Luling, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Luling is a city in Caldwell County, Texas, 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. Most likely it was the maiden name of railroad builder's wife, though no one can be certain.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Education
5 Events and Traditions
6 People From Luling
7 External links

[edit] History

Luling was founded in 1874 as a railroad town and became a rowdy center for the cattle drivers on the Chisholm Trail. Contempt of the law by the cowboys 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, where cotton ruled the local economy.

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 and produced 150 barrels a day. To repay his loans, Davis contracted 2 million barrels at $.50 a barrel to Atlantic Oil and another 2 million to Magnolia Oil, plus another 2 million barrels to Magnolia at $.75 per barrel.

Davis' discovery opened up an oilfield 12 miles long and two miles 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 million barrels of oil per year. Oil formed much of Luling's economy for the next 60 years.

As oil grew in importance, the railroads which had formed the town declined. The railroads largely pulled out of Luling in the 1930s and 1940s.

[edit] Geography

Luling is located at 29°40′50″N, 97°38′44″W (29.680499, -97.645439)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²). 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.26% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 5,080 people, 1,791 households, and 1,226 families residing in the city. The population density was 510.8/km² (1,324.1/mi²). There were 1,950 housing units at an average density of 196.1/km² (508.3/mi²). 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. Hispanic or Latino 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 87.0 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.

One of Luling's many decorative pump jacks.

[edit] Education

The City of Luling is served by the Luling Independent School District.

[edit] Events and Traditions

The Luling Watermelon 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 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 main streets of Luling are decorated with whimsical characters, such as a girl eating a watermelon.