La Vernia, Texas
Encyclopedia
La Vernia is a city in Wilson County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 931 at the 2000 census. It is part of the San Antonio
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
, mainly the Comanches and the Coahuiltecan
s were located in this area. Early Anglo-American attempts of settlement had been raided so often that these settlers were forced to leave their houses. An early claim by Erastus Smith, known as Deaf Smith
, who was married to a Mexican citizen, received a Spanish land grant on the Cibolo River
, near La Vernia. The area would primarily remain unsettled by Europeans until about 1837, when Texas Republic veterans arrived.
W. R. Wiseman of Mississippi, who organized a Presbyterian church at the site around 1851, is said to have named the place Live Oak Grove for a grove nearby. In 1853, William Claiborne Rector was the postmaster at the local post office. During this time the town was called Post Oak, but was changed to La Vernia in 1859.
The origin of the town's current name came from people who noticed the area was full of green oaks and a local rendering of green oaks in Spanish, “La Vernia“, was applied. The Brahan Masonic lodge was established at La Vernia in 1859. It was built to serve for three different purposes: the first floor was made to be used as a school, and the second floor was made to be used for local meetings, and thirdly the building would serve as a place to hold church services.
German and Polish immigration brought the population to 110 by 1885. The community was now seved by three churches, a steam gristmill, and a cotton gin. H. Suhre was the owner of the general store. During this time the major crop grown was corn, being it was so universally useful. Cotton also proved to be an important commodity. In present day La Vernia, corn and cotton are still major crops.
In 1890, La Vernia had a population of 200. Construction of the San Antonio and Gulf Railroad across the area in 1893 brought the population to 343 by 1900. A two-teacher school was in operation by 1896. Classes grew to be so large, that they had to move out of the Masonic lodge. The enrollment had grown to sixty-six children.
By 1915, the town operated two gins, a bank, four churches, a pottery plant, a brick works, and supported a population of 500. In 1947, seventeen businesses would provide much attraction, to more and more people, over the coming years. In 1965, population had increased to 700 residents and twenty-five businesses.
The community incorporated around 1980, and in 1990, had a population of 639 and thirty-six businesses and a gas station called "Tommy's Exxon", owned by Bonnie and Thomas Kravitz, and assisted by their son, Samuel Kravitz. La Vernia experienced out-migration and a subsequent population drop, due to the lure of the big city atmosphere and larger job markets available in neighboring San Antonio, Floresville and Canyon Lake
. Many larger towns were getting very popular about this time.
In 2000, La Vernia had 136 businesses and a population of 931. The census
of 2005 La Vernia had a population of 1,087 of people. In 2010 a new shopping area was built just west of town on Hwy 87, including a new H-E-B
grocery store and gas station. A longtime grocer, Baumann's Grocery store, closed at the time HEB opened.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²), all of it land. latest census
of 2005 the population of La Vernia is 1,087 people.
of 2000, there were 931 people, 317 households, and 239 families residing in the city. The population density
was 482.8 people per square mile (186.2/km²). There were 344 housing units at an average density of 178.4 per square mile (68.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.48% White, 0.11% African American, 0.75% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 4.19% from other races
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.98% of the population.
There were 317 households out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples
living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 81.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,500, and the median income for a family was $46,912. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $24,844 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,931. About 12.5% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.
La Vernia has a lower crime rate compared to surrounding towns. Statistics presented are based on data collected by the FBI as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting Program. These data represent offenses reported to and arrests made by State and local law enforcement agencies as reported to the FBI. Total 347, Murder is 2, Rape are 3, Robbery is 0, Aggravated Assault has recorded 38, Burglary 70, Larceny - theft is unusually high at 228, Motor vehicle thefts is at 6, and Coverage indicator is 100%.
La Vernia Methodist Church, which first held services in 1853, or walk through the Concrete cemetery. The La Vernia Heritage Museum displays artifacts and memorabilia relating to the history and development of the city.
(http://www.lvschools.net) provides public education to the students of La Vernia. The overall student body is in the range of 3-4 thousand students. This is roughly 4 times the population of the city itself. La Vernia Primary School includes grades Pre-K through 3rd grade. The newly constructed Intermediate School, opened in 2009, includes grades 4-6. 3rd grade will move up to the Intermediate School beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. The building that now serves as the Junior High was the first school building built for the La Vernia school district. Originally serving all grades, it now houses the 7th and 8th grades. 6th grade will move up to the Junior High beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. The La Vernia High School consists of grades 9-12.
Private school education is also provided at the La Vernia Christian Teaching Center (http://lvctc.com/).
