HISTORY
BY JARRETT WHITENER
City of Garden Ridge Small community celebrates its 50th Anniversary
T he city of Garden Ridge celebrated its 50th Anniversary on the Fourth of July with activ- ities to pay homage to the founding of the city in 1972. Library director and local history expert Linda Crosland said the city of Garden Ridge began with 239 residents who were under pressure from Schertz and San Antonio, cities that both wanted to annex the land that is now the city. “San Antonio put its city limit at [Loop] 1604, and that almost put us in their [extraterritorial jurisdiction],” Crosland said. “Then, Schertz decided to expand, and we were almost in their [ETJ], as well.” Crosland said resident Paul Davis rallied others to incorporate the city, which those 206 residents approved on March 24, 1972. Schertz led to annex the land on March 25, 1972. “We say we beat them by a day or by 30 minutes, but we did submit the paperwork before them,” she said. With the city o cially started, Paul Davis became the rst mayor of Garden Ridge. Crosland said incor- poration of the city did not come without growing pains. City Council meetings were often disorderly and ended in disputes as the council and residents disagreed, she said. The majority of city jobs and services were volunteer work with the only paid position going to a lawyer, she said. With many of the men working during the day, women in the com- munity took up volunteer work, and on March 24, 1972. Schertz led to said. With the city ocially started, Paul Davis became the rst mayor of
a few of them trained as volunteer re ghters to ensure the area would be covered any time of day, Crosland said. As the city developed, city o cials realized in 1978 that ad valorem taxes would be necessary to help drive the local economy. Crosland said the city entered a more mature phase when Jay Feibel- man became mayor in 1997. “Jay really helped bring the city out of its infancy and into a little more maturity,” she said. “He made the city more of a city and helped organize things so that we could operate properly. Of course, we still had plenty of disagreements, but it was a lot better than council meetings before his time.” During his time in o ce, Feibelman lobbied CPS Energy to get a new grid in the area, so residents did not lose power during rain, and the Texas Department of Transportation to get overpasses on FM 3009 to help drivers avoid train tra c. Feibelman also advocated for the construction of the community center and city hall complex, Crosland said. Mayor Robb Erickson said Garden Ridge has room to grow.“We are working with residents and developers to manage local growth, especially around FM 2252, so that Garden Ridge becomes a destination for people to come and have dinner or lunch, and come to the city to have fellowship and recreation,” Erickson said. “We want to make a destination out of Garden Ridge while we keep that small-town, country-living feeling.” avoid train trac. reghters to ensure the area would be As the city developed, city ocials During his time in oce, Feibelman
Over time, parades have modernized to now include the traditional vehicles and oats. Over time, parades have modernized to now include the traditional vehicles and oats.
PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF GARDEN RIDGE
Over the last 50 years, Garden Ridge has grown from various ranches to a small city between San Antonio and New Braunfels. BUILDING A CITY
1972 With a population of 239, Garden Ridge incorporates as a city and Paul Davis becomes its rst mayor. 1978 Ad valorem tax discussion begins; Paul Davis steps down as mayor. 1992 Garden Ridge residents are divided as sta raises an allegation against the police chief. 1997 Jay Feibelman is elected mayor. 2006 The Garden Ridge Community Center and library are constructed. 2013 Jay Feibelman retires after 16 years as mayor. 2013 Andrew Dalton becomes mayor. 2015 Mayor Andrew Dalton passes away. 2015 Nadine Knaus became mayor. 2020 Garden Ridge’s population grew to 4,186 as of the latest Census. 2022 Garden Ridge celebrates its 50th anniversary. Larry Thompson steps in as mayor. 2020 Garden Ridge’s population grew to 4,186 as of the latest Census. 2022 Garden Ridge celebrates its 50th anniversary. rst mayor. divided as sta raises an allegation
An aging shack, picture in 1967, became the city’s rst City Hall in 1972. the city’s rst City Hall in 1972.
Children gathered on their bikes to participate in a city parade in 1972.
3009
GARDEN RIDGE
35
2252
N
20% OFF YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED. RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. COUPON CODE GREEN20 GIVE US A TRY AND GET
SAME DAY DELIVERY AVAILABLE!
NEXT TO BUC-EE’S: 2090 I-35 SUITE 4106 • (830) 608-9446
19
NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION • JULY 2022
Powered by FlippingBook