Geronimo, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geronimo, Texas
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Location of Geronimo, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Guadalupe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.1 sq mi (21.1 km2) |
| • Land | 8.1 sq mi (21.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 581 ft (177 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,097 |
| • Density | 134.7/sq mi (51.99/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78155
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| Area code(s) | 830 |
| FIPS code | 48-29384 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1336502 |
Geronimo is a small community in Guadalupe County, Texas, United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined by the government for counting people. In 2020, about 1,097 people lived here. This was a slight increase from 1,032 people in 2010. Geronimo is also part of the larger San Antonio area.
Contents
History of Geronimo
Early Days and Naming
The story of Geronimo began in 1831, when Texas was still part of Mexico. A man named James Bowie explored and mapped out a large area of land. This land was located near natural springs called "Tio Geronimo" on the Guadalupe River.
Later, from 1840 to 1853, a very important person named José Antonio Navarro bought land and lived here. He was a champion for human rights and helped shape Texas. Navarro signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, which declared Texas free. He also helped write the first laws for the Republic of Texas and later for the State of Texas.
Navarro's large ranch, about 6,000 acres, was called San Geronimo Ranch. It was named after Saint Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin. Both the town and the creek are named in honor of this saint. However, some people believe the name comes from "Tio" (Uncle) Geronimo Flores, who originally owned the springs. José Antonio Navarro's brother, Luciano Navarro, also had a ranch nearby. The area is about 6 miles north of Seguin, which is the main town in Guadalupe County.
Growth of the Community
In the mid-1800s, Geronimo became a popular spot for German settlers. Many German families from a nearby town called Schumansville moved to Geronimo in 1860. They worked together to build a strong community.
One clever settler opened a bank and a German community center. By 1891, Geronimo had grown into a small town. It had a general store, a post office (which used to be the bank), and a cotton gin that used steam power. About twenty people lived there at that time.
In 1904, a school with one teacher taught forty students. The post office moved in 1917 and shared a building with a local feed store. A fun addition came in 1919 when a park was built next to Geronimo Creek. This park even had a swimming pool fed by a natural spring! After World War II, Geronimo had two cotton gins and 123 residents.
Geography of Geronimo
Geronimo is located in the northern part of Guadalupe County. You can find it along Texas State Highway 123. This highway goes north about 15 miles to San Marcos and south about 6 miles to Seguin. New Braunfels is about 13 miles to the west.
The entire area of Geronimo is about 21.1 square kilometers (about 8.1 square miles), and it's all land.
Population Changes
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 619 | — | |
| 2010 | 1,032 | 66.7% | |
| 2020 | 1,097 | 6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 |
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The population of Geronimo has changed over the years. In 2000, there were 619 people living there. By 2010, the population had grown to 1,032 people. The most recent count in 2020 showed 1,097 residents.
Education in Geronimo
Students in Geronimo attend schools that are part of the Navarro Independent School District.
Fun Things to Do in Geronimo
Geronimo has become a popular place for day trips, especially for people from the Hill Country, Austin, San Antonio, and the Valley.
If you like old treasures, Geronimo has five antique shops to explore! These include Blue Hills Antique Mall, Elsie's Attic, and Geronimo Antiques.
The community is also famous for its yearly BBQ & Chili Cook-Offs. There's also a VFW raffle and auction, which is a fun event. The local VFW Post 8456, located in the old general store, often hosts country and western dances on Sunday afternoons. This is a great way to experience the dance hall traditions of the Texas Hill Country!
See also
In Spanish: Gerónimo (Texas) para niños
