Kerrville, Texas

Kerrville is a city in, and the county seat of, Kerr County, Texas, United States.[5] The population of Kerrville was 22,347 at the 2010 census[6] and an estimated 23,754 in 2019.[7]

"Kerrville" redirects here. For the community in Missouri, see Kerrville, Missouri.
Kerrville, Texas
City
Kerrville City Hall
Motto(s): 
Lose Your Heart to the Hills
Location of Kerrville, Texas
Coordinates: 30°2′51″N 99°8′26.1″W
Country United States
State Texas
CountyKerr
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • City CouncilMayor Bill Blackburn
Place 1 – Vincent C. Voelkel
Place 2 – George Baroody
Place 3 – Judy Eychner
Place 4 – Delayne Sigerman
 • City ManagerMark McDaniel
Area
 • Total22.35 sq mi (57.88 km2)
 • Land21.93 sq mi (56.80 km2)
 • Water0.42 sq mi (1.08 km2)
Elevation
1,637 ft (499 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total22,347
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
23,754
 • Density1,083.22/sq mi (418.23/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
78028-78029
Area code(s)830
FIPS code48-39040[3]
GNIS feature ID1339058[4]
Websitekerrvilletx.gov
Kerrville c. 1900
The Capt. Charles Schreiner Mansion Historic Site and Education Center in downtown Kerrville was originally the home of Charles Schreiner, a rancher, businessman, banker, philanthropist, and captain of the Kerr County Home Guard.
Schreiner's Department Store, the mainstay of downtown Kerrville
The Arcadia Theatre at 717 Water St. in Kerrville was built in Spanish style in 1926 and renovated as Art Deco in 1948. It closed in 1988 but has hosted a community theatre group.
Francisco's Restaurant at 201 Earl Garrett St., intersecting Water Street, in the Kerrville downtown square
Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library at 505 Water St. in Kerrville
First Presbyterian Church at 800 Jefferson St. in Kerrville
Christmas in downtown Kerrville (2016)

Kerrville is named after James Kerr, a major in the Texas Revolution, and friend of settler-founder Joshua Brown, who settled in the area to start a shingle-making camp.[8]

Being nestled in the hills of Texas Hill Country, Kerrville is best known for its beautiful parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs directly through the city; other features include its nearby youth summer camps, hunting ranches, and RV parks. It is also the home of Texas' Official State Arts & Crafts Fair, the Kerrville Folk Festival, as well as Mooney Aviation Company,[9] James Avery Jewelry, and Schreiner University. The Museum of Western Art (founded 1983) features the work of living artists specializing in the themes of the American West.

History

Archeological evidence suggests that humans dwelled in the area known as Kerrville as early as 10,000 years ago. The early modern residents were successful shinglemakers whose mercantile business became a hub that served the middle and upper Hill Country area in the late 1840s. One of the earliest shinglemakers was Joshua D. Brown. With his family, Joshua Brown had led several other families on an exploration of the Guadalupe Valley. These early pioneers organized their settlements near a bluff just north of the Guadalupe River in the eastern half of today's county. The settlement was referred to as "Brownsborough", but after the area was formally platted in 1856 by James Kerr, a major in the Texas Revolution, the settlement was formally known as "Kerrville" and maintained a county seat with Texas.

Starting in 1857, a German master-miller named Christian Dietert and millwright Balthasar Lich started a large grist and saw mill on the bluff. This mill established a permanent source of power and protection from floods, and became the most extensive operation of its kind in the Hill Country area west of New Braunfels and San Antonio. Soon afterwards, Charles A. Schreiner rode Kerrville's newly found popularity by serving Kerrville's mercantile needs. Schreiner established a family-run empire that helped build Kerrville's early prosperity by owning almost all of Kerrville's business sectors, including freighting enterprises, retail, wholesale, banking, ranching, marketing, and brokering operations. Schreiner's elegant downtown home, a Romanesque stone structure at 226 Earl Garrett Street, is the site of the Hill Country Museum in downtown Kerrville.

The Civil War slowed Kerrville's development, but with the start of the Reconstruction era, Kerrville's economic boom and ethnic diversification continued anew as demand grew in San Antonio for lumber, produce, and craftsmen. Kerrville's boom was also catalyzed by the combination of the cessation of Indian raids and the expansion into the business of cattle, sheep, and goat ranching. Cattle drives punctuated the boom-years of the late 1880s and the 1890s. In 1887, the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway reached Kerrville, and in 1889 the town incorporated, with an aldermanic form of city government.

