Image
Date
May 1, 1950
Description
Photograph of a parking meter.
Physical Form
Extent
6 x 6 cm.
Identifier
SC_100-SMDR-1959-229_008
Rights
Researchers may make free and open use of the Alkek Library's digitized public domain materials. However, some materials in our online collections may be protected by U. S. copyright law (Title 17, U. S. C. ). Use or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by Fair; use (Title 17, U. S. C. ยง 107) requires permission from the copyright owners. The use or reproduction of some materials may also be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, privacy and publicity rights, or trademark law. Responsibility for determining rights status and permissibility of any use or reproduction rests exclusively with the researcher.
Source
Special Collections and Archives - San Marcos Daily Record Photographic Negatives
Note
From San Marcos Record: "Parking meters were installed around the square for a six-month trial in May of 1950. Rates were set at a penny for twelve minutes, a nickel for an hour, and a dime for two hours of parking. During the six-month trial close to $1970 was taken in by the city with half the proceeds going to pay for the meters. By October of 1952, three hundred eighty-one parking meters had been installed in the business district. The first increase in parking fees did not occur until thirty-four years later, when the cost to park increased in September of 1984 to a nickel for 12 minutes, a dime for twenty-four minutes, a dime and a nickel for thirty-six minutes and a quarter for one hour. By early 1990, business owners sought for the removal of the parking meters. In September of 1990, the parking meters were disabled as two hours of free parking in the downtown business area was implemented. By mid - December of 1991, plans were made by the city council to remove the nearly four hundred parking meters from the business district."