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San Marcos, Texas

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San Marcos, Texas
Hays County Courthouse Historic District
Hays County Courthouse Historic District
Official seal of San Marcos, Texas
Nickname: 
San Marvelous
Hays County SanMarcos.svg
Coordinates: 29°52′46″N 97°56′20″W / 29.87944°N 97.93889°W / 29.87944; -97.93889Coordinates: 29°52′46″N 97°56′20″W / 29.87944°N 97.93889°W / 29.87944; -97.93889
Country United States
State Texas
CountiesHays, Caldwell, Guadalupe
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorJane Hughson
 • City ManagerBert Lumbreras
Area
 • Total35.71 sq mi (92.50 km2)
 • Land35.59 sq mi (92.18 km2)
 • Water0.12 sq mi (0.32 km2)
Elevation
617 ft (188 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total67,553
 • Density1,820.01/sq mi (702.70/km2)
Demonym(s)San Marcoan, San Martian
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
78666–78667
Area code(s)512 and 737
FIPS code48-65600
GNIS feature ID1375971[2]
Websitewww.sanmarcostx.gov

San Marcos (/ˌsæn ˈmɑːrkəs/ SAN MAR-kəs) is a city and the county seat of Hays County, Texas, United States. The city's limits extend into Caldwell and Guadalupe Counties, as well. San Marcos is on the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio. Its population was 44,894 at the 2010 census[3] and 67,553 at the 2020 census. Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River, the area is thought to be among the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Americas. San Marcos is home to Texas State University and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.[4]

In 2010, San Marcos was listed in Business Week's fourth annual survey of the "Best Places to Raise your Kids".[5] In 2013 and 2014, the United States Census Bureau named it the fastest-growing city in the United States.[6][7] In December 2013, it was named number nine on Business Insider's list of the "10 Most Exciting Small Cities In America".[8]

Discover more about San Marcos, Texas related topics

County seat

County seat

A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US state of Vermont and in some other English-speaking jurisdictions. County towns have a similar function in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as historically in Jamaica.

Hays County, Texas

Hays County, Texas

Hays County is a county located in the cental portion of the U.S. state of Texas.. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, its official population had reached 241,067. The county seat is San Marcos. Hays, along with Comal and Kendall Counties, was listed in 2017 as one of the nation's fastest-growing large counties with a population of at least 10,000. From 2015 to 2016, Hays County, third on the national list, had nearly 10,000 new residents during the year.

Caldwell County, Texas

Caldwell County, Texas

Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 45,883. Its county seat is Lockhart. The county was founded in 1848 and named after Mathew Caldwell, a ranger captain who fought in the Battle of Plum Creek against the Comanches and against Santa Anna's armies during the Texas Revolution. Caldwell was also a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Guadalupe County, Texas

Guadalupe County, Texas

Guadalupe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 172,706. The county seat is Seguin. The county was founded in 1846 and is named after Guadalupe River.

County (United States)

County (United States)

In the United States, a county or county equivalent is an administrative or political subdivision of a state that consists of a geographic region with specific boundaries and usually some level of governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 states, while Louisiana and Alaska have functionally equivalent subdivisions called parishes and boroughs, respectively. The specific governmental powers of counties vary widely between the states, with many providing some level of services to civil townships, municipalities, and unincorporated areas. Certain municipalities are in multiple counties; New York City is uniquely partitioned into five counties, referred to at the city government level as boroughs. Some municipalities have consolidated with their county government to form consolidated city-counties, or have been legally separated from counties altogether to form independent cities. Conversely, those counties in Connecticut, Rhode Island, eight of Massachusetts's 14 counties, and Alaska's Unorganized Borough have no government power, existing only as geographic distinctions.

Interstate 35 in Texas

Interstate 35 in Texas

Interstate 35 (I-35) in Texas is a major north–south Interstate Highway running from Laredo near the Mexican border to the Red River north of Gainesville where it crosses into Oklahoma. Along its route, it passes through the cities of San Antonio, Austin, and Waco before it splits into two auxiliary routes just north of Hillsboro. I-35E heads northeast where it passes through Dallas. I-35W turns northwest to run through Fort Worth. The two branches meet up in Denton to again form I-35, where it continues to the Oklahoma border. The exit numbers for I-35E maintain the sequence of exit numbers from the southern segment of I-35, and the northern segment of I-35 follows on from the sequence of exit numbers from I-35E. I-35W maintains its own sequence of exit numbers.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city in the United States, the fourth-most-populous city in Texas, the second-most-populous state capital city, and the most populous state capital that is not also the most populous city in its state. It has been one of the fastest growing large cities in the United States since 2010. Downtown Austin and Downtown San Antonio are approximately 80 miles (129 km) apart, and both fall along the Interstate 35 corridor. Some observers believe that the two regions may some day form a new "metroplex" similar to Dallas and Fort Worth. Austin is the southernmost state capital in the contiguous United States and is considered a Beta−level global city as categorized by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

San Antonio

San Antonio

San Antonio, officially the City of San Antonio, is a city in Bexar County, Texas. The city is the seventh most populous in the United States, the second largest in the Southern United States, and the second most populous in Texas. It is the 12th most populous city in North America, with 1,434,625 residents as of 2020.

2020 United States census

2020 United States census

The United States census of 2020 was the 24th decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to offer options to respond online or by phone, in addition to the paper response form used for previous censuses. The census was taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected its administration. The census recorded a resident population of 331,449,281 in the fifty states and the District of Columbia, an increase of 7.4 percent, or 22,703,743, over the preceding decade. The growth rate was the second-lowest ever recorded, and the net increase was the sixth highest in history. This was the first census where the 10 most-populous states each surpassed 10 million residents, and the first census where the 10 most-populous cities each surpassed 1 million residents.

Americas

Americas

The Americas are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World.

Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, formerly Aquarena Springs and later the Aquarena Center, is an educational center in San Marcos, Texas, that seeks to preserve the unique archeological and biological resources of Spring Lake. Formed from more than 200 artesian springs, this lake is one of the world's largest aquifer fed systems. A state antiquities landmark, this site is also believed to be one of the longest continuously inhabited places in North America.

Business Insider

Business Insider

Insider, previously named Business Insider (BI), is a New York City–based multinational financial and business news website founded in 2007. Since 2015, a majority stake in Business Insider's parent company Insider Inc. has been owned by the German publishing house Axel Springer. It operates several international editions, including one in the United Kingdom.

History

Archeologists have found evidence at the San Marcos River associated with the Clovis culture, which suggests that the river has been the site of human habitation for more than 10,000 years. The San Marcos Springs are the third-largest collection of springs in Texas. Never in recorded history has the river run dry.

In 1689, Spaniard Alonso de León led an expedition from Mexico to explore Texas and establish missions and presidios in the region. De León's party helped blaze the 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 León's party reached the river on April 25, the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist; the river was thus named the San Marcos.[9][10]

In January 1808, a small group of Spanish-Mexican families settled at the Old Bastrop Highway crossing of the river, and named the settlement Villa de San Marcos de Neve.[11] The settlers were plagued by floods and Indian raids, and the settlement was abandoned in 1812.[12]

In November 1846, the first Anglo-American settlers moved into 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.