The Kerrville Water Works Company began to provide water for town dwellers in 1894. Telephone service was introduced in 1896, and the city began to pave streets in 1912. Kerrville adopted a "commission" form of city government in 1917, then changed to the "city-manager" form in 1928. In 1942, the town adopted a home-rule charter, while continuing with a city manager. Kerrville has displayed steady population growth throughout the 20th century, increasing from 1,423 residents in 1900 to 2,353 in 1920, 5,572 in 1940, 8,901 in 1960, and 15,276 in 1980. Its economic base has diversified and broadened through business, agriculture, light manufacturing, health care, transportation, services, education, the arts, and tourism. By the mid-1990s the Wall Street Journal described Kerrville as one of the wealthiest small towns in America. By 1995, the city's official population was still under 18,000, with another 20,000 people in relatively affluent residential areas south of the river and in the rest of the county. In 2000, the population reached 20,425. Much of the growth in population included retirees and young professionals and semiprofessionals; for many years Kerrville also experienced significant out-migration of young adults raised in the area.

Geography

Kerrville is located in eastern Kerr County at 30°02′47″N 99°8′26″W.[10] Via Interstate 10 it is 65 miles (105 km) northwest of San Antonio and 52 miles (84 km) southeast of Junction. Texas State Highway 16 (Sidney Baker Street) is the main road through the center of Kerrville. Highway 16 leads northeast 24 miles (39 km) to Fredericksburg and southwest the same distance to Medina. Texas State Highway 173 leads south 25 miles (40 km) to Bandera, while State Highway 27 leads west 6 miles (10 km) to Ingram and east 18 miles (29 km) to Comfort.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Kerrville has a total area of 20.7 square miles (53.7 km2). 20.3 square miles (52.6 km2) of it are land and 0.42 square miles (1.1 km2) of it (2.00%) are covered by water.[6] The Guadalupe River runs through the city, with the downtown area sitting on the northeast side.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Kerrville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880156—
18901,044569.2%
19001,42336.3%
19101,84329.5%
19202,35327.7%
19304,54693.2%
19405,57222.6%
19507,69138.0%
19608,90115.7%
197012,67242.4%
198015,27620.5%
199017,38413.8%
200020,42517.5%
201022,3479.4%
2019 (est.)23,754[2]6.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

As of the census[3] of 2000, 20,425 people, 8,563 households, and 5,411 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,222.5 people per square mile (471.9/km2). The 9,477 housing units averaged 567.2 per square mile (219.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.89% White, 2.99% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 8.20% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 22.73% of the population.

Of the 8,563 households, 8.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were not families. About 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the city, the population was distributed as 21.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 87 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.[13]

The median income for a household in the city was $32,085, and for a family was $38,979. Males had a median income of $27,555 versus $19,923 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,193. About 11.7% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Culture

The Kerrville Folk Festival is an annual summer festival which features folk musicians from around the country and Canada.[14]

Infrastructure

Nonprofit/service organizations

The TaxExemptWorld.com website, which compiles Internal Revenue Service data, reported that in 2013, 465 distinct, active, tax exempt/nonprofit organizations in Kerrville, excluding credit unions, had a total income of $414.4 million and assets of $958.8 million.[15] One example of a performing arts nonprofit organization in Kerrville would be Art 2 Heart. There are Seventy-three (73) churches in or near Kerrville, Texas.

Transportation
Bridge over the Guadalupe River in Kerrville

Interstate highways

State highways
  • SH 16 (Medina Highway, Sidney Baker Highway, Fredericksburg Road)
  • SH 27 (Junction Highway, Main Street, Broadway Avenue)
  • SH 173 (Bandera Highway)

Loops

Farm-to-Market roads
  • RM 783 (Harper Road)
  • FM 1338 (Goat Creek Road)
  • FM 1341 (Golf Avenue, Cypress Creek Road)

Bicycle routes

Adventure Cycling Association Southern Tier Bicycle Route[16]

Events

Kerrville is home to the annual Texas State Arts and Crafts Fair, which features artisans and entertainers from around the state.[17] The Texas Lions Camp and Echo Hill Ranch Summer Camp are also located in Kerrville.

