Luling, Texas
Encyclopedia
Luling is a city in Caldwell County
, Texas
, United States
, along the San Marcos River
. The population was 5,080 at the 2000 census. There is some debate as to how Luling got its name. Some say it was named for a Chinese
railroad worker, others for a judge
named Luling, or that it was the maiden name of a railroad builder's wife. It is part of the Greater Austin
area.
town and became a rowdy center for the cattle
drivers on the Chisholm Trail
. Contempt of the law by the cowboy
s helped Luling become known as the "toughest town in Texas
." After the great cattle drives ended in the late 1880s, Luling quieted down to a town of about 500 and cotton
ruled the local economy. Perhaps due to arrival of immigrants, including some Jews, in the late-19th century, Luling began a long, slow, period of growth and by 1925 the population reached 1,500.
The single most important event in Luling's history was the discovery of oil
by Edgar B. Davis. Davis had mortgaged everything he owned to finance drilling for oil around Luling. On August 9, 1922, The Rafael Rios No. 1 well came in at 2161 feet (658.7 m) and produced 150 oilbbl/d. To repay his loans, Davis contracted 2 Moilbbl at $.50 a barrel to Atlantic Oil and another 2 million to Magnolia Oil, plus another 2 Moilbbl to Magnolia at $.75 per barrel.
Davis' discovery opened up an oilfield 12 miles (19.3 km) long and two miles (3 km) wide. The economy moved quickly from the railroad and agriculture
to oil. The population of the town boomed to over 5000. By 1924, the Luling Oil Field was producing 11 Moilbbl of oil per year. Oil formed much of Luling's economy for the next 60 years.
As oil grew in importance, the railroads that had formed the town declined and largely pulled out of Luling in the 1930s and 1940s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²).3.8 square miles (9.9 km²) of it is land, and 0.26% is water.
of 2000, there were 5,080 people, 1,791 households, and 1,226 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,324.1 people per square mile (510.8/km²). There were 1,950 housing units at an average density of 508.3/sq mi (196.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.30% White, 9.55% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 22.09% from other races
, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 44.02% of the population.
There were 1,791 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples
living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75, and the average family size was 3.39.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,923, and the median income for a family was $31,094. Males had a median income of $22,365 versus $18,432 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,373. About 17.0% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over.
Thump is held each year during the last full weekend in June. It is a big celebration for the locals and draws many people from out of town as well. A favorite activity associated with the 'Thump' is the watermelon seed spitting contest.
Luling is also home to Night In Old Luling, held in October. It features games, food, booths, and a scarecrow contest.
Some of the oil pump jacks along the main streets of Luling are decorated with whimsical characters, such as a girl eating a watermelon.
Caldwell County, Texas
Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. In 2000, the population was 32,194. Its county seat is Lockhart...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along the San Marcos River
San Marcos River
The San Marcos River rises from the San Marcos Springs, the location of Aquarena Springs, in San Marcos, Texas. The springs are home to several threatened or endangered species, including the Texas Blind Salamander, Fountain Darter, and Texas Wild Rice...
. The population was 5,080 at the 2000 census. There is some debate as to how Luling got its name. Some say it was named for a Chinese
Chinese American
Chinese Americans represent Americans of Chinese descent. Chinese Americans constitute one group of overseas Chinese and also a subgroup of East Asian Americans, which is further a subgroup of Asian Americans...
railroad worker, others for a judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
named Luling, or that it was the maiden name of a railroad builder's wife. It is part of the Greater Austin
Greater Austin
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos is a five-county metropolitan area in the US state of Texas, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget. The metropolitan area straddles on the eastern edge of the and is situated in Central Texas....
area.
History
Luling was founded in 1874 as a railroadRail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
town and became a rowdy center for the cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
drivers on the Chisholm Trail
Chisholm Trail
The Chisholm Trail was a trail used in the late 19th century to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads. The portion of the trail marked by Jesse Chisholm went from his southern trading post near the Red River, to his northern trading post near Kansas City, Kansas...
. Contempt of the law by the cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
s helped Luling become known as the "toughest town in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
." After the great cattle drives ended in the late 1880s, Luling quieted down to a town of about 500 and cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
ruled the local economy. Perhaps due to arrival of immigrants, including some Jews, in the late-19th century, Luling began a long, slow, period of growth and by 1925 the population reached 1,500.
The single most important event in Luling's history was the discovery of oil
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
by Edgar B. Davis. Davis had mortgaged everything he owned to finance drilling for oil around Luling. On August 9, 1922, The Rafael Rios No. 1 well came in at 2161 feet (658.7 m) and produced 150 oilbbl/d. To repay his loans, Davis contracted 2 Moilbbl at $.50 a barrel to Atlantic Oil and another 2 million to Magnolia Oil, plus another 2 Moilbbl to Magnolia at $.75 per barrel.
Davis' discovery opened up an oilfield 12 miles (19.3 km) long and two miles (3 km) wide. The economy moved quickly from the railroad and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
to oil. The population of the town boomed to over 5000. By 1924, the Luling Oil Field was producing 11 Moilbbl of oil per year. Oil formed much of Luling's economy for the next 60 years.
As oil grew in importance, the railroads that had formed the town declined and largely pulled out of Luling in the 1930s and 1940s.
Geography
Luling is located at 29°40′50"N 97°38′44"W (29.680499, -97.645439).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²).3.8 square miles (9.9 km²) of it is land, and 0.26% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,080 people, 1,791 households, and 1,226 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,324.1 people per square mile (510.8/km²). There were 1,950 housing units at an average density of 508.3/sq mi (196.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.30% White, 9.55% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 22.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 44.02% of the population.
There were 1,791 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75, and the average family size was 3.39.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,923, and the median income for a family was $31,094. Males had a median income of $22,365 versus $18,432 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,373. About 17.0% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over.
Events and traditions
The Luling WatermelonWatermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
Thump is held each year during the last full weekend in June. It is a big celebration for the locals and draws many people from out of town as well. A favorite activity associated with the 'Thump' is the watermelon seed spitting contest.
Luling is also home to Night In Old Luling, held in October. It features games, food, booths, and a scarecrow contest.
Some of the oil pump jacks along the main streets of Luling are decorated with whimsical characters, such as a girl eating a watermelon.
People from Luling
- Michael DornMichael DornMichael Dorn is an American actor, and voice artist who is best known for his role as the Klingon Worf from the Star Trek franchise.-Early life and career:...
, actor - Emory BellardEmory BellardEmory Dilworth Bellard was a college football coach. He was head coach at Texas A&M University from 1972 to 1978 and at Mississippi State University from 1979 until 1985. Bellard died on February 10, 2011 after battling Lou Gehrig's disease since the fall of 2010.Bellard is a member of the Texas...
, American college footballCollege footballCollege football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach - Tamron HallTamron HallTamron Hall is a day-side anchor for MSNBC and host of the program NewsNation with Tamron Hall.-Early career:...
, Anchor MSNBCMSNBCMSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada... - Obert LoganObert LoganObert Clark "Butch" Logan was a former American football Safety in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football for Trinity University...
, Football Player - Dallas Cowboys, Saints - Marta Ve Everton, ophthalmologist and wife of inventor/eugenicist Robert Klark GrahamRobert Klark GrahamRobert Klark Graham was born in Harbor Springs, Michigan, USA. He was a eugenicist and businessman who made millions by developing shatter-proof plastic eyeglass lenses, and who later founded the Repository for Germinal Choice, a sperm bank for geniuses in the hope of implementing a eugenics...