San Marcos in 1881
San Marcos in 1881

In the decade following the arrival of the International-Great Northern Railroad on September 30, 1880,[13] cattle and cotton provided the basis for the growth of San Marcos as a center for commerce and transportation.

Wonder World Park – San Marcos, Texas
Wonder World Park – San Marcos, Texas

In 1866, the Coronal Institute was established as an early private high school.[14] In 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University) was established as a teacher's college to meet demand for public school teachers in Texas. In 1907, the San Marcos Baptist Academy was established,[15] 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 Hometown" 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.[16]

Gary Air Force Base, just east of town, was opened in 1942 as San Marcos Army Airfield, renamed San Marcos Air Force Base in 1947, and renamed finally in 1953 in honor of Lieutenant Arthur Edward Gary, killed at Clark Field in the Philippines on December 7, 1941, the first San Martian to die in World War II. During the war, the base trained over 10,000 navigators, and in the following years was the largest center of Air Force and Army helicopter training for pilots and mechanics in the United States, with 21 squadrons and 4800 personnel stationed there. The base was handed over to the Army in 1956, renamed Camp Gary, and was closed in 1963. Subsequently, part of the base was taken over by the city for use as San Marcos Airport, while another part was reopened in 1966 as the Gary Job Corps Center.[17]

In the 1960s, with the establishment of Aquarena Springs[18] and Wonder World[19] 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,[20] and when coupled with the creation of Gary Job Corps Training Center in 1965,[21] education became the largest industry in San Marcos.[22] The remarkable growth explosion of Austin further allowed San Marcos to prosper.

By 1973, San Marcos and Hays County were included by the U. S. Census Bureau in the Austin metropolitan statistical area.[23] 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, by 2000, it reached 34,733, and by 2010, it was 44,894. A report, released by the U.S. Census Bureau in May 2013, stated that San Marcos had the highest rate of growth among all U.S. cities and towns with at least 50,000 people. Its population rose 6.9% between 2011 and 2012.[24] The university, now known as Texas State University, boasts a student body of 34,225.[25]

In 1991, protestors advocating for legalization of marijuana conducted a civil disobedience action and were arrested; they became known as the San Marcos Seven.[26][27]

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Clovis culture

Clovis culture

The Clovis culture is a prehistoric Paleoamerican culture, named for distinct stone and bone tools found in close association with Pleistocene fauna, particularly two mammoths, at Blackwater Locality No. 1 near Clovis, New Mexico, in 1936 and 1937. It existed from roughly 13,400–12,700 years ago near the end of the last glacial period, is characterized by the manufacture of "Clovis points" and distinctive bone and ivory tools, and it is represented by hundreds of sites, from which >10,000 Clovis points have been recovered.

Alonso de León

Alonso de León

Alonso de León "El Mozo" was an explorer and governor in New Spain who led several expeditions into the area that is now northeastern Mexico and southern Texas.

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 35 miles (56 km) southeast of Eagle Pass at the Rio Grande in Maverick County, and its northern terminus was at Natchitoches, Louisiana. The road continued from Texas through Monclova to Mexico City.

Native Americans in the United States

Native Americans in the United States

Native Americans, also known as American Indians, First Americans, Indigenous Americans, and other terms, are the Indigenous peoples of the mainland United States. There are 574 federally recognized tribes living within the US, about half of which are associated with Indian reservations. As defined by the United States Census, "Native Americans" are Indigenous tribes that are originally from the contiguous United States, along with Alaska Natives. Indigenous peoples of the United States who are not listed as American Indian or Alaska Native include Native Hawaiians, Samoan Americans, and Chamorros. The US Census groups these peoples as "Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders".

Cotton gin

Cotton gin

A cotton gin—meaning "cotton engine"—is a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds, enabling much greater productivity than manual cotton separation. The fibers are then processed into various cotton goods such as calico, while any undamaged cotton is used largely for textiles like clothing. The separated seeds may be used to grow more cotton or to produce cottonseed oil.

Mill (grinding)

Mill (grinding)

A mill is a device, often a structure, machine or kitchen appliance, that breaks solid materials into smaller pieces by grinding, crushing, or cutting. Such comminution is an important unit operation in many processes. There are many different types of mills and many types of materials processed in them. Historically mills were powered by hand or by animals, working animal, wind (windmill) or water (watermill). In modern era, they are usually powered by electricity.

Agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. While humans started gathering grains at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers only began planting them around 11,500 years ago. Sheep, goats, pigs and cattle were domesticated around 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world. In the twentieth century, industrial agriculture based on large-scale monocultures came to dominate agricultural output.

Edward Burleson

Edward Burleson

Edward Burleson was the third vice president of the Republic of Texas. After Texas was annexed to the United States, he served in the State Senate. Prior to his government service in Texas, he was a commander of Texian Army forces during the Texas Revolution. Before moving to Texas, he served in militias in Alabama, Missouri, and Tennessee, and fought in the War of 1812. Burleson was the soldier who was given Santa Anna's sword when he surrendered.

Cattle

Cattle

Cattle are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus Bos. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult males are referred to as bulls.

Cotton

Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor percentages of waxes, fats, pectins, and water. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds.

Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It is situated in the western Pacific Ocean and consists of around 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippines is bounded by the South China Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the southwest. It shares maritime borders with Taiwan to the north, Japan to the northeast, Palau to the east and southeast, Indonesia to the south, Malaysia to the southwest, Vietnam to the west, and China to the northwest. The Philippines covers an area of 343,448 km2 (132,606 sq mi) and, as of 2021, it had a population of around 109 million people, making it the world's thirteenth-most-populous country. The Philippines has diverse ethnicities and cultures throughout its islands. Manila is the country's capital, while the largest city is Quezon City; both lie within the urban area of Metro Manila.

Navigator

Navigator

A navigator is the person on board a ship or aircraft responsible for its navigation. The navigator's primary responsibility is to be aware of ship or aircraft position at all times. Responsibilities include planning the journey, advising the ship's captain or aircraft commander of estimated timing to destinations while en route, and ensuring hazards are avoided. The navigator is in charge of maintaining the aircraft or ship's nautical charts, nautical publications, and navigational equipment, and they generally have responsibility for meteorological equipment and communications. With the advent of satellite navigation, the effort required to accurately determine one's position has decreased by orders of magnitude, so the entire field has experienced a revolutionary transition since the 1990s with traditional navigation tasks, like performing celestial navigation, being used less frequently. Using multiple independent position fix methods without solely relying on electronic systems subject to failure helps the navigator detect errors. Professional mariners are still proficient in traditional piloting and celestial navigation.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870741
18801,23266.3%
18902,33589.5%
19002,292−1.8%
19104,07177.6%
19204,52711.2%
19305,13413.4%
19406,00617.0%
19509,98066.2%
196012,71327.4%
197018,86048.4%
198023,42024.2%
199028,73822.7%
200034,73320.9%
201044,89429.3%
202067,55350.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[28]
San Marcos racial composition as of 2020[29]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 28,505 42.2%
Black or African American (NH) 4,463 6.61%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 157 0.23%
Asian (NH) 1,930 2.86%
Pacific Islander (NH) 54 0.08%
Some other race (NH) 257 0.38%
Mixed/multiracial (NH) 4,747 7.03%
Hispanic or Latino 27,440 40.62%
Total 67,553

As of the 2020 United States census, 67,553 people, 23,769 households, and 10,635 families were residing in the city.

