Terrell Hills, Small Town in the Heart of the CityWindcrest
By Catherine Hudgins
Posted 03/31/08
Like most other urban areas, the metropolitan San Antonio region contains a broad spectrum of residential housing, from small prefab and manufactured homes to custom-designed palatial abodes. In most of the region, prices are dictated by obvious factors such as square footage, the number and type of amenities included, lot size, building materials used, and so forth.
Yet in metro San Antonio, just as in those other urban areas, there are a few places where home prices are dictated by more esoteric (at least to newcomers) considerations. Like Clayton and Ladue in St. Louis, Oak Park in the Chicago area, La Jolla in California, and Manhattan in New York City, there are particular areas within the Alamo City region where residential value is greatly enhanced, if not determined primarily, more by location than anything else.
Arguably the most valuable residential housing in the Alamo City (and definitely the most likely, say real estate professionals and residents alike, to retain that value forever) can be found in an area defined by one zip code – 78209. Referred to (by themselves as well as others) as “’09ers” or “Oh-Niners,” these residents and their metro San Antonio peers know that properties in Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, and Terrell Hills enjoy a unique cachet that goes way beyond construction costs and has been highly prized since the first homes were built in the area, which is just north of downtown San Antonio.
San Antonio’s metamorphosis from sleepy ranching village to booming metropolis occurred between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of World War II. Many of the Alamo City’s leading families – headed by business and professional entrepreneurs who succeeded in acquiring wealth and social standing – also sought to influence the city’s patterns of growth, yet wanted to preserve a small-town neighborhood feel when it came time to build their own homes. Their desire to maintain a careful control of the ambiance of their surroundings resulted in the development of the aforementioned small, independent municipalities that share a common zip code.
One of the most accessible of the “big three” communities developed by these well-established and civic-minded people is Terrell Hills. This bedroom township, with a current population of approximately 5,100, rubs shoulders with Alamo Heights and Fort Sam Houston. It lies along Austin Highway inside Loop 410; this puts it five miles northeast of San Antonio’s central business district center. Not surprisingly, the mean travel time to work for Terrell Hills residents (according to statistics published on www.city-data.com) is 16.9 minutes. Almost all of the housing available in Terrell Hills is single-family residences, primarily occupied by highly-educated, married homeowners with above-average incomes.
Yet, despite this apparent homogenous demographic, what a variety of residences is available in this one small municipality!
Of all the ’09 communities, Terrell Hills boasts perhaps the greatest range of choices in homes of varying architectural ages, styles, sizes, and prices. The appeal of the area, however, is magnified by that zip code – and the unwavering value it imparts to homes and home life within this cozy, affluent neighborhood.
Terrell Hills got its name from Dr. Frederick Terrell, the president of City National Bank and a community leader who served as San Antonio’s mayor in 1901. Dr. Terrell owned a large ranch north of the Alamo City, and in 1919, he sold a small portion – approximately 22.5 acres – to William Church, who was the trustee for a group that included some of San Antonio’s most prominent businessmen, such as Terrell, Alfred G. Ranney, William K. Ewing, and Albert Steves, Jr. The members soon named their group The Terrell Hills Community and set about developing and promoting the residential community they envisioned. Meetings were held to discuss and manage such community-impacting issues as traffic and construction; the group was also responsible for arrangements to provide electric, water, and sewer services to those who began to build homes in the area.
Incorporated as a town in 1939, Terrell Hills elected W. L. Mathews its first mayor. Perhaps the most exciting event in the town’s political history occurred in 1945, when San Antonio attempted to annex Terrell Hills without allowing an election on the issue in either municipality. Terrell Hills took San Antonio to district court, where the annexation was ruled illegal and voided. In 1957, Terrell Hills became a City with a home rule charter and retained a mayor and council system of government.
