San Marcos, Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids San Marcos, Texas
City
Hays County Courthouse Historic District
Seal
Nickname(s):  San Marvelous
Country	United States
State	Texas
Counties	Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe
Incorporated	1851
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
Area
• Total	35.71 sq mi (92.50 km2)
• Land	35.59 sq mi (92.18 km2)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.32 km2)
Elevation	574 ft (175 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	67,553
• Estimate  (2022)	70,301
• Density	1,820.01/sq mi (702.70/km2)
Demonym(s)	San Marcoan, San Martian
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	78666–78667
Area code(s)	512 and 737
FIPS code	48-65600
GNIS feature ID	2411798

San Marcos is a city in Texas, United States. It is the county seat of Hays County. The city is part of the larger Austin area. San Marcos also stretches into Caldwell and Guadalupe counties.

You can find San Marcos along the Interstate 35 highway. It's located between the cities of Austin and San Antonio. In 2020, about 67,553 people lived there.

San Marcos was built next to the San Marcos River. Experts believe this area has been lived in for a very long time, possibly over 10,000 years. The city is also home to Texas State University and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.

In 2010, Business Week magazine called San Marcos one of the "Best Places to Raise your Kids." The United States Census Bureau even said it was the fastest-growing city in the U.S. in 2013 and 2014.

A Look at San Marcos's Past

Archeologists have found signs of early human life near the San Marcos River. These findings suggest people lived here more than 10,000 years ago. The San Marcos Springs are the third-largest group of springs in Texas. The river has never dried up in all of recorded history.

In 1689, a Spanish explorer named Alonso de Leon came to Texas. He was exploring and setting up missions. His group helped create the Camino Real, an old road. They reached the river on April 25, a special day for Saint Mark. So, they named the river San Marcos.

In 1808, some Mexican families tried to settle near the river. They called their village Villa de San Marcos de Neve. But floods and Native American raids made them leave in 1812.

In 1846, the first Anglo settlers arrived near the springs. Hays County was formed in 1848, and San Marcos became its main town. In 1851, the town center was planned. It became a place where farmers could process their crops. Gen. Edward Burleson, a hero from the Texas Revolution, was a key founder. He built a dam on the river in 1849, which powered mills.

San Marcos in 1881

When the International-Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1881, San Marcos grew even more. It became a hub for trading cattle and cotton.

Education became very important in San Marcos. The Coronal Institute, a private high school, opened in 1866. In 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School started. This school, now Texas State University, trained teachers. The San Marcos Baptist Academy opened in 1907.

During World War II, the city's businesses grew. New factories and industries helped the town expand.

Gary Air Force Base

Gary Air Force Base opened in 1942 as San Marcos Army Air Field. It was later renamed for Lieutenant Arthur Edward Gary. He was the first person from San Marcos to die in World War II. During the war, the base trained many navigators. Later, it became a major center for helicopter training.

The base was given to the Army in 1956 and closed in 1963. Today, part of it is the San Marcos Municipal Airport. Another part is the Gary Job Corps Center, which helps people learn job skills.

San Marcos Today

San Marcos is located in Central Texas. It is about 30 miles southwest of Austin. It is also about 51 miles northeast of San Antonio. The city covers about 35.71 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small part covered by water.

Interstate 35 is the main highway that runs through the city. San Marcos sits on the Balcones Fault. This is where the Texas Hill Country meets the Coastal Plains. Many springs, like San Marcos Springs, come out of the ground along this fault. These springs form Spring Lake and are the source of the San Marcos River.

The San Marcos River and the Blanco River flow through the city. Other creeks like Cottonwood Creek and Purgatory Creek are also here.

Climate in San Marcos

San Marcos has a warm climate. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are usually mild, but it can get frosty at night. The city gets about 34 inches of rain each year. Snow or ice in winter is very rare. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.

Learning and Education

Old Main academic building at Texas State University

San Marcos is home to Texas State University. This large public university was founded in 1899.

For younger students, the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District serves the city. San Marcos High School is the main high school. There is also a private high school called San Marcos Academy. The city has two middle schools and seven elementary schools. There's even a special school for prekindergarten students.

Part of San Marcos is also served by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.

Texas State University has a special place called the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State. It's one of the largest research centers in the world for studying human remains to help solve crimes.

San Marcos also has many other interesting places. These include the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery.

Getting Around

• Capital Area Rural Transportation System helps people travel around.
• San Marcos Municipal Airport is a local airport.
• San Marcos Station is a train station served by Amtrak's Texas Eagle.

San Marcos's Economy

San Marcos Outlet Malls located to the east of Interstate 35

San Marcos is a good place for businesses. It's located right on IH-35. The city has good roads and is close to major airports. It also supports small businesses.