As of the census of 2010, the population was 44,894 people in the city. In 2000, 34,733 people, 12,660 households, and 5,380 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,907.5 people per square mile, (736.4/km2) in 2000. The 13,340 housing units averaged 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. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 36.50% of the population.

Of the 12,660 households, 19.2% had children under 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 not families. About 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.31, and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city, the population was distributed as 15.4% under 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 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 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.

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1870 United States census

1870 United States census

The United States census of 1870 was the ninth United States census. It was conducted by the Census Bureau from June 1, 1870, to August 23, 1871. The 1870 census was the first census to provide detailed information on the African American population, only five years after the culmination of the Civil War when slaves were granted freedom. The total population was 38,925,598 with a resident population of 38,558,371 individuals, a 22.6% increase from 1860.

1880 United States census

1880 United States census

The United States census of 1880 conducted by the Census Bureau during June 1880 was the tenth United States census. It was the first time that women were permitted to be enumerators. The Superintendent of the Census was Francis Amasa Walker. This was the first census in which a city—New York City—recorded a population of over one million.

1890 United States census

1890 United States census

The United States census of 1890 was taken beginning June 2, 1890, but most of the 1890 census materials were destroyed in 1921 when a building caught fire and in the subsequent disposal of the remaining damaged records. It determined the resident population of the United States to be 62,979,766—an increase of 25.5 percent over the 50,189,209 persons enumerated during the 1880 census. The data reported that the distribution of the population had resulted in the disappearance of the American frontier.

1900 United States census

1900 United States census

The United States census of 1900, conducted by the Census Office on June 1, 1900, determined the resident population of the United States to be 76,212,168, an increase of 21.01% from the 62,979,766 persons enumerated during the 1890 census.

1910 United States census

1910 United States census

The United States census of 1910, conducted by the Census Bureau on April 15, 1910, determined the resident population of the United States to be 92,228,496, an increase of 21 percent over the 76,212,168 persons enumerated during the 1900 census. The 1910 census switched from a portrait page orientation to a landscape orientation.

1920 United States census

1920 United States census

The United States census of 1920, conducted by the Census Bureau during one month from January 5, 1920, determined the resident population of the United States to be 106,021,537, an increase of 15.0 percent over the 92,228,496 persons enumerated during the 1910 census.

1930 United States census

1930 United States census

The United States census of 1930, conducted by the Census Bureau one month from April 1, 1930, determined the resident population of the United States to be 122,775,046, an increase of 13.7 percent over the 106,021,537 persons enumerated during the 1920 census.

1940 United States census

1940 United States census

The United States census of 1940, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 132,164,569, an increase of 7.6 percent over the 1930 population of 122,775,046 people. The census date of record was April 1, 1940.

1950 United States census

1950 United States census

The United States census of 1950, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 150,697,361, an increase of 14.5 percent over the 131,669,275 persons enumerated during the 1940 census.

1960 United States census

1960 United States census

The United States census of 1960, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 179,323,175, an increase of 19 percent over the 151,325,798 persons enumerated during the 1950 census. This was the first census in which all states recorded a population of over 200,000. This census's data determined the electoral votes for the 1964 and 1968 presidential elections. This was also the last census in which New York was the most populous state.

1970 United States census

1970 United States census

The United States census of 1970, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 203,392,031, an increase of 13.4 percent over the 179,323,175 persons enumerated during the 1960 census.

1980 United States census

1980 United States census

The United States census of 1980, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 226,545,805, an increase of 11.4 percent over the 203,184,772 persons enumerated during the 1970 census. It was the first census in which a state—California—recorded a population of 20 million people, as well as the first in which all states recorded populations of over 400,000.

Geography

San Marcos is in Central Texas. It is 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Austin and 51 miles (82 km) northeast of San Antonio. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2010, it had a total area of 30.3 square miles (78.6 km2), of which 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), or 0.44%, was covered by water.[3] Interstate 35 is the main highway through it, with access from exits 199 through 208. It is situated on the Balcones Fault, the boundary between the Hill Country to the west and the Coastal Plains to the east. Along the fault, many springs emerge, such as San Marcos Springs, which forms Spring Lake and is the source of the San Marcos River. The eastern part is Blackland Prairie. The western part consists of forested or grassy rolling hills, often marked with cacti.

The San Marcos River and the Blanco River, part of the Guadalupe watershed, flow through the city, along with Cottonwood Creek, Purgatory Creek, Sink Creek, and Willow Springs Creek.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters, with some winter frost at night. Annual precipitation is about 34 inches (864 mm). According to the Köppen climate classification, San Marcos has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[32]

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Central Texas

Central Texas

Central Texas is a region in the U.S. state of Texas surrounding Austin and roughly bordered by San Saba to Bryan and San Marcos to Hillsboro. Central Texas overlaps with and includes part of the Texas Hill Country and corresponds to a physiographic section designation within the Edwards Plateau, in a geographic context.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city in the United States, the fourth-most-populous city in Texas, the second-most-populous state capital city, and the most populous state capital that is not also the most populous city in its state. It has been one of the fastest growing large cities in the United States since 2010. Downtown Austin and Downtown San Antonio are approximately 80 miles (129 km) apart, and both fall along the Interstate 35 corridor. Some observers believe that the two regions may some day form a new "metroplex" similar to Dallas and Fort Worth. Austin is the southernmost state capital in the contiguous United States and is considered a Beta−level global city as categorized by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

San Antonio

San Antonio

San Antonio, officially the City of San Antonio, is a city in Bexar County, Texas. The city is the seventh most populous in the United States, the second largest in the Southern United States, and the second most populous in Texas. It is the 12th most populous city in North America, with 1,434,625 residents as of 2020.

United States Census Bureau

United States Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and its director is appointed by the President of the United States.

Balcones Fault

Balcones Fault

The Balcones Fault or Balcones Fault Zone is an area of largely normal faulting in the U.S. state of Texas that runs roughly from the southwest part of the state near Del Rio to the north-central region near Dallas along Interstate 35. The Balcones Fault zone is made up of many smaller features, including normal faults, grabens, and horsts. One of the obvious features is the Mount Bonnell Fault.

Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country

The Texas Hill Country is a geographic region of Central and South Texas, forming the southeast part of the Edwards Plateau. Given its location, climate, terrain, and vegetation, the Hill Country can be considered the border between the American Southeast and Southwest. The region represents the very remote rural countryside of Central Texas, but also is home to growing suburban neighborhoods and affluent retirement communities.

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 (48 km) southwest of Austin and 46 miles (74 km) northeast of San Antonio.

