Luling, Texas

The town was named after a New York banker, Charles Luling. He was a personal friend of Thomas Wentworth Pierce and provided the financing for the railroad as well the purchase of the land that became Luling.Deeds of Caldwell County, Texas. Galveston Newspaper (1874) Prior to the founding of the town, a small farming community named Atlanta was established nearby, with residents associating themselves with the newly founded Luling, causing Atlanta to fade.{{Cite web |title=TSHA {{!}} Atlanta, TX (Caldwell County) |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/atlanta-tx-caldwell-county |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=www.tshaonline.org}}

Luling was founded in 1874 as a railroad town{{cite web| last=Smyrl| first=Vivian Elizabeth| title=Luling, TX| url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hjl17| work=Handbook of Texas Online| publisher=Texas State Historical Association| access-date=14 March 2014}} 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 and cotton ruled the local economy. Perhaps due to arrival of immigrants, including a sizeable Jewish population,{{Explain|date=September 2018}} in the late-19th century, Luling began a long, slow, period of growth, and by 1925 the population reached 1,500.{{cite encyclopedia| title=Luling, TX| url=http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/tx/luling.html| encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities| access-date=14 March 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314170516/http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/tx/luling.html| archive-date=14 March 2014| url-status=dead}}

One of the most significant events in Luling's history was the discovery of oil by Edgar B. Davis. Davis mortgaged everything he owned to finance drilling operations around Luling. On August 9, 1922, the Rafael Rios No. 1 well struck oil at {{convert|2161|ft|m}}, producing {{convert|150|oilbbl/d|m3/d}}. To repay his loans, Davis contracted {{convert|2|Moilbbl|m3}} each to Atlantic Oil and Magnolia Oil at $.50 a barrel, plus another {{convert|2|Moilbbl|m3}} to Magnolia at $.75 per barrel.{{cite web| title=Davis, Edgar Byram| url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fda36| work=Handbook of Texas Online| publisher=Texas State Historical Association| access-date=14 March 2014}}

Davis' discovery opened up an oilfield {{convert|12|mi}} long and {{convert|2|mi|0}} wide. The economy quickly moved from the railroad and agriculture to oil. The population of the town rapidly increased to over 5,000. By 1924, the Luling Oil Field was producing over {{convert|15|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil per year, and oil formed much of Luling's economy for the next 60 years.

As oil grew in importance in the 1930s and 1940s, the railroads that helped form the town declined and largely pulled out of Luling.

Luling is located in southern Caldwell County, {{convert|47|mi}} south of Austin. The city limits extend south along Texas State Highway 80 across the San Marcos River into Guadalupe County, reaching as far as Interstate 10 Exit 628. Via I-10, San Antonio is {{convert|57|mi}} to the west and Houston is {{convert|141|mi}} to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Luling has a total area of {{convert|5.50|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|5.46|sqmi|km2}} is land, and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}}, or 0.67%, is water.{{cite web |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Luling city, Texas |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4845096 |access-date=March 24, 2017 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Luling has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.{{cite web|title=Luling, Texas Köppen Climate Classification|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=924514&cityname=Luling%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|access-date=14 March 2014}}

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| collapsed = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Luling, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present)

