Championed by the Mermaid Society and the City of San Marcos in partnership with Sen. Judith Zaffirini in the Texas Senate and Rep. Erin Zwiener in the House, the resolution to designate San Marcos as the Mermaid Capital of Texas had a two year journey from its inception to the Governor’s desk in May of 2021. Initially proposed in 2019, time ran out for the resolution to be presented to lawmakers before close of the 86th Legislative session. Brought back during the 87th Legislative session in 2021, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 9 was adopted by the Senate on April 19, by the House of Representatives on May 8, and then signed by the governor on May 24. 

The resolution celebrates the cultural significance of the mermaid in the community and our dedication to protecting and cherishing the San Marcos river: “By adopting the mermaid as a symbol of the city, the people of San Marcos are encouraging public interest in the natural environment and highlighting the central role their community is playing in preserving the water resources of the Lone Star State.”

The San Marcos Mermaid Image is co-Designed by Topher Sipes

The Mermaid Capital of Texas Logo Co-Designed by Kelly Ingram

“It’s not every community that can fondly recall the good ol’ days when mermaids would swim and play in the local waters, but San Marcos can. And lately, the city has been doing more than just remembering its quirky history with these aquatic maidens. There is, once again, a thriving mermaid culture throughout San Marcos because, after a bit of an absence, the mermaids have returned.” – Texas Highway Magazine