Older schools served the La Vernia area prior to the start of the La Vernia Independent School District. The Masonic Lodge (mentioned above) served to educate students for many years. Other early schools includes the Concrete School, which has a marker to show its original location on Country Road 539. Another early school was known as Hill Top School, which was an old two room school house. It was later sold to Lowell and Dorris Jones who turned it into a farmhouse where they raised their family. The home is no longer owed by the Jones family but is a residence in La Vernia.
Wilson County, Texas
Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 32,408. Its county seat is Floresville. The county is named after James Charles Wilson....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 931 at the 2000 census. It is part of the San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The town was first settled by Indian tribesIndigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
, mainly the Comanches and the Coahuiltecan
Coahuiltecan
Coahuiltecan or Paikawa was a proposed language family in John Wesley Powell's 1891 classification of Native American languages that consisted of Coahuilteco and Cotoname. The proposal was expanded to include Comecrudo, Karankawa, and Tonkawa...
s were located in this area. Early Anglo-American attempts of settlement had been raided so often that these settlers were forced to leave their houses. An early claim by Erastus Smith, known as Deaf Smith
Deaf Smith
Erastus "Deaf" Smith was an American frontiersman noted for his part in the Texas Revolution and the army of the Republic of Texas. He fought at the Grass Fight and the Battle of San Jacinto. After the war, Deaf Smith led a company of Texas Rangers.-Biography:Smith was born in Dutchess County, New...
, who was married to a Mexican citizen, received a Spanish land grant on the Cibolo River
Cibolo Creek
Cibolo Creek is a stream in South Central Texas, United States that runs approximately from its source at Turkey Knob near Boerne, Texas, to its confluence with the San Antonio River in Karnes County...
, near La Vernia. The area would primarily remain unsettled by Europeans until about 1837, when Texas Republic veterans arrived.
W. R. Wiseman of Mississippi, who organized a Presbyterian church at the site around 1851, is said to have named the place Live Oak Grove for a grove nearby. In 1853, William Claiborne Rector was the postmaster at the local post office. During this time the town was called Post Oak, but was changed to La Vernia in 1859.
The origin of the town's current name came from people who noticed the area was full of green oaks and a local rendering of green oaks in Spanish, “La Vernia“, was applied. The Brahan Masonic lodge was established at La Vernia in 1859. It was built to serve for three different purposes: the first floor was made to be used as a school, and the second floor was made to be used for local meetings, and thirdly the building would serve as a place to hold church services.
German and Polish immigration brought the population to 110 by 1885. The community was now seved by three churches, a steam gristmill, and a cotton gin. H. Suhre was the owner of the general store. During this time the major crop grown was corn, being it was so universally useful. Cotton also proved to be an important commodity. In present day La Vernia, corn and cotton are still major crops.
In 1890, La Vernia had a population of 200. Construction of the San Antonio and Gulf Railroad across the area in 1893 brought the population to 343 by 1900. A two-teacher school was in operation by 1896. Classes grew to be so large, that they had to move out of the Masonic lodge. The enrollment had grown to sixty-six children.
By 1915, the town operated two gins, a bank, four churches, a pottery plant, a brick works, and supported a population of 500. In 1947, seventeen businesses would provide much attraction, to more and more people, over the coming years. In 1965, population had increased to 700 residents and twenty-five businesses.
The community incorporated around 1980, and in 1990, had a population of 639 and thirty-six businesses and a gas station called "Tommy's Exxon", owned by Bonnie and Thomas Kravitz, and assisted by their son, Samuel Kravitz. La Vernia experienced out-migration and a subsequent population drop, due to the lure of the big city atmosphere and larger job markets available in neighboring San Antonio, Floresville and Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake
-Bodies of water:* Canyon Lake * Canyon Lake * Canyon Lake * Canyon Lake * Canyon Lake...
. Many larger towns were getting very popular about this time.
In 2000, La Vernia had 136 businesses and a population of 931. The census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2005 La Vernia had a population of 1,087 of people. In 2010 a new shopping area was built just west of town on Hwy 87, including a new H-E-B
H-E-B
HEB Grocery Company, LP is a privately held San Antonio, Texas-based supermarket chain with more than 315 stores throughout Texas and northern Mexico. The company also operates Central Market, an upscale organic and fine foods retailer.H-E-B ranked No...
grocery store and gas station. A longtime grocer, Baumann's Grocery store, closed at the time HEB opened.
Geography
La Vernia is located at 29°21′19"N 98°7′5"W (29.355187, -98.118122). It is just about 30 minutes south-east of the city of San Antonio. La Vernia is 489 feet (149 m) above sea level.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²), all of it land. latest census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2005 the population of La Vernia is 1,087 people.
