Historical Society of Helotes

Historical Society of Helotes Sharing the history of Helotes, Texas, since 1966. Our long-term goal is to establish a museum in Old Town Helotes.

Our Society records the history of the area, presents educational programs on the history of Bexar County and beyond, and sponsors field trips to historic locales.

Thank you to historian and author Jack Woodville London for joining the Historical Society of Helotes as the guest speak...
09/08/2026

Thank you to historian and author Jack Woodville London for joining the Historical Society of Helotes as the guest speaker at our September General Meeting!

Jack shared insights into his latest novel, “Dangerous Latitudes,” a Texas historical adventure set in the years following the fall of the Alamo. We appreciate him taking the time to speak with our members and guests, sharing his research, and bringing this fascinating chapter of Texas history to life.

Thank you as well to everyone who joined us for another informative and enjoyable Historical Society of Helotes meeting!

⚠️ Meeting Deadline Reminder – Sunday, September 6 ⚠️If you plan to attend our next General Meeting on Tuesday, Septembe...
09/03/2026

⚠️ Meeting Deadline Reminder – Sunday, September 6 ⚠️

If you plan to attend our next General Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, please either order a box lunch at https://historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/meetings OR send an email to [email protected] to RSVP by Sunday, September 6.

Our guest speaker will be historian and award-winning author, Jack Woodville London. His presentation, “1842: Borders, Boundaries, and Revenge,” will focus on the historical background that led to his novel, “Dangerous Latitudes,” a sweeping adventure full of unforgettable Texas legends, such as Republic of Texas Presidents Mirabeau Lamar and Sam Houston, and the tragic story of a race to save 200 captured Texans who the Mexican army have marked for death.

This meeting is open to the public. Guests who do not order a meal are asked to donate $5 at the door.

A proposition to create a half-cent sales tax for economic development in Helotes was put on a ballot in a special elect...
09/02/2026

A proposition to create a half-cent sales tax for economic development in Helotes was put on a ballot in a special election and passed by voters on February 5, 2003. The city then created the Helotes Economic Development Corporation to administer the funds. James McKinney, manager and co-owner of John T. Floore Country Store, was named chairman of the new EDC board. Others on the new board were Lad Herold, Bill Wheeler Sr, Fred Burns, Ardie Garner, Gene Skillrud, and Bob Mander. With the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) already committed to putting a sewer line through Old Town, the EDC focused on water lines and downtown revitalization.

The EDC held several public hearings on downtown revitalization, asking for citizen and stakeholder input. As is usual in such public meetings, there were divergent opinions regarding what was needed. Some business owners wanted to create ordinances that would make new businesses in Old Town adhere to regulations that would preserve the area’s historic roots. Others didn’t want any restrictions, saying that such regulations would make it more difficult to sell their businesses. Still others questioned the need for a 12-inch water line (at that time all the businesses in Old Town relied on wells), wondering if such water service would entice “big-box developers.” One fed-up business owner said, “I need water. I want the streets fixed. I want the lighting. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop blocking it.” Fortunately, his plea was heard. The water line was approved as the first essential step in revitalization of the Old Town district.

Click here to read the rest of the article on page 4 in the September 2026 issue of Helotes Highlights Newspaper. https://highlightspub.com/HH_9_26/HH_9_26.html

“Folktales from the Helotes Settlement” is a collection of personal memories from the Folklore Society’s longest active ...
09/01/2026

“Folktales from the Helotes Settlement” is a collection of personal memories from the Folklore Society’s longest active member, the late John Igo Jr, who was also a long-time supporter of the HSH. John, a descendant of Helotes pioneers Nicholas and Theresa Woller, grew up in Helotes hearing stories about the “old days” from his Woller aunts. Their stories capture the lore of Helotes and, as John often said, “I can’t vouch for the veracity of what they told me, but they are great stories.”

To order your copy from the Historical Society of Helotes website, visit https://historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/store/ols/products/folktales-from-the-helotes-settlement

Please join the Historical Society of Helotes at our upcoming general meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2025 from 12 p.m....
08/24/2026

Please join the Historical Society of Helotes at our upcoming general meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gardens at Old Town Helotes at 15060 Antonio Drive.

Our guest speaker will be historian and award-winning author, Jack Woodville London. His presentation,“1842: Borders, Boundaries, and Revenge,” will focus on the historical background that led to his novel, “Dangerous Latitudes,” a sweeping adventure full of unforgettable Texas legends, such as Republic of Texas Presidents Mirabeau Lamar and Sam Houston, and the tragic story of a race to save two hundred captured Texans who the Mexican army have marked for death.

This meeting is open to the public. The deadline to RSVP is Sunday, September 6. Please choose from one of two ways to RSVP if you plan to attend our General Meeting:

➡️ Option 1: Order a box lunch at https://historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/meetings OR

➡️ Option2: Send an email to [email protected] if you do not wish to order a box lunch.