Cactus

Cactus

A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word cactus derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek word κάκτος (káktos), a name originally used by Theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is now not certain. Cacti occur in a wide range of shapes and sizes. They are native to the Americas, ranging from Patagonia in the south to parts of western Canada in the north, with the exception of Rhipsalis baccifera, which is also found in Africa and Sri Lanka. Cacti are adapted to live in very dry environments, including the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. Because of this, cacti show many adaptations to conserve water. For example, almost all cacti are succulents, meaning they have thickened, fleshy parts adapted to store water. Unlike many other succulents, the stem is the only part of most cacti where this vital process takes place. Most species of cacti have lost true leaves, retaining only spines, which are highly modified leaves. As well as defending against herbivores, spines help prevent water loss by reducing air flow close to the cactus and providing some shade. In the absence of true leaves, cacti's enlarged stems carry out photosynthesis.

Blanco River (Texas)

Blanco River (Texas)

The Blanco River is a river in the Hill Country of Texas in the United States.

Guadalupe River (Texas)

Guadalupe River (Texas)

The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas, to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico, with an average temperature of 17.75 degrees Celsius. It is a popular destination for rafting, fly fishing, and canoeing. Larger cities along it include Kerrville, New Braunfels, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria. It has several dams along its length, the most notable of which, Canyon Dam, forms Canyon Lake northwest of New Braunfels.

Köppen climate classification

Köppen climate classification

The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notably in 1918 and 1936. Later, German climatologist Rudolf Geiger (1894–1981) introduced some changes to the classification system, which is thus sometimes called the Köppen–Geiger climate classification.

Humid subtropical climate

Humid subtropical climate

A humid subtropical climate is a zone of climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents, generally between latitudes 25° and 40° and are located poleward from adjacent tropical climates. It is also known as warm temperate climate in some climate classifications.

Government

In 2022, city voters approved the decriminalization of possession of misdemeanor amounts of marijuana.[33]

Education

Old Main academic building at Texas State University
Old Main academic building at Texas State University

San Marcos is home to Texas State University, a multidisciplinary public research university that was established in 1899.

For primary and secondary education, San Marcos is served by the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District. San Marcos High School is the district's sole high school. San Marcos Academy, a private high school, is in the city. Doris Miller Middle School and Owen Goodnight Middle School are the two middle schools located in San Marcos. San Marcos is home to seven elementary schools: Rodriguez, Hernandez, Mendez, Crockett, Travis, Bowie, and DeZavala Elementary Schools. The city also houses a prekindergarten school, named Bonham Pre-K.

San Marcos is also served by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, in which Blanco Vista Elementary School is located within the San Marcos city limits in the extreme northeastern part of the city.

The Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State is one of the four extant body farms in the United States and the largest such forensics research facility in the world.[34]

San Marcos is also home to Aquarena Center,[4] the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment,[35] the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery and Aquatic Resource Center,[36] the A. E. Wood Texas Fish Hatchery,[37] the San Marcos Nature Center,[38] the Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos,[39] and the Indigenous Cultures Institute.[40]

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Old Main (Texas State University)

Old Main (Texas State University)

Old Main is a red-roofed Victorian Gothic building on the campus of Texas State University. Situated at one end of the quad, it was Texas State's first building, built in 1903, and remained the only building on campus until 1908. Old Main was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1983. It currently houses the offices for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication as well as the College of Fine Arts.

Texas State University

Texas State University

Texas State University is a public research university with its main campus located in the southern portion of the Austin metropolitan area, and its Round Rock campus in the northern portion. Since its establishment in 1899, the university has grown to the fifth largest university in the state of Texas and the 28th largest university in the United States. Texas State University reached a record enrollment of 38,808 students in the 2016 fall semester, continuing a trend of enrollment growth over several years. The university offers more than 200 degree options from its ten colleges.

San Marcos High School (Texas)

San Marcos High School (Texas)

San Marcos High School is a secondary school in San Marcos, Texas. The school serves grades 9 through 12, and is part of the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (CISD). The school appeared in the movie Boyhood starring Ellar Coltrane.

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District is a public school district based in San Marcos, Texas, USA. The school district covers 210 square miles mainly in Hays County and portions of Guadalupe and Caldwell counties.

Hays Consolidated Independent School District

Hays Consolidated Independent School District

Hays Consolidated Independent School District is a public school district based in Kyle, Texas (USA). In addition to Kyle, the district serves the city of Buda, and other areas in northern Hays County. The Hays Consolidated Independent School District reaches more than 221 square miles. The district's 23 campuses are located throughout northern Hays County, serving nearly 20,000 students.

Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State

Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State

The Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS) is a 26-acre forensic anthropology research facility located on the Freeman Ranch in San Marcos, Texas. It is one of the seven extant body farms in the United States and the largest such forensics research facility in the world.

Body farm

Body farm

A body farm is a research facility where decomposition of humans and other animals can be studied in a variety of settings. The initial facility was conceived by anthropologist William M. Bass in 1981 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Bass was interested in studying the decomposition of a human corpse from the time of death to the time of decay. The aim was to gain a better understanding of the decomposition process, permitting the development of techniques for extracting information such as the timing and circumstances of death from human remains. Body farm research is of particular interest in forensic anthropology and related disciplines, and has applications in the fields of law enforcement and forensic science. By placing the bodies outside to face the elements, researchers are able to get a better understanding of the decomposition process.

Economy

San Marcos Outlet Malls located to the east of Interstate 35
San Marcos Outlet Malls located to the east of Interstate 35

San Marcos' central location along IH-35 and strong infrastructure makes it ideal for industry. It includes business incentives, a high quality of life, regional airports and proximity to major international airports, access to major roadways such as IH-35, SH-130, US-183, and IH-10, networking opportunities and support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, a healthy tax structure, and a diverse and talented workforce.

The top employers in 2021 are the following:[41]

Rank Employer Employees
1 Amazon 5000
2 Texas State University 3730
3 San Marcos Premium Outlets 1600
4 Tanger Factory Outlets 1540
5 SMCISD 1400
6 Hays County 885
7 City of San Marcos 870
8 HEB Distribution Center 750
9 Central Tx Medical Center 675
10 CFAN 500

Along with its easy access to air travel, San Marcos has ready access to several freight routes and IH-35 and IH-10, which run north/south and east/west, respectively, through the region. The access points of the area provide an easy route to major cities in Texas such as Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.

The region has several institutions of higher education that provide a continual source of talent for the region's workforce. These institutions include the fourth-largest university in the state, Texas State University, as well as Gary Job Corps, an education and career technical training program.

The area's quality of life is highlighted by the San Marcos River, which is naturally fed by the San Marcos Springs. Many other lakes and rivers dot the local landscape, and the region's location within the Texas Hill Country provides easy access to the many outdoor amenities. In June 2006, The View named the San Marcos Outlet Malls as the third-best place to shop in the world. About 14 million people visit them annually.

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Interstate 35

Interstate 35

Interstate 35 (I-35) is a major Interstate Highway in the central United States. As with most primary Interstates that end in a five, it is a major cross-country, north–south route. It stretches from Laredo, Texas, near the Mexican border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota State Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. The highway splits into I-35E and I-35W in two separate places, the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in Texas and at the Minnesota twin cities of Minneapolis–Saint Paul.

