Kingsville (Texas)
Kleberg County
48-39352
Kingsville is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat of Kleberg County. Kingsville was established in 1904, named after the owner of the King Ranch, Richard King.
Demographic data
67.1 % of residents are Hispanic, 26.1% white, 4.1% African American and 1.7 % Asian. 0.1 % belong to other population groups. The average household income is $ 27,385 (as of 2009 ). In comparison: The average household income in Texas is $ 48,259.
History
Kingsville was originally founded as a workers' settlement at the intersection of St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway. By 1900, the need grew after the construction of a rail link to Brownsville. For this you need land, which has been a part of the largest ranch in Texas. For the construction of the railway Henrietta King represented a large part of the King Ranch for sale. The manager of the ranch, Robert Justus Kleberg, organized in 1903 to sell the land for Henrietta King and the construction company. The placement of the place was three miles east of the headquarters of the King Ranch planned. The community was named after Richard Kingsville King. A short time later, the track work reached the place. In 1904, the first passenger train through Kingsville and a post office was opened drove. The management of the Railway decided to build their main office and several shops in Kingsville. Um1906 lived 25 railway workers and their families in Kingsville. The railroad was the main source of income for the village. By 1912, the population was already 4000 inhabitants and 1930 there were then 6815th of them were of Mexican origin in 2000 and 524 African Americans.
The first commercial facilities were built by the King Ranch (eg a hotel and the weekly newspaper ). Kingsville became the commercial center of many surrounding farmers and Rancherfamilien who produced mainly dairy products and sold. 1911 Kingsville received an official certificate of incorporation, which was the condition for recognition as a city. 1912 erected a cotton mill with donations, 1913 Kingsville County Seat was the newly founded Kleberg County. Shortly after the founding of the city oil was discovered (1920). In addition, we found a source of natural gas, with the residents and public institutions were supplied with gas. The South Texas Teachers College was founded in 1925 and encouraged to move to Kingsville more people. In 1929, the college was renamed " Texas College of Arts and Industries " and improved quality. Since 1993, this institution is part of the Texas A & M University.
In the 30s Kingsville grew with difficulty. The opening of the Kingsville Naval Auxiliary Station (that of an American naval base ), the city enjoyed a huge growth spurt in 1924. Later there was the Naval Air Station Kingsville, a base for jet aircraft. During the Second World War 6000-7000 about Navy members inhabited the base. In 1946, when, after World War II, the Naval Base was closed, many people departed. But the military base for the Navy in 1951, was reactivated. The renewed population growth by the Navy personnel stimulated the local economy. In the early 50s, the railroad closed its offices and shops in Kingsville, of which the city but recovered quickly. Thanks to the Humble Oil and Refining Company ( now ExxonMobil) grew steadily, the population of the city in the 60s, continues to grow.
In addition, the population growth of the city was influenced by the growing number of applications at the local university: The population increased from 16,857 inhabitants in 1950 to 28 711 inhabitants in 1970 In 1985, the population increased steadily due to declining numbers of applications and the closure of sites Exxon 's ( oil production ). from.
Attractions
Near Kingsville is the King Ranch. In Kingsville, there is the King Ranch Museum and the King Ranch Saddle Shop in Downtown Kingsville. In addition, the city has a museum of local history and the Kingsville Train Depot.
Educational institutions
In Kingsville, there is the Texas A & M University Kingsville, the Coastal Bend College and Texas A & M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy. There is the State High School Henrietta M. King High School, and two private high schools, the Presbyterian Pan American School and the Christian Life Academy.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Lauro Cavazos (* 1927), health scientist and former politician
- Steve Denton ( born 1956 ), tennis player
- Richard M. Kleberg (1887-1955), politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives
- David L. Lindsey ( born 1944 ), writer ( detective fiction / thriller )
- Jack Mildren (1949-2008), football player and later politician
- Kimberly Scott ( b. 1961 ), actress
- Shelby Walker (1975-2006), a professional boxer and mixed- martial arts fighter