Karnes City, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karnes City, Texas
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Welcome sign at Karnes City
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Location of Karnes City, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Karnes |
| Named for | Henry Karnes |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.31 sq mi (6.00 km2) |
| • Land | 2.29 sq mi (5.92 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 430 ft (131 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,111 |
| • Density | 1,479.88/sq mi (571.32/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78118
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| Area code(s) | 830 |
| FIPS code | 48-38452 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1360493 |
Karnes City is a city in Karnes County, Texas, United States. It is also the county seat, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are located. In 2020, about 3,111 people lived there.
The town is named after Henry Karnes, a hero from the Texas Revolution. Karnes City is about 24 miles (39 km) southeast of Floresville and 54 miles (87 km) southeast of San Antonio. It's located right on U.S. Highway 181.
Contents
History of Karnes City
How Karnes City Became the County Seat
In 1894, Karnes City became the new county seat for Karnes County. Before that, the county seat was a town called Helena. A special vote decided to move the county seat.
This change happened partly because of a man named Colonel William G. Butler. In 1884, his son was accidentally killed in Helena during a fight. Colonel Butler, who was a wealthy rancher, was upset with Helena.
The Role of the Railway
To get back at Helena, Colonel Butler made sure that the new San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway would not go through Helena. The railway started being built in 1885 and began operating in 1886.
Without a train line, Helena struggled to serve the county's needs. In 1890, some business people bought land about 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Helena, right on the new railway line. They planned to build a new town there to be the county seat.
Naming the New Town
This new town was named Karnes City, after Colonel Henry Karnes. Henry Karnes was an important person in the Texas Revolution and a leader of the Texas Rangers.
By 1894, Karnes City was a strong new settlement. The county then voted to officially move its main government offices from Helena to Karnes City. As Karnes City grew, Helena slowly became a ghost town.
This historical event was even featured in a 1969 TV show called Death Valley Days.
Geography and Location
Where is Karnes City?
Karnes City is located in the middle of Karnes County. Its exact coordinates are 28.8882 degrees North latitude and 97.9013 degrees West longitude.
The city covers a total area of about 2.31 square miles (6.00 km²). Most of this is land, with a small part, about 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²), being water.
Major Roads and Connections
U.S. Highway 181 runs along the southwest side of Karnes City. This highway connects the city to San Antonio, which is about 54 miles (87 km) northwest. It also goes south for about 37 miles (60 km) to Beeville.
Other important roads include Texas State Highway 123, which goes north to Stockdale, and State Highway 80, which leads northeast to Gillett.
Population and People
How Many People Live Here?
Karnes City has seen its population change over the years. In 1920, there were 787 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 3,111 people.
Most of the people living in Karnes City are of Hispanic or Latino background. There are also many White (Non-Hispanic) residents, and smaller groups of Black or African American, Native American, and Asian people.
Education in Karnes City
Students in Karnes City attend schools that are part of the Karnes City Independent School District. This district includes:
- Karnes City Primary
- Roger E. Sides Elementary School
- Karnes City Junior High School
- Karnes City High School
Climate
Karnes City has a type of weather called a humid subtropical climate. This means the summers are usually hot and humid. The winters are generally mild, meaning they are not too cold.
Notable People
- Maria Moreno, who was a well-known farmworker and labor organizer.
- Matt Carnes
See also
In Spanish: Karnes City (Texas) para niños