Amazon (company)

Amazon (company)

Amazon.com, Inc. is an American multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been referred to as "one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world", and is one of the world's most valuable brands. It is one of the Big Five American information technology companies, alongside Alphabet (Google), Apple, Meta (Facebook), and Microsoft.

Texas State University

Texas State University

Texas State University is a public research university with its main campus located in the southern portion of the Austin metropolitan area, and its Round Rock campus in the northern portion. Since its establishment in 1899, the university has grown to the fifth largest university in the state of Texas and the 28th largest university in the United States. Texas State University reached a record enrollment of 38,808 students in the 2016 fall semester, continuing a trend of enrollment growth over several years. The university offers more than 200 degree options from its ten colleges.

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District is a public school district based in San Marcos, Texas, USA. The school district covers 210 square miles mainly in Hays County and portions of Guadalupe and Caldwell counties.

Hays County, Texas

Hays County, Texas

Hays County is a county located in the cental portion of the U.S. state of Texas.. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, its official population had reached 241,067. The county seat is San Marcos. Hays, along with Comal and Kendall Counties, was listed in 2017 as one of the nation's fastest-growing large counties with a population of at least 10,000. From 2015 to 2016, Hays County, third on the national list, had nearly 10,000 new residents during the year.

H-E-B

H-E-B

H-E-B Grocery Company, LP, is an American privately held supermarket chain based in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 340 stores throughout the U.S. state of Texas, and in northeast Mexico. The company also operates Central Market, an upscale organic and fine foods retailer. As of 2022, the company has a total revenue of US$38.9 billion. H-E-B ranked number 6 on Forbes' 2022 list of "America's Largest Private Companies". H-E-B was named Retailer of the Year in 2010 by Progressive Grocer. Supermarket News ranks H-E-B 13th on the list of "Top 75 North American Food Retailers" by sales. Based on 2019 revenues, H-E-B is the 19th-largest retailer in the United States. It donates 5% of pretax profits to charity. The official mascot of H-E-B is named H-E-Buddy, an anthropomorphic brown grocery bag, with multiple grocery items emerging from the top.

Dallas

Dallas

Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County with portions extending into Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties. With a 2020 census population of 1,304,379, it is the ninth-most populous city in the U.S. and the third-largest city in Texas after Houston and San Antonio. Located in the North Texas region, the city of Dallas is the main core of the largest metropolitan area in the Southern United States and the largest inland metropolitan area in the U.S. that lacks any navigable link to the sea.

Houston

Houston

Houston is the most populous city in Texas and in the Southern United States. It is the fourth most populous city in the United States after New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, and the sixth most populous city in North America. With a population of 2,304,580 in 2020, Houston is located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the seat and largest city of Harris County and the principal city of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, which is the fifth-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States and the second-most populous in Texas after Dallas–Fort Worth. Houston is the southeast anchor of the greater megaregion known as the Texas Triangle.

San Marcos Outlet Malls

San Marcos Outlet Malls

The San Marcos Outlet Malls are two distinct outlet malls, the Premium Outlets and the Tanger Factory Outlet Center. Each is located off Interstate Highway 35 in San Marcos, Texas. The outlet mall first opened in 1977. Combined, the two adjacent malls have more than 240 stores, and an excess of 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2). During peak seasons, shoppers at the malls can reach numbers that effectively triple the population of San Marcos. The outlet malls in San Marcos are one of the top tourist attractions in the state. The outlet malls combined are one of the top employers of San Marcos, and are the top employers of students of nearby Texas State University.

Parks and recreation

Downstream from the headwaters of the San Marcos Springs, Aquarena Springs, and Spring Lake
Downstream from the headwaters of the San Marcos Springs, Aquarena Springs, and Spring Lake

The San Marcos and Blanco Rivers flow through the city, along with Cottonwood Creek, Purgatory Creek, Sink Creek, and Willow Springs Creek. Each of these rivers and creeks has parks or nature preserves with hiking trails along it.[42]

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, San Marcos salamander, fountain darter, San Marcos gambusia, and Texas wild rice. The river begins at San Marcos Springs, rising from the Edwards Aquifer into Spring Lake. 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, and flows into the Guadalupe River after 75 miles (121 km). This course is the first leg of the Texas Water Safari, marketed as the "World's Toughest Canoe Race". San Marcos has many areas meant for recreation, but one of the most popular is Sewell Park. It is an open area along part of the San Marcos River. Because of its location on the Texas State University campus, the park is a popular spot for college students to swim, play, or just hang out. Many activities are available at Sewell Park, such as volleyball, picnics, and swimming/tubing. It is also known for being the spot where some newly graduated Texas State students jump into the San Marcos River after their graduation ceremony.

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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 (48 km) southwest of Austin and 46 miles (74 km) northeast of San Antonio.

Texas blind salamander

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.

San Marcos salamander

San Marcos salamander

The San Marcos salamander is a small species of aquatic, lungless salamander native to the United States, endemic to Spring Lake and a small region of the headwaters of the San Marcos River near Aquarena Springs, in Hays County, Texas. It is one to two inches long, with a slender body and external gills, and is a reddish-brown in color.

Fountain darter

Fountain darter

The fountain darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is found in the headwaters of only two rivers in Texas, United States: the Comal River and the San Marcos River. It is generally smaller than 3 cm (1.2 in) long and feeds on small invertebrates. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States and is also listed as endangered by the IUCN.

San Marcos gambusia

San Marcos gambusia

The San Marcos gambusia is an extinct species of gambusia from the family Poeciliidae that was found only in the San Marcos Springs of Central Texas. The fish has not been seen since 1983. The specific name of this fish honors the American ichthyologist George S. Myers (1905-1985).

Edwards Aquifer

Edwards Aquifer

The Edwards Aquifer is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. Located on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas, it is the source of drinking water for two million people, and is the primary water supply for agriculture and industry in the aquifer's region. Additionally, the Edwards Aquifer feeds the Comal and San Marcos springs, provides springflow for recreational and downstream uses in the Nueces, San Antonio, Guadalupe, and San Marcos river basins, and is home to several unique and endangered species.

Luling, Texas

Luling, Texas

Luling is a city in Caldwell and Guadalupe counties, Texas, United States, along the San Marcos River. The population as of the 2020 census was 5,599.

Gonzales, Texas

Gonzales, Texas

Gonzales is a city in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. It is the county seat. The population was 7,165 at the 2020 census. The "Come and Take It" flag in the War for Texas Independence from Mexico originated in Gonzales.

Guadalupe River (Texas)

Guadalupe River (Texas)

The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas, to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico, with an average temperature of 17.75 degrees Celsius. It is a popular destination for rafting, fly fishing, and canoeing. Larger cities along it include Kerrville, New Braunfels, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria. It has several dams along its length, the most notable of which, Canyon Dam, forms Canyon Lake northwest of New Braunfels.

