Terrell Hills
A little bit of history: Looking back from the vantage point of 2009, I find this story to be quite amusing. In 1919, a group of 6 families and 3 bachelors organized with the goal of emigrating from the City of San Antonio and settling in a "remote rural area." They selected a 24 acre tract that was formerly Terrell Farms (which now lies in the heart of San Antonio.) The southern boundary was Terrell Road, Garraty Road to the north, and western border was Eldon Road. The eastern border was Fort Sam Houston and what is now Harry Wurzbach.
In 1939, Maury Maverick* was running for Mayor of the City of San Antonio. He made it known that he would take those "silk stocking areas" in San Antonio and "tax the hell out of them" With that advance notice in mind, Terrell Hills held a an election on March 25th to decide the fate of their little township. Terrell Hills was incorporated on March 31, 1939 and received the charter as "Town of Terrell Hills". Maury Maverick took office on June 1st but was now powerless to override the town charter.
In July of 1945, San Antonio again tried to take in both Terrell Hills and Alamo Heights. The 4th Court of Appeals upheld the law that would not allow San Antonio to overtake any incorporated township already within its borders.
Today, real estate in Terrell Hills is some the most expensive in San Antonio and compares to some of the pricier places in the entire state of Texas. The average housing cost is in the $300s but a modest home on some streets can be had for less than $200,000. The most expensive home listed in MLS as of today in Terrell Hills is a luxurious 13,056 sf 6 bedroom, 6 bath, 3 half bath, 4 car garage built this year and offered at $7,750,000.
Terrell Hills is served by two school districts. Which one a child attends depends on which part of Terrell Hills a home is located in. The school districts are Alamo Heights Independent School District and North East Independent School District.
*The term "maverick," used to describe someone who doesn't go with a herd mentality, originated with the Maverick family. But that's another story.
Shirley, What a great story. I love it when the little guys stand up and say NO.
How cool ! Thats where Maverick came from huh !
Howdy there Shirley
What a really rich History, the Terrell Hills neighborhood has. Sure did enjoy reading your post about that area.
Hi Shirley, This is such an interesting and well written story! So is Terrell Hills, still a town inside San Antonio? I can't wait to read the story about the "mavericks" Thanks Shirley!
Hi Marchel, Me too!
Hi Sheldon, Yep, that's the original source!
Hi Dale, Thanks a bunch!
Hi Mary, Terrell Hills is still a city inside San Antonio. Guess I'll have to write a story about the Maverick family now... :o)
Wow Shirley, What a great history lesson on Terrell Hills and the Maverick family. I hadn't heard it before. It's always interesting how a town originated and where certain words come from. Wow, that 13056 square foot home sounds like a beauty!
Shirley
I love homes from that era and could just drive around all day in your great city just photographing them.