Climate
In San Antonio, July and August tie for the average warmest months with an average high of 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 °C). The highest temperature ever to be recorded was 111 °F (43.8 °C) on September 5, 2000. The average coolest month is January. The lowest recorded temperature ever was 0 °F (-17.7 °C) on January 31, 1949. May, June, and October have quite a bit of precipitation. For the last 135 years, the average annual precipitation has been 29.05 inches (73.79 cm), with a maximum of 52.28 inches (132.79 cm) and a minimum of 10.11 inches (25.68 cm) in one year.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 931 people, 317 households, and 239 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 482.8 people per square mile (186.2/km²). There were 344 housing units at an average density of 178.4 per square mile (68.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.48% White, 0.11% African American, 0.75% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 4.19% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.98% of the population.
There were 317 households out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 81.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,500, and the median income for a family was $46,912. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $24,844 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,931. About 12.5% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.
La Vernia has a lower crime rate compared to surrounding towns. Statistics presented are based on data collected by the FBI as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting Program. These data represent offenses reported to and arrests made by State and local law enforcement agencies as reported to the FBI. Total 347, Murder is 2, Rape are 3, Robbery is 0, Aggravated Assault has recorded 38, Burglary 70, Larceny - theft is unusually high at 228, Motor vehicle thefts is at 6, and Coverage indicator is 100%.
Economy and recreation
Each year there is a large cattle drive through the town. The landscape is dotted with farms - mostly working ranches with cattle, goats, and horses. The annual Lions Club Bluebonnet Fest is one of the most anticipated events around. All year the La Vernia Lions Club sponsors the Miss La Vernia Pageant and ends with this festival held at the City Park as the pinnacle. In the city, there is a Sonic drive-in, a Dollar General, an HEB Grocery Store, several churches, and some gas stations. La Vernia hosts a Masonic lodge. You can visit the La Vernia Presbyterian Church, that is over 100 years old, or theLa Vernia Methodist Church, which first held services in 1853, or walk through the Concrete cemetery. The La Vernia Heritage Museum displays artifacts and memorabilia relating to the history and development of the city.
Education
La Vernia Independent School DistrictLa Vernia Independent School District
La Vernia Independent School District is a public school district based in La Vernia, Texas .Located in Wilson County, a portion of the district extends into Guadalupe County....
(http://www.lvschools.net) provides public education to the students of La Vernia. The overall student body is in the range of 3-4 thousand students. This is roughly 4 times the population of the city itself. La Vernia Primary School includes grades Pre-K through 3rd grade. The newly constructed Intermediate School, opened in 2009, includes grades 4-6. 3rd grade will move up to the Intermediate School beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. The building that now serves as the Junior High was the first school building built for the La Vernia school district. Originally serving all grades, it now houses the 7th and 8th grades. 6th grade will move up to the Junior High beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. The La Vernia High School consists of grades 9-12.
Private school education is also provided at the La Vernia Christian Teaching Center (http://lvctc.com/).
Older schools served the La Vernia area prior to the start of the La Vernia Independent School District. The Masonic Lodge (mentioned above) served to educate students for many years. Other early schools includes the Concrete School, which has a marker to show its original location on Country Road 539. Another early school was known as Hill Top School, which was an old two room school house. It was later sold to Lowell and Dorris Jones who turned it into a farmhouse where they raised their family. The home is no longer owed by the Jones family but is a residence in La Vernia.
Sports
The town of La Vernia has many different youth sports teams. The football pop warner team called the Grizzles starts at the age of eight years old. Also St Ann’s C.Y.O has sports for kids such as soccer, volleyball, flag football, track, basketball, baseball, and softball. You are able to start at the age of four years old. Junior High has quite a few different teams for grades 7 and 8, including girls' volleyball, basketball, tennis, cross-country, and track, and boys' football, basketball, tennis, cross-country, and track. start the sports when you enter the seventh grade and end the junior high sports when you end the eight grade. High school sports girls' sports are volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, cross-country, Dance Team, power lifting, and track. Boys' sports are football, power lifting, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, tennis, cross-country, soccer, and track.Notable people
- Dusty JonasDusty JonasDusty Jonas is an American high jumper.-Career:Jonas was the NCAA National Champion in the high jump at the 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships...
, Olympic high jumper - Zeke Riser, Houston Cougar Football Player
- Zach Dailey, Actor and singer
Sources
- "The Good Old Days a history of La Vernia" by the Civic Government class of La Vernia High School, 1936-1937 school year.
- "Wilson County Centennial 1860-1960" By the Wilson county library, Centennial program handed out at The 100yr centennial celebration.