Neighborhoods of Waco
Encyclopedia
Waco, a Texas city of around 120,000, is unusual in that, unlike most cities its size, it has areas that are referred to much like many larger cities. These aren't official government neighborhoods, but rather common names given by the residents and city neighborhood maps and parks.
Waco is first divided into three "sides": the North Side, the South Side, and the East Side. Each side is then broken up into different sectors, or neighborhoods. Many sectors have their own history, culture, and even slang and accents.
as higher income earners moved out. The North Side is Waco's most diverse side, with a blend of many cultures and incomes. There are fourteen sectors in the North Side. They are:
There are six sectors in the South Side. They are:
In addition these six sectors, the island city of Beverly Hills
is in the South Side.
, a historically black college, moved to Dallas in 1990. The East Side has never recovered since. The City of Waco is taking steps at not only eliminating violence, but restoring the East Side's pride as well.
There are three sectors in the East Side. They are:
, which was a crucial crossing of the Brazos River. In May 1953, the worst tornado in Texas history struck downtown Waco killing 114, and injuring hundreds. It caused millions of dollars in damage, and dented Waco's economy for years to come. Downtown Waco is mainly known for the ALICO tower, which was completed in 1910, and was once the tallest structure in the Southwest. Downtown Waco is now the location of the famous Dr Pepper Museum, where Dr Pepper was first invented, and the McLennan County Courthouse.
For the past few decades, Downtown Waco has slowly been decaying as Waco grew to the West away from Downtown. But recently Waco's city leaders have been taking strides into making Downtown Waco the city center again. There are two projects currently being worked on in Heritage Square, which takes up two blocks in downtown, between 3rd and 4th streets and Washington Avenue and Franklin Avenue. The first project is the new Chamber of Commerce of Waco, which will be an environment-friendly building. The second project, which is expected to break ground in the fall of 2007, is a mixed-use development with commercial and residential buildings. There are also other projects being talked about by the public.
Waco is first divided into three "sides": the North Side, the South Side, and the East Side. Each side is then broken up into different sectors, or neighborhoods. Many sectors have their own history, culture, and even slang and accents.
North Side
The North Side of Waco is actually northwest when looking at a map. This area started out as pasture and farmland when Waco was founded in 1849, but it was quickly developed starting in the 1920s. It was unharmed by the 1953 Tornado, but has, like the other two sides, fallen victim to Urban DecayUrban decay
Urban decay is the process whereby a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude...
as higher income earners moved out. The North Side is Waco's most diverse side, with a blend of many cultures and incomes. There are fourteen sectors in the North Side. They are:
- Austin Avenue (also called Castle Heights)
- Brook Oaks
- Brookview
- Cedar Ridge
- Dean Highland
- Heart O' Texas (also called Lake Air)
- Landon Branch
- Mountainview
- North Lake Waco
- North Waco
- Parkdale
- Richland Hills
- Sanger Heights
- Viking Hills
South Side
The South Side, to the southeast in reality, is home to the heart of Waco. It is where the city was born and much of its history was created. It was a prospering area until 1953, when it was devastated by a tornado. It also suffers from Urban decay, though the area around Baylor University is being renewed. The South Side is a largely Hispanic community. It is home to many restaurants and stores of the Mexican culture.There are six sectors in the South Side. They are:
- Alta Vista
- Baylor
- Brazos
- Kendrick
- Oakwood
- University
In addition these six sectors, the island city of Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, Texas
Beverly Hills is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,113 at the 2000 census. The city is surrounded by Waco and is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
is in the South Side.
East Side
The East Side, to the north and on the other side of the Brazos River, is a historically African-American side. Once the center of African-American culture in Texas, it too was harmed by the 1953 Tornado. The East Side made a significant recovery, only to fall again when Paul Quinn CollegePaul Quinn College
Paul Quinn College is a private, historically black college located in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas . Paul Quinn College holds the distinction as the oldest historically black college in the country west of the Mississippi River...
