Helotes

Human occupation of the Helotes area dates to about 7000 years before present, when small bands of Nomadic Indians migrated seasonally in search of food and game and camped in this vicinity. Early Texas pioneer John M. Ross acquired title to the land in 1836 by purchasing rights to a Republic of Texas land grant from Almazon Huston, Quartermaster General of the Republic of Texas Army. In 1852 Ross sold the property to Thomas Devine and Francis Giraud, who formed a partnership to survey the land and sell it in smaller plots. In 1858 Dr. George Frederick Marnoch purchased the land that later became the townsite of Helotes. The town developed around the home and mercantile store of Arnold Gugger, who bought property from Marnoch's heirs in 1880, became postmaster in 1888, and sold his land to Bert Hielman in 1908, after which Hielman opened the town's first dance hall. Many farms and cattle and sheep ranches were established in the area, and Helotes became a popular stop for cowboys driving cattle to auction in San Antonio. Many descendants of early settlers still live in the area.

Helotes, Texas · United States