Kendall County, Texas Explained

County:Kendall County
State:Texas
Seal:Kendall County tx seal.png
Founded:1862
Seat Wl:Boerne
Largest City Wl:Boerne
Area Total Sq Mi:663
Area Land Sq Mi:662
Area Water Sq Mi:0.6
Area Percentage:0.09
Census Yr:2020
Pop:44279
Density Sq Mi:auto
Ex Image:Kendall county courthouse.jpg
Ex Image Size:250
Ex Image Cap:The Kendall County Courthouse in Boerne
Web:www.co.kendall.tx.us
Time Zone:Central
District:21st

Kendall County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2020 census, its population was 44,279.[1] Its county seat is Boerne.[2] The county is named for George Wilkins Kendall, a journalist and Mexican–American War correspondent.

Kendall County is part of the San Antonio–New Braunfels, TX metropolitan statistical area.

Progressive Farmer rated Kendall County fifth in its list of the "Best Places to Live in Rural America" in 2006.

Kendall, along with Hays and Comal Counties, was listed in 2017 of the nation's 10 fastest-growing large counties with a population of at least 10,000. From 2015 to 2016, Kendall County, the second-fastest-growing county in the nation, grew by 5.16%, gaining 2,088 people in a one-year period.[3] [4]

History

Before 1850

April 20 – Adelsverein[7] organized in Germany to promote emigration to Texas.

June 7 – Fisher-Miller Land Grant set aside 3000000acres to settle 600 families and single men of German, Dutch, Swiss, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian ancestry in Texas.[8]

Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels secured title to 1265acres of the Veramendi grant, including the Comal Springs and River, for the Adelsverein.

February – Thousands of German immigrants were stranded at port of disembarkation Indianaola on Matagorda Bay. With no food or shelters, living in holes dug into the ground, an estimated 50% died from disease or starvation. The living began to walk to their destinations hundreds of miles away.[9] [10]

May – John O. Meusebach arrived in Galveston.[11]

December 20 – Henry Francis Fisher and Burchard Miller sold their rights in the land grant to Adelsverein.

Meusebach–Comanche Treaty[12]

Sisterdale was established.[13]

1850–1899

John O. Meusebach received an appointment as commissioner from Governor Elisha M. Pease

May 14–15, San Antonio – The Texas State Convention of Germans adopted a political, social, and religious platform, including: 1) Equal pay for equal work; 2) Direct election of the President of the United States; 3) Abolition of capital punishment; 4) "Slavery is an evil, the abolition of which is a requirement of democratic principles.."; 5) Free schools – including universities – supported by the state, without religious influence; and 6) Total separation of church and state.[14]

Comfort is founded by German immigrant Freethinkers and abolitionists.[15]

Kendall County was established from Kerr and Blanco Counties, named for journalist George Wilkins Kendall. Boerne was made the county seat.

The Union League formed companies to protect the frontier against Indians and their families against local Confederate forces. Conscientious objectors to the military draft were primarily among Tejanos and Germans.

May 30 – Confederate authorities imposed martial law on Central Texas.

August 10 – The Nueces massacre occurred in Kinney County. Jacob Kuechler served as a guide for 61 conscientious objectors attempting to flee to Mexico. Scottish-born Confederate irregular James Duff and his Duff’s Partisan Rangers pursued and overtook them at the Nueces River, 34 were killed, some executed after being taken prisoner. Jacob Kuechler survived the battle. The cruelty shocked the people of Gillespie County; 2,000 took to the hills to escape Duff's reign of terror.[18]

Spring Creek Cemetery near Harper in Gillespie County has a singular grave with the names Sebird Henderson, Hiram Nelson, Gus Tegener, and Frank Scott. The inscription reads "Hanged and thrown in Spring Creek by Col. James Duff’s Confederate Regiment."[19]

Austrian-born Andreas Engel founded Bergheim.[23]

The Sisterdale cotton gin began operations.[24]

1900–present

The Great Depression brought an increase in tenant farming.

