Res 2026-017 Approving the City of San Marcos Historic Preservation Plan

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HONOR OUR PAST The San Marcos River and abundant springs, which run through Hays County, attracted the first inhabitants of present-day San Marcos over 12,000 years ago. Underwater archaeological investigations, which began in Spring Lake in the late 1970s, uncovered artifacts created by the Clovis people, revealing this long history of human habitation. To this day, the local Indigenous community honors the Sacred Springs of Spring Lake as their creation site, as documented in southern Texas on a rock wall painting known as Napako ("our journey" in Coahuiltecan), or the White Shaman mural as named by archaeologists. Upon settlement in 1808, as part of Spain's broader efforts to strengthen its presence in Texas, Spaniards erased Indigenous names, calling their ancient local travel route Camino Real de los Tejas, the intersecting waterway the San Marcos River, and their settlement at the junction of the trail and river Villa San Marcos de Neve. Designated as the county seat in 1848 and platted in 1851, the city has grown over nearly two centuries, from its origins along the riverbank to the development of the Courthouse Square, Texas State University, and the surrounding areas. Local historic preservation efforts in San Marcos began formally in 1972 with the formation of the Heritage Association as part of the Bicentennial Commission, established to plan celebrations for the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial. The movement gained momentum in 1973 when the Charles S. Cock House became the city's first property listed in the National Register of Historic Places, followed by the establishment of the Belvin Street Historic District in 1974. Significant institutional frameworks were put in place during the 1980s, including the creation of the Historic Preservation Commission in 1984 and San Marcos' designation as a Main Street city in 1986. After achieving Certified Local Government status in 1990, the City conducted several historic resources surveys throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, notably in 1996 focusing on the Dunbar and East Guadalupe neighborhoods, which documented historically Black and Mexican American communities. The city continued to expand its preservation efforts by establishing multiple historic districts, including Burleson Street (2005), Lindsey -Rogers (2005), and Hopkins Street (2008), while also designating various individual landmarks such as the Old First Baptist Church (219 West MILK Drive) in 2018 and the Calaboose African American History Museum Building (200 West MILK Drive) in 2021. These efforts were supported by evolving design guidelines and sustainability measures, demonstrating the city's ongoing commitment to preserving its diverse cultural heritage. LIVE IN THE MOMENT Located on the 1-35 transportation corridor between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos is the largest city in Hays County. The population has doubled in the past 20 years to approximately 72,000 in 2023, and in 2025 over 40,000 students attend Texas State University. Residents live in apartments near Downtown, in historic homes in neighborhoods like Dunbar or Hopkins Street, in mid-century subdivisions outside of the original town plat, and in new residential developments on the outskirts. Events like the Sacred Spring Powwow, all-night Indigenous ceremonies, Indigenous Peoples Day, and other blessings at the Sacred Springs, and traditional Tejano festivals and dances celebrate and sustain the City's Indigenous, Mexican, and Spanish heritage. Historic buildings, like the Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, Charles S. Cock House, Merriman Cabin, and Hays County Courthouse give a glimpse of San Marcos from its earlier days thanks to an early interest in historic preservation in the community. History museums, cultural centers, and memorials include Left page: Kissing Alley (COSM) INTRODUCTION V