| Jan record high F = 89

| Feb record high F = 99

| Mar record high F = 100

| Apr record high F = 100

| May record high F = 105

| Jun record high F = 108

| Jul record high F = 110

| Aug record high F = 111

| Sep record high F = 110

| Oct record high F = 101

| Nov record high F = 92

| Dec record high F = 89

| year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 79.7

|Feb avg record high F = 83.2

|Mar avg record high F = 87.1

|Apr avg record high F = 90.7

|May avg record high F = 94.4

|Jun avg record high F = 98.4

|Jul avg record high F = 101.0

|Aug avg record high F = 103.1

|Sep avg record high F = 99.2

|Oct avg record high F = 93.3

|Nov avg record high F = 86.4

|Dec avg record high F = 80.5

|year avg record high F = 104.3

| Jan high F = 63.9

| Feb high F = 67.5

| Mar high F = 74.2

| Apr high F = 81.0

| May high F = 87.5

| Jun high F = 93.6

| Jul high F = 96.8

| Aug high F = 98.2

| Sep high F = 91.8

| Oct high F = 83.8

| Nov high F = 73.1

| Dec high F = 65.3

| year high F = 81.4

| Jan mean F = 51.7

| Feb mean F = 55.4

| Mar mean F = 62.2

| Apr mean F = 68.8

| May mean F = 76.6

| Jun mean F = 82.8

| Jul mean F = 85.3

| Aug mean F = 85.7

| Sep mean F = 79.9

| Oct mean F = 70.9

| Nov mean F = 60.6

| Dec mean F = 53.1

| year mean F = 69.4

| Jan low F = 39.6

| Feb low F = 43.2

| Mar low F = 50.3

| Apr low F = 56.5

| May low F = 65.6

| Jun low F = 72.1

| Jul low F = 73.8

| Aug low F = 73.3

| Sep low F = 68.1

| Oct low F = 58.0

| Nov low F = 48.2

| Dec low F = 40.9

| year low F = 57.5

|Jan avg record low F = 23.5

|Feb avg record low F = 27.1

|Mar avg record low F = 31.0

|Apr avg record low F = 38.6

|May avg record low F = 49.0

|Jun avg record low F = 62.9

|Jul avg record low F = 67.8

|Aug avg record low F = 66.2

|Sep avg record low F = 53.6

|Oct avg record low F = 39.0

|Nov avg record low F = 29.4

|Dec avg record low F = 24.7

|year avg record low F = 20.9

| Jan record low F = -3

| Feb record low F = 4

| Mar record low F = 17

| Apr record low F = 26

| May record low F = 39

| Jun record low F = 50

| Jul record low F = 57

| Aug record low F = 56

| Sep record low F = 41

| Oct record low F = 26

| Nov record low F = 19

| Dec record low F = 4

| year record low F =

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 2.40

| Feb precipitation inch = 2.16

| Mar precipitation inch = 2.74

| Apr precipitation inch = 2.94

| May precipitation inch = 4.20

| Jun precipitation inch = 3.55

| Jul precipitation inch = 1.85

| Aug precipitation inch = 2.60

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.42

| Oct precipitation inch = 4.20

| Nov precipitation inch = 2.57

| Dec precipitation inch = 2.76

| year precipitation inch = 35.39

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 7.1

| Feb precipitation days = 6.8

| Mar precipitation days = 7.1

| Apr precipitation days = 6.1

| May precipitation days = 6.5

| Jun precipitation days = 6.5

| Jul precipitation days = 4.4

| Aug precipitation days = 4.5

| Sep precipitation days = 7.0

| Oct precipitation days = 5.9

| Nov precipitation days = 6.3

| Dec precipitation days = 7.1

| year precipitation days = 75.3

| Jan snow inch = 0.0

| Feb snow inch = 0.0

| Mar snow inch = 0.0

| Apr snow inch = 0.0

| May snow inch = 0.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.0

| Nov snow inch = 0.0

| Dec snow inch = 0.0

| year snow inch = 0.0

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 0.0

| Feb snow days = 0.0

| Mar snow days = 0.0

| Apr snow days = 0.0

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.0

| Nov snow days = 0.0

| Dec snow days = 0.0

| year snow days = 0.0

| source = NOAA{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ewx

|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = November 8, 2023}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00415429&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = November 8, 2023}}

}}

{{US Census population

|align=left

|1880= 1114

|1890= 1792

|1900= 1349

|1910= 1404

|1920= 1502

|1930= 5970

|1940= 4437

|1950= 4297

|1960= 4412

|1970= 4719

|1980= 5039

|1990= 4661

|2000= 5080

|2010= 5411

|2020= 5599

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}
2010-2020{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts: Luling city, Texas |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lulingcitytexas/POP010220 |access-date=13 February 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,599 people, 2,070 households, and 1,570 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 census, there were 5,411 people, 1,907 households, and 1,315 families residing in Luling. The population density was {{convert|991.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,115 housing units at an average density of {{convert|391.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 70.8% White, 8.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 16.7% some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 52.6% of the population.{{cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/SF1DP1/1600000US4845096| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (DP-1): Luling city, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 24, 2017| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213121634/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/SF1DP1/1600000US4845096| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}

There were 1,907 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were headed by married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75, and the average family size was 3.36.

In the city, 27.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.3% were from 20 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

For the period 2011–2015, the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $39,157, and the median income for a family was $46,379. The per capita income for the city was $21,927. About 17.2% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.3% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP03/1600000US4845096| title=Selected Economic Characteristics: 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Luling city, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 24, 2017| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213113809/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP03/1600000US4845096| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}

File:William Johnson Cabin, Luling, TX IMG 8201.JPG cabin in Blanche Square in Luling]]

File:Stanley Theatre in Luling, TX IMG_8192.JPG

File:Luling pump jack.jpgs]]

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 watermelon seed spitting contest.{{cite news|last=Malewitz|first=Jim|title=Missing Out on the Latest Texas Oil Boom, One Town Repurposes Its Leftovers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/us/missing-out-on-the-latest-texas-oil-boom-one-town-repurposes-its-leftovers.html?_r=0|access-date=14 March 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=28 February 2014}}

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 jacks along the main streets of Luling are decorated with whimsical characters, such as a girl eating a watermelon.

Luling was home to the first Buc-ee's travel center. Buc-ee's replaced its current Luling location, and the new structure now claims the title of world's largest convenience store when it opened in 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.wate.com/news/texas-to-reclaim-home-of-the-largest-buc-ees/ | title=Texas to reclaim home of the largest Buc-ee's | date=June 9, 2022 }}

• Emory Bellard, college football coach
• Bo Burris, NFL player
• Jennie Everton Clarke, founder of the Belle Haven Orphan home
• Michael Dorn, actor
• Tamron Hall, journalist and television talk show host
• Obert Logan, NFL football player for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints
• Craig Mager, NFL football player for the Denver Broncos
• Marshall W. Mason, Broadway director
• Riley Odoms, NFL football player for the Denver Broncos

{{Reflist|2}}

{{notelist}}

{{commons category|Luling, Texas}}

{{wikivoyage|Luling (Texas)|Luling, Texas}}

• [http://www.cityofluling.net/ City of Luling official website]
• [http://www.lulingcc.org/ Luling Chamber of Commerce]

{{Caldwell County, Texas}}

{{Guadalupe County, Texas}}

{{Greater Austin}}

{{Texas}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Caldwell County, Texas

Category:Cities in Guadalupe County, Texas

Category:Cities in Texas

Category:Cities in Greater Austin

Category:Populated places established in 1874

Category:1874 establishments in Texas