Commercial development of Cascade Caverns began.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which are land and (0.09%) is covered by water.[33]

Major highways

Historic highways

Adjacent counties

Waterways

Caves

Demographics

Kendall County, Texas - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)!Race / Ethnicity!Pop 2010[34] !Pop 2020[35] !% 2010!% 2020
White alone (NH)25,74631,76777.06%71.74%
Black or African American alone (NH)1383150.41%0.71%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1291380.39%0.31%
Asian alone (NH)2023550.60%0.80%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)13360.04%0.08%
Some Other Race alone (NH)262020.08%0.46%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)3271,4370.98%3.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)6,82910,02920.44%22.65%
Total33,41044,279100.00%100.00%
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.

As of the census[36] of 2010, 33,410 people, 8,613 households, and 6,692 families resided in the county. The population density was 36/mi2. The 9,609 housing units averaged 14adj=preNaNadj=pre. The racial makeup of the county was 92.86% White, 0.56% Native American, 0.35% African American, 0.23% Asian, 4.46% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. About 17.89% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 8,613 households, 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.20% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.30% were not families. About 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was distributed as 27.20% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,521, and for a family was $58,081. Males had a median income of $39,697 versus $28,807 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,619. About 7.90% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Politics

Kendall County constitutes an anomaly in Texas politics, due to it being a historically Republican county in a state that was overwhelmingly Democratic at the presidential level until the 1950s. This is largely due to the heavily German American heritage of the county and that the area Kendall County occupies was the center of Texas’ small Unionist movement during the Civil War. Most Texas Germans acquiesced to secession, but Fredericksburg and surrounding areas were still self-sufficient and sold surplus food to the army.[37] No Democratic presidential nominee has carried Kendall County since Franklin D. Roosevelt won 88% of Texas’ vote and carried all 254 counties in 1932, though his performance is particularly impressive seeing as how he won the county by almost 50 points despite the county's long-standing Republican favoritism. In 1936, when Roosevelt won over 87% of Texas’ vote, Alf Landon carried Kendall County with over 62% of the vote, making Kendall County the nation's southernmost county to vote for Landon. Since then, only Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Jimmy Carter in 1976 have managed over 30% for the Democratic Party in Kendall County.

The county is part of the 21st District in the United States House of Representatives, represented by Republican Chip Roy, the 25th district of the Texas State Senate, represented by Republican Donna Campbell, and the 19th District of the Texas House of Representatives and is represented by Republican Ellen Troxclair.

Education

School districts include:[38]

All of the county is in the service area of Alamo Community College District.[39]

Government offices

State parks

Fire departments

Post offices

Former

Darmstadt Society of Forty

Count Castell[40] of the Adelsverein negotiated with the separate Darmstadt Society of Forty to colonize two hundred families on the Fisher–Miller Land Grant territory in Texas. In return, they were to receive $12,000 in money, livestock, equipment and provisions for a year. After the first year, the colonies were expected to support themselves.[41] The colonies attempted were Castell,[42] Leiningen, Bettina,[43] Schoenburg and Meerholz in Llano County; Darmstädler Farm in Comal County; and Tusculum in Kendall County.[44] Of these, only Castell survives. The colonies failed after the Adelsverein funding expired, and also due to conflict of structure and authorities. Some members moved to other Adelsverein settlements in Texas. Others moved elsewhere, or returned to Germany.