Sports

Texas State Bobcats vs Navy Midshipmen – September 13, 2014
Texas State Bobcats vs Navy Midshipmen – September 13, 2014

Many residents of San Marcos support the athletic programs of Texas State University, known as the Texas State Bobcats. The football program won the NCAA Division II National Championships in 1982 and 1983 and now competes in the NCAA Division I (FBS) Sun Belt Conference. The Texas State Bobcats play home games in Bobcat Stadium, seating over 33,000 fans. Basketball and volleyball games are played at Strahan Arena. Baseball games are played at Bobcat Ballpark.

Amateur sports car racing takes place at Harris Hill Raceway.[43]

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Texas State Bobcats

Texas State Bobcats

The Texas State Bobcats are the sports teams that represent Texas State University. Currently, they compete in the Sun Belt Conference in NCAA Division I. The Bobcat has been the mascot of Texas State University since 1921, when the university adopted the name from the recommendation of a committee formed to raise school spirit. Though considerably smaller than mountain lions, bobcats are known for their stubborn fierceness and great courage. The football squad used the bobcat for the first time in 1921 and went undefeated with a 7–0 season. Texas State had several officially recognized live bobcat mascots until the 1970s. In 1964, the Texas State Bobcat was given the official name of "Boko" by Beth Greenlees, a sophomore from Luling, Texas, who beat out about 100 other students in a "Name the Bobcat" contest. Her winning submission earned her a $5 prize and the honor of being the person who named the Texas State mascot. Boko has twice been named “USA National Champion” mascot. Texas State had no official fight song until 1961, when Paul Yoder was commissioned to compose "Go Bobcats." The song is the rousing "call to arms" for all Texas State athletic games and competition.

NCAA Division I

NCAA Division I

NCAA Division I (D-I) is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, which accepts players globally. D-I schools include the major collegiate athletic powers, with large budgets, more elaborate facilities and more athletic scholarships than Divisions II and III as well as many smaller schools committed to the highest level of intercollegiate competition.

NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision

NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision

The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly known as Division I-A, is the highest level of college football in the United States. The FBS consists of the largest schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As of the 2023 season, there are 10 conferences and 133 schools in FBS.

Sun Belt Conference

Sun Belt Conference

The Sun Belt Conference (SBC) is a collegiate athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Originally a non-football conference, the Sun Belt began sponsoring football in 2001. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The 14 member institutions of the Sun Belt are distributed across the Southern United States.

Bobcat Stadium (Texas State)

Bobcat Stadium (Texas State)

Bobcat Stadium is a football stadium on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. It opened in 1981 and was expanded in 2011–2012 to its present 30,000-seat capacity. Bobcat Stadium has been the home field for the Texas State Bobcats since 1981. In November 2003, the field was renamed Jim Wacker Field in honor of the former Bobcats football coach and director of athletics.

Strahan Arena

Strahan Arena

Strahan Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in San Marcos, Texas. It is an $8.8 million facility built in 1982 and is home to the Texas State University Bobcats men's basketball team, women's basketball team and women's volleyball team.

Bobcat Ballpark

Bobcat Ballpark

Bobcat Ballpark is a baseball venue in San Marcos, Texas, on the campus of Texas State University. It is home of the Texas State Bobcats baseball team of the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference. It currently holds 2,400 spectators. In 2008, the baseball and softball stadiums were renovated and expanded to its current design. In addition, four luxury suites for up to 12 people were added. The renovations made their debut on March 5, 2009 against the Texas Longhorns with a record setting 2,593 people.

Harris Hill Raceway

Harris Hill Raceway

Harris Hill Raceway (H2R) is a paved road racing track in San Marcos, Texas used for both auto and motorcycle racing.

Arts and culture

"Ode to Ralph," by Cheryl Latimer is located outside the San Marcos Tourist Information Center. "Ode to Ralph" is one of 10 mermaid statues in San Marcos' Mermaid March.
"Ode to Ralph," by Cheryl Latimer is located outside the San Marcos Tourist Information Center. "Ode to Ralph" is one of 10 mermaid statues in San Marcos' Mermaid March.

In 2010, San Marcos was listed in Business Week magazine's fourth annual survey of the "Best Places to Raise your Kids."[5] In 2013 and 2014, the United States Census Bureau named it the fastest-growing city in the United States.[6][7] In December 2013, it was named #9 on the Business Insider list of the "10 Most Exciting Small Cities In America."[8]

The river is a popular recreational area and is frequented by residents and tourists for tubing, canoeing, swimming, and fishing. The Texas Water Safari starts in San Marcos on the first Saturday in June each year. Due in part to its natural beauty, the city was nicknamed "San Marvelous". San Marcos references the nickname in its "Keep San Marcos Beautiful" campaign.[44]

The town center (referred to locally as "the square") was laid out in 1851 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Hays County Courthouse, which sits in the center, was built in 1908. The downtown area surrounding the courthouse is home to many of the city's bars, restaurants, boutiques, and music venues, making it a top entertainment destination. The Marc, directly across the street from the courthouse, hosted the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Lone Star Music Awards.[45][46]

In addition to the historic downtown, San Marcos has five residential historic districts.[47] It also boasts of at least 40 homes and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Local media include the San Marcos Daily Record and The University Star.

Public art

The City of San Marcos and the San Marcos Arts Commission in collaboration with a committee of citizens from the community and Texas State University broke ground in January 2013 on a commemorative sculpture that will sit at the intersection of LBJ Drive and MLK Drive. Designed by Aaron P. Hussey of Baton Rouge, it depicts Johnson and King conversing in the Oval Office.[48][49] It was officially unveiled on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2014.[50]

The Walkers' Gallery: In July 1997, the City of San Marcos Department of Parks and Recreation opened the San Marcos Activity Center. Along with the recreational facilities and meeting rooms, this new building debuted an extensive community art gallery. The gallery is directed and curated by the San Marcos Area Arts Council, a nonprofit organization, and is sustained through grants from the San Marcos Arts Commission. Named the Walkers' Gallery because of its placement in the walking corridors of the building, it displays seven diverse exhibits a year, primarily of art by area artists and occasional invitational exhibits. The public can enter the Activity Center to see the exhibits and attend art receptions at no charge. Artists of all ages and levels may submit their work that can be simply displayed or be for sale.[51]

The downtown area has become home to several graffiti-style murals, including designs depicting Jeff Bridges' character the Dude from The Big Lebowski.[52]

In 2016, the San Marcos Arts Commission erected 10 mermaid statues throughout the city.[53] Mermaids have been part of San Marcos culture since the mid-1900s, when the former Aquarena Springs began underwater performances by women dressed as mermaids. Each mermaid statue is 7 ft tall and mounted on a limestone slab to make the final height closer 9 ft. Each mermaid is decorated by a different regional artist, and celebrates the art, culture, and natural beauty of the city.

Music

For more than 20 years, as of 2008, the San Marcos Performing Arts Commission and the San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department have hosted the Summer in the Park concert series with live music at an outdoor venue every Thursday night from June to August.[54][55]

The Cheatham Street Warehouse helped launch the careers of George Strait, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Randy Rogers, Todd Snider, James McMurtry, and Terri Hendrix, among others.[56] The Cheatham Street Foundation continues work to preserve Texas music traditions and has offered seminars on the business end of the music business.

