History

VON ORMY, TEXAS. Von Ormy is on Interstate Highway 35 and the Medina River, thirteen miles southwest of downtown San Antonio in southwestern Bexar County. The community, originally known as Medina Crossing, was settled after the Civil War. In 1879 a post office was established and named Mann’s' Crossing for a family who operated the ferry. In 1886 the name was changed to Von Ormy in honor of Austrian nobleman Count Adolph von Ormy, who bought a 2,300-acre tract nearby. He and his wife and some 20 liveried servants planned to establish a court in the former house of Enoch Jones, but the Countess von Ormy returned to Europe after a year's residence, and the Count disappeared under mysterious circumstances a year later. In 1914 the town had two grocers, a general store, a cotton gin, and a population of 350.

Von Ormy (pronounced /ˌvahn AHR mi/) is a city located in southwest Bexar County, Texas, United States. Prior to 1880, the community was known as Mann's Crossing, Garza's Crossing, Medina Crossing, and Paso de las Garzas. The former settlements of Kirk, Texas and Bexar, Texas were absorbed into Von Ormy by the early 1900s. Von Ormy lies along the Medina River at the crossing point of the historic Upper Laredo Camino Real.

Today, several pioneer families who settled in the region prior to the Texas Revolution still comprise a large percentage of Von Ormy residents, including the Ruiz, Herrera, Vara, Flores, Mann, Reyes and Quintana families.

Von Ormy is served by the Jarret Volunteer Fire Department, which was established in 1975 in order to provide fire protection for the upcoming bicentennial celebrations.

Von Ormy Day

Beginning in 2006, Von Ormy has held an annual parade and festival termed "Von Ormy Day." It is held on the second Saturday after Thanksgiving. Von Ormy Day was established to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the town name being changed to Von Ormy by its postmaster. When it was created the community had not held a large-scale parade since the bicentennial celebration in 1976.

On Von Ormy day the Von Ormy Historical Society crowns a Count and Countess. This honor is given annually to persons who have contributed greatly to the historical preservation of the area or who have provided exceptional community service in the area.

In the summer of 2006, a group of Von Ormy residents organized a series of public meetings in Von Ormy concerning the future of the community, the lack of basic public services and possible solutions to these problems. Overwhelming support for the creation of a City of Von Ormy was expressed by attendees at these three meetings. In order to pursue this community desire, the Committee to Incorporate Von Ormy, a Texas non-profit association, was organized. In addition to residential members, CIVO also includes over 20 commercial members representing nearly all local businesses.

After confirming that it was in the best interest of Von Ormy to incorporate CIVO filed the necessary petition to the City of San Antonio to allow an election for incorporation within its extra-territorial jurisdiction.

On January 31, 2008, the San Antonio City Council passed a resolution to allow Von Ormy to hold an election on incorporation.  On May 10, 2008 voters approved the proposition to create the City of Von Ormy by a vote of 88% in favor and 12% opposed.

The City of Von Ormy was incorporated on May 30, 2008. The first municipal election was held on November 4, 2008. Art Martinez de Vara was elected unopposed as Mayor. A total of seven candidates ran for the five Alderman positions on the city council. Those elected included Alex Quintanilla, Verna Lee Hernandez, J.M. Sweeney, Jr., Sebastian Martinez, and Leonardo R. Ruiz.

Geography

Von Ormy is located at 29°17.14′N 98°38.84′W / 29.28567, -98.64733 Coordinates: 29°17.14′N 98°38.84′W / 29.28567, -98.64733.

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