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RUNGE, TEXAS
Karnes County,
South Texas
State Highway 72
3 miles West of the DeWitt County Line
9 miles E of Kenedy
67 miles SE of San Antonio
9 miles SE of ghost town Helena
&
13 miles SE of ghost town Panna
Maria on FM 81
Population: 1080 (2000)
Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
Kenedy
Hotels
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The former post office in Runge
TE Photo, April 2001 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Henry Runge was a banker and merchant. Runge’s Company was instrumental
in developing the town in 1887 – the year it was granted a post office.
In a few short years it became the largest town in Karnes County.
The Runge Town Company managed the town until it was incorporated
in 1912. At that time Gus Tips, agent for the Runge Town Company became
the towns first mayor.
A school built in 1917 burned in 1930. Gus Tips assisted in the formation
of two banks in Runge, and much of the city’s progress is attributed
directly to this one man.
A tornado hit Runge on May 6, 1930 killing 27 people and injuring
34. This partially explains the present size of the town’s downtown
section. The Runge welcome sign also supports a birdhouse – a nice
touch we wish other towns would employ.
Yet another tragedy hit Runge in 1992 when the town’s historical museum
was destoyed by fire. |
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Another
view of Runge
TE Photo, April 2001 |
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Old wooden cistern in Runge
TE photo, April 2001 |
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The
eagle on the old Runge Post Office
TE Photo April 2001 |
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