Here are some of the biggest employers in San Marcos in 2021:

San Marcos has easy access to major highways like IH-35 and IH-10. This makes it easy to reach big Texas cities like Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.

The city also has several colleges and training programs. These provide a skilled workforce for local businesses.

Many people enjoy the San Marcos River and other natural areas. In 2006, The View TV show called the San Marcos Outlet Malls one of the best places to shop in the world. About 14 million people visit them every year!

Fun and Recreation

Downstream from the headwaters of the San Marcos Springs.

The San Marcos and Blanco Rivers flow through the city. There are also several creeks like Cottonwood Creek. Many parks and nature preserves with hiking trails are found along these waterways.

The San Marcos River starts from the San Marcos Springs. These springs are home to rare and endangered animals and plants. These include the Texas blind salamander and Texas wild rice. The river begins at Spring Lake and flows through Texas State University. It's a very popular place for fun activities.

The river is joined by the Blanco River after four miles. It then flows into the Guadalupe River. This river course is the start of the Texas Water Safari. This event is known as the "World's Toughest Canoe Race."

Sewell Park Fun

Sewell Park is one of the most popular places for recreation. It's an open area along the San Marcos River. Since it's on the Texas State University campus, many college students go there. They swim, play, or just relax. You can play volleyball, have picnics, or go swimming and tubing. It's also a tradition for some Texas State graduates to jump into the river after their graduation!

Sports in San Marcos

Texas State Bobcats vs Navy Midshipmen – September 13, 2014

Many people in San Marcos cheer for the Texas State Bobcats. This is the sports team of Texas State University. Their football team won national championships in 1982 and 1983. They now play in the top college division.

The Bobcats play home football games at Bobcat Stadium. It can hold over 33,000 fans. Basketball and volleyball games are played at Strahan Arena. Baseball games happen at Bobcat Ballpark.

If you like car racing, you can find amateur sports car racing at Harris Hill Raceway.

Arts and Culture

San Marcos is known for its lively arts and culture scene. In 2013 and 2014, it was named the fastest-growing city in the U.S. In 2013, Business Insider called it one of the "10 Most Exciting Small Cities In America."

The San Marcos River is a favorite spot for both locals and visitors. People enjoy tubing, canoeing, swimming, and fishing. The Texas Water Safari race starts here every June. Because of its beauty, the city is sometimes called "San Marvelous." The city even uses this nickname in its "Keep San Marcos Beautiful" campaign.

The town center, often called "the square," was planned in 1851. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hays County Courthouse, built in 1908, sits in the middle of the square. The downtown area has many restaurants, shops, and music venues.

San Marcos also has five historic neighborhoods. Over 40 homes and buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Local news includes the San Marcos Daily Record and The University Star.

Public Art

San Marcos has some cool public art. In 2013, a special sculpture was started. It shows LBJ and MLK talking. It was put up in 2014.

The Walkers' Gallery is an art gallery at the San Marcos Activity Center. It shows art by local artists. You can visit for free to see the exhibits.

Downtown San Marcos also has several graffiti-style murals. Some even show characters from movies!

In 2016, the San Marcos Arts Commission put up 10 mermaid statues around the city. Mermaids have been a part of San Marcos's history since the mid-1900s. Back then, women dressed as mermaids performed underwater at Aquarena Springs. Each mermaid statue is 7 feet tall and decorated by a different artist. They celebrate the city's art, culture, and nature.

Music Scene

San Marcos has a great music scene. For over 20 years, the city has hosted the Summer in the Park concert series. Live music is played outdoors every Thursday from June to August.

The Cheatham Street Warehouse is a famous music venue. It helped start the careers of many famous musicians like George Strait and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Cheatham Street Foundation works to keep Texas music traditions alive.

Texas State University also helps the music scene. It hosts the Hill Country Jazz Festival and the Eddie Durham Celebration every year.

San Marcos on Screen

Many TV shows and movies have been filmed in San Marcos. Some examples include Friday Night Lights, Boyhood, and The Tree of Life.

Places to Visit

• Alkek Library
• Bobcat Ballpark
• Bobcat Stadium
• Calaboose African American History Museum
• Cheatham Street Warehouse
• Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos
• Eye of the Dog Art Center
• First United Methodist Church
• Fort Street Presbyterian Church
• Freeman Ranch
• Lyndon Baines Johnson Museum of San Marcos
• Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
• Old Main
• Rio Vista Dam
• San Marcos Mill Tract
• San Marcos Outlet Malls
• Texas State University
• Sewell Park
• Strahan Coliseum
• Wonder Cave

Notable People

Sister Cities

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