Shiner, Texas

Summary

Shiner is a city in Lavaca County, Texas, United States. The town was named after Henry B. Shiner, who donated 250 acres (1.0 km2) for a railroad right-of-way. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 2,127. Shiner was founded by German and Czech emigrants.

Shiner, Texas
Opera House in Shiner
Opera House in Shiner
Motto: 
"Cleanest Little City in Texas"
Location of Shiner, Texas
Location of Shiner, Texas
Coordinates: 29°25′51″N 97°10′20″W / 29.43083°N 97.17222°W / 29.43083; -97.17222
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyLavaca
Area
 • Total2.48 sq mi (6.41 km2)
 • Land2.47 sq mi (6.39 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
358 ft (109 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,127
 • Density876.01/sq mi (338.18/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
77984
Area code361
FIPS code48-67640[2]
GNIS feature ID1347067[3]
WebsiteShinerTexas.gov

History edit

In 1885, a post office called Half Moon was opened at a trading post near the present site of Shiner. In 1887, Henry B. Shiner donated 250 acres for a depot and right-of-way for the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway, which bypassed Half Moon and was built through Henry B. Shiner's donated land. The town grew around these transportation facilities. The town initially called itself "New Half Moon", but in 1888, the town's name was changed to Shiner and the town was incorporated in 1890.[4]

Czech and German immigrants soon became the dominant ethnic groups, and Shiner developed a cohesive Czech community that still heavily influences the town's culture. Ranching was an important part of the town's history.[5]

Historically notable families of the area are the Wolters and Welhausen families, after whom the Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum and the Shiner Welhausen Park are named, respectively.

Shiner is the home of the Spoetzl Brewery, the oldest independent brewery in Texas. The brewery is most well known for producing Shiner Bock, a dark German/Czech-style beer that is now distributed in 50 states.[6]

Shiner is also the home of the historic Kaspar Companies, one of the oldest continuously operating companies in America.[7] Kaspar Companies is a holding company that currently consists of Ranch Hand Truck Accessories, Texas Precious Metals, and several other businesses.[8]

Geography edit

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), of which 0.41% is covered by water.

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890340
1900845148.5%
19101,09629.7%
19201,30018.6%
19301,3725.5%
19401,52010.8%
19501,77817.0%
19601,9459.4%
19702,1028.1%
19802,2135.3%
19902,074−6.3%
20002,070−0.2%
20102,0690.0%
20202,1272.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
Shiner racial composition as of 2020[10]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 1,612 75.79%
Black or African American (NH) 156 7.33%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 7 0.33%
Asian (NH) 6 0.28%
Some Other Race (NH) 5 0.24%
Mixed/multiracial (NH) 73 3.43%
Hispanic or Latino 268 12.6%
Total 2,127

As of the 2020 United States census, 2,127 people, 798 households, and 589 families were residing in the city.

As of the census[2] of 2000, 2,070 people, 882 households, and 572 families resided in the city. The population density was 849.9 inhabitants per square mile (328.1/km2). The 1,016 housing units had an average density of 417.1/sq mi (160.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.60% White, 10.87% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 1.93% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 6.09% of the population.

Of the 882 households, 26.6% had children under 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were not families. About 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.25, and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the age distribution was 21.8% under 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 28.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females 18, and over, there were 74.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,205, and for a family was $40,250. Males had a median income of $28,167 versus $17,426 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,942. About 7.4% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under 18 and 21.0% of those 65 or over.

Education edit

The City of Shiner is served by the Shiner Independent School District and home to the Shiner High School Comanches. The city is also served by Shiner Catholic School, which operates St. Paul High School and St. Ludmila Elementary School.

Climate edit

Climate data for Shiner, Texas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 63.0
(17.2)
67.0
(19.4)
74.0
(23.3)
80.0
(26.7)
86.0
(30.0)
92.0
(33.3)
95.0
(35.0)
96.0
(35.6)
91.0
(32.8)
83.0
(28.3)
73.0
(22.8)
65.0
(18.3)
80.4
(26.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 40.0
(4.4)
44.0
(6.7)
51.0
(10.6)
58.0
(14.4)
66.0
(18.9)
71.0
(21.7)
73.0
(22.8)
72.0
(22.2)
68.0
(20.0)
59.0
(15.0)
50.0
(10.0)
43.0
(6.1)
57.9
(14.4)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.7
(69)
2.0
(51)
2.8
(71)
3.5
(89)
4.4
(110)
4.0
(100)
2.8
(71)
3.6
(91)
3.9
(99)
4.3
(110)
3.0
(76)
2.5
(64)
39.5
(1,001)
Average precipitation days 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 6 5 5 5 60
Source: NOAA[13]

Media edit

Shiner's weekly newspaper, The Shiner Gazette, was established in 1892.[5]

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ Ramsey, Mary (June 15, 2010). "Shiner, TX". tshaonline.org. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "ShinerTx.com". The Shiner Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  6. ^ "Spoetzl Brewery". Spoetzl Brewery. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  7. ^ Texas State Historical Association: Kaspar Wire Works
  8. ^ "Kaspar Companies". Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  9. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  11. ^ https://www.census.gov/[not specific enough to verify]
  12. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "Shiner, Texas". March 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[11][12]

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Shiner Chamber of Commerce