Within the city’s boundaries lies an eclectic yet somehow harmonious variety of homes that reflect the genteel tastes and lifestyles of the eras in which they were built. Surrounded by mature trees and well-kept lawns and landscaping, Mediterranean-style villas from the 1920s and classic Colonial houses circa the 1930s line the quiet ’09 streets – alongside quintessential 1950s ranch designs and sprawling modern and post-modern homes from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.
New homes continue to be built in Terrell Hills, exemplifying the vibrant community spirit that attracts new San Antonio residents as well as members of some of the city’s oldest families. Of course, many of the new homes being built starkly reflect the latest design trends, but somehow, in Terrell Hills, the mix of old and new and new-again works.
And while local real estate brokers agree that prices for Terrell Hills residences historically do nothing but rise, the area does have a range of housing priced to promote a well-balanced economic and social mix. In other words, it is possible to purchase a home in Terrell Hills without having already attained an upper-level executive position with a Fortune 500 company.
Demographics show, however, a definite leaning in that direction. More than two-thirds of Terrell Hills’ residents hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. Many hold professional positions in finance, education, health, and legal services industries, which reflects in the excellence of the public school system and in the unobtrusive but highly competent delivery of municipal services. Children living in Terrell Hills attend schools belonging to the Alamo Heights Independent School District.
Another of the “esoteric” attractions about living in Terrell Hills is its proximity to so many of the things that make San Antonio a great place to raise a family or retire after having done so. Retired Army officers enjoy being close to Fort Sam Houston, not only for the post exchange privileges, but for access to its medical resources – and its golf course.
Speaking of golf, within minutes of most of Terrell Hills is the San Antonio Country Club and the Brackenridge Park public course.
Most of the metro area’s museums and galleries are only minutes away, as well. Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word, two of the Alamo City’s finest universities, with all their cultural and intellectual resources, are located nearby, too.
Although the municipality has only a small number of retail establishments within its boundaries, upscale shopping experiences are readily available to Terrell Hills residents – without having to fight their way on or off a single expressway.
In other words, residing in Terrell Hills allows easy access to all the amenities and enjoyments of big city life, while providing the sense of security and charm that living in a small town brings. And homeownership in this gem of an area, as in any part of ’09, remains as it’s been since the beginning: a surefire investment.
Yet in metro San Antonio, just as in those other urban areas, there are a few places where home prices are dictated by more esoteric (at least to newcomers) considerations. Like Clayton and Ladue in St. Louis, Oak Park in the Chicago area, La Jolla in California, and Manhattan in New York City, there are particular areas within the Alamo City region where residential value is greatly enhanced, if not determined primarily, more by location than anything else.
Arguably the most valuable residential housing in the Alamo City (and definitely the most likely, say real estate professionals and residents alike, to retain that value forever) can be found in an area defined by one zip code – 78209. Referred to (by themselves as well as others) as “’09ers” or “Oh-Niners,” these residents and their metro San Antonio peers know that properties in Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, and Terrell Hills enjoy a unique cachet that goes way beyond construction costs and has been highly prized since the first homes were built in the area, which is just north of downtown San Antonio.
San Antonio’s metamorphosis from sleepy ranching village to booming metropolis occurred between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of World War II. Many of the Alamo City’s leading families – headed by business and professional entrepreneurs who succeeded in acquiring wealth and social standing – also sought to influence the city’s patterns of growth, yet wanted to preserve a small-town neighborhood feel when it came time to build their own homes. Their desire to maintain a careful control of the ambiance of their surroundings resulted in the development of the aforementioned small, independent municipalities that share a common zip code.
One of the most accessible of the “big three” communities developed by these well-established and civic-minded people is Terrell Hills. This bedroom township, with a current population of approximately 5,100, rubs shoulders with Alamo Heights and Fort Sam Houston. It lies along Austin Highway inside Loop 410; this puts it five miles northeast of San Antonio’s central business district center. Not surprisingly, the mean travel time to work for Terrell Hills residents (according to statistics published on www.city-data.com) is 16.9 minutes. Almost all of the housing available in Terrell Hills is single-family residences, primarily occupied by highly-educated, married homeowners with above-average incomes.
