Cowboys & Cul-de-Sacs

In recent years the identity of Helotes, a small city on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas, has been challenged by rapid development. Known for it’s rural small town ambiance, the threat of a changing landscape and way of life has created a division among residents struggling to cope with the inevitable change of their community.

In January, Helotes was ranked the third fastest growing boomtown in the United States by a national demographics consulting firm. According to their study, Helotes has grown 352 percent from 2000-2008. It remains to be seen whether the bucolic way of life will survive the onslaught of suburban growth.