The Hileman House (and Riggs Residence) is a historic boarding house located in Old Town Helotes. Cowboys from Bandera a...
08/17/2026

The Hileman House (and Riggs Residence) is a historic boarding house located in Old Town Helotes. Cowboys from Bandera and elsewhere often spent the night at the boarding house before going to market in San Antonio, putting their cattle in fenced pastureland near the town.

It was originally built in a Victorian style with an L-shaped two-story porch by entrepreneur Wilbert Hileman in 1912. The house’s facade was changed by second owners James and Kate Riggs using local limestone.

To learn more about the history of the Hileman-Riggs House (now Texas Grounds Coffee Co.), view the interpretive sign at 14359 Riggs Road in Old Town Helotes.

In 1868, 13-year-old Arnold Gugger moved with his parents, Swiss immigrants Anton and Marie Gugger, to Helotes, where hi...
08/13/2026

In 1868, 13-year-old Arnold Gugger moved with his parents, Swiss immigrants Anton and Marie Gugger, to Helotes, where his father started a rock quarry business. His older sisters—Matilda (Braun), Ida (Epp), and Emma Katherine (Boerner)—were already living in the area, having married into Helotes pioneer families.

Arnold Gugger (1855-1928) is one of the few pioneers who wrote about his life in Helotes. A copy of his five-page handwritten biography in the historical society archives contains dates and information pertaining to his life and is a valuable primary resource that provides evidence for the establishment of downtown Helotes. He wrote, “And in the year of 1881, we started a Blacksmith Shop, Grocery Store, and a Saloon.”

Visit the link below to read the rest of the article in the August 2026 issue of Helotes Highlights Newspaper:

https://highlightspub.com/HH_8_26/HH_8_26.html

The Historical Society of Helotes has installed a new history exhibit at Helotes City Hall to celebrate the 60th anniver...
08/03/2026

The Historical Society of Helotes has installed a new history exhibit at Helotes City Hall to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Society.

In 1966, a few residents interested in preserving Helotes’ history formed the Helotes Historical Society. The group was spearheaded by Lucy Perkins Brown (1916-1988), editor of The Helotes Echo, and Wanda Terry (1921-2005), owner of the Hickory Hut Restaurant in Old Town Helotes. After Wanda’s death, a small group of dedicated volunteers kept the Society going. The organization was renamed the Historical Society of Helotes and achieved 501(c)3 tax-exempt status in 2010.

Since then, the Society has sponsored educational activities and projects to preserve the history of the area, such as a Walking Tour Map of Old Town Helotes, Interpretative Signs in front of historic Old Town buildings, and a digital archive of Helotes Echo newspapers from the 1960s through the 1980s available on the Society’s website.

The new exhibit “Celebrating 60 Years of Preserving History,” will be on display until February 2027 at City of Helotes City Hall at 12951 Bandera Road.

(📸: HSH Historian Kathy Masters and HSH President Cynthia Massey)

The Historical Society of Helotes was deeply honored to receive a proclamation from the City of Helotes during last Thur...
07/29/2026

The Historical Society of Helotes was deeply honored to receive a proclamation from the City of Helotes during last Thursday's City Council meeting in recognition of the Society's 60th anniversary.

Helotes Mayor Pro Tem Buck Russell, a fellow Historical Society member, had the privilege of presenting the proclamation to HSH President Cynthia Massey. Several members and board members of the Society were also in attendance to share in this special milestone.

For six decades, the Historical Society of Helotes has been dedicated to preserving the stories, landmarks, traditions, and heritage that make our community so unique. This recognition belongs to every member, volunteer, and supporter who has contributed their time, talents, and passion to preserving Helotes' history for future generations.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Helotes for this meaningful honor and to everyone who has supported the Historical Society over the past 60 years. We look forward to continuing our mission of preserving the past while inspiring future generations to appreciate the rich history of our hometown.

Here's to the next 60 years!

For more than 30 years, this five-room white cottage, now The Cottage of Helotes, has housed antique stores under differ...
07/29/2026

For more than 30 years, this five-room white cottage, now The Cottage of Helotes, has housed antique stores under different names and proprietors, but for several decades it served as a residence for local workers. An early resident was a carpenter who helped erect other buildings on Old Town properties owned by James Riggs (1879-1964). In the 1950s, a family of seven—a mother, father, and five children—resided in the cottage. The father worked at the Sinclair Gas Station down the street.

One early resident who lived in Old Town as a boy in the 1940s remembers the excitement when a renter who lived in the cottage—Mr. Lewis—bought the first TV set in the area [sometime after the war]. He related, “In the evenings, people would gather in front of the cottage and watch wrestling.”

More recently, the cottage has housed such retail businesses as a hobby shop, arts and crafts store, and antique stores.

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Helotes, TX
78023

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