Universal City, Texas

Universal City is a city in Bexar County, Texas, United States. It borders San Antonio to the northeast and is adjacent to Randolph Air Force Base. The population was 18,530 at the 2010 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area. Covering 5.7 square miles, the city is enclosed by Randolph and the cities of Converse, Live Oak, Selma, and Schertz. The genesis of Universal City occurred when three San Antonio doctors, Henry H. Ogilvie (1885–1945), Witten B. Russ (1874–1964), and Samuel P. Cunningham (1876–1930), bought farmland in late 1929 in speculation that the future military airfield across the tracks would attract businesses and homeowners. Developer Aubrey Milner named the tract Universal City in 1931 to recognize what he hoped would be the universal importance of the neighboring airfield. Until the late 1950s, the town grew slowly; the population after twenty-five years was only a few hundred. The catalyst that fueled Universal City’s tremendous growth was when Headquarters, Air Training Command moved from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, to Randolph in 1957. The influx of officers and enlisted could not be absorbed by on-base housing, as it had since World War II. At one time known as the fastest growing city in Texas, the city’s population skyrocketed to 7,613 by 1970. Since then growth has been less phenomenal, with the population reaching 10,720 by 1980, 13,057 by 1990, 14,849 by 2000, and 18,530 by 2010. Universal City has two major parks, several smaller ones, and has acquired land for several future parks, including a linear one beside Cibolo Creek. The city has two annual civic events—a Snowfest in February and a Veterans’ Day parade in November.