Tilden, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tilden, Texas
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| Hamlet of Tilden | |
The McMullen County Courthouse in Tilden
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Location of Tilden, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | McMullen County |
| Area | |
| • Land | 0.35 sq mi (0.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 190 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
78072
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Tilden is a small community in Texas, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of McMullen County. In 2020, about 190 people lived there.
Tilden is located where two main roads, State Highways 16 and 72, meet. It is about an hour's drive south of the big city of San Antonio.
Contents
History of Tilden
During the American Civil War, a special camp called Camp Rio Frio was built near Tilden. This camp helped protect the community from Apache people and outlaws.
After the war, the community was known as Dog Town. It had a reputation for being a wild place with many outlaws.
The first permanent building was the Franklin Ranch, built in 1868 by Ralph S. Franklin. Today, it is called the Lone Star Camp. It is still a hunting and working ranch owned by the Franklin Family.
In 1871, the community received its own post office. This made it easier for people to send and receive mail.
The town's name was later changed to Tilden. This was done to honor Samuel J. Tilden. He was a politician who ran for president in 1876 but did not win.
In 1881, a school called Old McMullin College opened. It was supported by the Baptist Church. In 1897, the school buildings were given to the Tilden School District for public education.
Boot Hill Cemetery
Tilden is home to Boot Hill Cemetery. It is one of only two real "Boot Hill" cemeteries in the southwest United States. The name "Boot Hill" comes from the idea that many people buried there died suddenly or violently. They "died with their boots on."
Many early graves were for people who died in accidents or were murdered. Some also died from a serious illness called cholera in 1869. However, some people buried there died from natural causes. The cemetery started after Camp Rio Frio was built in 1858.
In 1877, people stopped using Boot Hill Cemetery. They started using a new place called Hill Top Cemetery. Boot Hill was then forgotten for over 50 years. Many grave markers were lost or damaged.
In 1955, a group called the Cenizo Garden Club decided to clean up and restore the cemetery. They cleared the land and found as many graves as they could. They also built a low stone border around the grounds. A large boot made of stone, placed on a petrified palm stump, was added as a sign. The club also helped get a historical marker for the cemetery entrance.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 190 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 |
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Tilden's Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 190 people living in Tilden. There were 72 households and 56 families in the community.
The census also looks at different groups of people. In Tilden, about 61.58% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino background. About 32.63% were White (not Hispanic). Other groups made up smaller parts of the population.
Education
Children in Tilden attend public schools provided by the McMullen County Independent School District.
Notable People from Tilden
- Lon Oden (1863–1910) was a famous Texas Ranger from the Old West. He was known as a legend within the Rangers.
- Bob Wheeler was a politician who served in the Texas State Legislature. He was a member from 1955 to 1961.
Climate
The weather in Tilden has hot and humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Tilden has a humid subtropical climate. This means it gets a lot of rain and has warm temperatures for most of the year.
See also
In Spanish: Tilden (Texas) para niños
