Geronimo, Texas

Geronimo, Texas
CDP
Location of Geronimo, Texas Location of Geronimo, Texas
250px
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Guadalupe
Area
• Total	9.2 sq mi (23.8 km2)
• Land	9.2 sq mi (23.8 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	5,815 ft (177 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	619
• Density	67.5/sq mi (26.1/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	78155
Area code(s)	830
FIPS code	48-29384
GNIS feature ID	1336502

Geronimo is a census-designated place (CDP) in Guadalupe County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,032 at the 2010 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

In 1831 during the Mexican Texas period, James Bowie surveyed eleven leagues of land within the colony of Green DeWitt. Located on the northeast bank of the Guadalupe River, the area surrounded the natural springs called Tio Geronimo. José Antonio Navarro purchased land and lived here later, 1840-1853. As a champion of human rights, he was a signer of the Texas Declaration Independence, the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, and the Constitution of the State of Texas.

Navarro lived here on his 6,000-acre (24 km²) San Geronimo Ranch. It was located on Geronimo Creek and named for Saint Jerome (translator of the Bible into Latin). The town and creek are named to honor this saint, although others claim that the name comes from original owner of the springs, "Tio" (Uncle) Geronimo Flores. José Antonio Navarro's brother, Luciano Navarro, also ran a ranch in the area. The area is about seven miles (11 km) north of Seguin, Texas.

In the mid-1800s, Geronimo became popular as a social center for German settlers. German settlers from Schumansville moved into the area in 1860 and formed a settlement. One enterprising settler opened a bank and German civic center. The community had grown into a small town by 1891, sporting a general store, a post office (former bank), a steam powered cotton-gin, and a population of twenty. A one-teacher school brought education to forty students in 1904. By 1917, the post office had relocated, sharing occupancy with a local feed store. In 1919, a park, complete with a spring-fed swimming pool, was constructed beside the Geronimo Creek. After WWII, Geronimo hosted two gins and 123 residents.

Geography

Geronimo is located at (29.665506, -97.965544).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.2 square miles (24 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 619 people, 194 households, and 157 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 67.5 people per square mile (26.1/km²). There were 209 housing units at an average density of 22.8/sq mi (8.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 72.21% White, 4.20% African American, 20.84% from other races, and 2.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.16% of the population.

There were 194 households out of which 49.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 13.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 3.56.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 36.2% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,761, and the median income for a family was $47,273. Males had a median income of $36,806 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,569. None of the families and 1.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education

Geronimo is served by the Navarro Independent School District.

Attractions

Geronimo has turned into a Day trip destination for travelers from the Hill Country, Austin, San Antonio and the Valley. Geronimo is home to 5 Different Antique Shops. Blue Hills Antique Mall, Elsie's Attic, Geronimo Antiques, and two other locations inside the town. Geronimo is famed for its Annual BBQ & Chili cook-off's and VFW raffle and Auction. The local VFW Post 8456, (located in the previous general store), holds Country and Western dances almost every Sunday afternoon in Texas hill country dance hall tradition.

References

• Bading, Martha Carolyn Heinemeyer, The History of Geronimo, Guadalupe County, Texas 78115, Jan. 2007, Atwood Printing and Trophy Co., ISBN 1424330009

www.vfwpost8456.com