Early History of Seguin
Seguin was built on land granted by the Mexican Government to Sir Humphrey Branch, under the Emprassario Grant of Green DeWitt. This land grant, recorded in the State Land Office at Austin, bears the date of May, 1830. Branch perfected his grant by actually settling on the present townsite in November, 1831. Around 1834, the settlers here moved to Gonzales for protection from the constant attacks by band of Indians.
Prior to 1838, Seguin was know as Walnut Springs. When it was found that another locality in Texas has previously recorded the name of Walnut Springs, Texas, the shareholders voted to adopt a new name. The choice was between Tuscumbia and Seguin, and Seguin won by eleven voted (the name of Seguin was in honor of Juan N. Seguin, who had been a colonel in the Texas Calvary at San Jacinto).
On March 24, 1846, an act by the First Legislature read as follow: "…be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas that the town of Seguin be declared the Seat of Justice in the County of Guadalupe." Then on March 30, 1846, Guadalupe County was created from parts of Bexar and Gonzales counties. By this Act, Guadalupe County became one of the first ten counties created by the Legislature of Texas and Seguin actually became a county seat before there was a county!
The City of Seguin was incorporated in 1853, with John R. King as its first Mayor. A copy of the "Incorporation of Seguin" is printed in the Seguin Mercury, on of Seguin's first newspapers. The Galveston and Harrisburg Railroad was built through Seguin in 1875. The first public school building was erected in 1889, but the first school was taught by Reverent David Thompson in 1842.
Guadalupe County has always been famous for its stock raising. One of the most famous race horses of Seguin, in the days after the Civil War, was named Seguin, and it carried our colors to win in the State Races in Austin in those days. "Texas", the horse ridden by Theodore Roosevelt in the charge of San Juan Hill in the Spanish American Way, was given to Roosevelt by his cousin, Colonel Moore of Seguin.
Seguin is also famous for its Oak Trees. The many beautiful oaks of Seguin have names of historical background. Many are estimated to be 500 years old or more; some even as much as 1,000 year old. Many generations have loved and protected these trees. They may be seen at the following locations:
Civil War Oak - Seventh block of West Baker Street
Coffin Oak - Corner of South Camp and West Donegan Streets
*John Ireland Oak - Middle of North Travis (officially named after Texas Governor Ireland of Seguin)
Ranger Oak - Gonzales and Camp Streets
The Goodrich Oak - South end of Goodrich Street
The Sam Houston - Sixth block of East Nolte Street
Whipping Oak - North side of Central Park
*Hanging Oak - Corner of South River and East Nolte Streets
In the early days, there were many beautiful rock fences marking the property lines of the early settlers. Remnants of these can be seen at the east end of Nolte Street and at the corner of East Ireland and North Travis Streets.
* No longer standing
Location
Strategic LocationSeguin is strategically located in South Central Texas on Interstate Highway 10.San Antonio, the tenth largest city in the United States, is thirty minutes west of Seguin via IH 10. Austin, the State capitol, is conveniently accessible 50 miles to the north by State Highway 123 and Interstate Highway 35. The ports of Houston and Corpus Christi are nearly equal distance from Seguin.
Distance to Major Cities:
Austin………………….50
Corpus Christi ……… 145
Dallas…………………242
El Paso………………. 582
Fort Worth………… 385
Houston…………… 160
Laredo………………..185
San Antonio…….……34
Community Profile
Population
Year City County
1930 5,225 28,925
1940 7,006 25,596
1950 9,733 25,392
1960 14,299 29,017
1970 15,934 33,554
1980 17,854 46,708
1990 18,853 64,874
2000 22,011 89,023
Workforce
Alamo Area Texas Workforce Center
1500 E. Court Street, Suite 444
Seguin, Texas 78155
(830) 379-4244
www.twc.state.tx.us
Communications
Newspapers:
Gazette-Enterprise Seguin Daily News
1012 Schriewer St. 609 E. Court St.
Seguin, Texas 78155 Seguin, Texas 78155
(830) 379-5402 (830) 379-2234
Radio Station: Cable Television:
KWED-AM 1580 Time Warner Cable
609 E. Court St. 1239 E. College St.
Seguin, Texas 78155 Seguin, Texas 78155
(830) 379-2234 1-800-255-0501
Education
Tax Structure
Ad Valorem Property Tax ($100 of Value):
County 0.3654
City 0.3976
School 1.6854
Bonded Indebtedness: $14,625,000.00
General Obligation: $6,400,000.00
Bond Revenue: $8,225,000.00
Bonding Rating: "A" on the Fitch IBCA scale
Retail Sales Tax: State-6.25%, City-1.50%, County- 0.50%
Transportation
Highways:
Federal: US 90, US 90A
State: TX 123, TX 46, FM 78
Interstate: IH 10
Bus:
Greyhound Bus Lines
1009 W. Court St.
Seguin, Texas 78155
(830) 372-0272
1-800-231-2222
Taxi Services:
Seguin Taxi Service - (830) 305-1183
Gypsy Cab - (830) 379-5576
Air Service:
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
9800 Airport Blvd.
San Antonio, Texas
(210) 207-3450
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
3600 Presidential Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78719
(512) 530-2242
Industrial Support Services
Service Distance
Solid Waste Disposal Local
Heavy Hardware Local
Heat Treating Local
Electric Motor Repair Local
Materials Recycling Local
Tool & Die Maker Local
Welding Supplies Local
Utilities
Climate
Annual Average Temperature 67°
Monthly Average High Temperature
January 77° July 99°
Monthly Average Low Temperature
January 23° July 67°
Annual Average Precipitation: 31.90 inches
Annual Average Snowfall: 0 inches
Elevation: 520 feet
Growing Season: 245 Days
Prevailing Winds: Southeast
Economic Resources
Agricultural Products:
Beef, Christmas Trees, Corn, Cotton, Exotic Animals, Fruit & Vegetables, Grain, Hogs, Horses, Nursery Plants, Oats, Peanuts, Pecans, Poultry
Minerals:
Clay, Gas, Oil, Sand
Tourism:
Antique Shops, Boating, Fishing, Golf Courses, Historic District, Historical Homes, Los Nogales Museum, Max Starcke Park, Municipal Wavepool, Sebastopol State Historical Park, Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum, Swimming, Texas Independence Trail
