Region: South Texas Plains
The town was first settled in 1847. In 1849, the Harrison and Brown
Stagecoach Stop was created to transport passengers and freight between the
communities of Central, South and East Texas. Selma's first post office opened
in 1856. As the population grew due to an influx of German and Polish
immigrants, Selma added general stores, cotton gins, blacksmiths, a saloon and a
school. Located 16 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio, the population of
Selma in 1940 was 100 citizens, and since 2000, the city has experienced a
growth of 603 percent and now has more than 5,500 citizens. Incorporated in
1964, Selma has seen tremendous growth as business along the I-35 Austin-San
Antonio corridor has developed.