, a historically black college, moved to Dallas in 1990. The East Side has never recovered since. The City of Waco is taking steps at not only eliminating violence, but restoring the East Side's pride as well.
There are three sectors in the East Side. They are:
- Carver
- East Riverside
- Timbercrest
Downtown
Downtown Waco is small compared to that of cities like Dallas or Houston. Nevertheless, each day 17,000 people commute to work there. Downtown Waco was built around the Waco Suspension BridgeWaco Suspension Bridge
The Waco Suspension Bridge crosses the Brazos River in Waco, Texas. It is a single-span suspension bridge with a main span of 475 feet . Opened in 1869, it contains nearly 3 million bricks. It is located north of Downtown Waco, connecting Indian Springs Park with Doris D. Miller Park...
, which was a crucial crossing of the Brazos River. In May 1953, the worst tornado in Texas history struck downtown Waco killing 114, and injuring hundreds. It caused millions of dollars in damage, and dented Waco's economy for years to come. Downtown Waco is mainly known for the ALICO tower, which was completed in 1910, and was once the tallest structure in the Southwest. Downtown Waco is now the location of the famous Dr Pepper Museum, where Dr Pepper was first invented, and the McLennan County Courthouse.
For the past few decades, Downtown Waco has slowly been decaying as Waco grew to the West away from Downtown. But recently Waco's city leaders have been taking strides into making Downtown Waco the city center again. There are two projects currently being worked on in Heritage Square, which takes up two blocks in downtown, between 3rd and 4th streets and Washington Avenue and Franklin Avenue. The first project is the new Chamber of Commerce of Waco, which will be an environment-friendly building. The second project, which is expected to break ground in the fall of 2007, is a mixed-use development with commercial and residential buildings. There are also other projects being talked about by the public.
Other Sectors
There are other sectors in Waco that do not fit into one of the three sides. They are:- Technology Village (North of Lacy Lakeview)
- China Spring (Northwest of Waco Regional AirportWaco Regional Airport-History:The airport was built by the United States Army Air Force as a pilot training airfield, and was activated on 2 July 1942. It was initially named China Springs Army Air Field and was also known as Waco Army Air Field No...
) - Speegleville (West of Lake Waco)
- 84 Corridor (West of Woodway)
- West Waco / Hewitt (Between WoodwayWoodway, TexasWoodway is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,733 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Woodway is located at ....
and HewittHewitt, TexasHewitt is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,085 at the 2000 census, and was 12,987 after a 2005 estimate. It is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area...
)
Surrounding Cities
Though not a part of Waco, these cities depend deeply on Waco's economy:- WoodwayWoodway, TexasWoodway is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,733 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Woodway is located at ....
(southwest of the North Side) - HewittHewitt, TexasHewitt is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,085 at the 2000 census, and was 12,987 after a 2005 estimate. It is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area...
(south of the North Side) - RobinsonRobinson, TexasRobinson is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,845 at the 2000 census, and it grew to 9,062 at the end of 2005...
(south of the South Side) - BellmeadBellmead, TexasBellmead is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 9,214 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bellmead is located at ....
, Elm MottElm Mott, TexasElm Mott is an unincorporated community in McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is located near the intersection of Interstate 35 and Farm to Market Road 308, eight miles north of Waco.Elm Mott is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Lacy-Lakeview, and NorthcrestNorthcrest, TexasNorthcrest was a city in north central McLennan County, Texas . The city's name came from its location north of Waco and its elevation, which is the highest in the Waco area....
(Uptown) (north of the East Side) - Beverly HillsBeverly Hills, TexasBeverly Hills is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,113 at the 2000 census. The city is surrounded by Waco and is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(an island city west of I-35 near Floyd Casey StadiumFloyd Casey StadiumFloyd Casey Stadium is a stadium in Waco, Texas. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Baylor Bears. Floyd Casey Stadium is about four miles from the Baylor campus. Floyd Casey Stadium was built in 1950 and cost $1.8 million dollars to construct...
, often considered a part of the South Side)