San Marcos, is a census designated place and former charter city in Carmen County. It has a population of 18,191 people according to the 2014 census. It is located in the northeast part of the county and is a part of Greater Bloxburg City and limits with Alamada. It was incorporated in 1883 and had its charter deactivated in 1971, effectively turning it into a unincorporated town.
History
When The Bloxburg, Bloxorado And Bloxissouri Railroad (BBBR) begun operation, part of the original route passed though the area. A group of farmers had created a small settlement, with a general store, some shops and a town hall. In 1864, the residents of the area had persuaded the BBBR to add a stop at San Marcos. The stop today is a railroad museum and home to the San Marcos Railway Society. By 1874, the town had a “downtown” which consisted of a small street grid with a whole bunch of row houses, churches, the town school, the town hall, and a couple of parks. In 1922, the Bloxburg Electric Railway had extended its 3 Route to San Marcos, efficiently developing it as a streetcar suburb. The Main Street through the town is the Bloxburg Valley State Highway 35, centered around the historic downtown section of the community.
Era as an incorporated city (1883-1971)
In the year 1883, the charter of the city of San Marcos was established and the first mayor was appointed, along with a postmaster and sheriff. Around this time the town had a growing population that came there for the area’s nice soil, and location on a newly constructed aqueduct. In 1970 a vote was held by the town council to keep the town’s charter. During this time many wanted the town to be merged with neighboring Alamada. The town council voted 29-17 to deactivate the charter. In 1971, the town’s charter was deactivated, therefore it was still incorporated, but it was a inactive town, meaning the town still exists but does not have a government of its own and relys on the county for such.