Oak Park

Oak Park is located between Schreiner University and the VA Hospital. According to descendants of W. L. Council, he and Dr. Wm. L. Secor saw a need for housing the families of men housed at the VA Hospital for the treatment of tuberculosis and in 1924 began developing this community for that purpose.  Many of the houses were one bedroom and very affordable. He and Dr. Secor developed the first water treatment facility for the Kerrville area as well as the first sewage treatment facility.  By 1938 the residents of Legion village and Oak Park were petitioning to be added to the city of Kerrville water system because the four-inch steel pipes were expensive to maintain and repair.

The first mention in the newspaper of Oak Park was on September 18, 1924, when it was recorded that W. L. Council and Wm. Lee Secor sold lots 13 and 14 of block 6, to E. F. Everett, and lots 15 and 16  of block 6 to Fred Kreis, who then immediately resold it to Mrs. Flossie M. Everett.
Both lots and houses were sold.  Many of the houses advertised for sale were 4 room cottages.


In 1925 Council and Secor began advertising "Why Pay Rent?  Pay $10 down and $10 per month and buy a lot! Pay $50 down and $25 per month and build a home!" In addition, they were promoting its healthful elevation, excellent water supply, and beautiful shade trees.

The March 12, 1925, Kerrville Mountain Sun reported on the development of Oak Park. Described as a "real estate proposition of vast proportions", it initially was 58 acres which was augmented by the purchase from E. C. Meeker of between 160 and 200 acres between that development and the city of Kerrville.  It was reported that nearly every original lot was sold and forty homes had been erected. It had its own water supply with mains running to every lot. An electric light plant was also planned.

Advertising also pointed out that Oak Park was NOT Legion.  Oak Park was not on the highway and consisted of home owners, not renters.  Note though that part of Legion Drive is in Oak Park Addition.

Community life developed quickly.  In July 1925 it was announced that a Union Sunday School was being held in Oak Park in an arbor built for the purpose. There were five classes with forty members and occasional preaching.  This appears to be the origin of Oak Park Baptist Church.

On January 11, 1949, an election was held to add over 1000 acres to the Kerrville city limits.  Areas to be annexed included Richards Park Addition, Oak Park Addition, Legion Hospital, Meeker Addition, Mosty Addition, and the City Farm, as well as territory along the Guadalupe River to the south of the city which was described as being more or less between Schreiner Institute and Spur 100.  It was rejected almost four to one.  Oak Park was finally annexed to Kerrville in 1981, adding about 200 households and 135 acres to the city.

For a list of other Kerrville subdivisions, go here.