The gist
Universal City’s first City Council officially adopted a Texas code making it a general law city on Sept. 6, 1960. San Antonio doctors Henry Ogilvie, Witten Russ and Samuel Cunningham bought farmland in late 1929, speculating that the future Randolph Air Force Base would attract homes and businesses. The tract of land was named Universal City in 1931, according to the Texas State Historical Association.
The population of the city was approximately 1,800 at the time of incorporation in 1960. As of July 2024, the population was estimated to be 20,267 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Before you go
To celebrate the occasion, the city displayed vintage photos at City Hall. On Sept. 23, the Universal City Library will host author Michael Hoffman for an informational session on the city’s history.
