Two women are key to Windcrest’s foundation and its legacy of lights
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Windcrest used to be considered “the country.” In fact, it was so far removed from the city that San Antonio Savings and Loan wouldn’t lend homeowners money to buy a house there.
The couple who built and sold the first houses is also
credited with the idea to “come see the lights of Windcrest.” The Christmas light craze the city is known for today started with one woman’s plan to give a new neighborhood some attention.
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Despite being landlocked, Windcrest
methodically plans for its future
Small but with a mighty vision. The City of Windcrest is only about two square miles wide and landlocked, but its leaders aren’t letting that stop them from planning for its big, bright future.
Next year, the city will introduce a master plan to increase its business presence along Interstate 35.
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Windcrest, known for its Christmas ‘Light-Up,’
hopes for a brighter business future
However, according to the Windcrest Economic Development Corporation, there are no definite occupants for that space. Additionally, an ongoing improvement project along Interstate 35 has made traveling to the city's businesses more difficult.
The city is still trying to fill a void after tech company Rackspace moved its headquarters out of the area in 2022. The giant facility has been taken over by a private company and is in the process of converting it into a business park.
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Small city,
big involvement:
Windcrest neighbors
push yearlong community
participation
With Christmas lights scattered across the city, it’s easy to see why Windcrest residents care about participating in their neighborhood traditions.
But residents said there is more than the holiday spirit stringing this community together.
December 18, 2024
Bylines: Myra Arthur, Steve Spriester, Priscilla Carraman, Andrew Wilson, Azian Bermea, Matthew Craig, Santiago Esparza, Alexis Montalbo, Ricardo Moreno, Gavin Nesbitt, Robert Samarron, Avery Everett, Patty Santos, Katrina Webber, Henry Keller, Nate Kotisso, Rebecca Salinas, Sean Talbot
Bright Lights, Small City
WINDCREST
As he takes a ride down street after light-strewn street, the man affectionately called “Santa Jim” looks every bit the part. He has the red suit, the long white beard (it’s real, by the way) and the recognizable “Ho, Ho, Ho.”
Santa Jim is also very familiar with the city he calls home. He has served on the Windcrest City Council,
and he is very familiar with what Windcrest is known for.
“Friends tell me if you want to speed up in Windcrest, you need to hit a school zone.”
The 20 mile-per-hour zones are part of this small city’s reputation, along with the elaborate
Christmas light displays, but it is so much more.
In this edition of “Know My Neighborhood,” we explore the “City Of Lights,” from the friendly festive competition to the vacant mall that once housed Rackspace. The roughly 6,000 residents who live just off Interstate 35 love the small-town feel, but knowing everyone in town can be a double-edged sword.
The city that lights up is under the bright glare of attention in the news lately with its police chief terminated earlier this week. Not everyone here likes that kind of attention.
Bright lights, Small City: Explore the good, the bad and the frustrating in this illuminating edition
of “Know My Neighborhood.”
