Luling, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Luling is a city located in Caldwell County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,080. 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 Events and Traditions
5 External links

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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.

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Geography

Luling is located at 29°40'50" North, 97°38'44" West (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.

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Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 5,080 people, 1,791 households, and 1,226 families residing in the city. The population density is 510.8/km² (1,324.1/mi²). There are 1,950 housing units at an average density of 196.1/km² (508.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 65.30% White, 9.55% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 22.09% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. 44.02% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,791 households out of which 34.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% are married couples living together, 15.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% are non-families. 28.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.75 and the average family size is 3.39.

In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $26,923, and the median income for a family is $31,094. Males have a median income of $22,365 versus $18,432 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,373. 19.4% of the population and 17.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.9% of those under the age of 18 and 20.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

One of Luling's many decorative pump jacks.

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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.

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