See also

External links

29.95°N -98.7°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kendall County, Texas. United States Census Bureau. January 30, 2022.
  2. Web site: Find a County . June 7, 2011 . National Association of Counties . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx . May 31, 2011 .
  3. Zeke MacCormack, "Folks flocking to area counties: Kendall, Comal, and Hays are on the top 10 list", San Antonio Express-News, March 24, 2017, pp. 1, A11.
  4. Press Release Number: CB17-44. Maricopa County Added Over 222 People Per Day in 2016, More Than Any Other County, U.S. Census Bureau, March 23, 2017.
  5. Web site: Smyrl. Vivian Elizabeth. Kendall County. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. November 27, 2010.
  6. Web site: Cascade Caverns. Cascade Caverns. November 27, 2010.
  7. Web site: Brister. Louis E.. Adelsverein. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. November 27, 2010.
  8. Web site: Ramos. Mary G. German Settlements of Texas. Texas Almanac. Texas State Historical Association. November 27, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110207191825/http://www.texasalmanac.com/history/highlights/german/. February 7, 2011.
  9. Web site: Indianola, Texas. Blueprints For Travel, LLC. November 27, 2010.
  10. Web site: Block. W T. The Story of our Texas' German Pilgrims. Blueprints For Travel, LLC. November 27, 2010.
  11. Web site: Smith. Cornelia Marshall. Meusebach, John O. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. November 27, 2010. Tetzlaff, Otto W .
  12. Web site: Comanche Indian Treaty . William Nienke, Sam Morrow . November 27, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718162232/http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5411000991 . July 18, 2011 .
  13. Web site: Lich. Glen E. Sisterdale, Texas. Handbpok of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. November 27, 2010.
  14. Biesele . R. L. . The Texas State Convention of Germans in 1854 . Southwestern Historical Quarterly . April 1930 . 33 . 4 . 247–261 . Texas State Historical Association . Denton, TX.
  15. Web site: Lich. Glen E. Comfort, Texas. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. November 27, 2010.
  16. Web site: Thonhoff. Robert H. Boerne Village Band. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. November 27, 2010.
  17. Web site: Moneyhon . Charles H. The Union League . Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. November 27, 2010.
  18. Web site: Shook. Robert W. . Duff, James. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. November 21, 2010.
  19. Web site: Spring Creek Cemetery. https://web.archive.org/web/20081202123507/http://www.txgenweb2.org/txgillespie/spring.htm. dead. December 2, 2008. Texas Gen Web. November 13, 2010.
  20. Web site: Treue der Union Monument. Blueprints For Travel, LLC. November 27, 2010.
  21. Web site: List of Dead-Treue Der Union Monument. Texas Gen Web. November 27, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120226175800/http://www.txgenweb2.org/txkendall/treue.htm. February 26, 2012.
  22. Web site: Kendall County Courthouse. Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. November 27, 2010. February 13, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100213194510/http://texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Boerne/KendallCountyCourthouseBoerneTexas.htm. dead.
  23. Web site: Bergheim. Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. November 27, 2010.
  24. Web site: Sisterdale. Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. November 27, 2010.
  25. Web site: Boerne History. Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau. November 27, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110718190754/http://www.visitboerne.org/index.aspx?nid=130. July 18, 2011. dead.
  26. http://visitboerne.org/About+Boerne/Boerne+History/default.aspx Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau
  27. Web site: San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway. November 27, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060912172901/http://saap.tnorr.com/. September 12, 2006.
  28. Web site: Kendall County Fair Association, Inc.. June 12, 2012. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120705043515/http://www.kcfa.org/about-us.html. July 5, 2012.
  29. Web site: Hygieostatic Bat Roost – Comfort, Kendall County, Texas . William Nienke, Sam Morrow . November 27, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718162259/http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5259002608 . July 18, 2011 .
  30. Web site: Guadalupe River State Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. November 27, 2010.
  31. Web site: History Boerne Village Band. https://web.archive.org/web/20081123032611/http://www.txgenweb2.org/txkendall/bvb.htm. dead. November 23, 2008. Tx Gen Web. November 27, 2010.
  32. Web site: Cibolo Nature Center. History. Cibolo Nature Center . November 27, 2010.
  33. Web site: 2010 Census Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. May 2, 2015. August 22, 2012.
  34. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Kendall County, Texas. United States Census Bureau.
  35. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Kendall County, Texas. United States Census Bureau.
  36. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. May 14, 2011.
  37. Bünger, Walter L.; ‘Secession and the Texas German Community: Editor Lindheimer vs. Editor Flake’; The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. 82, No. 4 (Apr. 1979), pp. 379-402
  38. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kendall County, TX. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48259_kendall/DC20SD_C48259.pdf . October 9, 2022 . live. U.S. Census Bureau. June 29, 2022. - Text list
  39. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.162. ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  40. Web site: Brister. Louis E. Count Carl of Castell-Castell. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. January 16, 2011.
  41. King (1967) p.122
  42. Web site: Heckert-Greene. James B. Castell, Texas. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. January 20, 2011.
  43. Web site: Lich. Glen E. Bettina, Texas. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. January 20, 2011.
  44. Web site: Lich. Glen E. The Forty. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. January 20, 2011.

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