Elroy, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elroy
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Elroy Community Library
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 Elroy
Location in Texas
Elroy
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Travis |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Elroy is a small community in Travis County, Texas, United States. It is not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it is an "unincorporated community" within a larger area. In 2000, about 125 people lived in Elroy. It is part of the larger Greater Austin area.
Contents
History of Elroy
How Elroy Got Its Name
The land where Elroy is now was once given to a loyal officer by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. This officer later traded the land for a horse and saddle!
The community of Elroy started in 1892. It was named by a local store owner after his son, Leroy. Before being called Elroy, it was known by other names like Driskill or Dutch Waterhole.
Early Days and Growth
A post office opened in Elroy in 1899. George L. Hume was the first postmaster. But the post office closed just three years later in 1902. After that, mail for Elroy was sent to the nearby town of Del Valle.
Elroy's population grew over time. In 1933, about 25 people lived there. By 1947, the number had grown to 125. This number stayed the same in the year 2000.
Circuit of the Americas
Elroy is home to a very special place called the Circuit of the Americas. This is a modern racetrack built for international car and motorcycle races. It is designed to meet high standards set by the FIA.
The Circuit of the Americas hosts exciting events like:
- The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
- The MotoGP (motorcycle racing)
- The World Endurance Championship (long-distance car races)
Many other racing events have also taken place here. It is a major spot for motorsport fans!
Other Interesting Facts
Elroy is also home to the historic Moline Swedish Lutheran Cemetery. This cemetery and other sites in the area show the history of Swedish people who settled in Texas.
In 2012, a TV show called Food Paradise filmed an episode in Elroy. They visited a local restaurant called Wild Bubba's Wild Game Grill.
Geography of Elroy
Elroy is located in the southeastern part of Travis County. It is about 12 miles south of the big city of Austin. You can find Elroy along Farm to Market Road 812.
Education in Elroy
Early Schools
A long time ago, in 1907, Elroy had two schools. One school had two teachers and taught 107 white students. The other school had one teacher and taught 61 black students.
Modern Schools
In 1961, the schools in Elroy joined with the Colorado district. The next year, this became the Del Valle Independent School District. Today, students in Elroy are served by the Del Valle Independent School District.
Students attend:
- Popham Elementary School
- Del Valle Middle School
- Del Valle High School
Elroy Library
The East Travis Gateway Library District runs the Elroy Library. This library provides books and resources for the community.
