Coker

The Coker community, now within the city limits of San Antonio, was located in north central Bexar County along the present north loop road between the San Antonio streets of Nacoma Avenue, West Avenue, Bitters, and U.S. Highway 281. The community was founded in 1841 by John Coker on land he had received as a first-class headright. Coker's home was built of cut limestone blocks twelve inches thick and also served as the first stop on the cattle trails from San Antonio headed north; the cattle traveled twelve miles a day so the community was just the right distance from San Antonio at that time. There was a watering hole at the site dug for Coker by friendly Indians; the depression is still there at the foot of a 500-year-old live oak tree. The one room Coker community school was constructed nearby and also served as a church. John's brother James Harrison Coker was the first school teacher. According to family tradition, one day James was approached by an Indian who demanded a gallon of syrup. James refused since he only had one gallon for his family for the winter. This apparently angered the Indians who surrounded the cabin that night, yelling and dancing war dances; the frightened family was up all night expecting them to attack, but by the morning they were gone.

Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.