Contributing to the music scene in San Marcos, Texas State University hosts the Hill Country Jazz Festival and Eddie Durham Celebration annually.[57]

Film

Many television shows and movies have filmed in San Marcos, including Friday Night Lights, D.O.A., Everybody Wants Some!!, Boyhood, American Crime, That's What I'm Talking About, Piranha, The Ringer, Courage Under Fire, The New Guy, The Faculty, Idiocracy, The Getaway, The War at Home, Little Boy Blue, Flesh and Bone, Race With the Devil, and The Tree of Life.[58][59]

The San Marcos Cinema Club hosts the burgeoning Lost River Film Festival, which is named for the fictional Lost River in the film Piranha, which was filmed on the San Marcos River.

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Canoeing

Canoeing

Canoeing is an activity which involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle. Common meanings of the term are limited to when the canoeing is the central purpose of the activity. Broader meanings include when it is combined with other activities such as canoe camping, or where canoeing is merely a transportation method used to accomplish other activities. Most present-day canoeing is done as or as a part of a sport or recreational activity. In some parts of Europe canoeing refers to both canoeing and kayaking, with a canoe being called an open canoe.

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques include hand-gathering, spearing, netting, angling, shooting and trapping, as well as more destructive and often illegal techniques such as electrocution, blasting and poisoning.

Hays County Courthouse

Hays County Courthouse

The Hays County Courthouse is an historic courthouse located in San Marcos, Hays County, Texas. It was built in the Classical Revival style in 1908. It is recognized by both the National Register of Historic Places and Texas Historical Commission.

National Register of Historic Places listings in Hays County, Texas

National Register of Historic Places listings in Hays County, Texas

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Hays County, Texas.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon Baines Johnson, often referred to by his initials LBJ, was an American politician who served as the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He previously served as the 37th vice president from 1961 to 1963 under President John F. Kennedy, and was sworn in shortly after Kennedy's assassination. A Democrat from Texas, Johnson also served as a U.S. representative, U.S. senator and the Senate's majority leader. He holds the distinction of being one of the few presidents who served in all elected offices at the federal level.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. A Black church leader and a son of early civil rights activist and minister Martin Luther King Sr., King advanced civil rights for people of color in the United States through nonviolence and civil disobedience. Inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi, he led targeted, nonviolent resistance against Jim Crow laws and other forms of discrimination in the United States.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. Born in 1929, King's actual birthday is January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15 and the latest is January 21.

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges

Jeffrey Leon Bridges is an American actor. Known for his leading man roles in film and television, he has received various accolades throughout his career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He received the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2019, and the Critics Choice Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

Mermaid

Mermaid

In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Cheatham Street Warehouse

Cheatham Street Warehouse

Cheatham Street Warehouse is located in San Marcos, Texas. It was built in 1910 as a grocery warehouse along the railroad tracks for a local grocery.

George Strait

George Strait

George Harvey Strait Sr. is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer. Strait is considered one of the most influential and popular recording artists of all time. In the 1980s, he was credited for igniting the neotraditional country movement, famed for his authentic cowboy image and roots-oriented sound at a time when the Nashville music industry was dominated by country pop crossover acts. His influential and record-breaking legacy of his pioneering neotraditionalist country style has garnered him as the "King of Country Music."

Eddie Durham

Eddie Durham

Edward Durham was an American jazz guitarist, trombonist, composer, and arranger. He was one of the pioneers of the electric guitar in jazz. The orchestras of Bennie Moten, Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller took great benefit from his composing and arranging skill.

Places of interest

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Alkek Library

Alkek Library

The Albert B. Alkek Library is the main central library of Texas State University. The Wittliff collections of Southwestern Writers and Southwestern & Mexican Photography is located on the seventh floor of the Alkek Library

Bobcat Ballpark

Bobcat Ballpark

Bobcat Ballpark is a baseball venue in San Marcos, Texas, on the campus of Texas State University. It is home of the Texas State Bobcats baseball team of the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference. It currently holds 2,400 spectators. In 2008, the baseball and softball stadiums were renovated and expanded to its current design. In addition, four luxury suites for up to 12 people were added. The renovations made their debut on March 5, 2009 against the Texas Longhorns with a record setting 2,593 people.

Bobcat Stadium (Texas State)

Bobcat Stadium (Texas State)

Bobcat Stadium is a football stadium on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. It opened in 1981 and was expanded in 2011–2012 to its present 30,000-seat capacity. Bobcat Stadium has been the home field for the Texas State Bobcats since 1981. In November 2003, the field was renamed Jim Wacker Field in honor of the former Bobcats football coach and director of athletics.

Cheatham Street Warehouse

Cheatham Street Warehouse

Cheatham Street Warehouse is located in San Marcos, Texas. It was built in 1910 as a grocery warehouse along the railroad tracks for a local grocery.

First United Methodist Church (San Marcos, Texas)

First United Methodist Church (San Marcos, Texas)

First United Methodist Church is a historic church at 129 W. Hutchison in San Marcos, Texas.

Fort Street Presbyterian Church (San Marcos, Texas)

Fort Street Presbyterian Church (San Marcos, Texas)

Fort Street Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church building at 516 W. Hopkins Street in San Marcos, Texas.

Freeman Ranch

Freeman Ranch

The Freeman Center is a 3,485-acre (1,410 ha) plot of land between San Marcos and Wimberley, Texas. It was founded in 1941 by weekend ranchers Harold M. "Harry" Freeman and his brother Joe. The Freeman Center houses the Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center's body farm, where the deceased are used to study the various stages of body decomposition and their effects on the soil.

Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, formerly Aquarena Springs and later the Aquarena Center, is an educational center in San Marcos, Texas, that seeks to preserve the unique archeological and biological resources of Spring Lake. Formed from more than 200 artesian springs, this lake is one of the world's largest aquifer fed systems. A state antiquities landmark, this site is also believed to be one of the longest continuously inhabited places in North America.

Old Main (Texas State University)

Old Main (Texas State University)

Old Main is a red-roofed Victorian Gothic building on the campus of Texas State University. Situated at one end of the quad, it was Texas State's first building, built in 1903, and remained the only building on campus until 1908. Old Main was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1983. It currently houses the offices for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication as well as the College of Fine Arts.

Rio Vista Dam

Rio Vista Dam

Rio Vista Dam is a dam on the San Marcos River in San Marcos, Texas. The flood of 1998 badly damaged the dam.

San Marcos Mill Tract

San Marcos Mill Tract

The San Marcos Mill Tract is a historical tract of land located in San Marcos, Texas. It is recognized as a historic place by the Texas Historical Commission.

San Marcos Outlet Malls

San Marcos Outlet Malls

The San Marcos Outlet Malls are two distinct outlet malls, the Premium Outlets and the Tanger Factory Outlet Center. Each is located off Interstate Highway 35 in San Marcos, Texas. The outlet mall first opened in 1977. Combined, the two adjacent malls have more than 240 stores, and an excess of 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2). During peak seasons, shoppers at the malls can reach numbers that effectively triple the population of San Marcos. The outlet malls in San Marcos are one of the top tourist attractions in the state. The outlet malls combined are one of the top employers of San Marcos, and are the top employers of students of nearby Texas State University.

