Sutherland Springs, Texas

Sutherland Springs is an unincorporated community located on the old Spanish land grant of Manuel Tarin in northern Wilson County, Texas, United States. It is located on U.S. Highway 87 at the intersection of Farm Road 539, about 31 miles (50 km) east of downtown San Antonio.

Sutherland Springs, Texas
Unincorporated community
Historic building in Sutherland Springs
Coordinates: 29°16′24″N 98°03′24″W
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyWilson
Established1854
Founded byJohn Sutherland
Elevation469 ft (143 m)
Population
 (2017)
 • Total600
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
ZIP code
78161
WebsiteHandbook of Texas

History
Texas Historical Commission marker, Linne Oil Field

Sutherland Springs was platted in 1854, and named after John Sutherland Jr., a pioneer citizen.[2] A post office has been in operation at Sutherland Springs since 1851.[3]

2017 shooting
Main article: Sutherland Springs church shooting

On November 5, 2017, Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed 26 people and injured 20 at the community's First Baptist Church. The gunfire was heard by Stephen Willeford, a church neighbor and former NRA instructor, who grabbed his weapon and ran toward the scene barefoot.[4] Willeford gravely wounded Kelley in a rapid exchange of gunfire, then corralled a nearby car and chased Kelley as he tried to flee the scene in his truck.[5] After a high speed chase, Kelley succumbed to his injuries and was found dead in a roadside ditch.[6] It was the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history.[7]

Geography

Old Sutherland Springs occupies a portion of the South bank of the Cibolo Creek, with New Sutherland Springs (which is mostly in ruins) on the north bank of the Cibolo Creek.

Bibliography
  • "The Good Old Days a history of LaVernia," published by members of the Civic Government class at LaVernia High School for the 1936-37 academic school year.
  • "Wilson County Centennial 1860-1960," published by the Wilson County Library; official centennial program handed out by the local community for the "100-year celebration" of the county's establishment.

References
  1. "Sutherland Springs". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. McCaslin, Richard. "Sutherland Springs, TX". tshaonline.org. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  3. "Post Offices". Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  4. "Texas Church Shooting". The Guardian. November 7, 2017.
  5. id.
  6. id.
  7. "Sutherland Springs: Texas church shooting leaves 26 dead". BBC News. November 5, 2017.
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