Yet, despite this apparent homogenous demographic, what a variety of residences is available in this one small municipality!
Of all the ’09 communities, Terrell Hills boasts perhaps the greatest range of choices in homes of varying architectural ages, styles, sizes, and prices. The appeal of the area, however, is magnified by that zip code – and the unwavering value it imparts to homes and home life within this cozy, affluent neighborhood.
Terrell Hills got its name from Dr. Frederick Terrell, the president of City National Bank and a community leader who served as San Antonio’s mayor in 1901. Dr. Terrell owned a large ranch north of the Alamo City, and in 1919, he sold a small portion – approximately 22.5 acres – to William Church, who was the trustee for a group that included some of San Antonio’s most prominent businessmen, such as Terrell, Alfred G. Ranney, William K. Ewing, and Albert Steves, Jr. The members soon named their group The Terrell Hills Community and set about developing and promoting the residential community they envisioned. Meetings were held to discuss and manage such community-impacting issues as traffic and construction; the group was also responsible for arrangements to provide electric, water, and sewer services to those who began to build homes in the area.
Incorporated as a town in 1939, Terrell Hills elected W. L. Mathews its first mayor. Perhaps the most exciting event in the town’s political history occurred in 1945, when San Antonio attempted to annex Terrell Hills without allowing an election on the issue in either municipality. Terrell Hills took San Antonio to district court, where the annexation was ruled illegal and voided. In 1957, Terrell Hills became a City with a home rule charter and retained a mayor and council system of government.
Within the city’s boundaries lies an eclectic yet somehow harmonious variety of homes that reflect the genteel tastes and lifestyles of the eras in which they were built. Surrounded by mature trees and well-kept lawns and landscaping, Mediterranean-style villas from the 1920s and classic Colonial houses circa the 1930s line the quiet ’09 streets – alongside quintessential 1950s ranch designs and sprawling modern and post-modern homes from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.
New homes continue to be built in Terrell Hills, exemplifying the vibrant community spirit that attracts new San Antonio residents as well as members of some of the city’s oldest families. Of course, many of the new homes being built starkly reflect the latest design trends, but somehow, in Terrell Hills, the mix of old and new and new-again works.
And while local real estate brokers agree that prices for Terrell Hills residences historically do nothing but rise, the area does have a range of housing priced to promote a well-balanced economic and social mix. In other words, it is possible to purchase a home in Terrell Hills without having already attained an upper-level executive position with a Fortune 500 company.
Demographics show, however, a definite leaning in that direction. More than two-thirds of Terrell Hills’ residents hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. Many hold professional positions in finance, education, health, and legal services industries, which reflects in the excellence of the public school system and in the unobtrusive but highly competent delivery of municipal services. Children living in Terrell Hills attend schools belonging to the Alamo Heights Independent School District.
Another of the “esoteric” attractions about living in Terrell Hills is its proximity to so many of the things that make San Antonio a great place to raise a family or retire after having done so. Retired Army officers enjoy being close to Fort Sam Houston, not only for the post exchange privileges, but for access to its medical resources – and its golf course.
Speaking of golf, within minutes of most of Terrell Hills is the San Antonio Country Club and the Brackenridge Park public course.
Most of the metro area’s museums and galleries are only minutes away, as well. Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word, two of the Alamo City’s finest universities, with all their cultural and intellectual resources, are located nearby, too.
Although the municipality has only a small number of retail establishments within its boundaries, upscale shopping experiences are readily available to Terrell Hills residents – without having to fight their way on or off a single expressway.
In other words, residing in Terrell Hills allows easy access to all the amenities and enjoyments of big city life, while providing the sense of security and charm that living in a small town brings. And homeownership in this gem of an area, as in any part of ’09, remains as it’s been since the beginning: a surefire investment.
