Three Rivers, Texas

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Three Rivers is a city in Live Oak County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,878 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Facts
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Three Rivers is located at 28°28′2″N, 98°10′46″W (28.467155, -98.179451)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,878 people, 704 households, and 492 families residing in the city. The population density was 503.5/km² (1,299.7/mi²). There were 876 housing units at an average density of 234.9/km² (606.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.22% White, 0.53% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 14.00% from other races, and 2.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 50.37% of the population.

There were 704 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $34,188. Males had a median income of $30,337 versus $16,607 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,814. About 21.6% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Facts

The city is named for its proximity to three rivers, the Atascosa River, Frio River (which join north of the city), and the Nueces River (which joins the Frio south of the city). Originally named Hamiltonburg, the city name was changed when mail meant for the city was accidentally delivered to Hamilton, Texas instead.

South Texas locals often use Three Rivers as a "halfway point" between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, TX because it is located approximately 75 miles from both and is just off of I-37, which is the most commonly used freeway to travel between the two cities.

The town's motto is "Hand in hand, together we can" and its tourist slogan is "If you lived here, you would be home".

There is a single school district for the entire city, Three Rivers Independent School District, containing Three Rivers Elementary School, Three Rivers Junior High School and Three Rivers High School. The school mascot is the bulldog, and the school has a usually-friendly rivalry with the school district in neighboring George West, TX. For the 2007 year, the school will compete in UIL events in District 31 - AA.

Recently, Three Rivers began celebrating an annual one-day festival celebrating the popular chip dip in the area, calling it Salsa Fest. Each year in the spring, competitors may enter an original salsa recipe to be judged by festival-goers willing to pay the $1 voting fee. Currently, there are three divisions one can enter their salsa in: Aamateur (anyone may enter); Professional (if the entering salsa is currently sold commercially); and Restaurant (restaurants can enter the homemade salsa served with their meals) to allow fairness between a homemade salsa and one that is commercialized. Voters vote for their favorite salsa in each division, allowing for three grand-prize winners who are rewarded with money and a Commemorative plaque, for their efforts.

Three Rivers currently has an unusually thriving music scene for a town of its size, with at least 10 rock bands and numerous pop and country artists residing in the community, many of which have performed at Three Rivers Salsa Festival.

Residents in Three Rivers typically only recognize two "neighborhoods"- one at the east end of town, called "Churchill Acres" which, although considered to be the "rich" neighborhood, is inhabited mostly by middle-class residents. The other neighborhood is The Barrio; located at the opposite, west, end of town which is considered "downtown". The Barrio is home to Latino and Hispanic families and residents, mostly lower-class families, with a few middle-class households. A city park and the city pound are located in The Barrio.

Three city parks in total are available for visit, free of charge, although at Three Rivers City Park, located on Oakville Road, between the school and cemetery, $1 is required to use the swimming pool. This park also includes a soccer field used by Little League Soccer teams in the area, and two baseball diamonds, both used by Little League teams as well. The other two parks are the aforementioned park in The Barrio, and Tips Park also at the west end of town, off Hwy 72, which has camping and RV accommodations (for a fee), and fishing access to the Frio River.

Many Three Rivers residents live in or near Three Rivers because of the large number of jobs needed in the nearby federal prison (located roughly 10 miles west of town, on Hwy 72) and the Valero refinery located inside the city limits. Most new residents moving permanently to Three Rivers are ones transferred to the prison or refinery from other jobs within those respective systems.

Most visitors to Three Rivers who come for reasons other than business or visiting family often come to stay overnight in one of several hotels because of Three Rivers' proximity to Choke Canyon Lake where several bass fishing tournaments are held each year. Other reasons for visit include hunting (whitetail deer, wild hog, dove, and quail are hunted in the area to name a few), shopping, the Live Oak County Jamboree, the Live Oak County Fair, and using the town as a temporary resting place in a trip, as the nearby highways (I-37, Hwy 281, and Hwy 72) joining nearby or in Three Rivers make a junction for travelers coming to and from San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the Rio Grande Valley.

There are three stoplights as of 2006 on US Highway 281, two at the two intersections of Texas Highway 72, and one where Hwy 281 intersects Alexander St.

Three Rivers is also the site of the first glass factory in the State of Texas. Although it is no longer in production and the building has been demolished, a State Historical Marker stands at its site. Some of the antique shops in town and in the neighboring town of George West may sometimes carry a few pieces the factory produced.

In 1949, the community received attention concerning a dispute about the burial of Felix Longoria.