Located on the outskirts of San Antonio, Schertz is one of the major suburbs of Northeast San Antonio. Since the first settlers came to Schertz in the 1840s, the town has grown substantially in population and size. Today, Schertz is considered to be the third-largest city in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area. As of 2010, it has about 31, 465 residents. In this article, we are going to know more about this city, its history and the places you need to see while you’re there.

History of Schertz

The first settlers of Schertz came around in 1843, and some of the first families that decided to live there were the Maskes, Boettigers, Schneiders, Sellers, and Schertz. The town was first called Cibolo Pit, then residents decided to change it to Cut off because when the Cibolo Creek was flooded, the settlement got cut off.

The first settlers of the city planted oats, wheat, and corn. But as time passed by, they also decided to start planting cotton. Eventually, it proved to be a productive crop. In 1870, the Schertz family built a cotton engine, and it was powered by mules and then later by steam. They decided to put these cotton engine where the post office is located during that time. Years later, a lumber yard and a corn sheller were also established in the community. in 1890, the first school in the community was built, and it was located across Cibolo Creek.

The year 1876 is when one of the largest boosts in Schertz happened, and it is all because the Harrisburg, Galveston, and San Antonio Railroad was built. Aside from faster ship out of goofs, the railroad allowed the people of Schertz to travel to San Antonio by rail instead of riding a buggy or wagon. In 1899, the town was officially named Schertz. This is because Sebastian Schertz owned a general that is located near the railroad.
Since then, the town continued to grow and flourish. Banks, hospitals, hotels, and other establishments were built in Schertz. Today, the city continues to celebrate its entrepreneurial and agricultural heritage while looking towards the future.

Things to Do and Places to Go in Schertz

• Go to the Animal World Snake Farm and Zoo

  You read that right, a snake farm, and a zoo. Well, aside from all the snakes and reptiles you will see here, other fascinating animals live here such as big cats, birds, and other smaller mammals. Animal World Snake Farm and Zoo also offer some interactive shows that allow you to get up close and personal with animals.

  They also have other educational programs as well as venues that are perfect for birthday parties. Aside from that, this zoo also has its own gemstone mine where you can pan for minerals, fossils, gemstones, and even shark teeth.

• Witness a Horse Race at the Retama Park

  Do not worry about having to make any wagers when you visit Retama Park because you can just go there and see the horses race. Trust us, it is a pleasant experience. If you are interested, the races are often held on Fridays and Saturdays through summer and fall.

• Visit a Public Park

  Schertz has about ten public parks, and some of them have picnic areas, playgrounds, ballpark, walking areas, and a skate park. There are also several parks surrounding Schertz, such as the McAllister Park and the Converse City Park.

• Go to Caves and Caverns

  Just about 20 minutes away from Schertz is the Natural Bridge Caverns. This place offers different types of adventures and tours in the hill country’s caverns and caves. Aside from that, they also have a maze with a bridge and towers, as well as a gemstone mine where you can pan for minerals, gems, fossils, and arrowheads. If you are a fan of science, archaeology, and geology, then you would definitely have a good time here.

• Go, Blast Bowling, Laser Tagging, and Mini Golfing

  If you are looking for some indoor family fun while you are in Schertz, then you should head on down to Main Even Entertainment. This place offers several activities that you and your family can enjoy, such as laser tag, bowling, billiards, karaoke, video game arcade, rock climbing, and a zipline course.

• Have a Fun Family Good Time at Morgan’s Wonderland

  Morgan’s Wonderland is an ultra-accessible and exciting amusement park where everyone can enjoy. This place offers carnival rides and playgrounds that are wheelchair accessible as well as a waterworks area and an amphitheater where you can witness different performances. They also showcase programs for children as well as children with disabilities and senior citizens.