Notable people

Sister cities

Discover more about Sister cities related topics

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico covers 1,972,550 km2, making it the world's 13th-largest country by area; with a population of over 126 million, it is the 10th-most-populous country and has the most Spanish-speakers. Mexico is organized as a federal republic comprising 31 states and Mexico City, its capital. Other major urban areas include Monterrey, Guadalajara, Puebla, Toluca, Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and León.

Monclova

Monclova

Monclova, is a city and the seat of the surrounding municipality of the same name in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila. According to the 2015 census, the city had 231,107 inhabitants. Its metropolitan area has 381,432 inhabitants and a population density of 29.88 inhabitants per square kilometer. Monclova is the third-largest city and metropolitan area in the state in terms of population, after Torreón and Saltillo.

Coahuila

Coahuila

Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza, is one of the 32 states of Mexico.

Santiago, Nuevo León

Santiago, Nuevo León

Santiago is a municipality located in the center of the Mexican state of Nuevo León. It is part of the Monterrey metropolitan area and its area comprises around 763.8 km². According to the 2005 census, its population is 37,886 inhabitants.

Source: "San Marcos, Texas", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, (2023, March 14th), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marcos,_Texas.

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Notes
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[30][31]
References
  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
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  4. ^ a b "Meadows Center for Water and the Environment : Texas State University".
  5. ^ a b "Best Places to Raise Your Kids: 2010: Best Place to Raise Your Kids: Texas - BusinessWeek". Images.businessweek.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-29. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  6. ^ a b Rollins, Brad. "San Marcos again named nation's fastest-growing city", San Marcos Mercury, San Marcos, Texas, 22 May 2014. Retrieved on 22 May 2014.
  7. ^ a b Rollins, Brad. "Fastest-growing city in the U.S.? San Marcos, Texas", San Marcos Mercury, San Marcos, Texas, 23 May 2013. Retrieved on 31 May 2013.
  8. ^ a b Nelson, Randy. "The 10 Most Exciting Small Cities In America". Business Insider. Retrieved on 20 December 2013.
  9. ^ San Marcos Historic Downtown National Register District, "San Marcos--A Brief History".
  10. ^ Convention & Visitor Bureau: San Marcos, Texas Archived May 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  11. ^ P., GREENE, DANIEL (15 June 2010). "SAN MARCOS DE NEVE". www.tshaonline.org. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  12. ^ Spanish Colonial Missions, Villas (towns) and Presidios (forts) Along the Camino Real: starting in Mexico Archived 2010-01-24 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-12-16.
  13. ^ "It has come!". San Marcos Free Press. October 2, 1880. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  14. ^ Walling, Herschel (1991). History of Coronal Institute. San Marcos, Tex. : Hays County Historical and Genealogical Society.
  15. ^ About Us - San Marcos Baptist Academy Archived February 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ^ Shadrack Graham (c. 1949). "Our Home Town". Texas Archive of the Moving Image. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  17. ^ Shirley Ratisseau, "Gary Air Force Base," Handbook of Texas Online, accessed May 26, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association, retrieved 29 May 2013.
  18. ^ History : Aquarena Center : Texas State University Archived December 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ^ Wonder World Park Attractions Archived August 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  20. ^ Handbook of Texas Online - TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY.
  21. ^ Gary Job Corps Center-History Archived 2009-02-07 at the Wayback Machine.
  22. ^ Handbook of Texas Online - SAN MARCOS, TX.
  23. ^ Handbook of Texas Online - HAYS COUNTY.
  24. ^ U.S. Census Bureau - Texas Cities Lead Nation in Population Growth, Census Bureau Reports.
  25. ^ About Texas State : Texas State University Archived 2014-02-12 at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ^ "San Marcos Journal; A Move for Marijuana Where the 60's Survive". The New York Times. April 10, 1991.
  27. ^ Donald, Mark (March 22, 2001). "Joint Effort". Dallas Observer. In 1991, he was one of the "San Marcos 7": a protest in which one person a day for seven days walked into the Hays County Jail smoking a joint and asking to be arrested.
  28. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  29. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  30. ^ https://www.census.gov/
  31. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved Sep 18, 2019.
  33. ^ "'The community has spoken': San Marcos voters decriminalize marijuana". San Antonio Express-News. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  34. ^ Steinberg, R.U.. "Listening to the Bones", The Austin Chronicle, Austin, 4 April 2008. Retrieved on 31 May 2013.
  35. ^ Meadows Center.
  36. ^ San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center.
  37. ^ A. E. Wood Fish Hatchery.
  38. ^ San Marcos Nature Center Archived August 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine,
  39. ^ Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos.
  40. ^ Indigenous Cultures Institute.
  41. ^ "Annual Comprehensive Financial Report". City of San Marcos (PDF). September 30, 2021.
  42. ^ City of San Marcos - LIST OF PARKS & NATURAL AREAS.
  43. ^ "Event Schedule". ChampCar Endurance Series. Retrieved 2023-02-02. The San Marcos Grand Prix at H2R
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  46. ^ Mansfield, Hap. "Texas Music Theater (now The Marc) hosts Lone Star Music Awards tonight", San Marcos Mercury, San Marcos, Texas, 28 April 2013. Retrieved on 31 May 2013.
  47. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2016-05-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  48. ^ Thorne, Brett. "San Marcos breaks ground on LBJ-MLK memorial" Archived December 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Community Impact, 21 January 2013. Retrieved on 2 June 2013.
  49. ^ O'Rourke, Ciara. "Sculpture design chosen for intersection of MLK and LBJ in San Marcos" Archived 2013-12-17 at the Wayback Machine, Austin American-Statesman, 8 May 2012. Retrieved on 2 June 2013.
  50. ^ Barton, Kate (January 22, 2014). "LBJ-MLK memorial unveiled in San Marcos". News-Dispatch. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  51. ^ Submitted May 19, 2021, by director/curator of the Walkers' Gallery
  52. ^ White, Tyler. "Central Texas artist paints large mural of 'The Dude' from 'Big Lebowski' in San Marcos", 15 May 2015. Retrieved on 16 April 2016.
  53. ^ Glassford, Rae. "Town soon to be populated by 7-foot mermaids", The University Star, San Marcos, Texas, 14 April 2016. Retrieved on 16 April 2016.
  54. ^ Rollins, Brad. "From the city of San Marcos: Summer in the Park concert series", San Marcos Mercury, San Marcos, Texas, 28 May 2008. Retrieved on 1 June 2013.
  55. ^ "Summer in the Park Music Series: San Marcos, Texas Convention and Visitor Bureau". Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
  56. ^ "About the Cheatham Street Music Foundation". Cheatham Street Music Foundation. Archived from the original on 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
  57. ^ "Hill Country Jazz Festival : Jazz Studies : Texas State University". Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  58. ^ "San Marcos, Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau: Film". Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  59. ^ "IMDb: Most Popular Titles With Location Matching "San Marcos, Texas, USA"". IMDb. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  60. ^ "Trade mission aims to expand ties with Sister City in Mexico". www.txstate.edu. Jun 8, 2016. Retrieved Sep 18, 2019.
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