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CONVERSE, TEXAS

 

 As the City of Converse continues to grow, it owes much to its rich and deep history to the past.  Converse is located on Farm Road 1976 thirteen miles northeast of downtown San Antonio in northeastern Bexar County.  It was named for the chief engineer of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Major James Converse, who in 1877 bought a tract of land including the town site.  A post office was established in 1878, and by 1885 a population of thirty was reported.  In 1896 the town had a saloon, two cotton gins, and a grocery store.  In 1900 the community, originally settled by German farmers, reportedly had the oldest 4-H Club in Texas.  A singing society, the Salatrillo Liederkranz, had been active for many years. The population in 1946 was 175; by 1965 the town had twenty-two businesses and 900 residents. Converse had become a suburb of San Antonio. In 1990 the community had a population of 8,887, and in 1991 it had seventy-three businesses. In 2000 the population had grown to 11,508 with 390 businesses. Today (2009), it is estimated to be at approximately 16,000 residents. 

Converse was formally incorporated in 1961 as a municipality, with around 250 homes.    The city, operating under a home rule charter, has a council-manager form of government:  Mayor Al Suarez, City Manager Sam Hughes, Assistant City Manager John Quintanilla, and City Secretary Adriana “Penny” Hieronymus. The City Council includes John Shadron, Carlton Degenhardt, Mary Riley, Jon Lingren and Renee Paschall.

It is now a bustling town of approximately 16,000 along FM 78, midway between Interstates 35 and 10 with easy access to shopping and services.  Other major thoroughfares include Loop 1604, FM 1516, Toepperwein and Kitty Hawk Roads providing accessibility to San Antonio, Central and South Texas.

 

The City of Converse is experiencing phenomenal growth and has been labeled one of the fastest growing cities within the NORTHEAST METROCOM.  The expansion of our borders and economic growth specifically target the needs of our residents and business partners.

 

Any visitor to Converse will notice the expansive 250-unit Town Square apartment complex between South Seguin Road and FM 78.  The Town Square project was designed and built with a 19^th century feel and includes a bandstand/gazebo as the focal point.  The complex already has space for a variety of retail shops and professional offices.  This same period-charm development theme will continue during the coming years as plans move forward to create a downtown setting where residents and visitors congregate for recreation, shopping, and fine dining.  The Town Square has been several years in the making, and involved city, county, state officials, the Converse Economic Development Corporation members, developers and property management representatives that took a cardboard vision and made it a reality. 

 

Over the past 2 to 3 years many significant city improvements and additions have been completed.  Next door to Town Square is the Ed J. Kneupper Justice Center, which was aptly renamed in honor of the city’s first mayor and fire chief.   The Police Department, Emergency Dispatch Center and Municipal Court operate out of this center.  The proximity of these city offices within the central part of the city affords our citizens quick and efficient responses in the event of an emergency.   Another Fire/EMS Station was dedicated in 2006.  This $1.4 million station fronts Thornton Lane and provides quick access to Boysville, Judson High School, residential developments in that part of the city, Loop 1604 and IH10.  Voters approved the expansion in the May 2004 election and the city responded with the station’s opening two years later.   This new station distinguishes Converse by being the first Bexar County suburb to open a second fire station. This station also provides fire and EMS service to San Antonio’s Northhampton subdivision.

 

In 2006-07 Converse negotiated the annexation of 110 acres of land along FM 78, formerly in San Antonio’s “extra territorial jurisdiction” in exchange for extending fire and EMS services to residents of the neighboring Northampton subdivision.  Prior to this annexation initiative approximately 1,100 homes in Northampton, which extends along Converse’s southern city limit, were being served by San Antonio fire and EMS service located more than 5 miles from the entrance to the subdivision.  This annexation provided a sizeable boost to the city’s annual budget by significantly increasing the city’s sales tax base.   Additional Converse business growth, as a result of this deal with San Antonio, included the Wal-Mart Super Center and a chain of establishments along FM 78 between Converse’s current city limits and the southern edge of the Wal-Mart property.  

 

Converse has many housing developments with single-family, affordable homes; apartments and duplexes. Major shopping locations are at Kitty Hawk and Toepperwein; FM 1976 and Toepperwein and all along FM 78.  Whether you are looking for drive-through or sit-down meals, Converse boasts a wide range of eateries ranging from American and cultural cuisine.  There is an abundance of available and occupied storefront space within the city.  New retail developments include the Copper Creek Retail Mall, Lotts Landing Retail Mall, the River City Gymnasium,

 

Converse is blessed with numerous civic, academic and church organizations. The Greater Randolph Area Services 55-Plus Senior Center located on Donalan Drive. The organization serves noon meals five days a week and provides delivery service to shut-ins. Activities and programs are also available at the center.  Adults can enjoy an assortment of affiliations which include: American Legion Post 593, Converse Lions Club, the Cimarron Homeowners Association; the City's Police Department hosts an annual Citizen's Police Academy for those interested in finding out more about the life of an officer, and possibly riding along with a patrolman.  Alumni then volunteer their service at various city functions, such as "Night in Ole Converse”.  The city has a Library which also hosts satellite offices for State Representatives from District 118 & 119. The Judson Independent School District continues to build schools that provide top notch education for the children of Converse families.  Worshippers may choose from among Converse First Baptist Church, New Hope United Methodist Church, Maranatha Bible Church, Converse Hispanic Baptist Church, New Life Baptist Church and St. Monica's Catholic Church, which also supports a Catholic school. 

 

The city's water supply, part of the Edward's Aquifer, is among the best in the METROCOM. Converse water is also fluoridated and has been designated "superior".  The availability of Recycled water has recently been extended to area residents. The business owners and residents of Converse diligently practice water conservation. They also participate in recycling programs with the support of our refuse pick-up service, Waste Management, Inc. City sewage services are provided by the San Antonio River Authority, electricity is the domain of San Antonio's City Public Service and gas is available from Entex or City Public Service.

 

Converse is the only Northeast suburban city served by the VIA Metropolitan Bus Transit System which operates public transportation services throughout Bexar County.

 

Converse's park and recreation facilities include four ball fields, a swimming pool, pavilion and concession stand, all located at the intersection of School Street and Willow Drive. The swimming pool is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Season passes and swimming lessons are available. The main park is the site of the annual “Night in Ole Converse” event, the largest festival in suburban Bexar County. The event is held the first weekend in October.  The event traditionally features a parade, carnival rides, battle of the bands and nightly dancing. NIOC is held for three days, beginning Friday night.  A second park, North Park, offers playground equipment, basketball courts, picnic tables and barbecue grills.  The city’s youth are served by the Judson Youth Sports Foundation Longhorns football & Cheerleading organizations, the Converse Cardinals, and the Judson Youth Sports Foundation Pony League baseball & Softball organization.