Helotes, Texas, Bexar County. (original) (raw)
29� 33' 55" N, 98� 41' 21" W (29.565278, -98.689167)
State Highway 16
16 miles NW of Downtown San Antonio
30 miles SE of Bandera
ZIP Code 78023
Area code(s) 210, 726 (planned)
Population: 9,961 Est. (2019)
7,341 (2010) 4285 (2000) 1,535 (1990)
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History in a Corn Husk
Helotes is Spanish for a "green roasting ear of corn."
The first settlers were Mexicans who intermarried with the Apache Indians in the mid 1850s. According to legend � the first settler planted a cornfield here which may have resulted in the name. Another version of the name is that San Antonio could always rely on Helotes for corn - even during periods of drought.
A post office opened at Helotes in 1873. In 1885 the town had a population of 50 which increased to 700 by 1914. By 1945 it had fallen to only 100. In 1982 the population was still under 500.
Historical Marker: 14464 Old Banders Rd., Helotes
Helotes
According to archeologists, human occupation of the Helotes area dates to about 7000 years before present, when small bands of Nomadic Indians who migrated seasonally in search of food and game camped in this vicinity.
Early Texas pioneer John M. Ross acquired title to the land here in 1836, purchasing rights to a Republic of Texas land grant from Almazon Huston, Quartermaster General of the Republic of Texas Army. In 1852 Ross sold the property to Thomas Devine and Francis Giraud, who formed a partnership to survey to land and sell it in smaller plots. In 1858 Dr. George Frederick Marnoch purchased the land which later became the townsite of Helotes.
The town of Helotes developed around the home and Mercantile Store of Arnold Gugger, who purchased property from Marnoch's heirs in 1880. Gugger became postmaster in 1888, and in 1908 sold his land to Bert Hielman, who opened the town's first dance hall.
Many farms and cattle and sheep ranches were established in the area. Helotes became a popular stop for a cowboys driving cattle to auction in San Antonio. Many descendants of early settlers still live in the area.
(1992)
Historical Marker: 14492 Old Bandera Rd, Helotes
John T. Floore Country Store
In 1945, as the Second World War drew to a close, John T. Floore, manager of San Antonio's Majestic Theatre, purchased land in this vicinity. He created the Floore Subdivision, planning it as a center for the community of Helotes, which had developed at the site of a centuries-old stream crossing for travelers. Floore and his wife originally operated a Red and White Store. Following the example of Bert Hileman, who owned an early dance hall in Helotes, Floore built a store and dance hall at this site circa 1946, offering "bar, caf�, dance, meats, groceries, real estate and every thing nearly at Floore Country Store." A noted promoter, Floore featured country music acts big and small; notables included Bob Wills, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells and Elvis Presley. Residents came from nearby communities for the regular shows.
Floore also promoted the Helotes community, helping establish the local volunteer fire department and Lions Club. In addition, he edited the Helotes Echo newspaper, and his articles were said to be instrumental in the creation of the Northside Independent School District for Helotes-area students. His business establishment served as a gathering place for several organizations and events, including the annual Helotes Cornyval Festival.
Since Floore's death in 1975, his legacy has continued. Helotes incorporated in 1981 in order to preserve a separate identity from the ever-growing city of San Antonio. With the continuation of musical acts at Floore's County Store, and through the local organizations that grew out of Floore's ideas and civic efforts, the community of Helotes maintains a link to its early years as a stop for refreshment and entertainment at the edge of the Texas Hill Country.
(2005)
John T. Floore Country Store Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, January 2008
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