Did you know the City of Somerset, Texas will celebrate its 50th birthday, or anniversary, beginning in 2020? Yup, on November 28, 1970, citizens in the Town of Somerset voted to become an official, incorporated “City of Somerset.”
HOW SOMERSET GOT ITS NAME
Most readers of this blog article may not know it, but this new city is the third, large community referred to as a Somerset. Old Somerset was settled in 1852, about 2 miles south in Atascosa County, from three families from Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky. In 1880, most of those town folk moved to the 2nd Somerset, or Bexar Community, where Benton City Road met James and Kinney/Kenney Road. Here was big money with the Kenney coal mines.
In 1909, a contract was signed to create a township on the new Artesian Belt Railroad. That contract and its state incorporation named this new community “The First Township Company.” When oil was discovered her in 1912, many people from Old Somerset, Bexar, Senior, Benton, and other communities moved this new place of opportunity. It didn’t take long before residents and oil workers began calling this growing town Somerset. I mean, would you tell someone you lived in First Townsite Company? or Somerset? Yes, I though so, too.
DREAMING OF BECOMING ITS OWN CITY
That original state incorporation expired by 1950, making Somerset and official “town” in Bexar County. Some began dreaming of being Somerset, a city of its own. They also realized that some basic city services were needed: local medical service, local police and fire protection, building codes, even sewage services, water service, and fear that San Antonio would engulf them one day.
Somerset ISD Superintendent was asked to speak with the San Antonio City Council to ask the City’s permission to vote to become the City of Somerset. Following weeks of discussion with the San Antonio Mayor, City Manager, and officials with the State of Texas a date for the residents of Somerset. On November 28, 1970, residents were asked to vote “yes” or “no”: “Do you want Somerset to become a City.” A large majority said, YES!
SOMERSET RESIDENTS NOW VOTE FOR THEIR FIRST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
It took a few months to get ready for City elections. When they did so, elections were held on April 7, 1971. On that date the citizens of the new City of Somerset voted for their first Mayor and City Council. County Judge Blair Reeves, on April 20, 1971, was honored to swear in newly elected Mayor C. J. “Dick” Kuenstler, Aldermen Everett H. Seeger, Jr., Raymond E. Galloway, Ernest R. Lopez, T. P. Alcorta, and Adolph F. Hoffman. Our first, and only, 50th Happy Birthday Celebration could be months away. ( I think we missed our “Centennial” in 2009. Let’s not miss this one.)
