Becoming one of the fastest growing cities in America for the 55+ age group and fueled by Texas State and its 40,000 students, an unique set of critical issues for San Marcos has been created. How do we accommodate this exploding growth while preserving and protecting sites, buildings and neighborhoods that reflect elements of our cultural, social, economic or architectural history?
San Marcos has two organizations that strive to appropriately blend our expanding growth with the preservation of our historic past. The Historic Preservation Commission members are appointed by City Council. It is an advisory body to the Council and to citizens, regards all issues pertaining to the preservation of our city’s history. This history is important as it connects all of us to significant times, places and events in our past that created our identity as a city. The Commission is guided by both the City’s regulations and the guidelines provided by the National Historic Trust.
The Heritage Association of San Marcos was founded in 1975 by a San Marcos resident, the late Frances Stovall. It became the impetus behind the establishment of the first Historic District, Belvin Street. Heritage is a non-profit, community-based organization whose purpose also is to assist in the preservation of our past. It’s objectives are similar to those of the Commission. Their by-laws state, “preserve things of historical, traditional or cultural value, perpetuate those customs of the people, their tradition and folklore that beautify and enrich the community life of this city”
Neither organization is against growth. But growth should be guided by an equal desire to preserve our identified historic past so that constructive, not destructive, development occurs. Both groups have goals to advise and advocate for historic preservation within our downtown and neighborhood communities. Established and stable neighborhoods are essential to preservation as they encourage the sharing of common values and shared stories. To share history means you have to be a part of living it.
The new San Marcos Historic Research Survey Report is soon to be completed and it will make even more obvious how historic preservation can implement and support economic and advantageous growth for San Marcos.
Join Heritage, attend the meetings of the Commission and become involved in working for our future by helping to preserve the past.
Thea Dake
San Marcos resident