Kerrville hosted the Olympic trials for shooting sports for the 2012 Summer Olympics at the Hill Country Shooting Center.[18]

Education
Main building on Schreiner University campus

Kerrville is served by the Kerrville Independent School District, which maintains four elementary schools (Tally, Nimitz, Starkey, and Daniels), two middle schools (BT Wilson 6th Grade and Peterson), and two high schools (Hill Country High School and Kerrville (TX) Tivy).[19] Our Lady of the Hills Catholic High School[20] and Notre Dame Catholic School[21] and Grace Academy of Kerrville[22] are also located in Kerrville, serving as the primary alternative to the public school system.

Kerrville is home to Schreiner University, a private four-year university which was established in 1923 by an ex-Texas Ranger, Captain Charles Schreiner. The school is consistently listed as one of the top regional liberal arts colleges in the Western U.S. by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges Guide.[23]

Schreiner University is also home to Greystone Preparatory School. Greystone offers a one-year preparatory course to help individuals prepare for an appointment to one of the five federal service academies.[24]

Notable people

Sports

Entertainment

Business
  • James Avery, owner of James Avery Jewelers (founded in 1954)[36]
  • Lloyd Donald Brinkman, owner of floor covering distributor, Brangus cattle breeder, and collector of Western art[37]
  • Florence Butt, founder of H-E-B grocery stores in 1905[38]
  • Harry W. Dietert, founder and owner of the Harry W. Dietert Co. of Detroit, Mi.

Others

Points of interest
Kerr Arts and Cultural Center in Kerrville

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. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Kerrville city, Texas". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  8. "KERRVILLE, TX | The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  9. "Mooney – Company Facts". web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2007-06-25. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. "Kerrville, Texas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. US Census Bureau (3 May 2002). "Census 2000 Profiles | Profile of General Demographic Characteristics | Geographic area: Kerrville city, Texas" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  14. "Kerrville Festivals". kerrville-music.com. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  15. "Nonprofit Search & 501C3 Lookup By City". Organization Search by City, Kerrville, Texas. Tax Exempt World. 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  16. Southwest, Texas Hill Country, Deep South, Gulf Coast, Florida panhandle, California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Adventure Cycling Route Network, Adventure Cycling routes, adventure cycling, bike touring, bicycle travel, bicycle routes, cycling maps, america cycle routes, bicycle maps, bike trip planning, GPS waypoints. "Southern Tier | Adventure Cycling Route Network | Adventure Cycling Association". adventurecycling.org. Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2014-05-26.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. Logan Hawkes. "Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair". wintertexansonline.com. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  18. "U.S. Olympic Trials for Shotgun: Skeet and Double Trap Preview – USA Shooting". Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  19. About Kerrville ISD Archived 2009-05-27 at the Wayback Machine
  20. "Office Summer Hours: Monday through Thursday 9am-Noon and 1pm-3pm. - Our Lady of the Hills". Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  21. "Notre Dame Catholic School". Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  22. grace academy of kerrville
  23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-05-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. "http://www.greystoneprepschool.net/". greystoneprepschool.net. Retrieved 2014-05-26. External link in |title= (help)
  25. "Mike Dyal Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards – databaseFootball.com". Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  26. "Bill Fifer Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards – databaseFootball.com". Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  27. "Mahaffey Takes Southwestern". Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  28. "Jesse Stokes Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards – databaseFootball.com". Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  29. "John Teltschik Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards – databaseFootball.com". Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  30. "Robert Earl Keen | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". myspace.com. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  31. Asa Elmer (Ace) Reid, Jr. (1925–1991) at Handbook of Texas Online
  32. Bio-drama and 'blue yodeling'
  33. Sony Music – Jimmie Rodgers Biography Archived 2009-09-03 at the Wayback Machine
  34. 13th Floor Elevators
  35. Center Point, Texas
  36. "About Us – James Avery". Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  37. "BRINKMAN, Lloyd Donald "Brink"". Austin American-Statesman. July 16, 2015. p. B4. Retrieved November 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. H-E-B History Archived 2010-03-29 at the Wayback Machine
  39. "About Konni". konniburton.com. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  40. Ray A. Laird obituary, Kerrville Daily Times, October 7, 1986
  41. "Lou H. Rodenberger's Obituary on Star-Telegram". Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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