schoolcraft
Area
 • Total6.93 sq mi (17.96 km2)
 • Land6.93 sq mi (17.95 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
1,037 ft (316 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total7,341
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
9,961
 • Density1,437.58/sq mi (555.04/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
78023
Area code(s)210, 726 (planned)
FIPS code48-33146[3]
GNIS feature ID1337583[4]
ANSI Code2410736[5]
Websitewww.helotes-tx.gov

History

According to anthropologists, the area was occupied seasonally from about 5,000 BC by small bands of nomadic Native American tribes in search of food and game.[7] 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 Comanche Indians.

A small farming and ranching community began to develop in the area shortly after the Texas Revolution in the late 1830s.[8] The ranches suffered occasional attacks by the Comanches until the late 1870s.[8]

In 1858, a Scottish immigrant, Dr. George Marnoch, purchased the land that later became the site of the town.[7] Marnoch's home at one time served as a stagecoach stop and a post office for cowboys driving their cattle from Bandera to auction in San Antonio.[9] 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 arose.[7] In 1908, Gugger sold his property to Bert Hileman, who opened the town's first dance hall.[7] He was also instrumental in getting old Bandera Road paved and opening the town's first filling station.[8] He sold his property in downtown Helotes in 1919, when the town's population declined.[8]

In 1946, the manager of San Antonio's Majestic Theatre, John T. Floore, opened the landmark John T. Floore Country Store,[10] which is actually a dance hall (or "honky tonk") that draws top country music talent, including Willie Nelson, who still plays the venue on occasion. Floore also financed the first annual Helotes Cornyval festival in the 1960s, which was held to celebrate the opening of a new post office.[11]

Corn played an important role in the heritage of Helotes. The local Native Americans planted corn (maize outside the US) in the fertile valleys of the area, and feed corn was a major crop grown in the 19th and early 20th centuries.[11] The town name is derived from the Spanish word elote, which can mean "ear of maize", "corncob", or simply "corn", but exactly how the town came to be called Helotes is still a subject of debate.[12]

As the urban sprawl of San Antonio expanded and approached the outskirts of Helotes in the 1970s. After a decade of planning and negotiation, Helotes became an incorporated city in October 1981.[13] To this day, residents 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.[9] Helotes was the hometown of the late Texas State Senator Frank L. Madla, who died after his home on the south side of San Antonio caught fire on November 24, 2006.[14]

1953 tornado

On April 28, 1953, the town was hit by a violent 1 mile (1.6 km) wide F4 tornado struck the city, damaging or destroying multiple structures. Two people were killed and 15 others were injured.[15]

Overview
Helotes' historic Zion Lutheran Church

When Helotes incorporated in 1981, very little was in the town. Now with a population over 7,000, Helotes is becoming one of the most desirable suburbs of San Antonio. Helotes itself includes the newly renovated Old Town Helotes. Completed in 2011, Old Town Helotes is the revitalized downtown, which includes John T. Floore's Country Store, All That Glitters, L&M Feed and Supply, Mander Automotive Service, First Baptist Church of Helotes, Elf Hardware, Helotes Tactical Firearms, Helotes Creek Winery, and El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant. Helotes is home to Oak Valley golf course, the first golf course in South Texas to be fully lit at night. The Morales family built the golf course on their vast acres of land acquired by Lorenzo Morales, a pillar of the community. He was extremely influential in settling Helotes.

The Cornyval Festival is an annual city tradition bringing in local vendors and thousands of area residents to celebrate the namesake of the town.

Geography

Helotes is located in northwestern Bexar County in the valley of Helotes Creek where it exits from the Texas Hill Country. The city is about 16 miles (26 km) northwest of downtown San Antonio. Texas State Highway 16 runs through the community, leading northwest 30 mi (48 km) to Bandera. The Charles W. Anderson Loop, the outer beltway around San Antonio, is 2 mi (3 km) southeast of the center of Helotes.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Helotes has a total area of 6.6 sq mi (17.0 km2), of which 0.004 square miles (0.01 km2), or 0.06%, is covered by water.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19901,535—
20004,285179.2%
20107,34171.3%
Est. 20199,961[2]35.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

As of the 2000 census,[3] Helotes had a population of 4,285 residents. The population density was 1,014.3 people per square mile (392.0/km2). The 1,525 housing units averaged 361.0 per square mile (139.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.95% White, 2.24% African American, 0.44% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 4.92% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 26.49% of the population.

Of the 1,471 households, 40.2% had children under the age of 18, 79.9% were married couples living together, and 12.2% were not families. About 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 persons, and the average family size was 3.13 persons.

The population was distributed as 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 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 the age of 18 years and 2.9% of the age of 65 years or older.

Education

Helotes residents are zoned to the following schools in the Northside Independent School District:[17]

Sandra Day O'Connor High School

Elementary schools:[18]

  • Charles L. Kuentz, Jr. Elementary School (Helotes)
  • Helotes Elementary School (Helotes)
  • Los Reyes Elementary School (Helotes)
  • Randall H. Fields Elementary School (San Antonio)

Middle schools:[19]

  • Dr. Hector P. Garcia Middle School (San Antonio)
  • Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School (San Antonio)
  • Dr. John Folks Middle School (San Antonio)

High schools:[20]

Notable residents
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References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Gazetteer Files 2016-Places-Texas". US Census. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Helotes city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  7. "Texas Historical Commission city marker (archive copy)". Texas Historical Commission. San Antonio, Texas: Palo Alto College. Archived from the original (JPG) on 27 February 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2006.
  8. Michael R. Causey (Fall 1998). "Helotes Small Town Research Project (archive copy)". San Antonio, Texas: Palo Alto College. Archived from the original on 6 April 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2006. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. "City of Helotes: Tourism". City of Helotes, Texas. Retrieved 26 December 2006.
  10. "John T. Floore Country Store". John T. Floore Country Store. Archived from the original on 18 December 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2006.
  11. "Backgrounder: Helotes Cornyval". Helotes Festival Association. Retrieved 26 December 2006.
  12. "The Handbook of Texas Online: Helotes, TX". The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 26 December 2006.
  13. "City of Helotes: General Information". City of Helotes, Texas. Retrieved 26 December 2006.
  14. "Frank L. Madla". Answers.com. Retrieved 12 March 2007.
  15. National Weather Service (February 2020). Texas Event Report: F4 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. "Corporate Limits & ETJ Map." Helotes. Retrieved on July 12, 2018.
  18. "2017-18 Elementary School Attendance Areas." Northside Independent School District. Retrieved on July 12, 2018.
  19. "2017-18 Middle School Attendance Areas." Northside Independent School District. Retrieved on September 8, 2016.
  20. "2017-18 High School Attendance Areas." Northside Independent School District. Retrieved on July 12, 2018.
  21. Uresti, Carlos (2018-07-11). "Photos show $1.7M Helotes home of convicted felon and former State Sen. Carlos Uresti". San Antonio Express-News at the Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
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